Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of Conservation

Taxonomy

Common Name: BAT, GRAY

Phylum: CHORDATA

Class: MAMMALIA

Order: CHIROPTERA

Family: VESPERTILIONIDAE

Genus: MYOTIS

Species: GRISESCENS

Taxonomic Authority: HOWELL

Taxonomy References: 001 , 002

Status

FEDERAL ENDANGERED
NONGAME
STATE ENDANGERED
STATE RANK S3
GLOBAL RANK G3

Status References: 004 , 009 , 020 , 023 , 026

Habitat Summary

"Require undisturbed caves. Forage over streams, rivers and reservoirs. A corridor of mature trees between caves and foraging sites is important."

Primary Habitat: "Cave"

References: 001

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Is found primarily in the Ozark highlands, but occurs throughout Missouri where there are caves *01*."

County Occurance

County Occurence
Known Likely Unknown Not Likely Historic Extirpated
BARRY AUDRAIN ADAIR
BENTON BARTON ANDREW
BOONE BATES ATCHISON
CALLAWAY BOLLINGER BUCHANAN
CAMDEN BUTLER CALDWELL
CARTER CAPE GIRARDEAU CARROLL
CEDAR CASS CLARK
CHRISTIAN CHARITON CLAY
COLE COOPER CLINTON
CRAWFORD GASCONADE DAVIESS
DADE HOWARD DEKALB
DALLAS HOWELL DUNKLIN
DENT JACKSON GENTRY
DOUGLAS JOHNSON GRUNDY
FRANKLIN LAFAYETTE HARRISON
GREENE MONITEAU HOLT
HENRY MONROE KNOX
HICKORY MONTGOMERY LEWIS
IRON PERRY LINN
JASPER PETTIS LIVINGSTON
JEFFERSON RANDOLPH MACON
LACLEDE RIPLEY MARION
LAWRENCE SALINE MERCER
LINCOLN SCOTT MISSISSIPPI
MADISON ST. CHARLES NEW MADRID
MARIES ST. FRANCOIS NODAWAY
MCDONALD ST. LOUIS PEMISCOT
MILLER STE. GENEVIEVE PLATTE
MORGAN STODDARD PUTNAM
NEWTON VERNON RAY
OREGON WARREN SCHUYLER
OSAGE WAYNE SCOTLAND
OZARK SHELBY
PHELPS SULLIVAN
PIKE WORTH
POLK
PULASKI
RALLS
REYNOLDS
SHANNON
ST. CLAIR
STONE
TANEY
TEXAS
WASHINGTON
WEBSTER
WRIGHT

References for distribution: 001 , 003 , 004 , 009 , 010 , 011 , 013 , 019 , 027

Distribution by Watersheds

Miss. R. from Des Moines R. to MO. R.; and North R.
Salt R.
Cuivre R.
Miss. R. from St. Louis to River Aux Vases
Meramec R.
Bourbeuse R.
Big R.
St. Francis R. from Headwaters to Wappapello Dam
Osage R. from Headwaters to Warsaw, MO.
Sac R.
Pomme De Terre R.
South Grand R.
Osage R. from Warsaw to Bagnell Dam
Niangua R.
Osage R. from Bagnell Dam to Mo. R.
Gasconade R. from Headwaters to Big Piney R.
Big Piney R.
Gasconade R. from Big Piney R. to Mo. R.
Mo. R. from Little Chariton R. to Gasconade R.
Lamine R.
White R. above Tablerock Dam
James R.
White R. below Tablerock Dam and Little North Fork White R.
North Fork White R.
Black R.
Current R.
Warm Fork Spring R. and South Fork
Eleven Point R.
Spring R.
Indian Creek

Comments: "Likely to occur in units listed, based on county occurrence."

Distribution by Ecoregions

Ozark Highlands

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Bluestem Prairie/Oak Hickory Forest
Cedar Glades
Oak-Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory-Pine Forest

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Glaciated Plains: Eastern
Glaciated Plains: Lincoln Hills
Ozark Border
Ozark Border: Missouri River
Ozark Border: Mississippi River
Ozark: Springfield Plateau
Ozark: Upper Ozark
Ozark: St. Francois Mountains
Ozark: Elk River
Ozark: White River
Ozark: Lower Ozark
Mississippi Lowlands: Crowley's Ridge
Mississippi Lowlands: Lowlands
Osage Plains

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Terrestrial" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Lacustrine
Riverine

Aquatic Associations:

"See Comments"
"Lacustrine, limnetic"
"Lacustrine, limnetic", "Open water"
"Lacustrine, littoral"
"Lacustrine, littoral", "Emergent"
"Riverine"

