Occasional Papers

Museum of Texas Tech University

NUMBER 170 1 OCTOBER 1997

BATS OF THE HENRY MOUNTAINS REGION
OF SOUTHEASTERN UTAH

Tom K Moumgen and Michael A. Bogan

There are few publications on distribution and
abundance of bats in southeastern Utah. Durrant (1952),
then Shuster (1957), summarized information for the
state as of the 1950s but only occasional publications
have appeared since then. In particular, little informa¬
tion is available on bats in the Henry Mountains. The
Henry Mountains lie in a remote area on the Colorado
Plateau of Utah, just north and west of Lake Powell.
Hie Hcnrys were the last-named (1869, by John Wesley
Powell) and last-surveyed (1935-39, the last U. S. Geo¬
logical Survey expedition undertaken from pack animals)
mountains in the contiguous United States (Hunt et al.,
1953). Given the paucity of information available on
bats in this area, we commenced a series of annual sur¬
veys and explorations ill 1993 and preliminary infor¬
mation from these surveys is presented herein.

Our work has been generally within the Henry
Mountains region as defined by Hunt et al. (1953), that
is the area lying between the boundary of Glen Canyon
National Recreation Area on the south, between the east¬
ern boundary of Capitol Reef National Park on the west,
and the Dirty Devil River to the east. Our northern
boundary is the Fremont River Valley, whereas Hunt
included the San Rafael Swell still farther north. The
study area is ovoid, approximately 40 mi wide by 54 mi
long (64 x 87 km), and includes portions of Wayne and

Garfield comities. The topography of the region is domi¬
nated by three major peaks (Ellen, Pennell, and Hill¬
ers), which rise over 11,000 ft (3,353 m), and two lesser
mountains (Holmes and Ellsworth) in the southeastern
part of the study area, which rise over 7,800 ft (2,377
m). The mountains resulted from volcanic intrusions
during the Tertiary, which formed domes in the host shale
and sandstone. In time, erosion exposed the domes on
the mountain peaks (Hunt et al., 1953). The peaks are
surrounded by the outwashed pediment (Fig. 1) that
gives way on the east and south sides of the area to
spectacularly dissected, 2,000-foot-deep (610 m) sand¬
stone canyons. The lowest elevations in the study area,
below 3,900 ft, (1,189 m) are in these canyons. Other
conspicuous landforms include badlands, barren mesas,
and dramatic folds on the west side, and arches and sand
dunes on the east side. The impassable landscape and
inhospitable climate are the chief reasons for the con¬
tinuing regional isolation.

The climate of the plateau around the Henry
Mountains is characterized as arid to semiarid. Upper
elevations receive substantially more precipitation than
do low-lying areas. For example, Mount Ellen (11,500
ft; 3,505 m) has a mean annual precipitation of about
30 in (76 cm). In contrast, the mean annual precipita¬
tion at both Hanksville (4,308 ft; 1,313 m) and Bull-

Figure 1. Mount Hillers (far left) and Mount Pennell (near right), looking southeast
from South Summit ridge on Mount Ellen.

frog Basin (3,822 fl; 2,689 m) is about 5 in (13 cm).
Hanksville is on the northern margin of the study area
whereas Bullfrog Basin, a marina on Lake Powell, is
approximately 5 mi (8 km) from the southern boundary
of the study area. According to Hunt et al, (1953) and
Downs et al. (1990), the mean winter daily minimum
temperatures (in January) at these two locations are 11 9
and 23°F (-12° and -5°C), respectively; the mean sum¬
mer daily maxima (July) are 98° and 100°F (37° and
38°C). The mean total annual pan evaporation at
Hanksville is 70 in (178 cm). Spring winds can be fierce.

There are no temperature data for the mountains
but the major peaks are covered in snow' throughout the
winter. Nevertheless, Hunt (1980a) stated that the Henry
Mountains were never glaciated like surrounding moun¬
tain ranges of comparable elevations. Freeze-thaw boul¬
der fields, periglacial deposits, and stony colluvium sug¬
gest the temperature on the peaks w T as low enough, but
because the Henry Mountains are in the rain shadow
behind Boulder Mountain and the Aquarius Plateau,
there has never been enough precipitation for ice to ac¬
cumulate. All drainages at upper elevations are active
during snowmelt, but only the largest of them run w'ater

into late summer. None of the streams flow continu¬
ously to their points of discharge into the Fremont, Dirty
Devil, or Colorado rivers. In fact, most are intermittent
below 5,000 ft (1,524 m). There are nearly 200 docu¬
mented springs in die area (Goode, 1980), but at least
75 percent are little more dian seeps. There arc only
five springs that yield as much as 100 gpm (379 L) in a
normal year. Our experience is diat spring discharges
greatly vary among years and seasons.

