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Zhu D, Liu Y, Gong L, Si M, Wang Q, Feng J, Jiang T. The Consumption and Diversity Variation Responses of Agricultural Pests and Their Dietary Niche Differentiation in Insectivorous Bats. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:815. [PMID: 38473199 DOI: 10.3390/ani14050815] [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: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Insectivorous bats are generalist predators and can flexibly respond to fluctuations in the distribution and abundance of insect prey. To better understand the effects of bats on arthropod pests, the types of pests eaten by bats and the response of bats to insect prey need to be determined. In this study, we performed DNA metabarcoding to examine prey composition and pest diversity in the diets of four insectivorous species of bats (Hipposideros armiger, Taphozous melanopogon, Aselliscus stoliczkanus, and Miniopterus fuliginosus). We evaluated the correlation between bat activity and insect resources and assessed dietary niche similarity and niche breadth among species and factors that influence prey consumption in bats. We found that the diets of these bats included arthropods from 23 orders and 200 families, dominated by Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Diptera. The proportion of agricultural pests in the diet of each of the four species of bats exceeded 40% and comprised 713 agricultural pests, including those that caused severe economic losses. Bats responded to the availability of insects. For example, a higher abundance of insects, especially Lepidoptera, and a higher insect diversity led to an increase in the duration of bat activity. In areas with more abundant insects, the number of bat passes also increased. The dietary composition, diversity, and niches differed among species and were particularly significant between H. armiger and T. melanopogon; the dietary niche width was the greatest in A. stoliczkanus and the narrowest in H. armiger. The diet of bats was correlated with their morphological and echolocation traits. Larger bats preyed more on insects in the order Coleoptera, whereas the proportion of bats consuming insects in the order Lepidoptera increased as the body size decreased. Bats that emitted echolocation calls with a high peak frequency and duration preyed more on insects in the order Mantodea. Our results suggest that dietary niche differentiation promotes the coexistence of different bat species and increases the ability of bats to consume insect prey and agricultural pests. Our findings provide greater insights into the role of bats that prey on agricultural pests and highlight the importance of combining bat conservation with integrated pest management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Zhu
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun 130117, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of Education Ministry, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun 130117, China
| | - Yingying Liu
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun 130117, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of Education Ministry, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun 130117, China
| | - Lixin Gong
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun 130117, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of Education Ministry, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun 130117, China
| | - Man Si
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun 130117, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of Education Ministry, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun 130117, China
| | - Qiuya Wang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun 130117, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of Education Ministry, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun 130117, China
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, 2888 Xincheng Street, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Jiang Feng
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun 130117, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of Education Ministry, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun 130117, China
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, 2888 Xincheng Street, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Tinglei Jiang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun 130117, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of Education Ministry, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun 130117, China
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2
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Tan X, Lin A, Sun K, Jin L, Feng J. Greater Horseshoe Bats Recognize the Sex and Individual Identity of Conspecifics from Their Echolocation Calls. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12243490. [PMID: 36552410 PMCID: PMC9774574 DOI: 10.3390/ani12243490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The echolocation calls of bats are mainly used for navigation and foraging; however, they may also contain social information about the emitter and facilitate social interactions. In this study, we recorded the echolocation calls of greater horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) and analyzed the acoustic parameter differences between the sexes and among individuals. Then, we performed habituation-discrimination playback experiments to test whether greater horseshoe bats could recognize the sex and individual identity of conspecifics from their echolocation calls. The results showed that there were significant differences in the echolocation call parameters between sexes and among individuals. When we switched playback files from a habituated stimuli to a dishabituated stimuli, the tested bats exhibited obvious behavioral responses, including nodding, ear or body movement, and echolocation emission. The results showed that R. ferrumequinum can recognize the sex and individual identity of conspecifics from their echolocation calls alone, which indicates that the echolocation calls of R. ferrumequinum may have potential communication functions. The results of this study improve our understanding of the communication function of the echolocation calls of bats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Tan
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130000, China
| | - Aiqing Lin
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130000, China
| | - Keping Sun
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130000, China
| | - Longru Jin
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130000, China
- Jilin Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Avian Ecology and Conservation Genetics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130000, China
- Correspondence: (L.J.); (J.F.); Tel./Fax: +86-0431-85098097 (J.F.)
| | - Jiang Feng
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130000, China
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130000, China
- Correspondence: (L.J.); (J.F.); Tel./Fax: +86-0431-85098097 (J.F.)
