Maternity colony of Northern Long-eared Myotis (Myotis septentrionalis) in a human-made structure in Nebraska

Authors

Rachel M. Stein, University of Nebraska at OmahaFollow
Jeremy A. White, University of Nebraska at OmahaFollow

Date of this Version

Summer 7-20-2016

Citation

Stein RM and White JA. 2016. Maternity colony of Northern Long-eared Myotis (Myotis septentrionalis) in a human-made structure in Nebraska. Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences, 36, 1-5.

Comments

Copyright (c) 2016 Rachel M. Stein and Jeremy A. White

Abstract

The Northern Long-eared Myotis (Myotis septentrionalis) occurs across eastern North America, and its range extends west into the Great Plains of the United States. Summer roosts of M. septentrionalis in the Great Plains are not well documented. Herein we describe a maternity colony of M. septentrionalis using small, elevated structures (i.e., cabins) in southeastern Nebraska. Cabins were in a small parcel of upland deciduous forest about 1.6 km from the Missouri River. The maternity colony was observed roosting in a space between the outer and inner walls of three different cabins from 21 June to 8 October 2014. Counts of individuals using the cabins suggest that the colony started to disband after mid-August. Identifying and monitoring maternity roosts of M. septentrionalis in the Great Plains will be important to effectively manage this federally threatened species, especially as the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome spreads into the region.