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Parker KH, Bishop JM, Serieys LEK, Mateo R, Camarero PR, Leighton GRM. A heavy burden: Metal exposure across the land-ocean continuum in an adaptable carnivore. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 327:121585. [PMID: 37040831 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Urbanisation and associated anthropogenic activities release large quantities of toxic metals and metalloids into the environment, where they may bioaccumulate and threaten both wildlife and human health. In highly transformed landscapes, terrestrial carnivores may be at increased risk of exposure through biomagnification. We quantified metallic element and metalloid exposure in blood of caracals (Caracal caracal), an adaptable felid inhabiting the rapidly urbanising, coastal metropole of Cape Town, South Africa. Using redundancy analysis and mixed-effect models, we explored the influence of demography, landscape use, and diet on the concentration of 11 metals and metalloids. Although species-specific toxic thresholds are lacking, arsenic (As) and chromium (Cr) were present at potentially sublethal levels in several individuals. Increased use of human-transformed landscapes, particularly urban areas, roads, and vineyards, was significantly associated with increased exposure to aluminium (Al), cobalt (Co) and lead (Pb). Foraging closer to the coast and within aquatic food webs was associated with increased levels of mercury (Hg), selenium (Se) and arsenic, where regular predation on seabirds and waterbirds likely facilitates transfer of metals from aquatic to terrestrial food webs. Further, several elements were linked to lower haemoglobin levels (chromium, mercury, manganese, and zinc) and elevated levels of infection-fighting cells (mercury and selenium). Our results highlight the importance of anthropogenic activities as major environmental sources of metal contamination in terrestrial wildlife, including exposure across the land-ocean continuum. These findings contribute towards the growing evidence suggesting cities are particularly toxic areas for wildlife. Co-exposure to a suite of metal pollutants may threaten the long-term health and persistence of Cape Town's caracal population in unexpected ways, particularly when interacting with additional known pollutant and pathogen exposure. The caracal is a valuable sentinel for assessing metal exposure and can be used in pollution monitoring programmes to mitigate exposure and promote biodiversity conservation in human-dominated landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim H Parker
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa (iCWild), Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jacqueline M Bishop
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa (iCWild), Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Laurel E K Serieys
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa (iCWild), Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Panthera, New York, NY, USA; Cape Leopard Trust, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Rafael Mateo
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC-CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Pablo R Camarero
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC-CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Gabriella R M Leighton
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa (iCWild), Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa.
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2
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Prylutska A, Yerofeieva M, Bohodist V, Shulenko A, But A, Kravchenko K, Prylutskyi O, Vlaschenko A. The dataset of bat (Mammalia, Chiroptera) occurrences in Ukraine collected by the Ukrainian Bat Rehabilitation Center (2011-2022). Biodivers Data J 2023; 11:e99243. [PMID: 38327298 PMCID: PMC10848442 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.11.e99243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Bats are of high conservational status in most European countries. All bats are under legal protection in Ukraine and included in the national Red Data Book. However, bats remain one of the least studied groups of mammals in Ukraine. Their cryptic lifestyle limits the possibilities of direct observations and, as a result, data on bat distribution are incomplete. Wildlife rehabilitation centres accumulate a plethora of records of wild animals and those data may significantly contribute to knowledge on the species range, phenology and habitat preferences.This paper presents the data accumulated from over a decade of work by the Ukrainian Bat Rehabilitation Center (formerly The Bat Rehabilitation Center of Feldman Ecopark), the premier organisation engaged in the rescue and rehabilitation of bats across Ukraine. In addition to in-person data collected by Ukrainian Bat Rehabilitation Center staff, the Center also accepts observations of bat encounters from