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3
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A bibliometric analysis of research trends in bat echolocation studies between 1970 and 2021. ECOL INFORM 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2022.101654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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4
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Nguyen ST, O'Shea TJ, Gore JA, Nguyen KV, Hoang TT, Motokawa M, Dang PH, Le MD, Nguyen TT, Oshida T, Endo H, Tran TA, Bui HT, Ly TN, Vu DT, Chu HT, Vuong TT. Bats (Chiroptera) of Bidoup Nui Ba National Park, Dalat Plateau, Vietnam. MAMMAL STUDY 2021. [DOI: 10.3106/ms2020-0024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Son Truong Nguyen
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology and Me Linh station for Biodiversity, Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Sciences and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Thomas J. O'Shea
- Wildlife At Risk, 46/68 Nguyen Van Dau, Ward 6, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Jeffery A. Gore
- Wildlife At Risk, 46/68 Nguyen Van Dau, Ward 6, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Khoi Vu Nguyen
- Wildlife At Risk, 46/68 Nguyen Van Dau, Ward 6, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Thanh Trung Hoang
- University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, 334 Nguyen Trai Street, Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Masaharu Motokawa
- The Kyoto University Museum, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Phuong Huy Dang
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology and Me Linh station for Biodiversity, Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Sciences and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Minh Duc Le
- University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, 334 Nguyen Trai Street, Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Tham Thi Nguyen
- University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, 334 Nguyen Trai Street, Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Tatsuo Oshida
- Laboratory of Wildlife Biology, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro 080-8555, Japan
| | - Hideki Endo
- The University Museum, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-003, Japan
| | - Tuan Anh Tran
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology and Me Linh station for Biodiversity, Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Sciences and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Hai Tuan Bui
- Graduate University of Sciences and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Str., Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Tu Ngoc Ly
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology and Me Linh station for Biodiversity, Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Sciences and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Duong Thuy Vu
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology and Me Linh station for Biodiversity, Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Sciences and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Hang Thi Chu
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology and Me Linh station for Biodiversity, Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Sciences and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Tu Tan Vuong
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology and Me Linh station for Biodiversity, Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Sciences and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Hanoi, Vietnam
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5
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Lewanzik D, Sundaramurthy AK, Goerlitz HR. Insectivorous bats integrate social information about species identity, conspecific activity and prey abundance to estimate cost-benefit ratio of interactions. J Anim Ecol 2019; 88:1462-1473. [PMID: 30945281 PMCID: PMC6849779 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Animals can use inadvertent social information to improve fitness‐relevant decisions, for instance about where to forage or with whom to interact. Since bats emit high‐amplitude species‐specific echolocation calls when flying, they provide a constant flow of inadvertent social information to others who can decode that acoustic information. Of particular interest is the rate of feeding buzzes—characteristic call sequences preceding any prey capture—which correlates with insect abundance. Previous studies investigating eavesdropping in bats yielded very different and in part contradictory results likely because they commonly focused on single species only, differed substantially in playback buzz rate and did usually not account for (baseline) conspecific activity. Our goal was to overcome these limitations and systematically test which inadvertent social information bats integrate when eavesdropping on others and how this integration affects space use and both intra‐ and interspecific interactions, respectively. We used a community‐wide approach and investigated the effects of a broad range of playback feeding buzz rates and conspecific activity on eavesdropping responses in 24 bat species combinations in the wild. For the first time, we reveal that finely graded and density‐dependent eavesdropping responses are not limited to particular foraging styles or call types, but instead are ubiquitous among insectivorous bats. All bats integrated social information about calling species identity, prey abundance and conspecific activity to estimate the cost–benefit ratio of prospective interactions, yet in a species‐specific manner. The effect of buzz rate was multifaceted, as bats responded differently to different buzz rates, and responses were additionally modulated by heterospecific recognition. Conspecific activity, in contrast, had a negative effect on the eavesdropping responses of all bats. These findings can explain the inconsistent results of previous studies and advance our understanding of the complex nature of conspecific and heterospecific interactions within bat communities. A comprehensive understanding of how bats incorporate social information into their decision‐making will help researchers to explain species distribution patterns and eventually to unravel mechanisms of species coexistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Lewanzik
