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Gong L, Wu H, Wang Z, Wu H, Feng J, Jiang T. Do nocturnal birds use acoustic and visual cues to avoid predation by bats? Integr Zool 2024; 19:524-537. [PMID: 37427486 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Anti-predation strategies are critical to animal survival and are fundamental to deciphering predator-prey interactions. As an important defense strategy, sensory predator detection (such as through acoustic and visual cues) enables animals to assess predation risk and execute predator-avoidance behavior; however, there are limited studies on the anti-predation behavior of nocturnal animals. The prey of bats provides an excellent representative system for examining the anti-predation behavior of nocturnal animals. Here, we broadcasted different types of echolocation calls of the bird-eating bat Ia io to two wild passerine birds, namely, Zosterops japonicus and Sinosuthora webbiana, that are preyed upon by I. io, and presented the birds with individual bats under different light intensities. The results showed that both bird species were able to perceive the low-frequency audible portion of the bats' echolocation calls; however, they did not exhibit escape responses to the acoustic stimuli. In the dark and under moonlit conditions, both bird species were unable to respond to active bats at close range and the birds only exhibited evasive flight behavior when bats approached or touched them. These results suggest that nocturnal passerine birds may not be able to use acoustic or visual cues to detect bats and adopt evasive maneuvers to avoid predation. This work suggests that bat predation pressure may not elicit primary predator-avoidance responses in nocturnal passerine birds. The results provide new insights into the anti-predation behavior of nocturnal animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixin Gong
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of Education Ministry, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Huan Wu
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of Education Ministry, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Zhiqiang Wang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of Education Ministry, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Hui Wu
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Jiang Feng
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of Education Ministry, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Tinglei Jiang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of Education Ministry, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
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2
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Guo W, Li Z, Liu T, Feng J. Effects of Climate Change on the Distribution of Threatened Fishing Bat Myotis pilosus in China. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:1784. [PMID: 37889742 PMCID: PMC10251902 DOI: 10.3390/ani13111784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Climate change and biodiversity loss are two severe challenges that the world is facing. Studying the distribution shifts of species in response to climate change could provide insights into long-term conservation and biodiversity maintenance. Myotis pilosus is the only known fishing bat in East Asia, whereas its population has been decreasing in recent years and it is listed as a "Vulnerable" species. To assess the impact of climate change on the distribution of M. pilosus, we obtained 33 M. pilosus occurrence records within China where they are mainly distributed, and extracted 30 environmental variables. MaxEnt was applied to assess the habitat suitability, recognize the important environmental variables, predict future distribution changes, and identify the potential future climate refugia. The prediction result based on eleven dominant environmental variables was excellent. The Jackknife test showed that the "minimum temperature of coldest month", "precipitation of wettest quarter", "percent tree cover", and "precipitation of driest month" were the main factors affecting the distribution of M. pilosus. The current suitable areas were predicted to be mainly located in southwest and southeast China with a total area of about 160.54 × 104 km2, accounting for 16.72% of China's land area. Based on the CCSM4, it was predicted that the future (2050 and 2070) suitable areas of M. pilosus will expand and shift to high latitudes and altitudes with global warming, but the area of moderately and highly suitable habitats will be small. Considering the dispersal capacity of M. pilosus, the area of colonized suitable habitats in 2050 and 2070 was predicted to be only ca. 94 × 104 km2 and 155 × 104 km2, respectively. The central and southern parts of Hainan, southern Guangdong, central Guizhou, and southern Beijing were identified as potential climate refugia and could be considered as priority conservation areas for M. pilosus. Thus, we suggest long-term monitoring of the priority conservation areas, especially the areas at high latitudes and altitudes. These results contribute to our knowledge of the possible spatial distribution pattern of M. pilosus under current and future climate scenarios, which is important for the population protection and habitat management of this special piscivorous bat species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Guo
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Zixuan Li
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Tong Liu
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Jiang Feng
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of Education Ministry, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
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3
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Ospina-Garcés SM, León-Paniagua L, Aguilar-Rodríguez PA, MacSwiney G. MC. Natural history of the fishing bat Noctilio leporinus (Chiroptera: Noctilionidae) in the Gulf of Mexico. MAMMALIA 2022. [DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2022-0098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
We report feeding behaviour, dates of peak reproduction, and sexual size dimorphism of the fishing bat, Noctilio leporinus, in the Gulf of Mexico. For the first time we document the size of cheek pouches in N. leporinus and fish species consumed in the water bodies of southern Mexico and analyse differences in wing morphology and biomechanical flight descriptors between the sexes. We found sexual dimorphism in size for most of the external measurements but not in wing characters. This species can consume prey up to a third of its size. We confirmed the presence of N. leporinus in localities in Tabasco, Mexico 60 years after the first report.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra M. Ospina-Garcés
- Centro de Investigaciones Tropicales , Universidad Veracruzana , José María Morelos No. 44 y 46. Col. Centro, C.P. 91000 , Xalapa , Veracruz , Mexico
| | - Livia León-Paniagua
- Museo de Zoología “Alfonso L. Herrera”, Facultad de Ciencias , Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México , Exterior Circuit S/N, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, 04510 , Ciudad de México , Mexico
| | - Pedro A. Aguilar-Rodríguez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Forestales , Universidad Veracruzana , Parque Ecológico “El Haya”, C.P. 91070 , Xalapa , Veracruz , Mexico
| | - M. Cristina MacSwiney G.
