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Whiting-Fawcett F, Blomberg AS, Troitsky T, Meierhofer MB, Field KA, Puechmaille SJ, Lilley TM. A Palearctic view of a bat fungal disease. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2024:e14265. [PMID: 38616727 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
The fungal infection causing white-nose disease in hibernating bats in North America has resulted in dramatic population declines of affected species, since the introduction of the causative agent Pseudogymnoascus destructans. The fungus is native to the Palearctic, where it also infects several bat species, yet rarely causes severe pathology or the death of the host. Pseudogymnoascus destructans infects bats during hibernation by invading and digesting the skin tissue, resulting in the disruption of torpor patterns and consequent emaciation. Relations among pathogen, host, and environment are complex, and individuals, populations, and species respond to the fungal pathogen in different ways. For example, the Nearctic Myotis lucifugus responds to infection by mounting a robust immune response, leading to immunopathology often contributing to mortality. In contrast, the Palearctic M. myotis shows no significant immunological response to infection. This lack of a strong response, resulting from the long coevolution between the hosts and the pathogen in the pathogen's native range, likely contributes to survival in tolerant species. After more than 15 years since the initial introduction of the fungus to North America, some of the affected populations are showing signs of recovery, suggesting that the fungus, hosts, or both are undergoing processes that may eventually lead to coexistence. The suggested or implemented management methods of the disease in North America have encompassed, for example, the use of probiotics and fungicides, vaccinations, and modifying the environmental conditions of the hibernation sites to limit the growth of the pathogen, intensity of infection, or the hosts' responses to it. Based on current knowledge from Eurasia, policy makers and conservation managers should refrain from disrupting the ongoing evolutionary processes and adopt a holistic approach to managing the epizootic.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Whiting-Fawcett
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- BatLab Finland, Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - A S Blomberg
- BatLab Finland, Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - T Troitsky
- BatLab Finland, Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - M B Meierhofer
- BatLab Finland, Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - K A Field
- Department of Biology, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - S J Puechmaille
- Institut des Sciences de l'Évolution Montpellier (ISEM), University of Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
| | - T M Lilley
- BatLab Finland, Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Krivek G, Mahecha EPN, Meier F, Kerth G, van Schaik J. Counting in the dark: estimating population size and trends of bat assemblages at hibernacula using infrared light barriers. Anim Conserv 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- G. Krivek
- Zoological Institute and Museum, Applied Zoology and Nature Conservation, University of Greifswald Greifswald Germany
| | - E. P. N. Mahecha
- Zoological Institute and Museum, Applied Zoology and Nature Conservation, University of Greifswald Greifswald Germany
| | - F. Meier
- Zoological Institute and Museum, Applied Zoology and Nature Conservation, University of Greifswald Greifswald Germany
| | - G. Kerth
- Zoological Institute and Museum, Applied Zoology and Nature Conservation, University of Greifswald Greifswald Germany
| | - J. van Schaik
- Zoological Institute and Museum, Applied Zoology and Nature Conservation, University of Greifswald Greifswald Germany
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Abstract
AbstractNatural hibernation sites used by bats in areas that lack cave features have long remained unresolved. To investigate hibernation site selection and winter activity of boreal bats, we recorded bat calls using passive acoustic monitoring at 16 sites in South-Western Finland. These sites included four rock outcrops with crevices and cave features, three glacial erratics or boulder fields, three ancient shores, three root cellars and three control sites where we did not expect bats to be overwintering. Our results revealed echolocation calls of Eptesicus nilssonii, Plecotus auritus and Myotis sp. We recorded significantly more activity near rock outcrops compared to other habitats, excluding root cellars. We also found that ambient temperature had a positive effect on bat activity and found evidence that P. auritus may be using low barometric pressure as a proxy for suitable foraging conditions during the winter. Our results suggest that rock outcrops may be more important to bats than previously acknowledged, highlighting the need to take these sites in account in planning of conservation measures. Furthermore, our findings underline the suitability of using acoustic monitoring in homing on hibernation sites that are not otherwise accessible.
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Pretorius M, Broders H, Seamark E, Keith M. Climatic correlates of migrant Natal long-fingered bat (Miniopterus natalensis) phenology in north-eastern South Africa. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2020. [DOI: 10.1071/wr19165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
ContextFor migratory animals, particularly those with long generation times, changing weather patterns may cause a mismatch between periods of expected and actual resource availability, termed phenological mismatch. The cave-dwelling Natal long-fingered bat (Miniopterus natalensis) is a regional migrant within South Africa for which the (hitherto unknown) phenology of migration may be affected by climate.
AimsTo investigate the migration phenology of the Natal long-fingered bat in relation to climate at a maternity cave in South Africa.
MethodsFive years (2014–18) of echolocation data from a maternity cave site in Limpopo, South Africa, were studied. Separate stepwise General Linear Models (GLMs) were constructed for each season using photoperiod, minimum temperature, dew point, rainfall, barometric pressure, humidity and maximum wind speed. Arrival and departure dates among years were also compared.
