During our 2016 summer roost surveys we frequently noticed bats that exhibited signs of mild to severe tissue damage of the ears, similar to that caused by frostbite (Kurta and Kwiecinski 2007). We are currently seeking out information from researchers that have seen similar ear tissue damage at other field sites. Our goal is to build a spatial database of ear tissue damage across North America to begin investigating possible causes. Are these high rates observed primarily at northern latitudes or high elevations? Is the damage related to roost materials such as hot tin roofs?
Have you seen ear tissue damage at your research sites? We would like to include your data! We are currently ‘putting points on the map’ of sites with tissue damage observations, as well as sites with no tissue damage observed. If you have data to share or want more information, please contact Jesika Reimer, email: jpreimer(at)alaska.edu.
Read more about our preliminary findings here.
Thank you to the following researchers who have already contributed data to this project: K. Blejwas, C. Lausen, L. Odendaal and L. Kaupas!
