About

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With white-nose syndrome and increasing constraints on capture and handling bats, acoustic survey methods have moved into the forefront as a means of estimating distribution, presence/absence and relative abundance.

These Fact Sheets and Interactive ID keys to the vocal signatures of the bats of Florida are the result of long-term efforts beginning with the Marks. Cynthia and George Marks, founders of the Florida Bat Conservancy were the early pioneers in recording bats in Florida. Their early recordings throughout the state provided a foundation for acoustic identification of bats within Florida. Their Bats of Florida (Marks, C. S., and G. E. Marks. 2006. Bats of Florida. Pp. 1-176. University of Florida Press, Gainesville.) remains the baseline for continued research in the state.

 

A number Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) biologists have also provided call files which have contributed to these fact sheets and the interactive ID keys. Notably members of the Florida Bonneted Bat recovery team and Susie Nuttal whose long-term surveys of the Keys have been invaluable in contributing to the understanding of the calls of Molossus milleri.

Additional sharing/contributing of acoustic data will further enhance the robustness of the call parameters for species with a paucity of data. Those willing to contribute call data or have updated distribution information please contact [email protected].

 These fact sheets and ID keys were created by Bruce W. Miller