References for Aquatic Associations: 001 , 018

Habitat Types:

Limestone Bluff and Cave
Wooded Riparian and Bottomland Hardwood
Pond, Lake, Reservoir
Permanent Stream
Mature Oak-Hickory (9" + dbh, open understory)
Mature Oak-Hickory: (9" + dbh, dense understory)

References for Habitat Types: 025

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Forest
Upland forest
Bottomland Forest
Dry-Mesic Bottomland Forest
Mesic Bottomland Forest
Wet-Mesic Bottomland Forest
Wet Bottomland Forest
Flatwoods
Caves
Effluent Cave
Influent Cave
Wet Pit Cave
Dry Pit Cave
Dry Cave

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities: 001 , 004 , 005 , 006 , 007 , 008 , 011 , 013

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

"Carnivore"

Larval Food Habits

Comments for larval food habits:
""

References for larval food habits:

Juvenile Food Habits

Neuroptera (fishflies, snakeflies, dobsonflies, lacewings, antlions); Not Specified
Coleoptera (beetles); Not Specified
Trichoptera (caddisflies); Not Specified
Lepidoptera (butterflies); Not Specified
Diptera (flies, midges, mosquitos, gnats); Not Specified
Hymenoptera (sawflies, ants, wasps, bees); Not Specified
Ephemeroptera (mayflies); Not Specified
Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, mantids); Not Specified
Plecoptera (stoneflies); Not Specified

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
""

References Juvenile Food Habits 001 , 004 , 008

Adult Food Habits

Hemiptera (water bugs, water boatmen, stink bugs); Not Specified
Homoptera (cicadas, hoppers, aphids, scale insects); Not Specified
Neuroptera (fishflies, snakeflies, dobsonflies, lacewings, antlions); Not Specified
Coleoptera (beetles); Not Specified
Trichoptera (caddisflies); Not Specified
Lepidoptera (butterflies); Not Specified
Odonata (dragonflies, damselflies); Not Specified
Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, mantids); Not Specified
Plecoptera (stoneflies); Not Specified
Psocoptera (booklice, barklice); Not Specified
Diptera (flies, midges, mosquitos, gnats); Not Specified
Hymenoptera (sawflies, ants, wasps, bees); Not Specified
Terrestrial Insects; Not Specified
See comments on seasonal variation; Not Specified
Insects Insects; Not Specified
Ephemeroptera (mayflies); Not Specified

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits 001 , 004 , 006 , 008 , 018 , 022 , 029

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

References for egg niches requirements:

Feeding Larvae Niche Requirements

References for feeding larvae niche requirements:

Resting Larvae Niche Requirements

References for resting Larvae niche requirements:

Feeding Juvenile Niche Requirements

Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: pond, lake, reservoir
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Distance to water specified in comments(00430)

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements: 004 , 005 , 007 , 008

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
Air temperature specified in comments(00290)

References for resting juvenile niche requirements: 007 , 008 , 013

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
Natural features: caves, dry
Natural features: caves, wet
Natural features specified in comments(00280)
Air temperature specified in comments(00290)
Human association specified in comments(00690)
Isolation from humans required; should be relatively inaccessible

References for feeding Adult niche requirements: 001 , 007 , 008 , 013

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: pond, lake, reservoir
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Distance to water specified in comments(00430)

References for feeding adult niche requirements: 001 , 004 , 006 , 007 , 008 , 013

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: pond, lake, reservoir
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Distance to water specified in comments(00430)

References for resting adult niche requirements: 007 , 008 , 013 , 029

Niche Requirement Summary

Air temperature specified in comments(00290)
Distance to water specified in comments(00430)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Human association specified in comments(00690)
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: pond, lake, reservoir
Isolation from humans required; should be relatively inaccessible
Natural features specified in comments(00280)
Natural features: caves, dry
Natural features: caves, wet
Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
007 Mate in the fall before hibernation *13,14,15*.
018 Litter size 1 *01,16*.
005 In MO study, much foraging activity seen over reservoir opposite bluffs shallow, weedy areas *18*.
006 In MO study, were observed foraging from surface of water up to approxiately 1.5 m, rarely up to 3 m *18*. In AR, usually foraged within 18" of water's surface *29*. Usually forage above 5 m high *05*.
013 Strong loyalty to maternity caves *15*.
017 Breed in fall, sperm stored until ovulation in spring, young born May-July, most in June *13,14*.
022 Mature at 2 years *01,07*.
030 Hibernate in winter *01,13,15,16*.
034 Limited to caves with suitable temperature, humidity *13,15,16*
099 May move up to 167 miles between maternity or bachelor cave and hibernaculum *13*. Sexes occupy separate caves or different parts of same cave in summer *07,13,16*. Pesticide poisoning from eating insects containing high levels of insecticide can increase mortality *17*.

