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.

中文翻译：

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使用超声波声学检测隐性松鼠：季节和栖息地质量的影响

新技术可以更有效地监视稀有或难以捉摸的物种。但是，在广泛使用新技术之前，确保高检测率的标准化协议很重要。使用超声波探测器探测松鼠（Glaucomys spp。）是一种比传统方法更有效的新颖方法。但是，此技术的某些方法仍需改进。2015年，我们对濒临灭绝的卡罗来纳州北部flying鼠（G. sabrinus coloratus）进行了季节性和栖息地质量研究）在美国北卡罗来纳州西部。我们的季节性研究调查了春季，夏季和秋季的10个调查夜中30个高质量站点的检测概率（POD）和检测延迟（LTD）的差异。栖息地质量研究的重点是POD和LTD，分布于15个地点，其栖息地质量在20个晚上的调查中有所不同（5个高，5个中，5个低）。我们发现不同季节的POD相似，春季POD增大15–20％。LTD在各个季节之间具有可比性。我们发现，POD和LTD在栖息地质量不同的地点也有所不同。高和中位点之间的POD相似（分别为0.26±0.04 SE和0.29±0.05），但大于低位点（0.02±0.02）。在栖息地质量不同的地点之间，LTD并无差异，尽管高地点的LTD分别比中地点和低地点低2.7和4.5倍。与春季的其他时间相比，春季以更高的比率记录了鸣叫，这是飞鼠物种产生的最独特的物种特定的呼叫类型。我们的结果表明，可以在任何季节对松鼠进行调查，尽管在确定调查时间时需要考虑栖息地的质量。对于北卡罗来纳州的松鼠来说，进行声学调查的最佳时间是在春季，栖息地质量较高或中等的地方进行6-10个调查之夜。©2020野生动物协会。虽然在确定调查时间时需要考虑栖息地质量。对于北卡罗来纳州的松鼠来说，进行声学调查的最佳时间是在春季，栖息地质量较高或中等的地方进行6-10个调查之夜。©2020野生动物协会。虽然在确定调查时间时需要考虑栖息地质量。对于北卡罗来纳州的松鼠来说，进行声学调查的最佳时间是在春季，栖息地质量较高或中等的地方进行6-10个调查之夜。©2020野生动物协会。