Neese (1980) identified seven vegetational zones
in the study area. These are as follows (number of com¬
munities in parentheses): alpine (2), subalpinc (2), mon¬
tane (3), ponderosa pine-mountain brush (2), pygmy
forest (2), cool desert shrub (8), and warm desert shrub
(2). The dominant plant species for each of die zones
are typical for comparable elevations and latitudes else¬
where in the southwestern United States. The indi¬
vidual communities were further characterized as com¬
plex and inlcrgrading, creating some unusual assem¬
blages. These assemblages result from the extremely
varied topography, the extreme elevation change (nearly
8,000 ft in 25 mi), and associated changes in climate,
and the wide range of rocks and soils on which the plants

MOLLHAGEN AND BOGAN- BATS OF THE HENRY MOUNTAINS

3

must grow. Figure 2-4 arc examples of habitat extremes
encountered in the Henry Mountains. The soils derive
from Permian to upper Cretaceous sedimentary strata,
as well as from granite and recent alluvial and colluvial
deposits. Downs et al. (1990) identified the plant com¬
munities associated with specific soil types, but their
work was restricted to sites suitable for grazing of live¬
stock. Necse (1980) reported the occurrence of three
endemic plant species in the Henry Mountains, all from
montane areas.

According to Hunt et al, (1953), the region has
always been sparsely populated. Small communities of
several cultures of prehistoric peoples occupied the can¬
yons and piedmont of the Henry Mountains. The first
recorded Europeans were a party from the Powell Sur¬
vey, led by A. H. Thompson, who crossed the moun¬
tains in 1872. In 1875, G. K. Gilbert, previously part
of the Powell Survey, was there on the first of two trips
that resulted in his classic geological study. From the
1870s to about 1900, the Henry Mountains, along with
the more famous Robbers Roost just across the Dirty
Devil River, provided sanctuary for many outlaws of
the time (Baker, 1968). Mormons established the fust
of several communities along tire Fremont River in 1882,

but only Hanksville, and the more diffuse community of
Caineville, survive to the present. Gold was discovered
on Mount Ellen in 1890 but the resultant community of
Eagle, on Crescent Creek, lasted only until 1900, when
most of the mines failed. Ticaboo, a small company
town in tire southern part of tire study area, is a conse¬
quence of tire uranium boom of the 1950s. In 1990,
Hanksville had a population of 324. Population counts
attributable to either Caineville or Ticaboo have not been
located.

The far greatest part of the study area is public
lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management
(BLM) Henry Mountains Resource Area office in
Hanksville. Grazing, fanning, and mining are the chief
land uses. Virtually all fanning is sustained by sea¬
sonal irrigation, and most of it is along the Fremont River.
All of these land uses include some private holdings.
'ITere are perhaps six inhabited ranches in the uplands,
some in continuous operation since the early 1900s.
Mining interests in the 1950s, and the closing of Glen
Canyon Dam, stimulated tire construction of the first
roads passable by conventional vehicles. At this writ¬
ing one gold mine is being redeveloped. We have peri¬
odically observed placer mining, but the abandoned

Figure 2. The formations locally known as Little Egypt at the northeastern base of the
Henry Mountains,

MOLLHAGEN AND BOGAN- BATS OF THE HENRY MOUNTAINS

5

equipment along Crescent Creek is testimony to mar¬
ginal returns created by small deposits and an uncer¬
tain water supply. The potential for uranium mining
still exists but current prices hover just below economic
feasibility levels. The mill in Ticaboo is reported to be
reopening, but not to exclusively process locally pro¬
duced ore. Timber was never harvested to any great
extent, but large tracts of pinon-juniper have been
chained, and the land reseeded to grass, to improve graz¬
ing for livestock and bison. Hunt et al. (1953) and Hunt
(19806) deal at some length with the historical changes
to the landscape in the region. Many of the undesirable
changes resulted from overgrazing. We have observed
increasing social infrastructure development (e.g.,
roads) and new service-oriented industries (e.g., con¬
venience stores, boat shops, and motels) in areas near¬
est Lake Powell. Similarly, motels and campsites have
appeared near the boundary of Capitol Reef National
Park. Former state sections continue to be privatized
and improved with mixed success.

