The indiana BAT (myotis sodalis) and gray BAT (myotis grisescens) have been listed as federally endangered since 1967, but there are still many aspects of their biology and behavior we do not…

The indiana BAT (myotis sodalis) and gray BAT (myotis grisescens) have been listed as federally endangered since 1967, but there are still many aspects of their biology and behavior we do not understand. In 2015, a colony of indiana bats was located in mcnairy CO., tennessee. In august 2022, two gray bats and 12 indiana bats were observed utilizing the same bridge located in tishomingo county, mississippi on different dates. This bridge is less than 5 miles from the TN indiana BAT maternity colony, suggesting this colony extends across two states. Additional surveys are needed at both the bridge site in MS and artificial roosts in TN to better determine relative abundance of indiana bats at the sites and potential movement of the same individuals between the two sites. Mist net and acoustic surveys will be conducted in the area to locate additional individuals to PIT tag and radio tag. PIT tags or other identifiers will be used to determine movement between the sites. Radio telemetry will also be used to study movements of individuals and to potentially locate additional roost sites nearby. This survey effort will have important implications for our understanding of relative abundance and roost preferences for gray bats and indiana bats in mississippi. Given the limited number of occurrence records for these species in the state, all information obtained is critically important for conservation efforts. In addition, IT highlights the need for cooperation across state lines for conservation of federally endangered species.