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Intraspecific variation in diet and (or) foraging behaviour is one way in which species are able to occupy wide geographical areas with variable environments. The little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus (Le Conte, 1831)), a primarily aerial insectivorous bat, consumes spiders in low temperatures at the start and end of summer in Northwest Territories, Canada, but it consumes spiders all summer, even during high aerial insect abundance, in Alaska, USA. There are no competitors of M. lucifugus in Alaska, but there are in Northwest Territories, suggesting that aerial insect abundance and competition from gleaning bats influences when M. lucifugus consumes spiders. In the Kananaskis area of the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada, we investigated spider consumption by M. lucifugus and the long-eared myotis (Myotis evotis (H. Allen, 1864)), a species more adept at gleaning, to better understand when bats consume spiders. Fecal sample analysis indicated that M. evotis consumed spiders all season long, with greater consumption when the bats were caught near water. Myotis lucifugus did not consume spiders at all. This suggests that M. lucifugus opportunistically consumes spiders when encountered, but does not encounter them in Kananaskis where it forages primarily over open water, unlike in Northwest Territories where it forages in the interior of forests and may encounter spiders more frequently. Key words: Myotis lucifugus, little brown bat, Myotis evotis, long-eared myotis, Araneae, spiders, diet. Les variations intraspecifiques de l'alimentation et (ou) du comportement d'approvisionnement constituent un moyen par lequel les especes peuvent occuper de vastes regions geographiques aux milieux variables. Le vespertilion brun (Myotis lucifugus (Le Conte, 1831)), une chauve-souris insectivore principalement aerienne, consomme des araignees en peri-ode de basses temperatures au debut et a la finde l'ete dans les Territoires-du-Nord-Ouest (Canada), alors il consomme des araignees tout l'ete durant, meme en periode de grande abondance d'insectes aeriens qu'en Alaska (Etats-Unis). Le vesperti-lionbrunn'a pas de concurrent en Alaska, mais en a aux Territoires-du-Nord-Ouest, ce qui donne a penser que l'abondance d'insectes aeriens et la concurrence de chauves-souris glaneuses jouent un role dans la determination des periodes ou les vespertilions bruns consomment des araignees. Nous avons examine, dans la region de Kananaskis des montagnes Rocheuses de l'Alberta (Canada), la consommation d'araignees par les vespertilions bruns et par les vespertilions a longues oreilles (Myotis evotis (H. Allen, 1864)), uneespeceplus porteesur le glanage, afin de mieux comprendre quand les chauvessouris consomment des araignees. L'analyse d'echantillons fecaux indique que les vespertilions a longues oreilles consomment des araignees durant toute la saison, cette consommation etant plus grande quand les specimens sont captures pres de plans d'eau. Les vespertilions bruns ne consomment pas du tout d'araignees. Cela indiquerait que les vespertilions bruns consomment des araignees de maniere opportuniste quand ils en rencontrent, mais qu'ils n'en rencontrent pas a Kananaskis, ou ils s'alimentent principalement au-dessus de plans d'eau ouverts, contrairement aux Territoires-du-Nord-Ouest, ou ils s'alimentent a l'interieur de forets et peuvent rencontrer des araignees plus frequemment. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : Myotis lucfugus,vespertilion brun, Myotis evotis, vespertilion a longues oreilles, Araneae, araignee, regime alimentaire., Introduction Intraspecific variation in diet or foraging behaviour among populations in different geographic locations can occur due to differences in external factors between locations, including abiotic factors such as temperature [...]