The mineral deposits (e.g., uranium, vanadium,
silver, gold, coal, gemstones) and Gilbert’s revelation
on the origin of these mountains have subjected the
Hcnrys to intense geological inquiry for over 100 years
(Picard, 1980), but there has not been a corresponding
interest in the animals. W. H. Osgood made the first
collection of mammals in die region in 1908 (Goldman,
1931), but apparently no bats were obtained. Accord¬
ing to Stanford (1931), a party from the University of
Utah collected mammals, including Pipislrellus
hesperus , and other biota on the King Ranch in Sep¬
tember 1929. For the intervening period, the holdings
at the Utah Museum of Natural History (UMNH) and
Brigham Young University (BYU) revealed several
small but significant mammal collections from the
Henry Mountains. In 1952 a class from the University
of Utah spent three days there, but no bats were ob¬
tained. During 1954-57, M. R. Lee did collect a few
bats incidental to studies on other mammals, but there
were no bats among the specimens prepared by G. L.
Ranck in 1964. These collections elicited recognition
of three races of mammals endemic to the Henry Moun¬
tains, Eutamias umbrimis sedulus White, 1953;
Thomomys bottae dissimilis Goldman, 1931; and Mi-
crotus longicaudus incemus Lee and Durrant, I960.
Hasenyager (1980) summarized all bat records for Utah
known to that date and recorded specimens of Myolis

californicus, M. cilia lab rum, M. lucifugus, M. volans,
and Eptesicus fuscus from the region. Hall (1981) pro¬
vided additional information on potential bat species
occurring within the study area but listed no new local¬
ity records.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Bats were captured in mist nets set over water, or
in flyways, during the summers of 1993 (19 net-nights),
1994 (3), 1995 (42), and 1996 (30), and our procedures
generally followed those of Kunz and Kurta (1988).
Mist nets of varying sizes were deployed shortly before
sunset and attended continuously until closure. Bats
were promptly removed from nets, identified and exam¬
ined for data collection, and released unharmed. Spe¬
cies, sex, age (adult or young of year based on epiphy¬
seal fusion; Anthony, 1988), reproductive condition (tes¬
tes or cauda visible in males, females pregnant, Iactat-
ing, postlactating, or non reproductive; Racey, 1988),
and time of capture were noted. For each netting epi¬
sode, we recorded the investigator’s name, site loca¬
tion, date, number and size of nets, times nets w'ere
opened and closed, starting and ending temperature,
cloud cover, wind speed, and brief habitat description.
Additional comments on parasites, wing damage, and
the like were made as necessary. All data were recorded
on standardized data sheets; completed data sheets arc
on file at the Albuquerque office of the Midcontinent
Ecological Science Center or Department of Civil En¬
gineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock. Data were
entered into spreadsheet files for summarization.

Netting localities, all in Garfield County, Utah,
are (Mt. Hillers) Starr Springs Campground, 6,100 ft;
(Mt. Hillers) 3 mi W (by rd) Starr Springs Campground,
6,100 A (Woodruff Cabin); (Mt. Hillers) 2.8 miNE Starr
Springs CG, 6,600 A (Gold Creek Development); (Mt
Pennell) Hancock Spring, 1.5 mi N Mt. Pennell, 8,900
ft; North Maidenwater Creek, 0.5 mi E Maidenwater
Spring, 4,720 ft; Hog Canyon, 0.25 mi W Hwy 95,4,140
ft; Mt. Pennell, Mud Spring, 1.25 mi W Stanton Pass,
7,750 ft; Mt. Pennell, Horn Spring, 1 mi S The Horn,
8,600 A; Mt. Ellen, Birch Spring, 7,860 ft; Mt. Ellen,
Mud Spring, 2.2 mi ENE Bromide Basin, 8,280 ft; Mt.
Ellen, Copper Basin Spring, 8,710 ft; Mt. Ellsworth,
Highway Reservoir, 3.4 mi NE Ticaboo, 4,700 ft; Mt.

