Roosts used by the golden-tipped bat Kerivoula papuensis (Chiroptera : Vespertilionidae)

Use of roosts by the golden-tipped bat Kerivoula papuensis was investigated principally in the Richmond Range National Park, north-eastern New South W ales and Mt Baldy State Forest in north-eastern Queensland, Australia. Roos ts were located primarily using radiotelemetry; although others were found by light tagging, visual location and nest searching techniques. In the mai n study site in the Richmond Range a total of 54 K. papuensis diurnal roost s were located, 96.5% occurring in the suspended nests of the yellow-throat ed scrubwren Sericornis citreogularis (Pardalotidae) (93%) and the brown ge rygone Gerygone mouki (Pardalotidae) (3.5%). At Mt Baldy, K. papuensis disp layed greater variation in day roost selection, although 73% were in S. cit reogularis nests. In both sites, day roosts were confined to the lower stra tum of rainforest with a small proportion in eucalypt tall open forest with a rainforest subcanopy. Diurnal roosts were located at distances varying f rom 20 to 1200 m to the nearest major vegetation ecotone, ranging from alon g watercourses upslope to ridgelines. Diurnal roosts were predominantly occ upied by single bats, with a maximum group size of eight individuals. All r oosts in hanging nests were modified by the presence of a basal hole. Stron g circumstantial evidence was provided that K. papuensis modified these roo st structures in a manner allied to tent-making bats. A single maternity ro ost was located in the hollow of a rainforest canopy tree, Flindecria austr alis (Rutaceae).