citizens. The Center's dataset boasts over 20,000 distinct observations, which are the subject of this paper. New information This dataset, spanning 2011-2022, contains a total of 20,948 records of bat findings, 19,024 of which consist of records directly identified by UBRC team members. The remaining 1924 observations were provided by citizens through helpline. Data on 16 species and one subspecies have been collected. The highest number of records belongs to Nyctalusnoctula (n = 15889), followed by Eptesicusserotinus (n = 2017) and Pipistrelluskuhliilepidus (n = 2001). Less than 10% of these records have been previously published; the rest are presented in this paper for the first time. The dataset is particularly rich in information on bats in human settlements and is (to the best of the authors' knowledge) the largest dataset on bats within human-modified landscapes ever collected from the territory of Eastern Europe. The entire dataset is available through the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alona Prylutska
- Ukrainian Bat Rehabilitation Center, Ukrainian Independent Ecology Institute, Kharkiv, UkraineUkrainian Bat Rehabilitation Center, Ukrainian Independent Ecology InstituteKharkivUkraine
- Max-Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour, Department of Migration, Radolfzell, GermanyMax-Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour, Department of MigrationRadolfzellGermany
| | - Maryna Yerofeieva
- Ukrainian Bat Rehabilitation Center, Ukrainian Independent Ecology Institute, Kharkiv, UkraineUkrainian Bat Rehabilitation Center, Ukrainian Independent Ecology InstituteKharkivUkraine
- V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Kharkiv, UkraineV. N. Karazin Kharkiv National UniversityKharkivUkraine
| | - Valeria Bohodist
- Ukrainian Bat Rehabilitation Center, Ukrainian Independent Ecology Institute, Kharkiv, UkraineUkrainian Bat Rehabilitation Center, Ukrainian Independent Ecology InstituteKharkivUkraine
- Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University, Bila Tserkva, UkraineBila Tserkva National Agrarian UniversityBila TserkvaUkraine
| | - Alona Shulenko
- Ukrainian Bat Rehabilitation Center, Ukrainian Independent Ecology Institute, Kharkiv, UkraineUkrainian Bat Rehabilitation Center, Ukrainian Independent Ecology InstituteKharkivUkraine
| | - Anzhela But
- Ukrainian Bat Rehabilitation Center, Ukrainian Independent Ecology Institute, Kharkiv, UkraineUkrainian Bat Rehabilitation Center, Ukrainian Independent Ecology InstituteKharkivUkraine
- H.S. Skovoroda Kharkiv National Pedagogical University, Kharkiv, UkraineH.S. Skovoroda Kharkiv National Pedagogical UniversityKharkivUkraine
| | - Ksenia Kravchenko
- University of Lausanne, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Lausanne, SwitzerlandUniversity of Lausanne, Department of Ecology and EvolutionLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Oleh Prylutskyi
- V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Kharkiv, UkraineV. N. Karazin Kharkiv National UniversityKharkivUkraine
| | - Anton Vlaschenko
- Ukrainian Bat Rehabilitation Center, Ukrainian Independent Ecology Institute, Kharkiv, UkraineUkrainian Bat Rehabilitation Center, Ukrainian Independent Ecology InstituteKharkivUkraine
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3
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Araguas RM, Vidal O, García S, Sanz N. Genetic diversity and population structure of the Western European hedgehog, Erinaceus europaeus: conservation status of populations in the Iberian Peninsula. Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00235-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
AbstractAnthropogenic habitat fragmentation and roadkill mortality are considered important threats to European hedgehogs. Habitat fragmentation isolates hedgehog populations and, as a consequence, reduces their genetic diversity and leads the populations to vulnerable situations. The hedgehog populations in the Iberian Peninsula represent the southern limit of the species. We used microsatellite markers to estimate the genetic diversity and population structure of Erinaceus europaeus on the Iberian Peninsula. The obtained results indicated the presence of two differentiated groups, north-western and north-eastern, which coincided with the distribution of the two phylogeographic mitochondrial lineages described in the Peninsula. Moreover, in the north-eastern group, three genetically different clusters (Girona, Central Catalonia and Zoo) were identified. The highest genetic diversity (Hs = 0.696) was detected in the north-western region. Significant genetic differentiation (FST range = 0.072–0.224) was found among the clusters, indicating that these groups are well differentiated and present low gene flow. We concluded that the north-western group is genetically stable, whereas in the north-eastern region, despite some contact among groups, some populations are isolated and vulnerable.
