Each spring, a fascinating journey unfolds as three species of nectar-feeding bats embark on a long migration from Mexico to the southwestern United States, including Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. These bats travel hundreds of miles to reach their maternity roosts, where they care for their young.
Known for their remarkably long tongues, these bats are believed to follow ‘nectar corridors’ that traverse higher elevations rich with blooming agave and cacti. Interestingly, they also make nocturnal visits to backyard hummingbird feeders to satisfy their sweet tooth.
Despite these insights, the precise routes these bats take remain unclear. Traditional tracking methods for small birds are not only costly but also challenging to implement on bats.
In response, Bat Conservation International collaborated with Northern Arizona University’s Ancient DNA lab to innovate a new tracking approach. By developing genetic tests for the three bat species, they successfully extracted DNA from agave flowers and hummingbird feeders, pioneering a novel bat detection technique.
This breakthrough helps Bat Conservation International monitor bat movements, facilitating strategic habitat restoration efforts with ranchers and landowners in the southwest. The initiative involves planting thousands of native agave plants along the migration paths and near summer roosts.
Moreover, this DNA methodology might clarify whether a reported sighting of a Mexican long-tongued bat in the Grand Canyon is an anomaly or indicative of a broader range than previously understood.
This Earth Note was written by Diane Hope and produced by KNAU and the Sustainable Communities Program at Northern Arizona University.
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