6

OCCASIONAL PAPERS, MUSEUM OF TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY

Ellsworth, Lost Spring Reservoir, 1.6 mi NNE Ticaboo,
4,810 ft; Ml. Hillers, Cass Creek Reservoir, 6,800 ft;
Mt. Ellen, Crescent Creek, 1.8 mi ENE Bromide Ba¬
sin, 8,250 ft (Crescent Creek 4-way); Poison Spring
Canyon, Wall Spring, 4250 ft; Poison Spring Canyon,
1.4 mi W (by rd) Wall Spring, 4380 ft; Mt. Ellen, Placer
Reservoir #1, ca. 0.7 mi ENE Mud Spring, 7,580 ft;
Butler Wash, Cottontail Spring, 4770 ft; Mt. Ellen, Cres¬
cent Creek, 5,580 ft; Mt. Ellen, Bromide Basin, 10,100
ft (Bromide Basin Placer); Mt. Pennell, Airplane Spring,
7,660 ft. Names in parentheses refer to the peak on
which the locality occurs or to abbreviated locality
names used in Table 1. Place names not on USGS maps,
particularly for springs and reservoirs, arc those em¬
ployed by BLM. Unless distance and direction are spe¬
cifically indicated to be by road or trail, capture locali¬
ties are reported as straight-line measurements obtained
from map landmarks in the cardinal compass direction
stated.

Times of net closure varied for many reasons, but
most often we netted until bat activity diminished sig¬
nificantly (approximately 30-45 min after last bat cap¬
ture). No capture site was visited evety year because
dates of visits, access to sites, and presence of water

varied among years. Several sites have been netted only
once. Numbers of bats captured per night may include
some (presumably few) recaptured individuals as we
made no attempt to mark them. Capture and handling
of bats followed standard protocols of the American
Society of Mammalogists (1987) and Midcontinent Eco¬
logical Science Center, USGS. Capture permits were
granted by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.
Photographs of specimens, together with a GPS device
(Fig. 5), and a small number of voucher specimens were
employed to confirm identification or establish new geo¬
graphic records. Specimens and photographs are housed
in the USGS Biological Survey Collection in Albuquer¬
que. Scientific and common names of bats generally
follow Jones et al. (1992).

RESULTS

We netted 94 net-nights during the springs and
summers of 1993 through 1996 at 22 localities, rang¬
ing in elevation from 4,140 to 10,100 ft, and captured
572 bats of 15 species. The earliest netting dale was
15 May; the latest was 14 August. We confirmed the
presence of nine additional species to the known bat

Figure 5. Documentation of the capture of Ruderma maculatum at Mud Spring, on
Mount Pennell.

MOLLHAGEN AND BOGAN- BATS OF THE HENRY MOUNTAINS

7

fauna of the region. The most abundant species (num¬
bers of individuals in parentheses) were/!. fuscus (94),
M. evolis (75), Lasionycteris nociivagans and M.
volcins (71),/! hesperus (64), and Tadaridahrasiliensis
(50; Table 1). Species taken at the most localities (num¬
ber of localities in parentheses), an index of local dis¬
tribution, were M volcins (13), M, evotis and M.
californtcns (12),/! hesperus (11), M. thysanodes (10),
M. yumanensis and Antmzous pallidus (9), and E.
fuscus (8; Table 1). Additional data are presented in
the following brief species accounts:

Myotis californicus .— The California myotis oc¬
cupies suitable habitat in all but the northern quarter of
Utah. The only previous record from the Henry Moun¬
tains is from Sawmill Basin on Mount Ellen
(Hasenyager, 1980). We captured 44 individuals (Table
1) of this diminutive myotis at 12 sites ranging in el¬
evation from 4,250 to 8,900 ft (1,295-2,713 m). Months
of capture are May, June, and August Individuals from
the Henry Mountains represent the race M. c. Stephens!,
as would be expected on geographic grounds (Hall,
1981).

Myotis ciliolabrum .— This species appears to
be distributed statewide in suitable habitat at upper el¬
evations. There is a previous record from the Henry
Mountains from Starr Springs (see the account of M.
lucifugus). Tliis species docs not appear to be particu¬
larly common in the Henry Mountains; we look only
eight individuals from three localities that range from
7,660 to 8,900 ft (2,335-2,713 m) in elevation (Table
1). Months of capture are June and August. This spe¬
cies is difficult to distinguish from M. californicus and
field identifications should be made with care. The lo¬
cal race is M. c. melanorhinus.