- Centro de Investigaciones Tropicales , Universidad Veracruzana , José María Morelos No. 44 y 46. Col. Centro, C.P. 91000 , Xalapa , Veracruz , Mexico
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4
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Barratt AE, Gonsalves L, Turbill C. Winter torpor and activity patterns of a fishing bat ( Myotis macropus) in a mild climate. J Mammal 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyac061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Small insectivorous bats often enter a state of torpor, a controlled, reversible decrease in body temperature and metabolic rate. Torpor provides substantial energy savings and is used more extensively during periods of low temperature and reduced prey availability. We studied torpor use and activity of a small (10.1 ± 0.4 g) fishing bat, Myotis macropus, during winter in a mild climate in Australia. We predicted that the thermal stability of water would make foraging opportunities in winter more productive and consistent in a riparian habitat compared to a woodland habitat, and therefore, fishing bats would use torpor less than expected during winter compared to other bats. Using temperature-sensitive radio transmitters, we recorded the skin temperature of 12 adult (6 M, 6 F) bats over 161 bat-days (13.4 ± 5.4 days per bat) during Austral winter (late May to August), when daily air temperature averaged 6.2–18.2°C. Bats used torpor every day, with bouts lasting a median of 21.3 h and up to 144.6 h. Multiday torpor bouts were more common in females than males. Arousals occurred just after sunset and lasted 3.5 ± 2.9 h. Arousals tended to be longer in males than females and to occur on warmer evenings, suggesting some winter foraging and perhaps male harem territoriality or other mating-related activity was occurring. The extensive use of torpor by M. macropus during relatively mild winter conditions when food is likely available suggests torpor might function to minimize the risks of mortality caused by activity and to increase body condition for the upcoming breeding season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice E Barratt
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment and School of Science, Western Sydney University, Hawkesbury Campus , Richmond, New South Wales 2753 , Australia
| | - Leroy Gonsalves
- Forest Science Unit, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries , Parramatta, New South Wales 2150 , Australia
| | - Christopher Turbill
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment and School of Science, Western Sydney University, Hawkesbury Campus , Richmond, New South Wales 2753 , Australia
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5
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Aizpurua O, Nyholm L, Morris E, Chaverri G, Herrera Montalvo LG, Flores-Martinez JJ, Lin A, Razgour O, Gilbert MTP, Alberdi A. The role of the gut microbiota in the dietary niche expansion of fishing bats. Anim Microbiome 2021; 3:76. [PMID: 34711286 PMCID: PMC8555116 DOI: 10.1186/s42523-021-00137-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Due to its central role in animal nutrition, the gut microbiota is likely a relevant factor shaping dietary niche shifts. We analysed both the impact and contribution of the gut microbiota to the dietary niche expansion of the only four bat species that have incorporated fish into their primarily arthropodophage diet. Results We first compared the taxonomic and functional features of the gut microbiota of the four piscivorous bats to that of 11 strictly arthropodophagous species using 16S rRNA targeted amplicon sequencing. Second, we increased the resolution of our analyses for one of the piscivorous bat species, namely Myotis capaccinii, and analysed multiple populations combining targeted approaches with shotgun sequencing. To better understand the origin of gut microorganisms, we also analysed the gut microbiota of their fish prey (Gambusia holbrooki). Our analyses showed that piscivorous bats carry a characteristic gut microbiota that differs from that of their strict arthropodophagous counterparts, in which the most relevant bacteria have been directly acquired from their fish prey. This characteristic microbiota exhibits enrichment of genes involved in vitamin biosynthesis, as well as complex carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, likely providing their hosts with an enhanced capacity to metabolise the glycosphingolipids and long-chain fatty acids that are particularly abundant in fish. Conclusions Our results depict the gut microbiota as a relevant element in facilitating the dietary transition from arthropodophagy to piscivory. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s42523-021-00137-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ostaizka Aizpurua
- Center for Evolutionary Hologenomics, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, 1353, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Lasse Nyholm
- Center for Evolutionary Hologenomics, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, 1353, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Evie Morris
- University of Exeter, Streatham Campus, Biosciences, Exeter, EX4 4PS, UK
| | - Gloriana Chaverri
- Sede del Sur, Universidad de Costa Rica, #4000 Alamedas, Golfito, 60701, Costa Rica.,Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancón, República de Panamá