Life History Information

Territoriality: non-territorial
Dispersion: clumped dispersion
Periodicity: active at night
Periodicity: active at dawn or dusk
Periodicity specified in comments(030)
Limiting factors specified in comments(034)
Other life history information specified in comments(099)
Origin in state: native
Seasonal distribution in state: all seasons
Foraging strategy: flycatching
Foraging sites: air
Foraging sites specified in comments(005)
Foraging height specified in comments(006)
Breeding season specified in comments(007)
Nest/den site: cave
Nest/den site: man-made structure
Nest/den/spawning site tenacity specified in comments(013)
Gestation/incubation period specified in comments(017)
Clutch/litter size specified in comments(018)
Number of broods/litter per year: one
Parental care of young: female
Age at sexual maturity specified in comments(022)
Sex ratio: 1:1

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
007 Mate in the fall before hibernation *13,14,15*.
018 Litter size 1 *01,16*.
005 In MO study, much foraging activity seen over reservoir opposite bluffs shallow, weedy areas *18*.
006 In MO study, were observed foraging from surface of water up to approxiately 1.5 m, rarely up to 3 m *18*. In AR, usually foraged within 18" of water's surface *29*. Usually forage above 5 m high *05*.
013 Strong loyalty to maternity caves *15*.
017 Breed in fall, sperm stored until ovulation in spring, young born May-July, most in June *13,14*.
022 Mature at 2 years *01,07*.
030 Hibernate in winter *01,13,15,16*.
034 Limited to caves with suitable temperature, humidity *13,15,16*
099 May move up to 167 miles between maternity or bachelor cave and hibernaculum *13*. Sexes occupy separate caves or different parts of same cave in summer *07,13,16*. Pesticide poisoning from eating insects containing high levels of insecticide can increase mortality *17*.

References for life history: 001 , 004 , 005 , 013 , 016 , 017 , 018 , 029

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Protect caves from human disturbance
Water - develop/maintain lakes/ponds
Forest - seasonal restriction of human use of habitats
Forest - maintain riparian habitats
Forest - maintain streamside vegetation
Forest - maintain old growth forests
Forest - other (specify in comments)

Beneficial Management References: 001 , 004 , 006 , 007 , 018

Adverse Managment Practices:

Water - application of herbicides
Water - application of pesticides
Water - application of insecticides
Water - dredging and filling
Water - stream channelization
Forest - application of herbicides
Forest - application of pesticides
Forest - application of insecticides
Forest - other (specify in comments)

Adverse Management References: 004 , 006 , 007 , 018

Comments on Management:
Beneficial to educate public about need to protect bats *06,07,20*. Deforestation around caves and foraging areas is harmful *07*. Stream channelization and building reservoirs which flood bat caves are harmful *06*. Alteration or elimination of riparian habitat may pose a threat *18*. Recovery plan recommendations: acquire and protect caves from early April to end of July and mid-August to mid-may. Protect foraging habitat - forested corridors, river edges, reservoir shorelines from clearing, channelization, siltation, herbicides, pesticides. Census hibernacula only every 2 years *19,20*. Hibernation and maternity caves must be kept free from human disturbance September 1 - April 30 and April 1 - October 30, respectively. Cave entrances should be protected with gates or fencing, as well as posted notices. If gates are used at maternity caves, there must be a 3' space at the top of the gate to allow free flight. *21*. In a FL study, a steel bar gate apparently altered air flow to the bat roost and obstructed the natural flight path. when the gate was replaced with a fence near the cave entrance, the number of bats using the cave entrance increased significantly *28*

