William Paterson University Student Researcher Discovers Threatened Bat Species at High Mountain Park Preserve in Wayne Julia MacDonald William Paterson University senior biology major Julia MacDonald and Lance Risley, William Paterson University professor of biology and bat researcher, discovered a federally threatened species of bat at High Mountain Park Preserve in Wayne. MacDonald and Risley confirmed the presence of Northern Long-eared Bats, a nationally threatened species, during the first known bat study at the 1,260-acre Preserve, which borders the University. An acoustic recording device was used to detect the bats’ location and two male long-eared bats (Myotis septentrionalis) were briefly captured in mist nets in July and fitted with tiny radio transmitters. The bats were radio-tracked for several days and led the researchers to several roost trees inside the Preserve. MacDonald’s research is especially significant because the population of the Northern Long-eared Bat, once fairly common in forested areas in New Jersey, has declined about 95 percent in recent years due to a fungus known as White Nose Syndrome, which became prevalent in 2009. Both the Nature Conservancy, which administers the High Mountain Preserve, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife, which monitors threatened and endangered species, are interested in her findings. While not an official designation, some bat experts have referred to the Northern Long-eared Bat as an indicator species of healthy forest. This species is particularly good at foraging in dense vegetation and not only catches flying insects, but also takes insects from plant surfaces. “Independent research has definitely opened my eyes to how much work is involved,” MacDonald says. “You can only learn so much in the classroom; being able to conduct fieldwork and process the data really has given me the whole experience.” # # # NOTE: Jim Wright’s blog post is located at: http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/newjersey/blog/index.htm 09/22/16