| | - L Gerardo Herrera Montalvo
- Estación de Biología Chamela, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 21, San Patricio, 48980, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - José Juan Flores-Martinez
- Laboratorio de Sistemas de Información Geográfica, Departamento de Zoología, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior s/n, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Aiqing Lin
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130117, China
| | - Orly Razgour
- University of Exeter, Streatham Campus, Biosciences, Exeter, EX4 4PS, UK
| | - M Thomas P Gilbert
- Center for Evolutionary Hologenomics, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, 1353, Copenhagen, Denmark.,University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Antton Alberdi
- Center for Evolutionary Hologenomics, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, 1353, Copenhagen, Denmark
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6
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Drinkwater R, Goodwin A, Cush J, Korstian JM, Chumchal MM, Herrera M. LG, Valdez M, Otálora-Ardila A, Flores-Martinez JJ, Clare EL. Molecular diet analysis of the marine fish-eating bat (Myotis vivesi) and potential mercury exposure. CAN J ZOOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2021-0018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Mercury is a toxic element acquired by animals through feeding which can accumulate within food chains through biomagnification. This possesses particular risks to higher trophic levels and may unduly impact marine foraging species or individuals. The fish-eating bat (Myotis vivesi Menegaux, 1901) inhabits islands in the Gulf of California and can act as a predator in the marine environment. A predominantly marine diet and a high trophic position increase the risk of mercury exposure owing to increased bioaccumulation. Using molecular techniques to reconstruct diet, we show that M. vivesi regularly feeds on small fishes and crustaceans, particularly on the Californian anchovy (Engraulis mordax Girard, 1854) and a krill species (Nyctiphanes simplex Hansen, 1911). Additionally, we identify significant interannual variation in diet composition within this population, but measured levels of total mercury in faecal samples were not related to dietary diversity or trophic level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosie Drinkwater
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, E14NS, UK
| | - Alice Goodwin
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, E14NS, UK
| | - Jake Cush
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, E14NS, UK
| | - Jennifer M. Korstian
- Department of Biology, Texas Christian University, 2800 South University Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76109, USA
| | - Matthew M. Chumchal
- Department of Biology, Texas Christian University, 2800 South University Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76109, USA
| | - L. Gerardo Herrera M.
- Estación de Biología de Chamela, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, San Patricio, Jalisco 48980, México
| | - Martha Valdez
- Departamento de Ecología y Sistemática Acuática, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Chetumal, Chetumal 77014, México
| | - Aída Otálora-Ardila
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior s/n, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, 04510, México
- Grupo en conservación y manejo de vida silvestre, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - José Juan Flores-Martinez
- Laboratorio de Sistemas de Información Geográfica, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, 04510, México
| | - Elizabeth L. Clare
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, E14NS, UK
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
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7
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Mas M, Flaquer C, Rebelo H, López‐Baucells A. Bats and wetlands: synthesising gaps in current knowledge and future opportunities for conservation. Mamm Rev 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Mas
- Natural Sciences Museum of Granollers Granollers, Catalonia08402Spain
- CREAF Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Cerdanyola del Valles Catalonia08193Spain
| | - Carles Flaquer
- Natural Sciences Museum of Granollers Granollers, Catalonia08402Spain
| | - Hugo Rebelo
- CIBIO‐InBIO Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos Universidade do Porto Vairão Portugal
- CEABN‐InBIO Centro de Ecologia Aplicada 'Professor Baeta Neves' Instituto Superior de Agronomia Universidade de Lisboa Campus Agrário de Vairão, R. Padre Armando Quintas Vairão, Lisboa4485‐661Portugal
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8
