Missouri Bats
Dr. Lynn Robbins  lynnrobbins@missouristate.edu

Research Interests

Our initial objective was to investigate the possibility of accurately identifying free flying bats. using Anabat II bat detectors.  Since 1995 my students and I have made extensive use of the system. Our first priority was to familiarize ourselves with echolocation calls of the different species in our area. To achieve this we have been assembling a library of call sequences from bats of known identity. This library has been built from mainly from recordings of bats that were initially captured in mist nets or harp traps and visually identified to species. After identification the bats were light tagged and released in likely foraging areas. Our  library contains calls recorded from these free flying bats, and from bats foraging at dusk or leaving a single species roost. By analyzing these known identity calls with the program Analook, we have been able to quantitatively identify bats by their echolocation call structure. We are now using this ability to study different aspects of bat behavior and ecology.

The winter of 2007-08 signaled the end of our research on the winter roosting and activity of Eastern red, silver-haired, and evening bats.  Included in this study was characterization of the responses of red bats to prescribed fires.  We are currently preparing a number of manuscripts for publication. 

During the summer of 2007 we began studies on the distribution and behavior of the endangered Indiana bat as they relate to the placement and operations of wind energy facilities in northern Missouri. This work continued and expanded during the summer of 2008, and I anticipate that this will continue as new sites are developed and operations begin on the facilities now under development.  These studies include capture and radio-telemetry as well as extensive Anabat II detector analyses that will examine activity patterns as they relate to habitat, weather, and seasonal variables.  GIS technology is being utilized as a means to describe and predict distribution and movements as they relate to these variables. 

In the near future we will begin a two year study of the distribution of Indiana bats in the Ozarks Scenic Riverways as part of a National Park Service project designed to manage the forests within the Park in a way that will not negatively impact this endangered species.  This study will include capture, telemetry, ultrasonic detection (Anabat II), and mapping (GIS). 

I am currently recruiting graduate students (Master’s) who have an interest and experience, or who have a burning desire to master these techniques.  Interested students can e-mail me at the address at the top of the page.

Graduate Students

  • John Timpone 2004.  "Summer Habitat Use of Five Species of Bats in NE Missouri"
  • Matthew Miller 2004.  "Activity and Foraging in three species of Myotis in NE Missouri"
  • Justin Boyles 2004.  "Summer and Winter Roosting Ecology of the Evening Bat"
  • Brad Mormann 2005.  "Winter Roosting Ecology of the Red Bats in Southwest
  • Anna Scesny  2007.  "The Responses to fire by Torpid Eastern Red Bats "
  • Josh Flinn  (current) "Behavioral Responses of Roosting Red Bats to Winter Conditions"
  • Jason Layne  (current)  "Field Studies on the Response of Red Bats to Prescribed Fires"

  • Shelly Dey  (current) "Distribution and activity of Indiana bats as they relate to wind turbines". 

Publications and Reports

  • Murray, K. L., E. R. Britzke, and L. W. Robbins.  2001.  Variation in Search Phase Calls of Bats. J. Mammalogy, 82:728-737.

  • Britzke, E. R., and L. W. Robbins.  2002.  Distribution of the Eastern Woodrat, Neotoma floridana, in Missouri.  The Southwestern Naturalist, 47:125-127.

  • Britzke, E. R., K. L. Murray, J. E. Heywood, and L. W. Robbins. 2002.  Acoustic Identification. In The Indiana Bat: Biology and Management of an Endangered Species (Kurta and Kennedy, eds) Bat Conservation International, Austin, TX

  • Boyles, J.G., J.C. Timpone, and L.W. Robbins.  2003.  Winter Records and Notes on the Roosting Ecology of Red Bats and Evening Bats in Missouri.  Bat Research News, 44:59-61.

  • Mormann, B., M. Milam, and L. Robbins. 2004.Hibernation: Red Bats Do It In The Dirt. "Bats", The Publication of Bat Conservation International.22(2):6-9.

  • Boyles, J.G., B. Mormann, J.C. Timpone, and L.W. Robbins. 2005.  Use of a Subterranean Winter Roost by a Male Evening Bat.  Southeastern Naturalist, 4(2):375-377.

  •  Boyles, J.G. and L.W. Robbins. 2006.  Characteristics of Summer and Winter Roost Trees of Evening Bats (Nycticeius humeralis) in Southwestern Missouri.  American Midland Naturalist, 155:210-220.

  • Davis, C.R., F.B. Stangl, Jr., and L.W. Robbins. 2006.  Mammals of Fort Leavenworth, Kansas: A 60-Year Follow-up to Brumwell (1951). The Prairie Naturalist, 37(2):101-116.

  •  Timpone, J.C., J.G. Boyles, and L.W. Robbins.  2006.  Potential for niche-overlap in roosting sites between evening bats (Nycticeius humeralis) and big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus). Northeastern Naturalist. 13:597-602.

  • Mormann, B., and L.W. Robbins. 2007. Winter Roosting Ecology of Eastern Red Bats in Southwest Missouri. Journal of Wildlife Management. 71:213-217

  • Dunbar, M.B., J.O. Whitaker ,Jr., and L.W. Robbins. 2007. Winter Feeding by Bats in Southwestern Missouri. Acta Chiropterologica. 9:305-310.

  • Brack, V., Jr., C.R. Davis, and L.W. Robbins. 2007. Bats of Fort Leavenworth Military Reservation and Nearby Ares of Eastern Kansas and Western Missouri. Kansas Academy of Science Pp. 73-82

  • Kolaks, J. and L Robbins. 2007. Missouri's Winter Bats. Missouri Conservationist, 68:14-19.

  • Robbins, L. W., K. L. Murray, and P. McKenzie. 2008. Evaluating the Effectiveness the Standard Mist Netting Protocol for the Endangered Indiana Bat (Myotis sodalis). Northeastern Naturalist.15:275-282.

           

This page was last updated on 10/09/08.