The ecology and conservation of the threatened large-eared pied bat (Chalinolobus dwyeri)

Kick-Off Kick-Off - Round 2 18 November 2024

The ecology and conservation of the threatened large-eared pied bat (Chalinolobus dwyeri)

Today is the International Day for Biological Diversity and we’re sharing some news about the large-eared pied bat (Chalinolobus dwyeri).

These cute insect-eating Australian bats are facing extinction, but thanks to the work of Macquarie University PhD student Lachlan McRae, we now know the bats can move roosts regularly, even maternity roosts with pups. This information is crucial to understanding the breeding habitat of this threatened species because it demonstrates the importance of preserving a network of roosts as opposed to a single cave.

McRae is a participant in the National Industry PhD Program (NIPP), which connects industry partners and leading PhD researchers. McRae is working with biodiversity consultancy company Thesium Pty Ltd, which is providing him with mentoring, equipment, significant financial support and access to 7 unique sites on private land in New South Wales.

Thesium’s business involves working with landowners to ensure the land complies with the NSW Biodiversity Offset Scheme. Under the scheme, developments must offset impacts on threatened biodiversity. Through the NIPP, Thesium has gained access to an expert, which helped in identification of these species for credits in the final stewardship agreement. ‘We see it as a benefit to have that robust science supporting our land use and our intent for the land,’ said Thesium Principal Ecologist Greg Steenbeeke.

McCrae says the NIPP has been ‘critical’ to the success of his project. ‘Our fieldwork is very intensive and requires purchasing expensive specialised equipment, such as radio-transmitters to track down bat roosts, so the project would not be able to go ahead without the NIPP support. After a successful first data collection season, we are now in the process of analysing our data. The costs associated with analysing our genetic data are substantial, so this is another component of the project that has been enabled by NIPP funding.’

Read more: http://srkr.io/6041KY7