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Law B, Chidel M, Law PR. Multi-year population dynamics of a specialist trawling bat at streams with contrasting disturbance. J Mammal 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyz210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Habitat degradation leads to homogenization of biological communities, often due to the dominance of generalist species over specialists. Yet data as to how life history attributes of specialists vary with such perturbations remain sparse. We compared long-term population dynamics of a specialist trawling bat, the large-footed myotis (Myotis macropus), between two forested catchments. One forest stream was nutrient-enriched from dairy farming in its headwaters and a portion of its surrounding catchment was harvested for timber during the study, while the other was located in primarily undisturbed forest. We caught and banded bats annually at their roosts over 14 years and banded 529 individuals with a 45% recapture rate. The maximum time to recapture was nine years and there was no evidence for transiency in our populations. Mark-recapture analyses allowed for investigation of the dependence of survival on time, sex, and age at marking. Our study spanned extreme El Niño and La Niña weather events, but we found little variation in survival, although recruitment was lower during drought. Mean minimum winter temperature (positive) and rainfall (positive) had weak influences on survival. Survival of adults (~0.70) and population size of adult females was similar between the two sites, suggesting that neither timber harvesting with retained riparian buffers nor eutrophication from farming influenced survival. Survival of adult males and females was similar, but survival of juveniles was less than half that of adults, probably due to a combination of mortality and dispersal. Survival was three times lower immediately after one of the timber bridges used as a roost fully collapsed. Specializing on aquatic habitats buffered M. macropus from most extreme weather, but there was also evidence for possible mortality and recovery after an intense rainfall and flooding event immediately prior to the study. More frequent intense rainfall predicted with global warming may reduce the species’ resilience over time.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mark Chidel
- Forest Science Unit, NSW Primary Industries, Locked Bag 5123, Parramatta 2124, NSW Australia
- The Hills Shire Council, P.O. Box 75, Castle Hill, 1765, NSW, Australia
| | - Peter R Law
- Research Associate, Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
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The Skull Integration Pattern and Internal Constraints in Myotis myotis–Myotis blythii Species Group (Vespertilionidae, Chiroptera) Might be Shaped by Natural Selection During Evolution Along the Genetic Line of Least Resistance. Evol Biol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11692-019-09488-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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10
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Hurme E, Gurarie E, Greif S, Herrera M. LG, Flores-Martínez JJ, Wilkinson GS, Yovel Y. Acoustic evaluation of behavioral states predicted from GPS tracking: a case study of a marine fishing bat. MOVEMENT ECOLOGY 2019; 7:21. [PMID: 31223482 PMCID: PMC6567457 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-019-0163-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple methods have been developed to infer behavioral states from animal movement data, but rarely has their accuracy been assessed from independent evidence, especially for location data sampled with high temporal resolution. Here we evaluate the performance of behavioral segmentation methods using acoustic recordings that monitor prey capture attempts. METHODS We recorded GPS locations and ultrasonic audio during the foraging trips of 11 Mexican fish-eating bats, Myotis vivesi, using miniature bio-loggers. We then applied five different segmentation algorithms (k-means clustering, expectation-maximization and binary clustering, first-passage time, hidden Markov models, and correlated velocity change point analysis) to infer two behavioral states, foraging and commuting, from the GPS data. To evaluate the inference, we independently identified characteristic patterns of biosonar calls ("feeding buzzes") that occur during foraging in the audio recordings. We then compared segmentation methods on how well they correctly identified the two behaviors and if their estimates of foraging movement parameters matched those for locations with buzzes. RESULTS While the five methods differed in the median percentage of buzzes occurring during predicted foraging events, or true positive rate (44-75%), a two-state hidden Markov model had the highest median balanced accuracy (67%). Hidden Markov models and first-passage time predicted foraging flight speeds and turn angles similar to those measured at locations with feeding buzzes and did not differ in the number or duration of predicted foraging events. CONCLUSION The hidden Markov model method performed best at identifying fish-eating bat foraging segments; however, first-passage time was not significantly different and gave similar parameter estimates. This is the first attempt to evaluate segmentation methodologies in echolocating bats and provides an evaluation framework that can be used on other species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Hurme
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 USA
| | - Eliezer Gurarie
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 USA
| | - Stefan Greif
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, 6997801 Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, 6997801 Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - L. Gerardo Herrera M.
