Distributional Limits of Bats in Alaska

Abstract

Bats in temperate regions are relatively well studied, yet little research has focused on the northern limit of their distribution. We document the northwestern extent of bats in North America using museum holdings, literature records, and field research in Alaska. Six bat species are confirmed from Alaska: Myotis lucifugus, M. keenii, M. californicus, M. volans, Lasionycteris noctivagans, and Eptesicus fuscus. M. lucifugus occurs throughout much of Alaska south of the Arctic Circle, whereas four other species occur only in Southeast Alaska. Climate, roost availability, extent of forested habitat, geographic barriers, length of night, and prey abundance appear to influence the distribution of bats in Alaska, although the relative contribution of these factors is unknown.