Event Title
Regional Extinction Risks of the Eastern Pipistrelle Bat
Presentation Type
Oral and/or Visual Presentation
Presenter Major(s)
Biology
Mentor Information
Amy Russell
Department
Biology
Location
Kirkhof Center 2259
Start Date
10-4-2013 12:00 AM
End Date
10-4-2013 12:00 AM
Abstract
Recent conservation concerns have surfaced for migratory and hibernating bat species in North America. White-nose syndrome (WNS) has resulted in regional population declines in hibernating bat species. Eastern pipistrelles, Perimyotis subflavus, have experienced mortality rates of 85%. In addition to WNS declines, P. subflavus is one of the four migratory bat species predominately affected by wind turbines, accounting for about 25% of turbine mortalities within it's geographic range. If P. subflavus populations are to remain viable, they must survive both of these conservation threats. Here, we address the following questions: What are the population-specific extirpation risks from WNS and turbine mortality? What rates of decline from WNS and turbines can P. subflavus populations sustain? Using genetic data to parameterize migration rates and effective population sizes, we present a range of risk scenarios designed to investigate the limits of population viability in P. subflavus.
Regional Extinction Risks of the Eastern Pipistrelle Bat
Kirkhof Center 2259
Recent conservation concerns have surfaced for migratory and hibernating bat species in North America. White-nose syndrome (WNS) has resulted in regional population declines in hibernating bat species. Eastern pipistrelles, Perimyotis subflavus, have experienced mortality rates of 85%. In addition to WNS declines, P. subflavus is one of the four migratory bat species predominately affected by wind turbines, accounting for about 25% of turbine mortalities within it's geographic range. If P. subflavus populations are to remain viable, they must survive both of these conservation threats. Here, we address the following questions: What are the population-specific extirpation risks from WNS and turbine mortality? What rates of decline from WNS and turbines can P. subflavus populations sustain? Using genetic data to parameterize migration rates and effective population sizes, we present a range of risk scenarios designed to investigate the limits of population viability in P. subflavus.