One ring does not fit all: Evaluation of banding-related injuries in tricolored bats

Abstract

The potential harm inflicted by forearm bands on bats has been debated for decades. To aid in decision-making regarding bat marking, we conducted a comprehensive assessment of banding injuries using recapture data from a long-term overwintering study in Georgia, USA, involving 776 banded tricolored bats (Perimyotis subflavus) with 284 recaptures. Most recaptured bats showed no visible injuries (77.8%); however, 22.2% of bats presented varying degrees of band-related injuries. Although <25% of tricolored bats exhibited banding-related injuries, sublethal effects of injuries are unknown and could add additional stressors to bat populations already facing multiple threats, including mortality from white-nose syndrome. Thus, we recommend that banding bats, especially species that have experienced white-nose syndrome-related population declines, be appropriately justified and their use carefully considered. Our study contributes valuable knowledge to aid in informed decision-making on the use of capture-mark-recapture methods in the research and management of bat communities.