Intraspecific variation in diet has been observed in many species, including the geographically widespread little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus (Le Conte, 1831)). Spider consumption by M. lucifugus is more common in northern regions of their distribution, possibly due to reduced availability of aerial prey during low temperatures. However, in previously studied northern regions, M. lucifugus was the only bat species captured. The purpose of our study was to examine whether there is overlap in the diet and morphology of M. lucifugus and the northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis (Trouessart, 1897)), a species that commonly gleans prey, in the Northwest Territories, Canada. There were significant differences in the dietary composition and wing morphology of the two species, suggesting partitioning of resources. Both species consumed spiders, although unlike M. septentrionalis, the probability of M. lucifugus consuming spiders was significantly greater at low temperatures. Myotis lucifugus demonstrated a different pattern of spider consumption than in other northern regions where it consumes spiders throughout the summer, suggesting the possibility of resource competition where M. lucifugus overlaps with M. septentrionalis. Further research is needed to determine whether arthropods are seasonally limiting at high latitudes and to examine how these species capture nonaerial prey, including spiders. Key words: diet, little brown bat, Myotis lucifugus, Myotis septentrionalis, northern long-eared bat, spiders, wing morphology. Des variations intraspecifiques du regime alimentaire ont ete observees chez de nombreuses especes, y compris le vespertilion brun (Myotis lucifugus (Le Conte, 1831)), une espece de vaste repartition geographique. La consommation d'araignees par M. lucifugus est plus repandue dans les regions nordiques de son aire de repartition, possiblement en raison de la moindre disponibilite de proies aeriennes quand les temperatures sont plus faibles. Dans les regions nordiques etudiees par le passee, M. lucifugus etait toutefois la seule espece de chauve-souris capturee. Le but de l'etude etait de verifier si les regimes alimentaires et les morphologies de M. lucifugus et du vespertilion nordique (Myotis septentrionalis (Trouessart, 1897)), une espece qui glane habituellement ses proies, se chevauchent dans les Territoires-du-Nord-Ouest (Canada). Des differences significatives ont ete observees sur le plan de la composition du regime alimentaire et de la morphologie des ailes entre les deux especes, ce qui indiquerait un partage differentiel des ressources. Les deux especes consomment des araignees, bien que, contrairement a M. septentrionalis, la probabilite que M. lucifugus consomme des araignees est significativement accrue a faible temperature. Myotis lucifugus presentait des habitudes differentes de consommation d'araignees que dans d'autres regions nordiques ou il consomme des araignees durant tout l'ete, ce qui evoque la possibilite d'une concurrence pour les ressources la ou les aires de M. lucifugus et M. septentrionalis se chevauchent. D'autres travaux sont necessaires pour determiner si les arthropodes posent des limites saisonnieres a hautes latitudes et pour examiner comment ces especes de chauves-souris capturent des proies non aeriennes, dont des araignees. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : regime alimentaire, vespertilion brun, Myotis lucifugus, Myotis septentrionalis, vespertilion nordique, araignees, morphologie des ailes., Introduction Species that have widespread geographic distributions are exposed to different environmental conditions across populations (Mayr 1963; Freckleton et al. 2003). Intraspecific variation and local adaptation within wide-ranging species have [...]

