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The bat fauna of northwestern Canada remains poorly known, principally owing to a lack of dedicated surveys across this vast region. To better assess the diversity of bats in the region, we compiled records from several acoustic survey projects and capture sessions whose purpose was to inventory bats in Yukon and northwestern British Columbia (BC) from 2013 to 2018. During our surveys we obtained the 1st apparent acoustic records for Yuma Myotis (Myotis yumanensis), Californian Myotis (M. californicus), Long-eared Myotis (M. evotis), Silver-haired Bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans) and Eastern Red Bat (Lasiurus borealis) from this region. We also captured 2 Long-eared Myotis in northwestern BC. Additionally, our surveys provided range extensions of Northern Myotis (M. septentrionalis), Long-legged Myotis (M. volans), and Hoary Bat (Lasiurus cinereus). Finally, by deploying bat detectors in late autumn, and in some cases throughout the winter, we provide data about seasonal patterns for bat activity in some locations, revealing that bats in northwestern BC may be active as late as 29 October and emerge as early as 30 March, a pattern similar to that observed in southern BC. By combining data from several disparate surveys, conducted for different reasons by different researchers, we were able to provide a fuller picture of the bat fauna of this vast region. Our data provides further evidence that the bat fauna of northwestern Canada is richer than previously documented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After being virtually ignored, bats in northwestern Canada and Alaska have recently been subject to increasing attention by scientists, resource managers, and the public. We review recent advances in bat research in the region and identify key priorities for future research, including what we believe is needed to provide a more coordinated approach to filling in these knowledge gaps. Our knowledge of the diversity and distribution of bats has improved considerably as a result of dedicated survey efforts. Scientists have provided a tantalizing glimpse into the natural history and ecology of bats in far northwestern North America and some of the unexpected adaptations they exhibit in response to the challenges imposed by northern environments. Despite these recent advances, further work is required to document the distribution of bats in the region; identify key summer roosting habitats and hibernacula; assess population status and trends; evaluate the impact of anthropogenic change and develop mitigation strategies; and better understand the natural history ecology of bats in the region. Improving our knowledge of these aspects of bat biology will be useful for informing conservation planning initiatives and environmental impact assessment processes. To ensure that new information is reliable and accessible, we strongly recommend that researchers strive to meet minimum evidentiary standards; deposit data, samples and voucher specimens in appropriate repositories; coordinate monitoring efforts and data collection; and publish or otherwise report results. We hope that our concluding remarks will help guide bat research in northwestern Canada and Alaska, and that the hard-earned results obtained in future studies will impart a positive impact on bat conservation in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bat fauna of Alaska and northwestern Canada remains poorly known, principally due to a lack of dedicated surveys. To better assess the diversity of bats in the region, we conducted full-spectrum acoustic surveys at several sites in Yukon, Canada. During our surveys we obtained the 1st acoustic records of Hoary Bat (Lasiurus cinereus) and Long-Legged Myotis (Myotis volans) in Yukon. Neither species had been documented previously in the territory, but one or both species were known from adjacent Alaska, British Columbia, and Northwest Territories. Characteristics of certain echolocation calls of Hoary Bats and Long-legged Myotis are difficult to confuse with other species that might also occur in the region. In addition, we made other noteworthy recordings; however, species identification for these other echolocation calls was ambiguous. These 1st records significantly increase our knowledge of the ranges of these bat species in Yukon, Canada. Further acoustic surveys, coupled with live captures, will help us further understand the diversity and distribution of bats in Yukon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diurnal roost sites are a critical resource for bats. Despite their importance, we know little about the roosting habits of Little Brown Myotis (Myotis lucifugus) in the boreal forest of northwestern Canada and Alaska. To locate diurnal roost sites and determine minimum distances to foraging areas, we radio-tagged 10 Little Brown Myotis (7 adult females, 3 adult males) in the boreal forest of southwestern Yukon, Canada. All of the females roosted in a single building, with 1 using a bat house for 2 nights. In contrast, the males used a variety of roost sites, including buildings, rock cliffs, and trees, and switched roosts periodically. We observed sex-biased movements, with adult males traveling a significantly shorter distance between their diurnal roost sites and a key foraging area than adult females. Males tended to roost near a key foraging area, whereas radio-tagged females flew >5 km from their diurnal roosts to forage. Our data are some of the first obtained via radio-telemetry for Little Brown Myotis in the boreal forest and confirm that the roosting behavior of the sexes is different. That all of the radio-tagged females primarily used 1 roost site in town and flew relatively far to a key foraging area suggests that these critical resources may be somewhat limiting in our study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article investigates the predatory behavior of gray wolf in scavenging of reintroduced scavenging American bison in southwestern Yukon. It cites several incidents of bison predation by wolves in 2007 and 2009 but no wolves were directly observed preying on bison because only the rumen remained in the scene. It cites that several sporadic, aerial, and occasional observations were conducted but none had been reported on scavenging of predation of bison. It states that predation of wolf on bison may have substantial implication for the population dynamics of both species and alternate species, and that scavenging are important ecological processes.

