The Hawaiian Hoary Bat - Alex Vlasity

The Hawaiian Hoary Bat

(Lasiurus cinereus semotus)

Alex Vlasity

Description:

The Hawaiian Hoary Bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus), known locally as ‘ope’ape’a, is Hawai’i’s only endemic land mammal. Very little is known about the Hoary Bat or their behavioral traits. Researchers have recently taken more interest into studying these bats and are finding their population is bigger than previously estimated. The Hoary Bat is believed to be related to the North American Hoary Bat (MISC). Scientists are starting to discover similar traits between the North American Hoary Bat and the Hawaiian Hoary bat. These bats weigh only ½ an ounce (MISC) and are very acrobatic making them hard to find and study. The females are larger than the males with wingspans reaching 10.5 to 13.5 inches (Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office). These bats have a heavy brown and gray fur coat and ears tinged with white, giving it a frosted or "hoary" look (Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office). Unlike typical bats, Hoary Bats roost solitarily in trees and attach themselves to tree branches rather than roosting in caves in colonies. They give birth to twins during summer months following k-selected traits. The bats are key components of the island's delicate ecosystem as they feed on a variety of native and nonnative night-flying insects. Scientists believe that the bats migrated to and colonized the islands over 10,000 years ago (MISC). The bats would have covered over 2,000 miles while migrating to the islands. It is unheard of for any species of bat to travel such distances.

Hawaiian Hoary Bat

(http://www.hawaiireporter.com/hawaiian-hoary-bat-can-become-official-state-land-mammal, 2011)

Location:

The bats habitat covers the islands of Hawai‘i, Maui, Moloka‘i, O‘ahu, and Kaua‘i. There have been many population estimates for the Hawaiian Hoary Bat ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand. Due to little information about the population size, it is hard to determine the exact decline of the species but observations and species records suggest bats are now absent from previously occupied areas (Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office). The Hoary Bats have been found 2,228 meters above sea level as well as at the island summits reaching as high as 4,000 meters (Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office). From recent observations and available documents, scientists believe that the bats roosts in nearby forests during the summer months. However, due to their small size and solidarity, it is difficult to find roosting bats and determine their actual population size. 

Population Locations

(http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/wildlife/files/2013/09/Fact-sheet-hawaiian-hoary-bat.pdf, 2005)

Threats:

The Hawaiian Hoary Bat populations are believed to be threatened by habitat degradation and destruction due to agriculture and land development as well as pesticides, predation, deforestation, and roost disturbance. Hawai’i and the surrounding islands have become a popular tourist location and new building development is believed to be the direct primary threat. These bats roost in trees being removed for construction and agricultural purposes. The use of pesticides for agriculture on the island as well as destruction of the natural habitat is believed to be the indirect primary contribution to population decrease in previous years. Pesticide use has reduced the prey population for bats, making food scarce. Due to these factors, the listing date on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Environmental Conservation Online System was created on May 11th 1998 and is currently endangered wherever found (ECOS).

Hoary Bat roosting solitarily in local trees.

(https://endemicpanic.wordpress.com/2014/04/28/the-hawaiian-hoary-bat/, 2014)

Recovery Plan:
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Environmental Conservation Online System has created a recovery program to help delist the Hawaiian Hoary Bat. First and foremost, more research will need to be done to better understand the species population, distribution, and habitat needs. There have been minimum criteria set to help protect the species. On the mainland of Hawai’i and other surrounding islands, the bat must be well distributed, naturally reproducing, and stable or increasing for 5 consecutive years (ECOS). During this time, essential research will be conducted to understand life history and ecology of this species of bat. Through further research key roosting and foraging areas, predators, the effects of pesticides, and other variables will be identified and minimized if necessary (ECOS). Another step to take will be to educate the public to help protect the species. Finally, the process of recovery will be evaluated and criteria possibly revised to prevent relisting of the species.

Researchers study the Hawaiian Hoary Bat tracing their origins to two distinct lineages.

(http://wildlife.org/researchers-trace-hawaiian-hoary-bat-origins/, 2015)

How you can help and other resources to visit:

There are many ways you can help protect the Hoary Bat. One way is to avoid cutting down trees until after the breading season to protect roosting sites (MISC). If you plan on building any structure such as fencing, make sure there are no sharp parts such as barbed wire to prevent the bats from snagging themselves while hunting. Research is still a vital part to the species survival. If you live in the area and come across a dead Hoary Bat, contact Fern Duvall the Wildlife Biologist with the Department of Land and Natural Resources. You can also donate to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Office to help protect and fund research for the Hawaiian Hoary Bat. For more information check out the U.S. Fish and Wildlife page.

Works Cited

Afstaco. "The Hawaiian Hoary Bat." The Endemic Panic. N.p., 29 Apr. 2014. Web. 29 Nov. 2016. <https://endemicpanic.wordpress.com/2014/04/28/the-hawaiian-hoary-bat/>

Ching, Melvin Ah. "Hawaiian Hoary Bat Can Become Official State Land Mammal." Hawaii Reporter. N.p., 04 Feb. 2011. Web. 29 Nov. 2016. < http://www.hawaiireporter.com/hawaiian-hoary-bat-can-become-official-state-land-mammal>

Group, Pacific Region Web Development. "Hawaiian Hoary Bat - Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office." Hawaiian Hoary Bat - Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office. N.p., 20 Sept. 2012. Web. 29 Nov. 2016. < https://www.fws.gov/pacificislands/fauna/hihoarybat.html>

Kobilinsky, Dana. "Researchers Trace Hawaiian Hoary Bat Origins." THE WILDLIFE SOCIETY. N.p., 25 June 2015. Web. 29 Nov. 2016. <http://wildlife.org/researchers-trace-hawaiian-hoary-bat-origins/>

Misc. "Hawaiian Hoary Bat-Our Only Native Land Mammal." Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC). N.p., 13 Mar. 2015. Web. 29 Nov. 2016. < http://mauiinvasive.org/2014/12/01/hawaiian-hoary-bat-our-only-native-land-mammal/>

Parker-Geisman, Vanessa. "Hawaiian Hoary Bat - Ope’ape’a." Bat Web. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2016. < http://www.thewildclassroom.com/bats/hawaiianhoarybat.html>

Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife. "Species and Populations with Recovery Plans." Species and Populations with Recovery Plans. N.p., 5 May 1998. Web. 29 Nov. 2016. <http://ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/pub/speciesRecovery.jsp?sort=1>

http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/wildlife/files/2013/09/Fact-sheet-hawaiian-hoary-bat.pdf