Key resultsPhotoperiod had the greatest effect on the magnitude of Natal long-fingered bat phenological patterns in activity across all seasons. Although spring (September - November) arrival at the maternity site was variable across years, summer departure dates did not differ, resulting in a shorter breeding period in the 2017–18 sample year. During the 2016–17 sample year, the magnitude of Natal long-fingered bat activity was significantly lower than in other years, which coincided with El Niño-induced drought conditions and likely impacted resources and led to a reduction in activity and population size.
ConclusionsPhotoperiod is a strong predictive cue of the phenology of migration of the Natal long-fingered bat and likely cues migration for this species. The narrow departure dates of these bats from the maternity site supports these results.
ImplicationsThe present study indicates that Natal long-fingered bats use photoperiod as a migration cue and do not appear to shift their spring–summer breeding season, likely making them vulnerable to phenological mismatch and population decline. The research highlights the need for systematic population monitoring for the Natal long-fingered bat.
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Blažek J, Zukal J, Bandouchova H, Berková H, Kovacova V, Martínková N, Pikula J, Řehák Z, Škrabánek P, Bartonička T. Numerous cold arousals and rare arousal cascades as a hibernation strategy in European Myotis bats. J Therm Biol 2019; 82:150-156. [PMID: 31128642 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2019.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Hibernating bats optimise the duration of torpor bouts and arousals in relation to hibernaculum microclimatic conditions and fat reserves. Clustering has significant physiological and ecological benefits, promoting successful hibernation of individuals. Such aggregations may help maintain optimal temperatures, allowing better energy utilisation than in solitarily bats. However, aroused bats in a cluster could conceivably disturb those still hibernating, starting an energy-demanding arousal process. Our study was conducted over two winters in two different hibernacula (cave and mine) in the Czech Republic, where Greater mouse-eared bats (Myotis myotis) have previously been diagnosed with white-nose syndrome. In 118 arousal episodes we recorded 193 individual arousals in which a warming phase was observed, 135 (69.9%) being cold arousals, where bats ceased increasing their body temperatures at ≤ 10 °C. The remaining arousals were standard normothermic arousals, where body (fur) surface temperatures reached > 20 °C. Cold arousals occurred during the mid- and late hibernation periods, suggesting they were a response to disturbance by a neighbour in the same cluster. Arousal cascades, where bats aroused in series, were rare (12.7%) and reached a maximum in mid-January. Our data suggest that Myotis bats prolong their torpor bouts using numerous cold arousals but few arousal cascades. Upon arrival of a bat, the clustered bats show tolerance to disturbing by conspecifics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ján Blažek
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Zukal
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences v.v.i., Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Bandouchova
- Department of Ecology and Diseases of Game, Fish and Bees, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Berková
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences v.v.i., Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Kovacova
- Department of Ecology and Diseases of Game, Fish and Bees, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Natália Martínková
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences v.v.i., Brno, Czech Republic; Institute of Biostatistics and Analyses, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Pikula
- Department of Ecology and Diseases of Game, Fish and Bees, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zdeněk Řehák
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Škrabánek
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, University of Pardubice, Pardubice, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Bartonička
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
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Nkrumah EE, Badu EK, Baldwin HJ, Anti P, Klose SM, Vallo P, Drosten C, Kalko EKV, Oppong SK, Tschapka M. Flight Activity of Noack's Round-Leaf Bat (Hipposideros cf. ruber) at Two Caves in Central Ghana, West Africa. ACTA CHIROPTEROLOGICA 2017. [DOI: 10.3161/15081109acc2017.19.2.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Evans E. Nkrumah
- Department of Wildlife and Range Management, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Ebenezer K. Badu
- Department of Wildlife and Range Management, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Heather J. Baldwin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
- Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89069 Ulm, Germany
| | - Priscilla Anti
- Department of Wildlife and Range Management, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Stefan M. Klose
- Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89069 Ulm, Germany
| | - Peter Vallo
- Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89069 Ulm, Germany
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Květná 8, 603 65 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Christian Drosten
- Institute of Virology, University of Bonn Medical Centre, Bonn 53127, Germany
| | - Elisabeth K. V. Kalko
- Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89069 Ulm, Germany
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Ancón, Panama
| | - Samuel K. Oppong
- Department of Wildlife and Range Management, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Marco Tschapka
- Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89069 Ulm, Germany
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Ancón, Panama
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Meyer GA, Senulis JA, Reinartz JA. Effects of temperature and availability of insect prey on bat emergence from hibernation in spring. J Mammal 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyw126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Zukal J, Berková H, Madaraszová J. Flying or sleeping: flight activity of bats in natural cave with confirmed WNS. FOLIA ZOOLOGICA 2016. [DOI: 10.25225/fozo.v65.i1.a7.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Hana Berková
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology AS CR v.v.i., Květná 8, 603 65 Brno, Czech Republic;, ,
