Monitoring New Zealand long-tailed bats (Chalinolobus tuberculatus) in urban habitats : ecology, physiology and genetics

Abstract

The endemic New Zealand Long-tailed bat (Chalinolobus tuberculatus) is considered to have been in population decline for the last 150 years (O'Donnell 2000). This decline has been linked to the reduction of natural forest habitats by anthropogenic land development. Worldwide, natural habitat loss is seen as the primary threat to the conservation of bats (Mickleburgh et al. 2002). However, some bat species successfully use urban areas and there is evidence that the relationship between urbanisation and the success of bats is species specific (Fenton, 1997). One of the biggest limiting factors in effective bat management generally and urban bat management specifically, is the lack adequate methods for bat inventory and monitoring (O'Shea et al. 2003). In the city of Hamilton, in the North Island of New Zealand, a population of C. tuberculatus exits in and around the urban area. Yet, the urban management of this species has never been investigated. This thesis' objective is to provide information and tools that can be used to produce a management plan and monitoring program for C tuberculatus in Hamilton.