Ecological studies on the bat species of Tokunoshima Island and Amami-Oshima Island, Japan, with special reference to Ryukyu tube-nosed bat, Murina ryukyuana

• Published in: Honyurui Kagaku (Mammalian Science) Vol. 59; no. 1; pp. 15 - 36
• Main Authors: Funakoshi, Kimitake, Yamasita, Kei, Kitanokuchi, Takushi, Tanaka, Hiroto, Otubo, Shohei, Ohira, Risa, Uchihara, Aimi, Osawa, Tatsuya, Watanabe, Kota, Nagayama, Tsubasa, Watari, Yuya, Minami, Takashi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Japanese
• Published: Kyoto The Mammal Society of Japan 2019; Japan Science and Technology Agency
• Subjects: Amami-Oshima Island; Animal behavior; bat fauna; Bats; Body size; Caves; Cliffs; distribution; Echolocation; Ecological monitoring; Ecological studies; endangered species; Miniopterus fuscus; Murina ryukyuana; Myotis macrodactylus; Myotis yanbarensis; Nests; Pipistrellus abramus; Pteropus dasymallus; Rhinolophus cornutus orii; Roosts; Tadarida; Tokunoshima Island; Traps; Urban areas; Oshima Island
• ISSN: 0385-437X; 1881-526X
• DOI: 10.11238/mammalianscience.59.15

The bats, distributed on Tokunoshima Island (T) and Amami-Oshima Island (A), were investigated using mist nets, harp traps, dead-leaf traps, and bat detectors. The body size of Murina ryukyuana was significantly larger on T than on A. The adults roosted individually during the active season, and frequently switched their day-roosts. The maximum movement between day-roosts ranged from 25 to 178 m, which was recorded by radio-tracking. The maximum maternal colony size was 16 and was maintained till November. The number of Myotis yanbarensis was less on T, perhaps because of their low capturing rate. The population of Rhinolophus cornutus orii was also lower on T, potentially due to the lower number of caves. Miniopterus fuscus flew widely at night on both T and A. Myotis macrodactylus was found at only one area on T, but three areas on A. Pipistrellus abramus were found in the urban areas of both T and A. Pteropus dasymallus was found on T. Tadarida sp. foraged extensively on both T and A, but its nests (rock cliffs) were only found on A. Two echolocation call types were found on T and two others on A, which are different from those of the above identified species.