Breeding behaviour of Temperate Zone amphibians is influenced by environmental variables, but the initiation of calling (phenology) and influences on calling activity may vary with species and region. We investigated the influence of the timing of ice melt, water temperature, and photoperiod on the breeding phenology of the Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens (Schreber, 1782)) in southern Alberta, Canada, using automated recording units. We also examined the influence of wind speed, relative humidity, water temperature, and time of day on calling activity. The initiation of calling varied by 13 days at our three sites, suggesting that calling was influenced more by water temperature and timing of ice melt than photoperiod. Calling was first observed 8-11 days after ice melt at water temperatures of 7.5-8 [degrees]C at our sites. No calling was detected at water temperature 50% of calling was diurnal, even on days with warm overnight temperatures. Calling activity was influenced by time of day, water temperature, wind, and relative humidity. Our results suggest that date of initiation of calling varies considerably among breeding ponds and that the time of day of peak calling varies with both site and water temperature. Key words: auditory surveys, automated recording units, ARUs, breeding, calling, Lithobates pipiens, Northern Leopard Frog, phenology, Rana pipiens, temperature. Si le comportement de reproduction des amphibiens de zones temperees est influence par des variables environne-mentales, l'initiation du coassement (phenologie) et les facteurs qui influencent l'activite de coassement peuvent varier selon l'espece et la region. Nous avons examine l'influence du moment de la fonte de la glace, de la temperature de l'eau et de la photoperiode sur la phenologie de la reproduction de la grenouille leopard (Lithobates pipiens (Schreber, 1782)) dans le sud de l'Alberta (Canada), a l'aide d'enregistreurs autonomes. Nous avons egalement examine l'influence de la vitesse du vent, de l'humidite relative, de la temperature de l'eau et de l'heure du jour sur l'activite de coassement. L'initiation du coassement s'etalait sur 13 jours a l'echelle des trois sites etudies, donnant a penser que la temperature de l'eau et la fonte de la glace exercent une plus grande influence sur lecoassement quela photoperiode. Les premiers coassements ont ete observesde 8a 11jours apres la fonte de la glace a des temperatures de l'eau de 7,5 a 8 [degrees]C aux sites etudies. Aucun coassement n'a ete detecte a des temperatures de l'eau 50 % de l'activite de coassement etait diurne, et ce, meme les jours de temperature nocturne elevee. L'activite de coassement etait influencee par l'heure du jour, la temperature de l'eau, le vent et l'humidite relative. Nos resultats semblent indiquer que la date d'initiation de l'activite de coassement varie considerablement d'un etang de reproduction a l'autre et que l'heure de la pointe du coassement varie en fonction du site et de la temperature de l'eau. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : releves auditifs, enregistreurs autonomes, reproduction, coassement, Lithobates pipiens, grenouille leopard, phenologie, Rana pipiens, temperature., Introduction Amphibians in the North Temperate Zone experience a relatively short breeding season with seasonal fluctuations in environmental conditions such as temperature, moisture, and photoperiod (Noble 1954; Oseen and Wassersug [...]

Male and female animals frequently have different foraging behaviours owing to differences in body size or nutritional demand, or to intraspecific competition. We studied foraging by Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus (E. Geoffroy, 1810)) in Cape Town, South Africa, to test predictions based on differences in nutritional demand during reproduction. Using radiotelemetry, we compared emergence, return, and foraging times of males and females during pregnancy and lactation. We also determined home-range size, habitat use, and use of figs (genus Ficus L.), which are a potential source of calcium for lactating females. During the pregnancy period, males left their roost later than females and were away from the roost for shorter periods. There were no differences in timing of foraging during lactation. Females foraged in native forest more than males did, but home-range size did not differ. There was no evidence that females fed on figs more than males did. Differences in foraging behaviour were not as predicted based on nutritional and energetic differences. The small population may have meant that there was little competition for food, and figs may have provided a profitable source of energy for both males and females. Differences in the timing of foraging are best explained by the need for males to defend roosting sites. Les animaux males et femelles possedent frequemment des comportements de recherche de nourriture differents a cause de differences de taille corporelle ou de besoins nutritifs, ou alors a cause de la competition intraspecifique. Nous etudions la recherche de nourriture chez la roussette d'Egypte (Rousettus aegyptiacus (E. Geoffroy, 1810)) a Cape Town, Afrique du Sud, afin de verifier des predictions basees sur des differences de besoins alimentaires durant la reproduction. Par radiotelemetrie, nous avons compare l' emergence, le retour et la duree de la recherche de nourriture de males et de femelles durant la gestation et l' allaitement. Nous avons aussi determine la taille du domaine vital, l' utilisation de l' habitat et la consommation de figues (le genre Ficus L.), une source potentielle de calcium pour les femelles nourricieres. Durant la gestation, les males quittent les perchoirs plus tard que les femelles et en restent eloignes pour des periodes plus courtes. Il n'y a pas de difference d'horaire durant l'allaitement. Les femelles s'alimentent plus dans les forets indigenes que les males, mais la taille de leur domaine vital est semblable. Il n'y a pas d'indication que les femelles s'alimentent plus de figues que les males. Les differences de comportement de recherche de nourriture ne correspondent pas a nos predictions basees sur les differences nutritionnelles et energetiques. La petite taille de la population fait peut-etre qu' il y a peu de competition pour la nourriture et les figues peuvent etre une source profitable d'energie pour a la fois les males et les femelles. Les differences dans les horaires de recherche de nourriture s' expliquent le mieux par la necessite pour les males de defendre leurs sites de perchage. [Traduit par la Redaction], Introduction Males and females of many animals differ in their foraging ecology and behaviour and essentially occupy different niches (e.g., fish: Berglund et al. 2006; birds: Clarke et al. 1998; [...]