| | - Jana Madaraszová
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology AS CR v.v.i., Květná 8, 603 65 Brno, Czech Republic;, ,
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Jiang T, Huang X, Wu H, Lin H, Hoyt J, Müller R, Feng J. Autumn flight activity of the greater horseshoe bat at hibernacula. ANIM BIOL 2016. [DOI: 10.1163/15707563-00002494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The activity patterns of vespertilionid bats at the entrances of hibernacula in temperate zones have been investigated on many occasions. However, little is known about nocturnal flight activity in autumn and its function in horseshoe bats so far. Here, we have recorded the autumn flight activity in and around the entrances of hibernacula of greater horseshoe bats,Rhinolophus ferrumequinumby behavioural observations, mistnetting, and acoustic surveys for two consecutive years. Greater horseshoe bats not only chased each other around cave entrances but also entered and left the entrance frequently. However, no mating events were directly observed in this study, normally a prominent part of swarming behaviour in vespertilionids. Therefore, it is difficult to deduce the function of the autumn flight activity of the greater horseshoe bats at hibernacula from the present data. Additionally, the recorded flight activity was positively correlated with ambient temperature and humidity. To our knowledge, our study provides the first detailed record of the pattern of autumn flight activity in horseshoe bats, and suggests that weather conditions may impact the bats’ nocturnal flight activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tinglei Jiang
- Jilin Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue St, Changchun 130117, China
- Key Laboratory for Wetland Ecology and Vegetation Restoration of National Environmental Protection, Northeast Normal University, 5268 Renmin St, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Xiaobin Huang
- Jilin Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue St, Changchun 130117, China
| | - Hui Wu
- Jilin Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue St, Changchun 130117, China
| | - Hongjun Lin
- Jilin Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue St, Changchun 130117, China
| | - Joseph Hoyt
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Rolf Müller
- Virginia Tech International Laboratory, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Jiang Feng
- Jilin Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue St, Changchun 130117, China
- Key Laboratory for Wetland Ecology and Vegetation Restoration of National Environmental Protection, Northeast Normal University, 5268 Renmin St, Changchun 130024, China
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Bender MJ, Hartman GD. Bat Activity Increases with Barometric Pressure and Temperature during Autumn in Central Georgia. SOUTHEAST NAT 2015. [DOI: 10.1656/058.014.0203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Randall J, Broders HG. Identification and Characterization of Swarming Sites used by Bats in Nova Scotia, Canada. ACTA CHIROPTEROLOGICA 2014. [DOI: 10.3161/150811014x683327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley A. Sherwin
- School of Biological Sciences; Queen's University; Belfast; BT9 7BL; UK
| | - W. Ian Montgomery
- School of Biological Sciences; Queen's University; Belfast; BT9 7BL; UK
| | - Mathieu G. Lundy
- Centre of Irish Bat Research; School of Biological Sciences; Queen's University; Belfast; BT9 7BL; UK
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Piksa K, Skwarek M, Siuda K. Argasid and spinturnicid mite load on swarming bats in the Tatra Mountains, Poland. Folia Parasitol (Praha) 2012; 58:322-5. [PMID: 22263314 DOI: 10.14411/fp.2011.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Altogether 445 bats, representing nine species, caught during swarming in the Lodowa Cave in Mount Ciemniak, Western Tatra Mountains, southern Poland, were examined for ectoparasitic mites. In total, 259 spinturnicid (Spinturnix mystacina, S. andegavinus, S. kolenatii, S. plecotinus and S. myoti) and 95 argasid (Carios vespertilionis) mites were collected from seven bat species, Myotis myotis, M. mystacinus, M. brandtii, M. daubentonii, Eptesicus nilssonii, Plecotus auritus, and Vespertilio murinus. There were sex-based differences in the prevalence of mites in some hosts but no differences in their mean intensity and there was no observed relationship between the number of mites and the condition of the bats. The prevalence of mites differed significantly between years in E. nilssonii. The results suggested a very low mite load on swarming bats that had no impact on the body condition of bats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Piksa
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Parasitology, Institute of Biology, Pedagogical University of Cracow, Cracow, Poland.
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Piksa K, Bogdanowicz W, Tereba A. Swarming of Bats at Different Elevations in the Carpathian Mountains. ACTA CHIROPTEROLOGICA 2011. [DOI: 10.3161/150811011x578660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Zosky GR. Emerging issues in the Pacific Basin. REVIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2011; 26:39-44. [PMID: 21714380 DOI: 10.1515/reveh.2011.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
This review provides a snapshot of some key environmental health issues that will provide ongoing challenges for the Pacific Basin region in the coming decades. It is clear that climate change as well as the rapidly increasing production of environmental pollutants are significant emerging environmental health issues. To date, research in these areas is limited, and the consequences of potential changes in disease vector distribution, disease outbreaks associated with climate change-induced severe weather events, and the consequences of chronic exposure to engineered nanoparticles and persistent organic pollutants (POPs), particularly in children, remain to be determined. Clearly, any progress in (i) predicting the outcomes of potential environmental health issues in the future, (ii) identifying subpopulations (at local, national, and international levels) that are at risk, and (iii) establishing measures to limit the impact of these issues in terms of public health, will require a coordinated effort from scientists, epidemiologists, monitoring agencies, governments, and aid agencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graeme R Zosky
- Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Western Australia, Australia.
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