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Preface
- Johns Hopkins University Press
- Chapter
- Additional Information
recto runninghead 9 Preface This book is an updated and expanded version of our 1999 booklet “Bats of the United States,” published by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission in cooperation with the Asheville (North Carolina) Field Office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Thousands of copies of that publication have been distributed. The primary goal of this (and that) publication is to provide readers with an accurate and concise source of information concerning life histories and conservation needs of this often misunderstood and unappreciated, yet fascinating and highly beneficial, group of animals. Because all species of bats occurring in Canada (20) also are present in the United States (with 47 species), it was logical to include Canadian bats in this book’s title. In fact, information in some of the species accounts was taken from publications by Canadian scientists. Although Canada has less than half the number of species of bats found in the United States, there is a strong interest in biology of bats in Canada, and several Canadian biologists rank among the foremost bat researchers worldwide. Because the 47 species of bats in the United States and Canada account for less than 5% of the species of bats (more than 1,300) worldwide, we have also included some information concerning the biology of bats that occur in other parts of the world. The combined careers of the authors of this book represent well over a century of research on bats. Dr. Michael J. Harvey, Professor Emeritus and an adjunct professor at Tennessee Technological University , has conducted research on bats primarily in the southeastern and south-central United States. Much of his research has involved ecology and conservation of endangered bats of that region. Dr. J. Scott Altenbach, Professor Emeritus at the University of New Mexico, has concentrated his research primarily on bats of the western United States. He is considered to be a leading expert in the use of abandoned 10 verso runninghead mines by bats, as well as in mine safety. In addition to his conservation efforts, he is one of the world’s foremost photographers of bats. This book is greatly enhanced by his excellent photographs of all 47 species of bats occurring in the United States and Canada. Dr. Troy L. Best, a professor at Auburn University, has conducted research on bats largely in the southwestern and south-central United States and Mexico. His efforts have focused on ecology and conservation of bats. Bats in the United States and Canada, as well as worldwide, have suffered significant declines in recent years. In most cases, these declines have been the direct result of activities by humans. We hope this book will help convince the public that we must reverse these declines and thereby preserve this amazing group of animals for the enjoyment and benefit of future generations. Blanchard Springs Caverns in the Ozark–St. Francis National Forests, Arkansas , has been developed by the U.S. Forest Service as a tourist attraction. It serves as a hibernation site in winter and a bachelor roost site in summer for large colonies of endangered gray bats (Myotis grisescens). Michael J. Harvey ...