Temporal Changes in Body Mass and Body Condition of Cave-Hibernating Bats During Staging and Swarming

Research at Mammoth Cave National Park reveals significant temporal variation in body mass and condition among cave-hibernating bats, with little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) and northern long-eared bats (M. septentrionalis) showing improved body condition post-exposure to white-nose syndrome (WNS). Tri-colored bats (Perimyotis subflavus) exhibited the greatest increase in body mass (42.5%) and body mass index (42.9%) before hibernation, suggesting species-specific vulnerability to WNS. The study, conducted from 2011 to 2014, captured 1,232 bats across eight species, noting a male-biased sex ratio and reduced capture success in 2014, likely due to fungal impact. Findings highlight the need for baseline data to assess WNS effects on bat populations.

Lacki, M. J., Dodd, L. E., Toomey, R. S., Thomas, S. C., Couch, Z. L., & Nichols, B. S. (2015). Temporal Changes in Body Mass and Body Condition of Cave-Hibernating Bats During Staging and Swarming. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management, 6(2), 360–370. https://doi.org/10.3996/042015-jfwm-033