BIOL180: Introduction To Biology With Lab - The Outline Stev ✓ Solved

BIOL180: Introduction to Biology with Lab - The Outline Steven

Outline: “The Virginia Big Eared Bat

I. Introduction

A. Common and scientific names

1. Common names: Virginia Big Eared Bat

2. Scientific Name: Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus

B. Observed where?

1. This sub-species of Townsend’s big bats is commonly found in Northern America and Southern Mexico.

2. I have observed the organisms in caves found in Karst regions dominated by oak-hickory.

3. The geographic region within which the organism can be found is in southern Mexico and Northern America.

C. Why I chose this organism?

1. The habitat was once listed as an endangered species by U.S Fish and Wildlife Service.

2. There are frequent cases in which human beings are constantly interfering with the habitat of the organisms.

3. I chose the organism to try to understand how they are coping with human disturbance.

4. I wanted to learn more about bats and the reasons why America has strict measures in place to safeguard them.

5. I wanted to understand why bat habitats are such sensitive areas to human activities.

D. Image: Virginia Big Eared Bat

II. Body

A. Physical Description

1. Virginia Big Eared Bats are medium-sized bats comprising broad wings with a web of skin that stretches across their finger bones to their legs.

2. They are characterized by short snouts and elongated nostrils.

3. They have large fleshy glands on either side of the muzzle.

4. Their colors vary depending on the population, with dark hairs at the base compared to the tips.

5. They have larger ears, with a length of 25 mm, connected to their forehead by a low band.

6. Weights typically range between 5g and 13g.

B. Life Cycle and Reproduction

1. Life Cycle

a. Female bats give birth to one offspring, known as a pup.

b. Birth occurs in May or June.

c. Pups can fly at three weeks of age.

d. Within three months, pups are independent.

e. They are not migratory, but habitat disturbance can force relocation.

2. Reproduction

a. Mating occurs from late summer to winter.

b. Males reach sexual maturity in their second year; females in their first summer.

c. Estrus occurs in the fall, and copulation between November and February.

d. Males perform mating displays, approaching females with twittering sounds.

e. Once accepted by the female, males perform a scenting ritual before copulation.

f. Sperm is stored in the female’s reproductive tract until spring when ovulation, implantation, and gestation occur.

C. The Function

1. Anatomy

a. Virginia big-eared bats utilize echolocation.

b. They have large ears for low-frequency echolocation.

c. The auditory system is surrounded by a layer of sinus.

d. Their anatomy allows for versatile flying.

2. Physiology

a. Echolocation enables them to navigate and locate food.

b. Sinus tissues facilitate sound dampening and conduction from the larynx.

c. Their wing flips allow grasping surfaces with their feet.

D. Energy Ecology

1. They primarily feed on moths.

2. Small insects are occasionally consumed.

3. Feeding occurs in open pastures.

4. They hunt around tree crowns where moths are abundant.

E. Habitat

1. Abiotic factors: Caves serve as major habitats; some roost in specific areas.

2. Biotic factors: Common predators include cats, owls, and raccoons; snakes also prey on them.

III. Conclusions

A. Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus resides in mountainous caves.

B. Geographically found in Northern America and Southern Mexico.

C. Major habitats include caves and roosting areas.

D. They possess specialized sensory systems for locating food.

E. Their primary diet consists of moths.

F. They play a crucial role in insect regulation as effective predators.

Paper For Above Instructions

The Virginia Big Eared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus) is a crucial species within the ecosystems they inhabit in Northern America and Southern Mexico. Understanding their characteristics, reproduction, and habitat is essential for conservation efforts, especially given their previous status as an endangered species.

The Virginia big-eared bat is recognized by its notable physical features, which include broad wings for defined flight capability, short snouts, large ears, and a distinctive coloration pattern that varies across different populations (Bat, 2018). These adaptations aid their survival and allow them to thrive in a range of habitats, particularly within Karst regions characterized by their cave systems. Observations have shown that these bats prefer roosting in caves, which offer protection and a stable environment critical for their life cycle.

The life cycle of the Virginia big-eared bat is remarkable; females typically give birth to one pup in late spring, with young bats capable of flight within three weeks. This fast development is critical for survival, enabling them to evade potential predators (Barbour & Davis, 1969). Mating occurs during the late summer months, leading to gestation that supports the birth of young at a time optimally suited for their survival — when insect populations are most abundant. These breeding patterns illustrate a clear adaptation to their environment.

Echolocation is another fascinating aspect of their biology, particularly essential for navigating and hunting in the dark (Kunz & Martin, 1982). By emitting high-frequency sounds and interpreting the echoes that bounce back, these bats efficiently locate prey such as moths and small insects, which comprise their diet. This method underscores their role as significant regulators of insect populations, showcasing their ecological importance (Fenton, 1985; Hill & Smith, 1984).

Habitat conservation is critical for the Virginia big-eared bat, especially considering their vulnerability to human encroachment. Urban development, deforestation, and other human activities have historically disrupted their habitats, leading to significant population declines (Danford, Shriver, & Barton, 2018). It is essential for conservationists to understand these dynamics to implement effective measures to protect their roosting sites and foraging grounds.

In conclusion, the Virginia big-eared bat holds a unique place within its ecosystem. Its adaptations, specialized feeding behaviors, and reproductive strategies showcase the intricate relationships between species and their habitats. As they continue to face threats from human activities, proactive conservation efforts are paramount to ensure the survival of this species and the ecological balance of the environments they inhabit.

References

• Barbour, R. W., & Davis, W. H. (1969). Bats of America. University Press of Kentucky.
• Bat, V. (2018). Virginia Big-eared Bat. Retrieved April 12, 2018, from [source].
• Danford, D. S., Shriver, L., & Barton, H. A. (2018). Innate Chemical Resistance of Virginia Big-eared Bats (Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus) to White-Nose Syndrome.
• Fenton, M. B. (1985). The echolocation of bats. In: Bat Ecology. University of Chicago Press.
• Hill, J. E., & Smith, J. D. (1984). Chiroptology: The Science of Bats. Cambridge University Press.
• Kunz, T. H., & Martin, A. (1982). Ecological and social aspects of bat reproduction. The Ecological Society of America.
• Wimsatt, W. A. (1977). The reproductive biology of bats. Academic Press.
• Van Den Bussche, R. A., et al. (2016). Molecular dietary analysis of the endangered Ozark big-eared bat. Acta Chiropterologica.
• Jesse, L., Ward, R. L., & Schroder, E. S. (2018). Landscape Characteristics Related to Use of Artificial Roosts by Bats. Northeastern Naturalist.
• Burford, L., & Lacki, M. (1995). Habitat use by Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus in the Daniel Boone National Forest.