References for Management Comments: 006 , 007 , 018 , 020 , 021 , 028

References

Reference Code Citation
001 Schwartz, Charles W. and Elizabeth R. Schwartz. 1981. The Wild Mammals Of Missouri, 2nd Ed. University Of Missouri Press And Mo Dept. Of Conservation, Columbia, Mo. 356 Pp.
002 Hall, E.R. 1981. The Mammals Of North America, 2nd Ed. John Wiley And Sons, Inc. New York. 1181pp.
003 Barbour, R.W., C.T. Peterson, D. Rust, H.E. Shadowen and A.L. Whitt, Jr. 1973. Kentucky Birds. The Univ. Press Of Ky. Lexington, Ky. 306 Pp.
004 Unpb Clawson, Rick. Missouri Dept. Of Conservation, 1110 S. College Ave Columbia, Mo 65201. 573-882-9880.
005 Laval, R.K., R.L. Clawson, M.L. Laval, and W. Claire. 1977. Foraging Behavior And Nocturnal Activity Patterns Of Missouri Bats, With Emphasis On The Endangered Species Myotis Grisescens And Myotis Sodalis. J. Mammal. 58(4):592-599.
006 Laval, R.K. and M.L. Laval. 1980. Ecological Studies And Management Of Missouri Bats, With Emphasis On Cave Dwelling Species. Mo. Dept. Of Conserv. Terr. Ser. #8. 53 Pp.
007 Tuttle, M.D. 1979. Status, Causes Of Decline, And Management Of Endangered Gray Bats. J. Wildl. Mgmt. 43:1-17.
008 Tuttle, M.D. 1976. Population Ecology Of The Gray Bat (Myotis Grisescens): Factors Influencing Growth And Survival Of Newly Volant Young. Ecology 57(3): 587-595.
009 Rare And Endangered Species Of Missouri. 1984. Missouri Department Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. 171 Pp.
010 Unpb Gardner, G. and T. Gardner. Number 30 Rolla Gardens Rolla, Mo
011 Unpb Elder. W.H. Collection Records. 112 Stephens Hall, Univ. Of Missouri. Columiba, Mo 65211. 573-882-3436.
012 Thom, R.H. and J.H. Wilson. 1980 The Natural Divisions Of Missouri. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 14:9-24.
013 Unpb Myers, R.F. 1964. Ecology Of Three Species Of Myotine Bats In The Ozark Plateau. Phd Thesis, Univ. Of Missouri-Columbia. 210 Pp.
014 Guthrie, M.J. 1933. The Reproductive Cycle Of Some Cave Bats. J. Mammal. 14:199-216.
015 Tuttle, M.D. 1976. Population Ecology Of The Gray Bat (Myotis Grisescens): Factors Influencing Growth And Survival Of Newly Volant Young. Ecology 57(3): 587-595.
016 Elder, William H. and Wilbur J. Gunier. 1978. Sex Ratios And Seasonal Movements Of Gray Bats (Myotis Grisescens) In Southwestern Missouri And Adjacent States, Amer. Midl. Nat. 99(2): 463-472.
017 Clark, D.R., R.K. Laval, And D.M. Swineford. 1978. Dieldrin-Induced Mortality In An Endangered Species, The Gray Bat (Myotis Grisescens) Science 199: 1357-1359.
018 Unpb Clawson, R.L. 1984. A Foraging Behavior And Food Habits Study Of The Gray Bat In Missouri. P-R Project W-13-R-38. Study 66, Job No. 1.
019 Unpb Popowski, J. Memo To Fish And Wild. Serv. Field Supervisor, Columbia, Mo, (Dated 8/16/85), Concerning Revised County Listing Of Federally Listed Species Within Missouri.
020 U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service. 1982. Gray Bat Recovery Plan. Approved By Director July 8, 1982.
021 Clawson, R. and R. Titus. Species Management Plan For The Indiana Bat And The Gray Bat In Missouri. Wildlife Division, Mo Dept. Of Conservation, Jefferson City, Mo. 48 Pp
022 Lacki, M.J., L.S. Burford and J.O. Whitaker, Jr. 1995. Food Habits Of Gray Bats In Kentucky. J. Mammal. 76(4):1256-1259.
023 The Wildlife Code of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. 573-751-4115.
024 The Checklist Of Rare And Endangered Species Of Missouri. 1991. Missouri Department Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. 44 Pp.
025 Kelly, G. (Ed.) 1986. Animal Habitat Relations Handbook. Mo Dept. Of Conservation and U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Jefferson City, Mo. 293 Pp.
026 Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2004. Missouri Species and Communities of Conservation Concern Checklist. Missouri Department Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. 47 Pp.
027 Unpb Britzke, E. 1998 Collector's Permit Report. Missouri Dept. Of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102. 573-751-4115.
028 Ludlow, M.E. and J.A. Gore. 2000. Effects Of A Cave Gate On Emergence Patterns Of Colonial Bats. Wildl. Soc. Bull. 28(1):191-196.
029 Harvey, M.J., V.R. Mcdaniel and J.D. Wilhide. 1999. Behavioral Ecology Of Endangered Bats In Arkansas. Arkansas Game and Fish Comm. Final Report. 118 Pp.