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4
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Predation of wildlife by domestic cats in a Neotropical city: a multi-factor issue. Biol Invasions 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-022-02734-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Shute KE, Loeb SC, Jachowski DS. Summer Roosting Ecology of the Northern Yellow Bat and Tri-Colored Bat in Coastal South Carolina. SOUTHEAST NAT 2021. [DOI: 10.1656/058.020.0306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kyle E. Shute
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631
| | - Susan C. Loeb
- Southern Research Station, United States Forest Service, Clemson, SC 29631
| | - David S. Jachowski
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631
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6
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Zuñiga-Palacios J, Zuria I, Castellanos I, Lara C, Sánchez-Rojas G. What do we know (and need to know) about the role of urban habitats as ecological traps? Systematic review and meta-analysis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 780:146559. [PMID: 34030347 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Urban areas represent a spectrum that goes from being safe habitats for biodiversity (i.e., habitats more or equally preferred, without costs to fitness) to being ecological traps (i.e., habitats more or equally preferred, but with costs to fitness). Given the imminent urban expansion, it is valuable to assess how biodiversity is responding to urbanization and thus generate timely conservation strategies. We systematically review the urban ecology literature to analyze how much do we know about the role of urban areas as ecological traps. Using a formal meta-analytical approach, we test whether urban areas are functioning as ecological traps or as safe habitats for different taxonomic groups. We generated a data set of 646 effect sizes of different measures of habitat preferences and fitness from 38 papers published between 1985 and 2020. The data set covered 15 countries and 47 urban areas from four continents, including 29 animal species. Studies from North America and Europe were best represented, and birds were the most studied taxa. Overall, the meta-analysis suggests that urbanized habitats are functioning more as safe sites than as ecological traps, mainly for certain species with characteristics that have allowed them to adapt well to urban areas. That is, many of the studied species prefer more urbanized habitats over other less urbanized sites, and their fitness is not modified, or it is even increased. However, there was high heterogeneity among studies. We also performed meta-regressions to identify variables accounting for this heterogeneity across studies and we demonstrate that outcomes may depend on methodological aspects of studies, such as study design or the approach used to measure habitat preference and fitness. More research is needed for poorly studied regions and on a wider range of species before generalizations can be made on the role of urban areas for biodiversity conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Zuñiga-Palacios
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico
| | - Iriana Zuria
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico.
| | - Ignacio Castellanos
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico
| | - Carlos Lara
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, Tlaxcala, Mexico
| | - Gerardo Sánchez-Rojas
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico
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7
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Timofieieva O, Świergosz-Kowalewska R, Laskowski R, Vlaschenko A. Wing membrane and Fur as indicators of metal exposure and contamination of internal tissues in bats. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 276:116703. [PMID: 33618113 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
All European bats are protected by the EU and Associated Members legal regulations. Being insectivorous and top predators, they can be particularly exposed to persistent organic and inorganic pollutants. It is surprising how little is known about the impact of environmental pollutants on bats from physiological to populational levels. In this study we focused on contamination with trace metals of first-year bats from Kharkiv city, NE Ukraine. Tissues from the carcasses of two species, Nyctalus noctula (n = 20) and Eptesicus serotinus (n = 20), were used for metal analysis. The samples of external (wing membrane, fur) and internal (liver, lung, kidney, bones) tissues were analysed for contents of Pb, Cu, Zn, and Cd to see whether fur or wing membrane can be used as proxies for metal contamination of the vital internal tissues. In E. serotinus, significant positive correlations in Pb concentrations were found between all external and internal tissues. For Cd only, correlation between the fur and lung was found, for Cu between the fur and liver, and for Zn between the fur and kidney. In contrast, for N. noctula, only one such correlation was found - between Zn concentrations in the fur and kidney. The tissues differed significantly in concentrations of all studied metals, with no difference between the species. The results showed that the fur and wing membrane can be used as good proxies for Pb concentrations in internal organs of E. serotinus, but not necessarily for other metals or for N. noctula. The results for Pb are, however, encouraging enough to conclude that the topic is worth further studies, covering more species, a wider age range and more diverse environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olha Timofieieva
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland; Bat Rehabilitation Center of Feldman Ecopark, 62340, Lisne, Kharkiv Region, Ukraine.
