- Title
- The ecology of the east-coast free-tailed bat (Mormopterus norfolkensis) in the Hunter region
- Creator
- McConville, Anna
- Relation
- University of Newcastle Research Higher Degree Thesis
- Resource Type
- thesis
- Date
- 2014
- Description
- Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Description
- A detailed understanding of the ecology of threatened species is essential if we wish to develop effective conservation management strategies. Mormopterus norfolkensis (eastcoast free-tailed bat) is a threatened insectivorous bat species of which little is known. The aim of this thesis was to address knowledge gaps regarding key aspects of the ecology of M. norfolkensis, including habitat, roost selection and diet. Habitat use was investigated at multiple spatial scales, using three independent and systematically collected datasets. Overall, preferred habitat for M. norfolkensis was identified as productive floodplain areas, especially freshwater wetland, with urban landuse and dry sclerophyll forest avoided. Habitat use by M. norfolkensis was contrasted with two other morphologically similar and sympatric molossid species. Despite having similar morphologies and echolocation designs, differences in habitat use among species were found. The broad habitat types predicted from habitat models prepared at a regional-scale, using presence - absence data, were generally consistent with local-scale models, prepared using an index of activity. However, the fine-scale predictive ability of regional-scale models was poor, indicating that a cautious approach be adopted regarding their use at fine-scales, particularly when the consequences of error are severe. In a detailed study of roost selection by a maternity colony, lactating female M. norfolkensis were found to be faithful to two patches of mangrove forest close to where they were captured. Females regularly switched roosts and roosted in hollows singularly or in small groups. Maternity roosts were located in locally unique mangrove forest which had abundant hollow-bearing trees and a stable microclimate. Finally, six insect orders were recorded in the diet of M. norfolkensis, with Lepidoptera and Diptera the most frequently encountered. A new and developing molecular method of prey identification.
- Subject
- Chiroptera; bat; ultrasonic bat call recording; spatial scale; Mormopterus; Hunter estuary; Hunter Valley; Kooragang Island; PhD; tree hollow; thesis by publication; habitat model; species distribution model; habitat use; diet; home range; roost selection; maternity colony; radio telemetry
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1042325
- Identifier
- uon:14036
- Rights
- Copyright 2014 Anna McConville
- Language
- eng
- Full Text
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| Thumbnail | File | Description | Size | Format | |||
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| View Details Download | ATTACHMENT01 | Abstract | 949 KB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download | ||
| View Details Download | ATTACHMENT02 | Thesis | 14 MB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download |