Ecological Niche Models For Bat Species Of Greatest Conservation Need In Louisiana

Occasional Papers of the Museum 378: 1-16, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.20187129 ABSTRACT Many mammal taxa in Louisiana are experiencing population declines or are at-risk of extinction, including the bat species EptesIcus fuscus (Big Brown Bat), MYotIs austrorIparIus (Southeastern Myotis), and the threatened M. septentrIonalIs (Northern Long-eared Bat).

Understanding species distributions is a critical component of conservation. Occurrence records for these three Chiropteran species from across the United States were used to generate ecological niche models to determine areas of suitable habitat in Louisiana as well as the United States. Suitable habitat for E. fuscus was found throughout the United States, and the most suitable habitat in Louisiana was in the northeastern portion of the state.