Myotis evotis .— The long-eared myotis likely
occurs throughout Utah; however, there are no previ¬
ous records from the Henry' Mountains. The nearest
records were from Garfield (Bryce Canyon National
Park) and San Juan (Navajo Mountain and Blanding)
counties (Hasenyager, 1980). Interestingly, our work
to date suggests that this is one of the most common
species in the mountains. We captured 75 individuals
at 12 different sites from May through August (Table
1). Elevations of capture range from 4,700 to 8,900 ft
(1,433-2,713 m). We inadvertently captured one indi¬

vidual as we moved a mist net over a pool at Gold Creek
development This bat was apparently foraging between
the net and water for several minutes prior to its cap¬
ture. Manning (1993) states thatM e. chrysonotus is
the race occurring in southeastern Utah.

Myotis lucifugus .— Shuster (1957) suggested
that the range of this species in Utah was the northern
two-thirds of the state. Hasenyager (1980) believed
that M. lucifugus was more widely distributed and oc¬
curred in suitable habitats statewide except in portions
of southwestern Utah. We have examined the speci¬
men listed by Hasenyager (1980) for the Henry Moun¬
tains (UMNH 12446, S. D. Durrant 3525, taken 7 Aug
1955 at Starr Spring, Mt. Hillers, Garfield County) and
it is not M. lucifugus but rather M. ciliolabrum. Ex¬
tensive work (Bogan, unpublished data) in areas east
and west of the Henry Mountains suggests that M.
lucifugus does not occur in this part of Utah. Other
nearby records of M lucifugus reported from Bluff in
San Juan County (to the southeast) and Bicknell and
Boulder Mountain, in western Wayne County (to the
northwest; Hasenyager, 1980), and preferably speci¬
mens from throughout Utah, should be re-examined to
ascertain their identity. Presumably, the race in Utah is
M. 1. carissima.

Myotis thysanodes .— The fringed myotis may
occur throughout Utah (Hasenyager, 1980), but at
present is known only from some southern and eastern
comities. Previous records of occurrence nearest the
Henry Mountains are Bryce Canyon and Mammoth
Cave. This species is moderately common in the moun¬
tains; we captured 34 individuals in May, June, and
August, at ten localities ranging from 4,250 to 8,900 ft
(1,295-2,713 m) in elevation (Table 1). We found them
to be slightly more common early in the summer and at
lower elevations. The race of this bat occurring in Utah
is nominate M. t. thysanodes.

Myotis volans .— The long-legged myotis likely
occurs in suitable habitat throughout Utah; the two pre¬
vious records (Hasenyager, 1980) from the Henry
Mountains, Sawmill Basin and Eagle, arc both on Mount
Ellen, This species is widespread and abundant in the
Henry Mountains region. We captured 71 individuals
at 13 localities ranging from 4,720 to 10,100 ft (1,439-
3,078 m) in elevation (Table 1). All our records for

Table 1, Elevational and Temporal Distribution of Bats Captured in the Henry Mountains, 1993-96. Capture locations are listed by elevation, in descending order. Bat
species are listed in ascending order of their mean elevation of capture. Multiple capture dates at a single location are listed by latest to earliest date. The abbreviations used
for bat species, listed aplhabetically, are as follows: An pa, Antrozous pallidus; Eu ma, Euderma maculatum; Co to, Corynorhinus townscndii; Ep fu, Eptesieus fuscus; Id ph,
Idionycteri.s phyllotis; La ci, Lasiurus cinereus; La no, Lasionyctcris noctivagans; My ca, Mvotis califomicus; My ci, M, ciliolabrum; My ev, M. evotis; My th, M. thysanodes; My
vo, M. volans; Myyu, M. yumanensis; Pi hi, Pipistrellus hesperus; and Id hr, Tadarida brasiliensis.