Abstract: In southern Alberta and north-central Montana, there is substantial mtDNA sequence divergence between two groups of the little brown bat, Myotis lucifugus (LeConte, 1831), previously thought to be subspecies [...]

Abstract: Periodic arousal from hibernation among mammalian hibernators is poorly understood. In bats, arousal is often associated with flight. We acoustically monitored two rocky areas along the Red Deer River [...]

Ref.: Can. J. Zool. 86: 700-713. In the print, pdf, and HTML versions, the third sentence of the Abstract should read as follows: Using nuclear microsatellite markers (10 loci), we [...]

In 1996, the Province of Alberta introduced a new science curriculum for grades one to six. Since few grades 1-6 teachers are trained science majors, there was significant disquiet in their ranks and they reached out for help. In early 1997, the Science Hotline of Calgary Science Network approached the Head of the Department of Biological Sciences, Tony Russell, hoping to find volunteers who would help local teachers implement the new science curriculum. Rather than find volunteers, Russell invited Robert Barclay and George Bourne to help him design and implement an undergraduate course--Biology Curriculum Enhancement. In the course, undergraduate scientists explore their conceptual, integrative and interactive skills while helping to enrich teachers' appreciation of science and enhance elementary school students' early experiences with science. The primary role in the classroom of the undergraduate scientist is one of content specialist who provides the scientific context of General and Specific Learner Expectations (GLEs & SLEs) of the science curriculum for a teacher/team of teachers at designated schools. The undergraduate scientist develops conceptually based modules that meet these SLEs often in the form of kits that are retained by the school. Students apply for positions in the course in a fashion similar to a job application. We show that through a curriculum enhancement course, undergraduate scientists effectively increase scientific expertise in the grades 1-6 classroom. As content specialists, undergraduates learn that they are apprentice scientists who serve as role models in the classroom. The course measures up well against several of the recommendations found in the Boyer Commission report; most importantly, it serves as a capstone experience:

1. Most studies of the thermoregulatory ecology of bats have been limited to laboratory experiments or studies of individuals roosting in artificial structures. 2. We investigated the interaction between thermoregulatory behaviour and roost choice in reproductive female Western Long-Eared Bats, Myotis evotis (H. Allen), roosting solitarily in natural rock crevices. The study was conducted in the badlands of the South Saskatchewan River Valley, Alberta, Canada, during 1997 and 1998. 3. Individuals used torpor every day and the amount of time spent in torpor was primarily influenced by the amount of time available to do so. Minimum body temperature was influenced by ambient temperature, although the form of this relationship differed between pregnant and lactating females. Pregnant females used deep torpor more frequently than lactating females. 4. All individuals roosted in rock crevices but pregnant and lactating females chose roosts that were different in structure and thermal characteristics. Pregnant females chose horizontal roosts that cooled at night but warmed quickly during the day, thus allowing passive rewarming from torpor. Lactating females chose vertical roosts that stayed warm at night when non-volant pups were present, thereby minimizing thermoregulatory costs to the young. 5. The behaviours observed are adaptive, but differ from those of other temperate-zone insectivorous bats that have been studied in the past. This highlights the importance of studying free-ranging animals living in natural habitat if we are to have an accurate view of thermoregulatory strategies and the importance of roost characteristics for roost-site selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]