SBDN guidelines, lists and forms

Annual meeting

• Registration form template
• Guideline for abstract submission and example
• Guideline for poster submission
• Example of information submitted by meeting host

Bat blitz

• Registration form template
• List of things to bring to a blitz
• Example of information submitted by blitz host

Guideline for abstract submission and example

Abstracts should be less than 300 words and include name, organization, and address of authors, title, study justification, objectives, brief methods, summarized results, and discussion of results (see abstract example below). Please, indicate if abstract is for an oral or poster presentation and underline the name of the author that will be presenting the paper. A total of 15 minutes will be allotted for oral presentations, including time for answering questions. All oral presentations must be on Microsoft PowerPoint. Presentations brought to the meeting must be on a CD or jump/flash drive (zip disks or floppy disks will not be accepted).

Submit abstracts electronically in Microsoft Word format to:

(name here) at (email here)

Follow the format guidelines below when preparing your abstract (see example below):

• Title should be in all capital letters, bold, and centered at the top of the page.
• Include names and current addresses of authors after the title.
• Italicize addresses of authors.
• Underline the name of the presenter.
• Indicate student presenters with an asterisk (*).
• Use 12-point Times New Roman font.
• Use 1-inch margins on all sides.
• Left Justify only.

Student Awards: Three student awards are given out at the Mammal Colloquium. Two awards are sponsored by SBDN (SBDN Best Student Oral Presentation on Bats and Best Poster Award) and one award is sponsored by the Colloquium (Best Student Oral Presentation). Please indicate when abstract is submitted if presenter is a student.

Abstract example:

ROOST TREE SELECTION BY NORTHERN LONG-EARED BATS IN THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS

J. M. O'Keefe, S. C. Loeb, and J. D. Lanham. Forestry and Natural Resources, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634 (JMO and JDL); USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634 (SCL)

Studies in eastern North America have shown that northern long-eared bats are selective in their choice of day roosts, but roost characteristics vary among study areas. Our primary objective was to identify the factors that affect roost selection of northern long-eared bats in the southern Appalachian Mountains where they have not yet been studied. We placed transmitters on 13 bats: six adult females, one juvenile female, three adult males, and two juvenile males. Bats were tracked to roosts daily until the transmitter was recovered or the signal was lost. Characteristics of roost and random trees and the surrounding habitat (0.04 ha plots) were measured and compared; random trees were 50 m from the roost in a random direction. We found 37 roost trees, representing nine hardwood species. Tree and plot variables did not vary significantly between male and female roosts. Seven characteristics distinguished roost trees from random trees (p < 0.1). Roosts were larger in diameter, with less midstory cover at the roost entrance height and less bark. When compared with random trees, roosts were closer to dead or damaged trees and the 0.04 ha plot contained a higher basal area of dead or damaged trees. Roosts were mainly in late-successional hardwoods, black locusts, or dogwoods. Finally, roosts were always in live-damaged or dead trees, while random trees were typically living. In the southern Appalachian Mountains, northern long-eared bats appear to select roosts for traits that minimize energetic costs, regardless of gender. Selection for large roosts should reduce heat loss, while selection of roosts near other dead or damaged trees may facilitate switching in the event of a disturbance. Future analyses will consider roosting strategies at the landscape scale, as well as the effects of timber harvests on roosting habits of northern long-eared bats.

Guideline for poster preparation

• Should be no larger than 48 x 48 inches.
• Should be readable from a distance of 2 meters.
• Title should be capitalized with lettering at least 2 cm high (72 pt).
• Authors and institutional affiliations should be in upper- and lower-case lettering at least 11 mm high (42 pt).
• Text lettering should be at least 5 mm high (18 pt) with a line thickness of at least 1 mm.
• Information should be well organized and concisely presented. Most posters should include the following sections: Abstract, Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results and Discussion, Conclusions, Literature Cited.
• Keep written text to a minimum. Bullets and short phrases are effective. Use no more than six illustrations (large graphs, flow charts, diagrams, and photographs). Keep captions and legends short and informative.

Things to Bring to a Bat Blitz

Essential Items

1. Hard hat or caving helmet - (if required by local agency)
2. Headlamp or flashlights - critical for fieldwork and navigating through the woods at night
3. Long sleeved shirt for cool nights
4. Rain jacket
5. Toiletries
6. Boots/sturdy protective footwear
7. Prescription medications
8. Sleeping bag/linens
9. Pillow
10. Towel/washcloth

Suggested Items

1. Hip boots or waders
2. Gloves for handling bats, if your rabies titer is current
3. Insect repellent
4. Mosquito net
5. Collapsible camp chair
6. Allergy meds/cream (poison ivy/oak, insects)
7. Sun screen
8. Water bottle
9. Coffee cup or Thermos
10. Cooler
11. Shower shoes (e.g., flip-flops)
12. Batteries/battery charger
13. Digital camera
14. Day pack
15. Bandanas
16. Hand Sanitizer
17. Electric fan & earplugs for day sleeping
18. Bathing suit & towel