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OCCASIONAL PAPERS, MUSEUM OF TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY

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Poison Spr. Can., mid. 4,380 16 May 96 3 : : 1:5 9

Wall Spring 4,250 15 May 96 8 9 1 2 3 2 3 28

Hog Canyon, Low. 4,140 18 Jim 95 2 2

Captures by Sex 3133 21 13 8 12 30 14 9 7 9 0 4 9 57 37 9 41 1 1 17 58 35 36 1 0 2 6 0 71

TOTAL CAPTURES 64 34 20 44 16 9 13 94 50 2 75 71 1 8 71 572

MGLLHAGEN AND BOGAN- BATS OF THE HENRY MOUNTAINS

9

this species at localities below 6,600 ft are from May,
Conversely, records of this species from elevations be¬
tween 7,660 and 10,100 ft are from June through Au¬
gust, suggesting that this species (perhaps chiefly fe¬
males, to give birth and raise young) migrates to upper
elevations as weather warms in summer. Bats of this
species in Utah belong to the race M. v. interior .

Myotis yumanensis. — There are no previous
records of this species from the Henry Mountains. There
are older records of the Yuma myotis from Fruita (Wayne
County) and at 88 (Kane County), 137, and 129
(Garfield County) “river miles” north of Lee’s Ferry on
the Colorado River (Hasenyager, 1980). There is an¬
other record from Old Woman Wash, 23 mi north of
Hanksville, Emery County. This is not one of the more
common species m the Hcnrys; we netted 13 individu¬
als at nine sites that range from 4,3 80 to 8,600 ft (1,335-
2,621 m) in elevation (Table 1). All our records arc
from dates before 1 July, suggesting that perhaps this
species occurs in the mountains only early in the sea¬
son, after which time it likely occurs at lower eleva¬
tions along permanent watercourses, as is typical for
this species. The race occurring in Utah is M. y.
yumanensis (Harris, 1974).

Lasiurus blossevillii .— There are no records of
the western red bat anywhere near the Henry Moun¬
tains, and work nearby (Bogan, unpublished data) sug¬
gests that this species is absent or veiy uncommon in
this part of Utah. Previous records for this species (as
L. borealis ) are from Washington and Carbon counties
(Hasenyager, 1980), There also is a specimen from
Utah County (BYU 13319). All these locations are at
least 150 mi from the Henry Mountains. We surmise
that this migratory species occurs only rarely in most of
Utah, although there may be predictable seasonal popu¬
lations in Washington County during the summer
months. Baker et al. (1988) and Morales and Bickham
(1995) have demonstrated that L blossevillii is specifi¬
cally distinct from the eastern L. borealis . The race
occurring in Utah is L. b. frantzii.

Lasiurus cinereus ,— Few specimens of the hoary
bat from Utah appear to exist (Hasenyager, 1980), but
the distribution of these few specimens suggests state¬
wide occurrence. The nearest records to the Henry
Mountains arc near Bryce Canyon and Blanding. Wc
captured two individuals, one of each sex, at two loca¬

tions (Table 1). The female, as expected, was captured
in late May (6,100 ft; 1,859 m), probably during mi¬
gration (Findley and Jones, 1964), and the male was
taken in late June (8,600 ft; 2,621 m). Males probably
occur throughout the summer in the mountains, roost¬
ing solitarily in trees.

Lasionycteris noctivagans .— Silver-haired bats
likely occur statewide in suitable habitat. There are no
previous records for the Henry Mountains. The nearest
records (Hasenyager, 1980) arc from Escalante and near
Bryce Canyon (Garfield County) and near Bicknell
(Wayne County). All individuals captured were males;
females of this species appear to summer in the east.
This species is locally common at times; on 30 June
1995 wc captured 55 individuals (Table 1). This date
seems too late for the northern migration and, because
all were males, we believe the species may be a regular
summer resident at upper elevations in the Henry Moun¬
tains. All individuals were netted between 6,100 and
8,600 ft (1,859-2,621 m) in elevation. There were no
August captures. As far as is known, male silver-haired
bats roost solitarily in cracks and under bark of trees
(Mattson et al., 1996). Total captures were 71 indi¬
viduals at six localities; capture localities were at el¬
evations ranging from 6,100 to 8,600 ft.

