Research

Bats and Bridges: 2021 - Present

Funders & Collaborators: Wyoming Department of Transportation, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Wyoming Governor's Big Game License Coalition Grant, and the University of Wyoming INBRE

Melissa Moreno, Master's student, is investigating the timing and use of bridges in Wyoming. Her long-term data collection will be focused on several significant roosts previously identified during summer surveys (Bernard et al. in prep). Melissa will be capturing and tracking individuals that use bridge roosts to determine how they are using the habitat surrounding these sites, as well as to understand if they switch roosts often. Her work is funded by the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT).

Logan Detweiler, MSc. 2023, conducted his research throughout Wyoming in 2021 & 2022. Logan visually inspected WYDOT bridges for the presence of bats based on physical presence or sign (i.e., guano deposits or urine staining) and determined that bridge characteristics (e.g., design, feature crossed, and dimensional aspects) were important factors in how and why bats used these structures as roosts. Logan's research was funded by the University of Wyoming Idea Network for Biomedical Research (INBRE); Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) and WYDOT. 

All work listed above was approved by the University of Wyoming IACUC, WYDOT and WGFD.

Understanding roost selection, habitat use and contaminant exposure of WNS susceptible bat species in the Northern Black Hills of South Dakota: 2024 - Present

Funders & Collaborators: Bureau of Land Management

Ashley Hammer, Master's Student, is investigating the roosting ecology and contaminant exposure of bats using abandoned mine lands in the Black Hills, South Dakota to contribute to science-based solutions for bat conservation. Specifically, she will be 1) characterizing summer roost and habitat selection of Myotis species, 2) evaluating contaminant exposure from historical mining activity in the region; and 3) identifying management actions to promote conservation of at-risk bat species on BLM lands.

All research has been approved by the University of Wyoming IACUC, USFWS, and South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks.

Investigating the effect of forestry management practices on bat habitat selection and use in a fire prone ecosystem: 2025 - Present

Funders & Collaborators: Bureau of Land Management, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Montana Natural Heritage Program

Morgan Anderson, Master's Student, is using novel drone technology to determine how bats are using the landscape in eastern Montana. Specifically, Morgan is attempting to capture and track WNS-susceptible species to 1) investigate the community composition and landscape distribution of bats on BLM parcels; and 2) determine how bat species of conservation concern use various forestry management practices implemented by the BLM to combat increasing wildfire intensity.

All research has been approved by the University of Wyoming IACUC, USFWS, and MFWP.

Investigating the ecology and behavior of Townsend's big-eared bats (Corynorhinus townsendii) in response to environmental change: 2023 - Present

Funders & Collaborators: Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Wyoming Governor's Big Game License Coalition Grant, Wyoming Military Department, Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service

Julia Yearout, Master's Student, is wrapping up her work focused on filling in knowledge gaps regarding the ecology of the Townsend’s Big-eared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii), in Wyoming. Although colonies have been monitored throughout the state since the mid-1990s, there has not been a comprehensive population estimate of this species in Wyoming. Therefore, Julia's thesis has focused on learning more about how this species utilizes seasonal roosts (habitat selection and change over time), as well as how the species moves across the landscape. Specifically, Julia has used genetic  methods (ddRADseq) to improve our understanding of population relatedness in the state. 

All research has been approved by the University of Wyoming IACUC and WGFD.

Community composition and health of bats in the southern Black Hills, South Dakota: 2021 - Present

Funders & Collaborators: National Park Service, American Society of Mammalogists, University of Wyoming Biodiversity Institute, and the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database (WYNDD)

Renee Lile, PhD student, is working with three National Parks and Monuments (Mt. Rushmore, Jewel Cave, and Wind Cave) to investigate the community composition, diet and parasite load of bats in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Her work combines long-term acoustic data, capture records (2017 - 2024), and genetic analysis of guano from captured bats (2022 - 2024) to answer questions related to: 1) changes in occupancy of various species pre and post white-nose syndrome introduction; 2) identifying important prey consumed by bats in a disease-positive environment; 3) quantifying ecto- and endoparasite load of WNS-survivors; and 4) understand how landholding agencies engage in bat-focused public outreach. 

All work was been approved by the University of Wyoming IACUC, National Park Service (IACUC & Permits), Black Hills National Forest, and South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks.

Habitat selection and use by three species of greatest conservation need

2021 - 2025

Funders & Collaborators: Wyoming Military Department, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Camp Guernsey Joint Military Base

Nick Kovacs, Lead Research Technician, Due to the petitions for listing of the little brown myotis (Myotis lucifugus) and tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus) and elevation of ESA status for the northern long-eared bat (M. septentrionalis), the Wyoming Military Department was interested in determining the presence of these three species on Base, as well as improving our understanding of the species various habitat needs. Nick's project involved capturing and tracking bats during summer, as well as assisting the Wyoming Military Department survey and monitor hibernating colonies during winter. 

His research was approved by the University of Wyoming IACUC, WGFD, USFWS and Wyoming State Lands.

Wyoming Hibernacula Surveys (2021 - Present)

Collaborators: Wyoming Department of Fish and Game, Wyoming Military Department, Bureau of Land Management

Recent article in the Laramie Boomerang focusing on bats in Wyoming