- Acoustic and Functional Ecology, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Arun K Sundaramurthy
- Acoustic and Functional Ecology, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany.,Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, München, Germany
| | - Holger R Goerlitz
- Acoustic and Functional Ecology, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
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6
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Acoustic signalling of aggressive intent in the agonistic encounters of female Asian particoloured bats. Anim Behav 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2019.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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7
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Fogo BR, Sanches FHC, Costa TM. Testing the dear enemy relationship in fiddler crabs: Is there a difference between fighting conspecific and heterospecific opponents? Behav Processes 2019; 162:90-96. [PMID: 30738811 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2019.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Revised: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Reduction of aggressiveness toward familiar neighbors, when compared to aggressiveness toward unfamiliar strangers, can decrease the costs of territory defense. This phenomenon is known as the "dear enemy effect". Individuals may shift their aggressiveness toward neighbors or strangers from the same or different species, depending on the relative threat associated with different opponents. Therefore, a reduced level of aggressiveness between heterospecific neighbors is expected in relation to conspecific intruders, since the latter compete not only for territory, but also for mates. Herein we investigated the occurrence of the dear enemy effect in territorial fights between conspecific pairs of Leptuca leptodactyla and heterospecific pairs of L. leptodactyla versus Leptuca uruguayensis. Across both conspecific and heterospecific fights, medium- and high-intensity fight components were more used in resident-stranger than in resident-neighbor fights. Thus, residents showed a dear enemy response, regardless of opponent species. Moreover, conspecific fights induced a greater number of low- and medium-intensity fight components than did fights between heterospecifics, both neighbors and strangers. Finally, conspecific resident-stranger fights took longer than heterospecific resident-stranger fights. Our results indicate that fiddler crabs adjust their territorial response according to the species and resident status of intruders, consistent with the risks posed by different intruder types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno R Fogo
- Postgraduate Program in Biological Sciences (Zoology), São Paulo State University (Unesp), Institute of Biosciences, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Ecology and Animal Behavior, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Institute of Biosciences, Coastal Campus, São Vicente, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fábio H C Sanches
- Postgraduate Program in Biological Sciences (Zoology), São Paulo State University (Unesp), Institute of Biosciences, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil; Institute of Marine Science, Federal University of São Paulo (IMar/Unifesp), Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Tânia M Costa
- Laboratory of Ecology and Animal Behavior, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Institute of Biosciences, Coastal Campus, São Vicente, São Paulo, Brazil
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8
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Jones TK, Wohlgemuth MJ, Conner WE. Active acoustic interference elicits echolocation changes in heterospecific bats. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 221:jeb.176511. [PMID: 29950451 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.176511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Echolocating bats often forage in the presence of both conspecific and heterospecific individuals, which have the potential to produce acoustic interference. Recent studies have shown that at least one bat species, the Brazilian free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis), produces specialized social signals that disrupt the sonar of conspecific competitors. We herein discuss the differences between passive and active jamming signals and test whether heterospecific jamming occurs in species overlapping spatiotemporally, as well as whether such interference elicits a jamming avoidance response. We compare the capture rates of tethered moths and the echolocation parameters of big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) challenged with the playback of the jamming signal normally produced by Brazilian free-tailed bats and playback of deconstructed versions of this signal. There were no differences in the capture rates of targets with and without the jamming signal, although significant changes in both spectral and temporal features of the bats' echolocation were observed. These changes are consistent with improvements of the signal-to-noise ratio in the presence of acoustic interference. Accordingly, we propose to expand the traditional definition of the jamming avoidance response, stating that echolocation changes in response to interference should decrease similarity between the two signals, to include any change that increases the ability to separate returning echoes from active jamming stimuli originating from conspecific and heterospecific organisms. Flexibility in echolocation is an important characteristic for overcoming various forms of acoustic interference and may serve a purpose in interspecific interactions as well as intraspecific ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Te K Jones
