Habitat affinities of bats from northeastern Nevada

Authors

Mark A. Ports, Great Basin College, Elko, Nevada
Peter V. Bradley, Nevada Division of Wildlife, Elko, Nevada

Abstract

Bat surveys were completed in 6 habitat types in eastern Nevada between 1980 and 1994. Twelve species of bats and 578 individuals were identified from 33 trap localities in 144 trap nights. There were weak correlations between bat species richness and January maximum temperatures (0.728, P < 0.05) and mean annual days with 0° C or lower (−0.704, P < 0.05). Bat species richness exhibited no correlation with annual normal precipitation, January minimum temperatures, July minimum temperatures, and July maximum temperatures. It appears that bat species richness is highest in portions of northeastern Nevada typified by sedimentary deposits (limestone, dolomite). Igneous mountain ranges (basalt, volcanic ash) generally had moderate bat species richness, and metamorphic ranges (quartzite) typically had low bat species richness. Notable range extensions include Antrozous pallidus (from central Nye County north to the Nevada-Idaho border, approximately 450 km), Tadarida brasiliensis (approximately 350 km north), and Pipistrellus hesperus (approximately 350 km north). Also, the presence of Lasionycteris noctivagans, Lasiurus cinereus, and Corynorhinus townsendii was confirmed.

Recommended Citation

Ports, Mark A. and Bradley, Peter V. (1996) "Habitat affinities of bats from northeastern Nevada," Great Basin Naturalist: Vol. 56: No. 1, Article 6.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/gbn/vol56/iss1/6