O’SHEA, CRYAN & BOGAN: UNITED STATES BAT SPECIES OF CONCERN 
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The only detailed information on southeastern myotis in relation to chemical contaminants is 
based on samples examined for cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, and zinc in northern Florida. 
Clark et al. (1986) reported that in comparison with a distant control colony, concentrations of cad¬ 
mium were higher in guano, kidneys, and livers (but not at pathological levels) of bats exposed to 
metals that had been released into local streams from a battery salvage plant. Past attempts to elim¬ 
inate colonies in buildings have used pesticides (Hermanson and Wilkins, 1986), but killing bats in 
roosts with chemicals is now illegal in many states. 
In states other than Florida, the southeastern myotis may rely more heavily on hollow trees in 
bottomland hardwood forests than on caves or human-made structures. M.K. Clark (2003) 
reviewed information about their occurrence in these habitats and concluded that large historical 
losses and current rates of fragmentation of bottomland hardwood forests may have impacted their 
populations. Conservation of such habitats, including tracts with large hollow trees of species 
known to be used as roosts, will be of benefit to populations of this bat. Anecdotal observations in 
Texas have documented that roost trees used by southeastern myotis can be destroyed in severe 
storms and hurricanes (Stuemke et al., 2014). At Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, the U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service has added openings to trees with cavities that had no previous access points 
for bats: southeastern myotis have been observed using these trees (Richardson, 2007). They also 
have been observed using cinder block towers built as experimental artificial roosts, as well as 
large “bam” or “community” bat houses such as those occupied by this species at the University 
of Florida in Gainesville (Bayless, 2006; Lacki and Bayless, 2013). 
Notes and Comments. — An estimated 90% of the potential habitat for this species occurs 
on private lands (Amelon et al., 2006). Bat Conservation International and the Southeastern Bat 
Diversity Network have developed a conservation and management plan for Rafinesque’s big- 
eared bat and the southeastern myotis (Lacki and Bayless, 2013) that reviews additional detailed 
biological information, major threats and conservation needs, and provides well-considered spe¬ 
cific suggestions for future research and conservation strategies. For more information see the 
account for Rafmesque’s big-eared bat above. 
Myotis ciliolabrum — Western small-footed myotis (Family Vespertilionidae) 
Conservation Status. — National and International Designations: U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service (1994, 1996a,b): Species of Concern (inactive, former Category 2 candidate for listing 
under the U.S. Endangered Species Act). Bureau of Land Management (2010a, 2011b, 2015a): 
Sensitive Species (California, Idaho, Nevada state offices). International Union for the Conserva¬ 
tion of Nature (2017): Least Concern. NatureServe (2017): Rounded Global Status G5, Secure. 
State Designations: California Department of Fish and Wildlife (2017): Special Animals List. 
Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (2005; Rohweder, 2015): Species of Greatest 
Conservation Need Tier II. Idaho Department of Fish and Game (2015): Species of Greatest Con¬ 
servation Need Tier 3. Nevada Department of Wildlife (2013): Species of Conservation Priority. 
Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (2015a): Vulnerable, Watch List. 
North Dakota Game and Fish (Hagen et al., 2005; Dyke et al., 2015): Species of Conservation Pri¬ 
ority Level III. Wyoming Game and Fish Department (2017a,b): Species of Greatest Conservation 
Need, Tier II. Texas Parks and Wildlife (2012): Species of Greatest Conservation Need. Washing¬ 
ton Department of Fish and Wildlife (2015a): Species of Concern. 
Description.— The western small-footed myotis (Fig. 23) is among the smaller bats of North 
America. “Typical” specimens often have dark face masks, long, dark ears, and dark wings that 
contrast with a pale, yellowish-brown pelage. The calcar is keeled. Examples of typical ranges of 
body masses and forearm lengths reported in the literature are 2.8 to 7.0 grams and 31.3 to 36.0 