- Department of Biology, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27109, USA
| | - Melville J Wohlgemuth
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - William E Conner
- Department of Biology, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27109, USA
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9
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Raw RNV, Bastian A, Jacobs DS. It's not all about the Soprano: Rhinolophid bats use multiple acoustic components in echolocation pulses to discriminate between conspecifics and heterospecifics. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0199703. [PMID: 30020963 PMCID: PMC6051568 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Acoustic communication plays a pivotal role in conspecific recognition in numerous animal taxa. Vocalizations must therefore have discrete acoustic signatures to facilitate intra-specific communication and to avoid misidentification. Here we investigate the potential role of echolocation in communication in horseshoe bats. Although it has been demonstrated that echolocation can be used to discriminate among con- and hetero-specifics, the specific acoustic cues used in discrimination are still relatively unknown. Furthermore, the Acoustic Communication Hypothesis proposes that in multispecies assemblages, in which echolocation frequencies are likely to overlap, bats partition acoustic space along several dimensions so that each species occupies a discrete communication domain. Thus, multiple echolocation variables may be used in discrimination. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of various echolocation variables to function as discriminatory cues in echolocation-based species discrimination. Using habituation-dishabituation playback experiments, we firstly tested the ability of Rhinolophus clivosus to discriminate between echolocation pulses of heterospecifics with either discrete or overlapping frequencies. Secondly, to determine whether R. clivosus could use echolocation variables other than frequency, we investigated its ability to discriminate among echolocation pulses differing in only one manipulated parameter. These test variables were identified by their contribution to the dissimilarity among pulses. Our results suggest that R. clivosus could discriminate readily between species using echolocation pulses with discrete frequencies. When frequencies overlapped, the ability of bats to discriminate was dependant on additional acoustic variables that defined the acoustic space occupied by the test signal. These additional acoustic variables included, but may not be restricted to, sweep rate of the FM and duty cycle. Thus, when echolocation pulses share a similar acoustic domain, bats use several cues to reliably discriminate among heterospecifics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert N. V. Raw
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Anna Bastian
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - David S. Jacobs
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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10
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Gorresen PM, Cryan PM, Montoya-Aiona K, Bonaccorso FJ. Do you hear what I see? Vocalization relative to visual detection rates of Hawaiian hoary bats ( Lasiurus cinereus semotus). Ecol Evol 2017; 7:6669-6679. [PMID: 28904749 PMCID: PMC5587485 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Revised: 05/28/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Bats vocalize during flight as part of the sensory modality called echolocation, but very little is known about whether flying bats consistently call. Occasional vocal silence during flight when bats approach prey or conspecifics has been documented for relatively few species and situations. Bats flying alone in clutter-free airspace are not known to forgo vocalization, yet prior observations suggested possible silent behavior in certain, unexpected situations. Determining when, why, and where silent behavior occurs in bats will help evaluate major assumptions of a primary monitoring method for bats used in ecological research, management, and conservation. In this study, we recorded flight activity of Hawaiian hoary bats (Lasiurus cinereus semotus) under seminatural conditions using both thermal video cameras and acoustic detectors. Simultaneous video and audio recordings from 20 nights of observation at 10 sites were analyzed for correspondence between detection methods, with a focus on video observations in three distance categories for which accompanying vocalizations were detected. Comparison of video and audio detections revealed that a high proportion of Hawaiian hoary bats "seen" on video were not simultaneously "heard." On average, only about one in three visual detections within a night had an accompanying call detection, but this varied greatly among nights. Bats flying on curved flight paths and individuals nearer the cameras were more likely to be detected by both methods. Feeding and social calls were detected, but no clear pattern emerged from the small number of observations involving closely interacting bats. These results may indicate that flying Hawaiian hoary bats often forgo echolocation, or do not always vocalize in a way that is detectable with common sampling and monitoring methods. Possible reasons for the low correspondence between visual and acoustic detections range from methodological to biological and include a number of biases associated with the propagation and detection of sound, cryptic foraging strategies, or conspecific presence. Silent flight behavior may be more prevalent in echolocating bats than previously appreciated, has profound implications for ecological research, and deserves further characterization and study.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul M Cryan