Pipistrellus hesperus. — This species probably
occurs statewide in Utah, at least at lower elevations,
but there is no documentation of specimens from ex¬
treme northwestern and northeastern Utah. There are
records of tins species in the Henry Mountains. Stanford
(1931) reported that “the most interesting feature of the
evening spent on King’s ranch was the abundance of
bats flitting about the house and corrals. Two distinct
sizes were seen. One was dropped with fine shot and
one knocked down by Professor Fiske with his fly rod.
The smaller one proved to be of this species.” Hardy
(1941) reported a specimen, seemingly m the Dixie Jun¬
ior College collection, from “King’s ranch at base of
Henry Mountains.” There also are specimens from Starr
Spring and Ekker’s ranch, 25 mi SE Hanksville
(Hasenyager, 1980). The latter location may not be in
the present study area. We found this species to be com¬
mon (64 individuals, 11 locations) in May, June, and
August (Table 1) in the Henry Mountains at elevations
ranging from 4,140 to 8,710 ft (1,262-2,655 m). The
western race, R h. hesperus , is the one occurring in
Utah (Findley and Traut, 1970).

10

OCCASIONAL PAPERS, MUSEUM OF TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY

Eptesicus fuscus .— The big brown bat is found
in suitable habitat throughout Utah. Previous records
from the Heniy Mountains are from Starr Springs and
Quaking Aspen Spring, both on Mount Hillers, and
North Wash, 20 mi northwest of Hite (Hasenyager,
1980). We have 94 captures (in May, June, and Au¬
gust) of this most common species from nine sites rang¬
ing from 4,250 to 8,600 ft (1,295-2,621 m) in elevation
(Table 1). This bat is known to roost in abandoned
buildings and females form maternity roosts in trees.
Koopman (1989) noted that North American E. fuscus
likely is the same species as the Old World E. serotinus.
The subspecies occurring in Utah is E. f pcillidus.

Euderma maculatum —It seems likely that spot¬
ted bats occur statewide in Utah, although records are
lacking from many areas. They are probably more com¬
mon than generally believed as they are known to for¬
age well above ground (Wai-Ping and Fenton, 1989),
coming within range of mist nets only when they drink.
We arc aware of nearby records from Capitol Reef Na¬
tional Park and Natural Bridges National Monument
(Bogan, unpublished data). We captured a gravid fe¬
male at Mud Spring (7,750 ft; 2,362 m) on Mount
Pennell on 19 June 1995 (Table 1; Fig. 5). We believe
we heard the audible echolocation calls of this species
at several other locations as well. Best (1988) studied
geographic variation in the species and found that south¬
ern bats were largest, western bats smallest, and north¬
ern and central bats were intermediate in size; lie none¬
theless considered E. maculatum to be monotvpic.

Corynorhinus townsendii .— Townsend’s big-
eared bat can be found in suitable habitat throughout
Utah. The nearest records to the Henry Mountains
(Hasenyager, 1980) are from Robbers Roost on the east
side of the Dirty Devil River, and near Blanding in San
Juan County. We captured 16 individuals at six loca¬
tions ranging from 4,250 to 7,860 ft (1,295-2,396 m)
in elevation; late season captures tend to be at upper
elevations (Table 1). Utah bats of this species belong
to the race C. t. pallescens. We follow Frost and Timm
(1992) and Tumlison and Douglas (1992) in using
Corynorhinus for North American long-eared bats.

Idionycteris phyllotis. — This species is likely
more common than generally recognized in this portion
of Utah. We are aware of records from both Capitol

Reef National Park and Natural Bridges National Monu¬
ment (Bogan, unpublished data). There are no previ¬
ous records of Allen’s big-eared bat for the Henry Moun¬
tains. We netted nine individuals (all female, some
gravid) at four localities ranging in elevation from 4,720
to 7,860 ft (1,439-2,396 m); late season captures tend
to be at upper elevations (Table 1). Tumlison (1993)
assigned individuals from southern Utah and northern
Arizona to a new race, I. p. hualapaiensis; we continue
to consider this species monotypic at present.

Antrozous pall id us. — There are records of the
pallid bat from the southern two-thirds of Utah
(Hasenyager, 1980). Jn the Heniy Mountains, we found
this species to be moderately common, especially at
lower elevations. We captured 20 individuals at nine
localities ranging from 4,250 to 7,860 ft (1,295-2,396
m) in elevation (Table 1). There is some suggestion in
our data that pallid bats occur at higher elevations later
in the summer The race occurring in Utah is A. p.
pallidas.

