18th Annual Student Research Conference
Science
Prey Selection within a Southeastern Missouri Bat Community
Matthew D. Bast♦
Dr. Scott Burt, Dr. Jonathan C. Gering, Dr. Dean DeCock, and Dr. Dale W. Sparks (Indiana State University), Faculty Mentors
Insectivorous bats play an important role in the regulation of the insect communities on which they prey. During the summer of 2004, fecal samples from 138 bats of 9 species and over 40 trap nights of insect samples were collected at the S-F Scout Ranch, St. Francois County, Missouri. Bat prey and insect availability is being ascertained through identification of insects present in the feces and from traps. These data are being used to test the null hypothesis that bats forage randomly (i.e. will eat any available insect). If the null is true, then bats caught at the same place and at the same time should have similar diets, regardless of species, size, or age. I predict that bats forage in a non-random way, and therefore are selective in their dietary habits. Final results are pending analysis. Supported by Truman State University and the Boy Scouts of America.
Keywords: insectivorous, trap nights, forage
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 9-3
Location: VH 1010
Time: 8:45