- Fort Collins Science Center U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Fort Collins CO USA
| | | | - Frank J Bonaccorso
- Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center USGS Hawaii National Park HI USA
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12
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Jiang T, Long Z, Ran X, Zhao X, Xu F, Qiu F, Kanwal JS, Feng J. Using sounds for making decisions: greater tube-nosed bats prefer antagonistic calls over non-communicative sounds when feeding. Biol Open 2016; 5:1864-1868. [PMID: 27815241 PMCID: PMC5200914 DOI: 10.1242/bio.021865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bats vocalize extensively within different social contexts. The type and extent of information conveyed via their vocalizations and their perceptual significance, however, remains controversial and difficult to assess. Greater tube-nosed bats, Murina leucogaster, emit calls consisting of long rectangular broadband noise burst (rBNBl) syllables during aggression between males. To experimentally test the behavioral impact of these sounds for feeding, we deployed an approach and place-preference paradigm. Two food trays were placed on opposite sides and within different acoustic microenvironments, created by sound playback, within a specially constructed tent. Specifically, we tested whether the presence of rBNBl sounds at a food source effectively deters the approach of male bats in comparison to echolocation sounds and white noise. In each case, contrary to our expectation, males preferred to feed at a location where rBNBl sounds were present. We propose that the species-specific rBNBl provides contextual information, not present within non-communicative sounds, to facilitate approach towards a food source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tinglei Jiang
- Jilin Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Jingyue St 2555, Changchun 130117, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory for Wetland Ecology and Vegetation Restoration of National Environmental Protection, Northeast Normal University, Jingyue St 2555, Changchun 130117, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenyu Long
- Jilin Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Jingyue St 2555, Changchun 130117, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Ran
- Jilin Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Jingyue St 2555, Changchun 130117, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue Zhao
- Jilin Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Jingyue St 2555, Changchun 130117, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Xu
- Jilin Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Jingyue St 2555, Changchun 130117, People's Republic of China
| | - Fuyuan Qiu
- Jilin Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Jingyue St 2555, Changchun 130117, People's Republic of China
| | - Jagmeet S Kanwal
- Department of Neurology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Jiang Feng
- Jilin Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Jingyue St 2555, Changchun 130117, People's Republic of China .,Key Laboratory for Wetland Ecology and Vegetation Restoration of National Environmental Protection, Northeast Normal University, Jingyue St 2555, Changchun 130117, People's Republic of China
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13
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Behavioural response of the greater horseshoe bat to geographical variation in echolocation calls. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-016-2182-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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14
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Voigt-Heucke SL, Zimmer S, Kipper S. Does Interspecific Eavesdropping Promote Aerial Aggregations in European Pipistrelle Bats During Autumn? Ethology 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Silke L. Voigt-Heucke
- Animal Behaviour Group; Institute of Biology; Freie Universität Berlin; Berlin Germany
| | - Stefanie Zimmer
- Animal Behaviour Group; Institute of Biology; Freie Universität Berlin; Berlin Germany
| | - Silke Kipper
- Animal Behaviour Group; Institute of Biology; Freie Universität Berlin; Berlin Germany
- Chair of Zoology; Technische Universität München; Freising Germany
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15
