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Abstract

Program Timing: Sample collection occurs annually during the rainforest dry season (June - August). Sample analyses occur between September and April. Program Overview: Bat mist nets are set up at multiple locations encompassing major habitat types surrounding the field station (terra firme, flood plain, swamp, bamboo, successional forest, primary forest, edge forest, etc). Mist netting occurs over 3-4 consecutive days at each location throughout the sample collection period. Dependent on resource availability and personnel, we strive for an annual sample size of 200 - 300 bats. Team Composition This protocol is intended to be carried out by a team of 3 individuals, including at least 2 trained personnel. Roles include (1) designated bat handler (2) sampling assistant (3) data recorder. Modification of team composition should be made according to the anticipated number of captures. Capture Overview: Mist nets are installed a day prior or several hours ahead of an intended capture event -> nets are opened between 17:00 and 22:00 (generally), and captures occur spontaneously throughout (~ 5 - 20 animals/event) -> animals are extracted from net (1-2 minutes) -> transferred into a light and breathable cloth bag and kept in order-of-capture in a nearby tent until processing (0 - 30 minutes) -> one-by-one animals are processed for morphometric measurement, photographs, marking (optional) and nonlethal tissue collection (~10 minutes) -> animals are immediately released at the site of capture once processing is complete, but away from mist nets.