The article discusses the diurnal and nocturnal foraging behavior of little brown bat and great horned owl in Yukon. It states that the application for mist nests are highly recommended to capture bats on the Lubbock River, a meandering river to control the current of water and contains several oxbows. The author emphasized that the net held under water by the weight of the owl which identifies from the puncture wounds or by drowning. Moreover, a large hole in a certain net suggested that the owl may have taken at least one other bat from net while it was not monitored.

Fisher (Martes pennanti) occur broadly across northcentral North America, and are a species of conservation concern in most of western North America. Fisher reach the northwestern edge of their distributional range in the Yukon, Canada; however, their abundance and distribution has been poorly documented there. We used museum collections, trapping records, and sightings to update the relative abundance and distribution of Fisher in the Yukon between 1956 and 2009, with a particular emphasis on the last 3 decades. We compiled 100 records of Fisher that were trapped, observed, or whose tracks were noted in the Yukon. Harvest data suggested that Fisher may be increasing in relative abundance in the Yukon, but densities likely are very low. Anecdotal observations and harvest of Fisher in southwestern Yukon have increased in the last 10 to 20 y and suggest that they may be expanding their range westward. Trapping records and museum collections in adjacent Alaska and northwestern British Columbia corroborate records from the Yukon. Monitoring Fisher will be necessary to confirm changes in the abundance and distribution of Fisher in the Yukon and neighboring jurisdictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the author discusses various reports within the issue on topics including the advances in bat research in northwestern Canada and Alaska, diversity and distribution of bats in the region and the ecology and life history of bats at northern latitudes.

The article describes a study which focuses on the invasiveness and evidence of breeding by house mice in an urban area of Yukon. It suggests that the mice are native to northern India and have migrated to various parts of the world because of human activities. As suggested, the study included mice, which were collected from occupied buildings and outside near unoccupied buildings in Whitehorse and highlights that the mice population consists of two color variants. The article also confirms their existence in cold climates and locations at higher altitudes. It also suggests that the introduction of these mice in Yukon is through unintentional human transport including shipments of food and other goods.

The article focuses on the aberrations in coat color of the American Red squirrels, also known as Tamiasciurus hudsonicus. It informs that aberrations in coat color of Scuiridae are common. It informs that the coat color of the Red Squirrel appeared faded or washed out. The Red Squirrel is considered to be of Isabelline coloration. Isabelline is used for birds that have faded plumage. It informs that the Isabelline color variant of Red Squirrels appears to be quite rare. It further informs that in the late 1980s, near Burwash Landing of Yukon, only two Red Squirrels with Isabelline color were collected.

The article discusses the social impact of the reintroduction of American Bison (Bison bison) as part of a national recovery program in southwestern Yukon Canada. It lists its several ecological functions which is said to be of great significance in evaluating their restoration in the ecosystem. It notes the different observations that were documented on the used of bison's fur as nesting materials by birds and small mammals including the American Red Squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus). The latter's nests including the types of fur used are evaluated.

The article presents a paper that discusses the predation of Arctic Ground Squirrels by Bald Eagles. Topics discussed include Arctic Ground Squirrels as a keystone species in northern environments and found in abundance in Yukon Wildlife Preserve, Canada, Bald Eagles predation of Arctic Ground Squirrels in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska, and predation of Ground Squirrels by Bald Eagles on Kavalga Island, Alaska.

The article reports on an observation of an unusual colored North American porcupine. A Porcupine on the shore of Teslin Lake In Yukon, Canada has been observed on August 5, 2014, that was of a sandy or cream color. There were few observable dark hairs, and the eyes and nose were of a normal pigmentation. The color aberrations such as isabelline and albinism are maladaptive in North American Porcupines, otherwise they would likely be more commonly observed in nature.

The article presents a study investigating on the first record of a brown rat or Rattus norvegicus from the Yukon . It was on July 9, 2010 that researchers have captured a female brown rat in an interior of an occupied house in Whitehorse, Yukon. The captured rat was identified as a brown rat than a black rat or Rattus rattus by its characteristics such as in the head, tails, and its small ears covered with fine hairs. Moreover, the origin of the specie was unknown but is was believed to have been transported by humans from either the Alaskan coast, the inland routes from central North America, or it may be an escaped pet.

The article discusses the research on berries consumption behavior of bighorn sheep in the arid interior region of British Columbia, Canada. Topics discussed include the variability in diet of bighorn sheep, benefit of Elderberry consumption to the bighorn sheep of deserts and thanking of persons Matthias M Clyde, SK Aspen Clyde and D Forest Clyde as they have assisted the researchers with their field observations.