- Estación de Biología de Chamela, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 48980 San Patricio, Mexico
| | - José Juan Flores-Martínez
- Laboratorio de Sistemas de Información Geográfica, Departamento de Zoología, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510 Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | | | - Yossi Yovel
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, 6997801 Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, 6997801 Tel-Aviv, Israel
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11
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Louzada NSV, Nogueira MR, Pessôa LM. Comparative morphology and scaling of the femur in yangochiropteran bats. J Anat 2019; 235:124-150. [PMID: 31155714 DOI: 10.1111/joa.12996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Better known by their remarkable forelimb morphology, bats are also unique among mammals with respect to their hindlimbs. Their legs are rotated through 180°, generally reduced in size, and in some extant taxa particular bones (e.g. fibula) can even be absent. The femur is the main leg bone, but to date few bat studies have considered its morphology in detail, none in a wide-scale comparative study. Yangochiroptera is the largest bat taxon, spans nearly three orders of magnitude in body mass, and is highly diverse both in ecology and behavior, representing a good model for comparative analyses. Here, we describe the anatomy of the femur in a large sample of yangochiropteran bats (125 species, 70 genera, and 12 families), and explore major trends of morphological variation and scaling patterns in this bone. We used 13 categorical characters in the anatomical description and five linear dimensions in the quantitative analyses. Based on the categorical data, each family studied here was diagnosed, and those from the Neotropical region were included in an identification key. From the phylogenetic principal component analysis (pPCA) we showed that, in addition to size, major axes of variation in bat femur are related to robusticity and head morphology, features that are clearly distinct among some families. We also generated a phylomorphospace based on pPCA scores, highlighting convergences in femur shape. Molossidae, Mystacinidae, and Desmodontinae were grouped based on their greater robusticity, a pattern that was also recovered from categorical data. In these families, we found anatomical features (e.g. presence of tubercles and posterior ridges on the greater trochanter, long or medially/distally displaced lateral ridges on the shaft) that are well-known from their functional link with quadrupedal locomotion. Using phylogenetic regressions, we found out that compared with body mass, femur length scaled with negative allometry, as expected, but that femur width scaled isometrically, counter to expectations. As a result, robusticity index (the ratio of width to length), scaled with positive allometry - larger bats tended to have more robust hindlimbs. At species level, our most remarkable finding was related to Myotis simus, which presented the most robust femur (for its size) among yangochiropterans. Our results reinforce the informative potential of the chiropteran femur from both taxonomic and functional perspectives. Furthermore, the allometric trends seen in this bone may help understand the strategies adopted by flying vertebrates to deal with the high energetic cost of flight and, at the same time, evolve diversified foraging behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathália Siqueira Veríssimo Louzada
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biodiversidade e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.,Laboratório de Mastozoologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Rodrigues Nogueira
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia e Recursos Naturais, Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, CBB, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Leila Maria Pessôa
- Laboratório de Mastozoologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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12
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Chang Y, Song S, Li A, Zhang Y, Li Z, Xiao Y, Jiang T, Feng J, Lin A. The roles of morphological traits, resource variation and resource partitioning associated with the dietary niche expansion in the fish-eating bat Myotis pilosus. Mol Ecol 2019; 28:2944-2954. [PMID: 31063664 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15127] [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: 09/18/2018] [Revised: 04/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Niche expansion and shifts are involved in the response and adaptation to environmental changes. However, it is unclear how niche breadth evolves and changes toward higher-quality resources. Myotis pilosus is both an insectivore and a piscivore. We examined the dietary composition and seasonality in M. pilosus and the closely related Myotis fimbriatus using next-generation DNA sequencing. We tested whether resource variation or resource partitioning help explain the dietary expansion from insects to fish in M. pilosus. While diet composition and diversity varied significantly between summer and autumn, the proportion of fish-eating individuals did not significantly change between seasons in M. pilosus. Dietary overlap between M. pilosus and M. fimbriatus during the same seasons was much higher than within individual species across seasons. We recorded a larger body size, hind foot length, and body mass in M. pilosus than in M. fimbriatus and other insectivorous trawling bats from China. Similar morphological differences were found between worldwide fishing bats and nonfishing trawling bats. Our results suggest that variation in insect availability or interspecific competition may not play important roles in the dietary expansion from insects to fish in M. pilosus. Myotis pilosus has morphological advantages that may help it use fish as a diet component. The morphological advantage promoting dietary niche evolution toward higher quality resources may be more important than variation in the original resource and the effects of interspecific competition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Chang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China.,Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of Education Ministry, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Shengjing Song
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Aoqiang Li
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Zhongle Li
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China.,College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Yanhong Xiao
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Tinglei Jiang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Jiang Feng
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China.,Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of Education Ministry, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China.,College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Aiqing Lin
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China.,Acoustic and Functional Ecology Group, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
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13
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Breviglieri CPB, Romero GQ. Prey stimuli trigger trophic interception across ecosystems. AUSTRAL ECOL 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Crasso Paulo B. Breviglieri
- Department of Animal Biology; Institute of Biology; University of Campinas (UNICAMP); Campinas São Paulo 13083-970 Brazil
| | - Gustavo Q. Romero
- Department of Animal Biology; Institute of Biology; University of Campinas (UNICAMP); Campinas São Paulo 13083-970 Brazil
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