| | | | - Ryszard Laskowski
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Anton Vlaschenko
- Bat Rehabilitation Center of Feldman Ecopark, 62340, Lisne, Kharkiv Region, Ukraine; Institute of Natural Sciences, H.S. Skovoroda Kharkiv National Pedagogical University, Valentynivska st., 2, Kharkiv, 61168, Ukraine
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8
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Salinas-Ramos VB, Mori E, Bosso L, Ancillotto L, Russo D. Zoonotic Risk: One More Good Reason Why Cats Should Be Kept Away from Bats. Pathogens 2021; 10:304. [PMID: 33807760 PMCID: PMC8002059 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10030304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Bats are often unfairly depicted as the direct culprit in the current COVID-19 pandemic, yet the real causes of this and other zoonotic spillover events should be sought in the human impact on the environment, including the spread of domestic animals. Here, we discuss bat predation by cats as a phenomenon bringing about zoonotic risks and illustrate cases of observed, suspected or hypothesized pathogen transmission from bats to cats, certainly or likely following predation episodes. In addition to well-known cases of bat rabies, we review other diseases that affect humans and might eventually reach them through cats that prey on bats. We also examine the potential transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the causal agent of COVID-19, from domestic cats to bats, which, although unlikely, might generate a novel wildlife reservoir in these mammals, and identify research and management directions to achieve more effective risk assessment, mitigation or prevention. Overall, not only does bat killing by cats represent a potentially serious threat to biodiversity conservation, but it also bears zoonotic implications that can no longer be neglected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria B. Salinas-Ramos
- Wildlife Research Unit, Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Università 100, 80055 Portici, Italy; (V.B.S.-R.); (L.A.)
| | - Emiliano Mori
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Ricerca sugli Ecosistemi Terrestri, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy;
| | - Luciano Bosso
- Wildlife Research Unit, Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Università 100, 80055 Portici, Italy; (V.B.S.-R.); (L.A.)
| | - Leonardo Ancillotto
- Wildlife Research Unit, Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Università 100, 80055 Portici, Italy; (V.B.S.-R.); (L.A.)
| | - Danilo Russo
- Wildlife Research Unit, Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Università 100, 80055 Portici, Italy; (V.B.S.-R.); (L.A.)
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9
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Abstract
Natural habitats are rapidly declining due to urbanisation, with a concomitant decline in biodiversity in highly urbanised areas. Yet thousands of different species have colonised urban environments. These organisms are exposed to novel urban conditions, which are sometimes beneficial, but most often challenging, such as increased ambient temperature, chemicals, noise and light pollution, dietary alterations and disturbance by humans. Given the fundamental role of physiological responses in coping with such conditions, certain physiological systems such as the redox system, metabolism and hormones are thought to specifically influence organisms' ability to persist and cope with urbanisation. However, these physiological systems often show mixed responses to urbanisation. Does this mean that some individuals, populations or species are resilient to the urban environmental challenges? Or is something missing from our analyses, leading us to erroneous conclusions regarding the impact of urbanisation? To understand the impact of urbanisation, I argue that a more integrated mechanistic and ecological approach is needed, along with experiments, in order to fully understand the physiological responses; without knowledge of their ecological and evolutionary context, physiological measures alone can be misinterpreted. Furthermore, we need to further investigate the causes of and capacity for individual plasticity in order to understand not only the impact of urbanisation, but also species resilience. I argue that abiotic and biotic urban factors can interact (e.g. pollution with micro- and macronutrients) to either constrain or relax individual physiological responses - and, thereby, plasticity - on a temporal and/or spatial scale, which can lead to erroneous conclusions regarding the impact of urbanisation.
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10
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Khayat ROS, Grant RA, Ryan H, Melling LM, Dougill G, Killick DR, Shaw KJ. Investigating cat predation as the cause of bat wing tears using forensic DNA analysis. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:8368-8378. [PMID: 32788986 PMCID: PMC7417221 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Cat predation upon bat species has been reported to have significant effects on bat populations in both rural and urban areas. The majority of research in this area has focussed on observational data from bat rehabilitators documenting injuries, and cat owners, when domestic cats present prey. However, this has the potential to underestimate the number of bats killed or injured by cats. Here, we use forensic DNA analysis techniques to analyze swabs taken from injured bats in the United Kingdom, mainly including Pipistrellus pipistrellus (40 out of 72 specimens). Using quantitative PCR, cat DNA was found in two-thirds of samples submitted by bat rehabilitators. Of these samples, short tandem repeat analysis produced partial DNA profiles for approximately one-third of samples, which could be used to link predation events to individual cats. The use of genetic analysis can complement observational data and potentially provide additional information to give a more accurate estimation of cat predation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana O. S. Khayat
- Faculty of Science and EngineeringManchester Metropolitan UniversityManchesterUK
- