California Leaf-Nosed Bat Population Demographics and Habitat Use

Research is being conducted to determine the population genetic history of California leaf-nosed bats along the LCR including geographic structuring, evolutionary history, and other population demographic parameters using modern molecular techniques.  Additionally, the LCR MSCP wants to determine the distribution of genetic variation in California leaf-nosed bat roost sites and identify where individuals from different roosts are foraging.

This is being initiated to evaluate the status of California leaf-nosed bats along the LCR within the framework of the LCR MSCP using a modern molecular approach. This will allow a better understanding of how far individuals are willing to travel to forage (currently assumed to be only 5 miles) and what constitutes appropriate habitat.

Genetic samples from each of the known roost sites near the LCR and from individuals captured during system monitoring will be collected and DNA sequencing and microsatellite analyses performed. This documents the genetic structuring of roost sites and allows estimations of various population demographic parameters. These parameters include population size, previous population expansion or contraction, and dispersal between roosts. Individuals collected during conservation area monitoring are assigned to their most likely roost site based on their unique genetic signature.

Distance from roosts to restoration sites and other pertinent habitat information is determined using GIS.

For additional information on this project, please refer to Work Task C43: Population Demographics and Habitat Use of California Leaf-nosed Bat, a Genetic Evaluation (PDF). Find Technical Reports for this Work Task here.

Updated October 14, 2011