Chris' MPhil is an attempt to understand the population dynamics of the rare Bechstein's bat (Myotis bechsteinii) from six maternity colonies within the south of England. Chris' study will use microsatellite analysis and statistical analysis to study and compare allelic frequencies between Myotis bechsteinii colonies. It should be possible to determine whether breeding occurs between these colonies, or whether they are isolated by distance and/or physical barriers following the fragmentation and loss of woodlands.

Further reading:
Kerth G, Mayer F and Petit P. Extreme sex-biased dispersal in the communally breeding, nonmigratory Bechstein's bat (Myotis bechsteinii) Mol. Ecol (2002) 11, 1491-1498.
Rossiter SJ, Jones G, Ransome RD, Barratt EM. Genetic variation and population structure in the endangered greater horseshoe bat Rhinolophus ferrumequinum Mol. Ecol (2000) 9, 1131-1135.
Burland TM and Wilmer JW. Seeing in the dark: molecular approaches to the study of bat populations Biol. Rev. (2001), 76, 389-409.