SDSU STUDENT RESEARCH: While at SDSU, my research efforts have strayed significantly from craniofacial evolution to focus rather on a study that literally fell in my lap — a natural experiment in island biogeography and biodiversity on the small island of Montserrat. Over the last 20 years, Montserrat has been severely damaged by two hurricanes and a series of volcanic eruptions. Variation in the local fruitbat population has accurately reflected the environmental damage caused by each natural disaster, indeed, I have documented the gain/loss of several species of fruitbat. I have sampled 8 neighboring islands to serve as natural controls. These small Caribbean islands are unique in that they exhibit high levels of endemism and have a taxonomic composition that is characteristic of more isolated oceanic islands. The effects of major natural disturbances such as hurricanes and volcanoes are so intense that exposed biotas are commonly reconfigured for years to come. Using bats as a model system, the series of natural disasters experienced by Montserrat provide an extraordinary opportunity to observe how the synergistic effects of two types of natural disasters and the associated loss of habitats affect island biodiversity.

ABSTRACT: When one thinks of the tropical island of Montserrat in the British West Indies and its active volcano, the last thing that comes to mind are the bats that live on the island. Yet, bats are incredibly important pollinators, indispensable seed dispersal agents, and critical elements in this island's healthy ecosystem. Tragically, the bat population on Montserrat was devastated by Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and suffered a 90% decrease in numbers. The bat population on Montserrat has been further devastated by the continuing eruption of the Soufriere Hills volcano. The results of the most recent censuses (1997, 1998) showed that the bats were exhibiting obvious signs of stress (notably mange and extremely high external parasite loads) that had been at insignificant levels before the eruptions began. Because bats are absolutely critical to Montserrat's recovery in the years to come, it is important to document these fluctuations in the population. Indeed, four species (two of which are rare endemic species) are of immediate concern because of the continuing destruction of roosts and habitat. It will be of the greatest importance to monitor the bats on Montserrat over the next decade to see 1) if population levels and composition of the community recover or continue to decrease, 2) how these recovery events will be distributed across the island, 3) to what extent the frugivorous bats contribute to the reforestation of devastated areas, and 4) how these population dynamics compare with those on adjacent unaffected islands. SDSU students can play a major role in the monitoring of these jeopardized bat populations, and in turn, educate themselves and others in the cause of animal conservation and biodiversity.

FIELD TRAINING

Techniques/topics that will be covered during the project will include: Animal behavior and ecology, Island biogeography, Radiotracking theory and techniques, Mist-netting and band-tagging techniques, Theory of echolocation and its analysis using computer software, Anatomy and field identification of bats. Activities include:

- Census of bats by mist-netting and hand-captures.
- Radio-tracking of bats to document roosts, foraging behavior, and home ranges.
- Record bat outflights from roost sites to establish population estimates.
- Use of night vision equipment in caves to census roosting bats during the day.
- Collection of fecal samples from captured bats for dietary analyses.
- Collection of blood samples (non-lethal) to assay for internal parasites.
- Collection of external parasites.

COURSE CREDIT SDSU

SDSU offers two options for receiving course-credit for this research experience. Depending on the amount of time spent in the field (and project content), up to 5-hours of course-credit (BIOL-496, BIOL 497/597) can be earned towards your degree.

- Students will contribute significantly to the research and summary of the data.
- Students are expected to present their data at a scientific meeting.

1) Valid United States Passport (apply ASAP - up to a 6-month turn-around)
2) CDC Recommends boosters for tetanus, diphtheria & measles.
3) Rabies has not been reported on the island of Montserrat.
4) Dog rabies is of minor concern on Antigua

EXPENSES: For Summer 2008, this project is not supported by a grant. Therefore: 1) this is not a paid research assistanceship; 2) there will be quite a few expenses for the prospective assistant. Round-trip airfare will range between 900.00-1200.00 US$. Once on island, Dr. Pedersen will cover 50% Housing, food, and 100% car rental [Side-trips, extra meals, film, batteries, etc. must be covered by the student]. Estimated-total student expenses will run somewhere between 1500-2500.00 US$. Travel subsidy is available on a competitive basis (see below). Students/Colleagues with their own funds and projects are most welcome to join the program at their own travel expense.

Mary Belle Totten was born in Detroit, Michigan, one of six children, Februay 8, 1889. She was educated in the Detroit public schools and graduated from the Michigan State Normal School in Ypsilanti, Michigan in 1909. She taught in Detroit public schools for 48 years (1909-57) and taught the social sciences at several other institutions. In the summers, Mary Belle took geology and other science courses, at the University of Colorado - Boulder. In 1949, she built a summer home in Estes Park, Colorado and in 1965 made Estes Park her permanent home. Miss Totten had a lifelong love for travel, the environment and outdoor activities. She traveled extensively around the United states and throughout the world. Within a few years of her death (1/1982), she went around the world just shy of 90 years of age. As a world traveler, Miss Totten maintained her interest in people, native crafts, bird watching, trees, flowers and animals. In her will, whe wanted to establish scholarships and grants for students and provide teaching and educational materials for those that came after her so that they could better enjoy and understand nature.

Scientific work derived from the TOTTEN AWARD:
2000 Swier, et al., A tale of two bats: Ardops and Artibeus on Montserrat. BRN 41:4:134A
2001 Swier, et al. Recipe for disaster for bat species on Montserrat. Proc. SDAS, 80:439A
2002 Larsen., et al., Capture Rates of four species of Fruitbats on Montserrat BRN: 43:4:162A
2004 Carstens, et al., Using coalescent theory to investigate population structure in Carib bats. BRN
2004 Pedersen et al., Population fluctuation in response to hurricanes & volcanoes. ATBC
2004 Larsen, et al., Biogeography of Artibeus in the Caribbean: Texas Soc. Mammalogy, TTU
2005 Pedersen et al., Bats of Antigua, Northern Lesser Antilles (TTU Occ. Papers – accepted).