Using Automated Radio Telemetry to Track Gray Bats in Southeast Kansas
Category
Sciences and Technology
Department
Biology
Student Status
Undergraduate
Research Advisor
Dr. Andrew George
Document Type
Event
Location
Kansas 2
Start Date
10-4-2025 8:30 AM
End Date
10-4-2025 8:50 AM
Description
The Gray Bat (Myotis grisescens) is a federally endangered species that reaches the westernmost limit of its geographic range in southeast Kansas. Gray Bats are migratory, traveling biannually between summer colonies and large communal hibernacula. However, little is known about the timing of migration, routes taken, and connectivity among caves. Our objective was to track migrating Gray Bats using the Motus automated telemetry network, an international collaborative project for tracking migratory animals. In fall 2023 and 2024, we attached 40 transmitters to Gray Bats near Pittsburg, Kansas. We also deployed Motus nodes at the two known roost exits, and at the most known Gray Bat hibernacula in Missouri. Our preliminary results suggest that Gray Bats departed from their summer roost near Pittsburg in late October and early November, traveling east into Missouri. We plan to deploy more nodes and track 20 additional bats in 2025. The expanding Motus network will continue to enhance our understanding of the movement ecology of Gray Bats and other migratory animals.
Using Automated Radio Telemetry to Track Gray Bats in Southeast Kansas
Kansas 2
The Gray Bat (Myotis grisescens) is a federally endangered species that reaches the westernmost limit of its geographic range in southeast Kansas. Gray Bats are migratory, traveling biannually between summer colonies and large communal hibernacula. However, little is known about the timing of migration, routes taken, and connectivity among caves. Our objective was to track migrating Gray Bats using the Motus automated telemetry network, an international collaborative project for tracking migratory animals. In fall 2023 and 2024, we attached 40 transmitters to Gray Bats near Pittsburg, Kansas. We also deployed Motus nodes at the two known roost exits, and at the most known Gray Bat hibernacula in Missouri. Our preliminary results suggest that Gray Bats departed from their summer roost near Pittsburg in late October and early November, traveling east into Missouri. We plan to deploy more nodes and track 20 additional bats in 2025. The expanding Motus network will continue to enhance our understanding of the movement ecology of Gray Bats and other migratory animals.
