DIFFERENTIATION OF TWO MYOTIS SPECIES (CHIROPTERA: VESPERTILIONIDAE) AT HAYES CAVE, NOVA SCOTIA, BASED ON ECHOLOCATION CALL CHARACTERISTICS

Abstract

Subtle variation in echolocation call characteristics limits identification of
closely related sympatric bat species acoustically. While Myotis septentrionalis
is a forest interior specialist and Myotis lucifugus is a generalist, under many
circumstances echolocation call characteristics overlap. During the late
summer and early fall, a large migratory event involving the Hayes Cave site
in Nova Scotia allowed for assessment of echolocation call structure of the
two species. We captured and recorded echolocation sequences of known
species by gluing a glow stick externally between the scapulae so we could
visually track and acoustically record their echolocation calls. Discriminate
function analysis of call characteristics yielded a protocol which resulted in
a correct species identification of 96.2% for M. lucifugus and 97.5% for M.
septentrionalis