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journal article Apr 02, 2020

Using Ultrasonic Acoustics to Detect Cryptic Flying Squirrels: Effects of Season and Habitat Quality

Corinne A. Diggins ORCID L. Michelle Gilley Christine A. Kelly W. Mark Ford
Wildlife Society Bulletin Vol. 44 No. 2 pp. 300-308 · Wiley
View at Publisher Save 10.1002/wsb.1083
Abstract
ABSTRACT

New technologies allow for more efficient and effective monitoring of rare or elusive species. However, standardizing protocol to ensure high detection rates is important prior to widespread use of a new technique. The use of ultrasonic acoustic detectors to survey for flying squirrels (
Glaucomys
spp.) is a novel method that is more efficient than traditional methods. However, certain methodologies for this technique still need to be refined. During 2015, we conducted a seasonal and habitat quality study on the endangered Carolina northern flying squirrel (
G. sabrinus coloratus
) in western North Carolina, USA. Our seasonal study examined differences in probability of detection (POD) and latency to detection (LTD) at 30 high‐quality sites across 10 survey nights in spring, summer, and autumn. The habitat quality study focused on POD and LTD among 15 sites with varying habitat quality (5 High, 5 Medium, 5 Low) across 20 survey nights. We found POD similar between seasons, with POD 15–20% greater during spring. The LTD was comparable among seasons. We found that POD and LTD varied at sites with different habitat quality. The POD was similar between High and Medium sites (0.26 ± 0.04 SE and 0.29 ± 0.05, respectively), but greater than Low sites (0.02 ± 0.02). The LTD was not different among sites with differing habitat quality, although LTD at High sites was 2.7 and 4.5 times lower than Medium and Low sites, respectively. Trill calls, the most distinctive species‐specific call type produced by species of flying squirrels, was recorded at greater rates in spring versus other times of the year. Our results indicate flying squirrels can be surveyed during any season, although habitat quality needs to be considered when determining survey length. For Carolina northern flying squirrel, the optimal time to perform acoustic surveys is during the spring season for 6–10 survey nights at sites with high or medium habitat quality. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.
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Cited By
13
Broad‐scale assessment of camera traps and acoustic detectors as survey techniques for flying squirrels

Raymond McAndrew, Briana J. All · 2025

The Journal of Wildlife Management
Anthropogenically-induced range expansion as an invasion front in native species: An example in North American flying squirrels

Corinne A. Diggins · 2023

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution
Ultrasonic Acoustic Surveys of State Endangered Northern Flying Squirrels in the Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania

Corinne A. Diggins, L. Michelle Gilley · 2020

Journal of Fish and Wildlife Manage...
Metrics
13
Citations
56
References
Details
Published
Apr 02, 2020
Vol/Issue
44(2)
Pages
300-308
License
View
Authors
C
Corinne A. Diggins

Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg VA 24061 USA

L
L. Michelle Gilley

Department of Natural Sciences Mars Hill University Mars Hill NC 28754 USA

C
Christine A. Kelly

Wildlife Management Division North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Asheville NC 28803 USA

W
W. Mark Ford

U.S. Geological Survey Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Blacksburg VA 24061 USA

Funding
National Park Service Award: #P12AC13175
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Award: #F11AC01265
Cite This Article
Corinne A. Diggins, L. Michelle Gilley, Christine A. Kelly, et al. (2020). Using Ultrasonic Acoustics to Detect Cryptic Flying Squirrels: Effects of Season and Habitat Quality. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 44(2), 300-308. https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.1083
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