Unique Presentation Identifier:
P31
Program Type
Graduate
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Douglas Barron
Document Type
Poster
Location
Face-to-face
Start Date
29-4-2025 11:30 AM
Abstract
The Ozark big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii ingens) is endangered in Arkansas and is known to have small populations, range restrictions, and specific habitat requirements in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest. Beyond their known range, there are other potentially suitable areas that have not been confirmed. We aim to test whether the non-invasive genetic analysis of guano samples can identify Ozark big-eared bat cave use and expand their known range. Additional locations need to be surveyed to ensure site protection, as unknown caves are susceptible to human disturbance and damage. Twenty-five sites were surveyed at the southeastern extent of their known range in Franklin and Johnson counties. We attempted to differentiate among bat species based on a DNA mini-barcode assay of the gene cytochrome c oxidase. Samples were processed in the lab through DNA extraction, PCR of the target gene, and sequencing. Sequenced samples were run through GenBank for a species identification. To date, we have successfully differentiated seven species of bat from guano. With our protocol, two new sites have been confirmed to have Ozark big-eared bats. Another site was confirmed with this technique to have tri-colored bats (Perimyotis subflavus) and one additional Ozark big-eared bat site was confirmed with a visual sighting. These initial results show promise for more confirmations in our remaining samples. Future applications of this non-invasive sampling technique could evaluate the distribution of other species across the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest.
Recommended Citation
Sybrant, Lark E., "Using Guano to Determine Ozark Big-eared Bat Cave Occupancy in Arkansas" (2025). ATU Student Research Symposium. 26.
https://orc.library.atu.edu/atu_rs/2025/2025/26
Included in
Using Guano to Determine Ozark Big-eared Bat Cave Occupancy in Arkansas
Face-to-face
The Ozark big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii ingens) is endangered in Arkansas and is known to have small populations, range restrictions, and specific habitat requirements in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest. Beyond their known range, there are other potentially suitable areas that have not been confirmed. We aim to test whether the non-invasive genetic analysis of guano samples can identify Ozark big-eared bat cave use and expand their known range. Additional locations need to be surveyed to ensure site protection, as unknown caves are susceptible to human disturbance and damage. Twenty-five sites were surveyed at the southeastern extent of their known range in Franklin and Johnson counties. We attempted to differentiate among bat species based on a DNA mini-barcode assay of the gene cytochrome c oxidase. Samples were processed in the lab through DNA extraction, PCR of the target gene, and sequencing. Sequenced samples were run through GenBank for a species identification. To date, we have successfully differentiated seven species of bat from guano. With our protocol, two new sites have been confirmed to have Ozark big-eared bats. Another site was confirmed with this technique to have tri-colored bats (Perimyotis subflavus) and one additional Ozark big-eared bat site was confirmed with a visual sighting. These initial results show promise for more confirmations in our remaining samples. Future applications of this non-invasive sampling technique could evaluate the distribution of other species across the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest.