New Record for the Endangered Myotis grisescens (Gray Bat) in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Riley F. Bernard¹, Emma V. Willcox^2,*, Grace M. Carpenter³, and William H. Stiver³

¹Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16803.²Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996. ³Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. *Corresponding author.

Southeastern Naturalist, Volume 19, Issue 3 (2020): N57–N61

Abstract
We captured 3 male federally endangered Myotis grisescens (Gray Bat) in the Cosby Creek area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM) in Cocke County, TN, during summer mist-netting surveys (15 and 22 July 2016). Although GRSM is known for its diversity of bat species (n = 11), these specimens represent the first Gray Bats, and twelfth bat species, captured within the GRSM boundary. The documentation of this species is important, as it is the third federally listed bat species (along with Myotis sodalis [Indiana Bat] and Myotis septentrionalis [Northern Long-eared Bat]) known to occur within GRSM. We recommend further research be conducted on Gray Bats in GRSM to understand the species’ habitat use and potential implications for park management.

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