Date of Award
9-30-2020
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Biology, MS
First Advisor
Dr. Thomas Risch
Committee Members
Dr. Travis Marsico; Dr. Virginie Rolland
Call Number
LD 251 .A566t 2020 G68
Abstract
Studies have been conducted on the foraging behavior of Rafinesque’s big-eared bats (Corynorhinus rafinesquii; CORA) in different habitats types; however, not much is known about their behavior on a highly fragmented, privately owned, agricultural landscape. Bottom land hardwood forests are the main habitat for CORA in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley but very little of this habitat exists due to large-scale conversion to agricultural practices. My objective was to assess the role of reproductive status in foraging behavior of females from a barn during July and August (2018 and 2019) in Jackson County, Arkansas. There was no statistical difference in foraging behavior of female CORA (year or reproductive status). Cultivated crops were the predominant habitat type, thus the bats foraged primarily over agricultural fields. This study highlights the importance of man-made structures for maternity colonies when natural habitat is lacking and provides information pertaining to foraging behavior of CORA in agricultural landscapes.
Rights Management
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Griffin, Crystal Ann, "Foraging Behavior of Rafinesque’s Big-Eared Bats (Corynorhinus Rafinesquii) From A Barn Colony in Rural Arkansas" (2020). Student Theses and Dissertations. 363.
https://arch.astate.edu/all-etd/363