Nyctinomops macrotis. — Available records
(Hasenyager, 1980) suggest that the big free-tailed bat
occurs in suitable habitat throughout southern Utah. We
are aware of reproducing females captured at Natural
Bridges National Monument (Bogan, unpublished data).
The only capture record, of this species in the Henry
Mountains region, of which we are aware, is from near
the former community of Giles, on the Fremont River,
west of Hanksville (Matt Obradovich, in lit.). The high
bluffs near this site and the canyons of the lower Dirty
Devil River and middle Bullfrog Creek are several lo¬
cations in the region seeming to provide suitable roost¬
ing sites for this rarely captured bat.

Tadarida hrasiliensis .— Specimen records sug¬
gest that the Brazilian free-tailed bat can be found state¬
wide in Utah, except in the most northern counties
(Hasenyager, 1980). The records nearest to the Henry
Mountains are at least 75 miles west, in Piute and Bea¬
ver counties. We took 50 individuals at three localities
in the Henry Mountains; capture elevations ranged from
4,380 to 7,580 ft (1,335-2,310 m) (Table 1). The bulk
of our captures were on 19 May 1996 at Placer Reser¬
voir No. 1, where we netted 8 females and 36 males. It
is likely these individuals were migrating.

MOLLHAGEN AND BOGAN- BATS OF THE HENRY MOUNTAINS

11

DISCUSSION

During our work on bats of the Henry Mountains
we captured 15 species, confirming the occurrence of
six previously reported species and adding new records
for nine additional species. There is an unconfirmed,
but probable, record of one additional species ( N.
macro tis), but we know of no evidence for the present
occurrence of L. blossevillii or Ai. lucifugus in the re¬
gion. Of the 16 species known to occur, nine are Spe¬
cies of Concern (U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service former
Category 2 Candidate Species): M ci/iolabrum, M.
evotis, M. thysanodes, M. volcms , M. yumanensis, E.
maculatum , C townsendiij. phyllotis , and N. macrotis.
Although our data should be interpreted cautiously,
pending additional information on bats of this area, they
nonetheless suggest that some of these species are more
common and widespread in the region than perhaps is
generally believed. Myotis evotis in particular is com¬
mon and we believe that, excepting M. ciliolabnm,
other species of Myotis are reasonably common as well.
The occurrence of M. lucifugus in the area remains con¬
jectural.

Several of these species are known to roost in
abandoned mines, and surveys for these species (and
others) should be conducted prior to closing abandoned
mines (Riddle, 1995 and papers included therein). Like¬
wise, some species roost in trees and the needs of these
species, especially pregnant or lactating females that
use such roosts, should be incorporated into local forest
management plans (Barclay and Brigham, 1996). Fi¬
nally, all species, as demonstrated by our netting re¬
sults, use pools of water to meet critical water needs in
an arid environment. Of the 22 sites netted, no more
than seven might be considered permanent water,
whereas the other 15 clearly are not. Among the latter
sites arc placer mine reservoirs, stock tanks to which
water is either hauled or seasonally diverted, and stock
tanks designed to opportunistically impound stormwater.
In several instances these sites were netted, with very
good results, the only time they held water during tire
four-year study period. Bats will find water if it is avail¬
able. Wc urge those managing the land to continue to
provide such sources of water for bats, in addition to
livestock and other wildlife.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Our work in the Henry Mountains would not be
possible without the continuing interest and assistance
of Biologist Matt Obradovich of the BLM office in
Hanksville. We are also grateful to the local residents
who indulge our presence and our questions. Others
significantly aiding our work in the field were Jacquc
Homan, Todd Mattson, Cindy Ramotnik, and Dallas
Wilhelm. Eric Rickart and Hal Black gave us access to
mammal collections at the Utah Museum of Natural
History and Brigham Young University, respectively.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources granted per¬
mits for the capture of bats and other mammals. We
also appreciated the comments of the manuscript re¬
viewers, Rick Manning and Frank Yancy.

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Addresses of Authors:

TONY R, MOLLHAGEN

Environmental Science Laboratory, Department of
Civil Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
79409.

email: tmollhagen@coe2. coe. tiu. edu

Tumlison, R. 1993. Geographic variation in the lap¬
pet-cared bat, Idionycteris phyllotis , with de¬
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MICHAEL A. BOGAN

U. S. Geological Survey, Museum of Southwestern
Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
87131

email: mbogan@unm.edu

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Tech University initiated several publications series including the Occasional Papers of the Museum. This and
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tions of the Museum. It is with special fondness that we remember Dr. J Knox Jones.

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