Bat Sociality

Krista Patriquin is investigating the social structure of northern long-eared bats (Myotis septentrionalis). In this species, females form maternity colonies where they give birth to and raise their young. However, the composition of these colonies varies spatially and temporally as females move between trees throughout the summer. She wants to know if females have preferred associates and if so, who are they and why does such a preference exist. To address these questions, and with the help of assistants and volunteers, she has spent her summers catching, processing and tracking bats, hiking in the forest and climbing trees. In the winter, Krista works with molecular genetics data and statistical techniques to deduce the structure of these social networks.