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Lintott PR, Barlow K, Bunnefeld N, Briggs P, Gajas Roig C, Park KJ. Differential responses of cryptic bat species to the urban landscape. Ecol Evol 2016; 6:2044-52. [PMID: 27066223 PMCID: PMC4768637 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Urbanization is a key global driver in the modification of land use and has been linked to population declines even in widespread and relatively common species. Cities comprise a complex assortment of habitat types yet we know relatively little about the effects of their composition and spatial configuration on species distribution. Although many bat species exploit human resources, the majority of species are negatively impacted by urbanization. Here, we use data from the National Bat Monitoring Programme, a long-running citizen science scheme, to assess how two cryptic European bat species respond to the urban landscape. A total of 124 × 1 km(2) sites throughout Britain were surveyed. The landscape surrounding each site was mapped and classified into discrete biotope types (e.g., woodland). Generalized linear models were used to assess differences in the response to the urban environment between the two species, and which landscape factors were associated with the distributions of P. pipistrellus and P. pygmaeus. The relative prevalence of P. pygmaeus compared to P. pipistrellus was greater in urban landscapes with a higher density of rivers and lakes, whereas P. pipistrellus was frequently detected in landscapes comprising a high proportion of green space (e.g., parklands). Although P. pipistrellus is thought to be well adapted to the urban landscape, we found a strong negative response to urbanization at a relatively local scale (1 km), whilst P. pygmaeus was detected more regularly in wooded urban landscapes containing freshwater. These results show differential habitat use at a landscape scale of two morphologically similar species, indicating that cryptic species may respond differently to anthropogenic disturbance. Even species considered relatively common and well adapted to the urban landscape may respond negatively to the built environment highlighting the future challenges involved in maintaining biodiversity within an increasingly urbanized world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul R Lintott
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Exeter Devon EX4 4PS U.K.; Biological and Environmental Sciences School of Natural Sciences University of Stirling Stirling FK9 4LA U.K
| | - Kate Barlow
- Bat Conservation Trust Quadrant House 250 Kennington Lane London SE11 5RD U.K
| | - Nils Bunnefeld
- Biological and Environmental Sciences School of Natural Sciences University of Stirling Stirling FK9 4LA U.K
| | - Philip Briggs
- Bat Conservation Trust Quadrant House 250 Kennington Lane London SE11 5RD U.K
| | - Clara Gajas Roig
- Biological and Environmental Sciences School of Natural Sciences University of Stirling Stirling FK9 4LA U.K
| | - Kirsty J Park
- Biological and Environmental Sciences School of Natural Sciences University of Stirling Stirling FK9 4LA U.K
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16
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Smarsh GC, Smotherman M. Intra- and Interspecific Variability of Echolocation Pulse Acoustics in the African Megadermatid Bats. ACTA CHIROPTEROLOGICA 2015. [DOI: 10.3161/15081109acc2015.17.2.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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17
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Lintott PR, Bunnefeld N, Minderman J, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Mayhew RJ, Olley L, Park KJ. Differential responses to woodland character and landscape context by cryptic bats in urban environments. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0126850. [PMID: 25978034 PMCID: PMC4433195 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0126850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Urbanisation is one of the most dramatic forms of land use change which relatively few species can adapt to. Determining how and why species respond differently to urban habitats is important in predicting future biodiversity loss as urban areas rapidly expand. Understanding how morphological or behavioural traits can influence species adaptability to the built environment may enable us to improve the effectiveness of conservation efforts. Although many bat species are able to exploit human resources, bat species richness generally declines with increasing urbanisation and there is considerable variation in the responses of different bat species to urbanisation. Here, we use acoustic recordings from two cryptic, and largely sympatric European bat species to assess differential responses in their use of fragmented urban woodland and the surrounding urban matrix. There was a high probability of P. pygmaeus activity relative to P. pipistrellus in woodlands with low clutter and understory cover which were surrounded by low levels of built environment. Additionally, the probability of recording P. pygmaeus relative to P. pipistrellus was considerably higher in urban woodland interior or edge habitat in contrast to urban grey or non-wooded green space. These results show differential habitat use occurring between two morphologically similar species; whilst the underlying mechanism for this partitioning is unknown it may be driven by competition avoidance over foraging resources. Their differing response to urbanisation indicates the difficulties involved when attempting to assess how adaptable a species is to urbanisation for conservation purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul R. Lintott
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland
| | - Nils Bunnefeld
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland
| | - Jeroen Minderman
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland
| | - Elisa Fuentes-Montemayor
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland
| | - Rebekah J. Mayhew
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland
| | - Lena Olley
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland
| | - Kirsty J. Park
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland
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18
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Bastian A, Jacobs DS. Listening carefully: increased perceptual acuity for species discrimination in multispecies signalling assemblages. Anim Behav 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2014.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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19
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