PHYLOGENETIC AND POPULATION GENETIC ASSESSMENT OF RAFINESQUE’S BIG-EARED BAT (\u3ci\u3eCORYNORHINUS RAFINESQUII\u3c/i\u3e)

Rafinesque’s big-eared bat (Corynorhinus rafinesquii) is distributed across the Southeastern United States. Due to habitat loss and low population numbers, this species is a Federal species of concern and protected by every State within its range. Effective management of any species of concern is dependent on an unambiguous understanding of taxonomic relationships. However, for this species, there are discordant inferences about subspecific designations from previous studies. Further, there have been no assessments of population genetic status for this species. Such assessments could provide information on genetic diversity and population connectivity and increase our understanding of the need for management and conservation of this species. Therefore, our goals were to assess population level genetic diversity and connectivity among 5 colonies in Arkansas (139 individuals) and to infer the evolutionary relationships of these bats to C. rafinesquii collected across its distribution (additional 216 individuals). We used mitochondrial DNA control region sequences and 11 microsatellite loci to infer genetic relationships, estimate levels of genetic diversity, and examine population connectivity among 5 colonies in Arkansas. Although we identified two phylogenetically divergent mitochondrial DNA lineages, these correspond to neither current subspecific designation nor nonoverlapping geographical groups. Genetic diversity and population connectivity estimated from mitochondrial DNA was high in Arkansas populations probably due to occurrence of both evolutionary lineages within each colony. However, estimates from microsatellite DNA of genetic diversity, population connectivity, and effective population sizes in these populations were low. Further, our results suggested a weak signal of population bottleneck in Arkansas colonies and low genetic connectivity. Current conservation efforts should continue to focus on protection of roosts and improvement of habitat corridors to connect populations

Reported Animal Rabies in Arkansas: 1982-1990

Reported animal rabies in Arkansas is reviewed for the years 1982-1990; providing an update from 1950-1981 (Heidt, 1982). Total cases ranged from 39 in 1990 to 168 in 1986, with a mean of 123.1. Wildlife accounted for 93.4% of the total cases. A total of 16 kinds of mammals has been implicated in reported rabies (individual species of foxes and skunks have been combined). The four taxa accounting for the highest incidence are: skunks (82.6%); bats (10.1%, all seven species combined); cattle (2.8%); and dogs (1.5%). Skunks, the most prominent species, ranged from 71.8% in 1990 to 90.2% in 1987. These figures were similar to the previous ten years, with the exception of 1977-1979 when Arkansas experienced a severe skunk rabies epizootic

Vertebrate Natural History Notes from Arkansas, 2016

Often, interesting and important observations of vertebrate distribution and natural history are not published because they are not part of a larger study. Knowledge of small details, however, not only fills gaps in understanding but also lead researchers to interesting questions about ecological relationships or environmental change. We have compiled recent observations of importance that can add immensely to the growth of knowledge of the biology of vertebrates in Arkansas

Vertebrate Natural History Notes From Arkansas, 2015

Many important details of vertebrate biology are unknown to the scientific community because the observations are not part of a larger theoretical study. Yet, knowledge of such details not only fills gaps in understanding but also creates a framework for hypothesis building. We have collected observations of importance that can add to the growth of knowledge. Compiled here are important recent observations representing all vertebrate classes in Arkansas

Distribution of LeConte\u27s Free-tailed Bat (Tadarida brasiliensis cynocephala) in Arkansas, with Notes on Reproduction and Natural History

During the past 20 years (1982-2001) we have studied the biology, occurrence and distribution of LeConte\u27s (Brazilian) free-tailed bat, Tadarida brasiliensis cynocephala, in Arkansas. Colonies and individuals were reported from man made structures only. Four new county records have been documented since 1988, extending the range from the central part of the state to Arkansas\u27s northern-most tier of counties. Numerous nuisance maternity colonies were investigated during exclusion activities and one, year-round colony provided the majority of reproductive data. A total of 152 free-tailed bats was submitted to the Arkansas Department of Health Rabies Laboratory (1982-2001); most during February through April, a period that corresponded to annual mating activity. Pregnant bats had single embryos only in the right uterine horn and parturition occurred in mid-June. Seven specimens tested positive for rabies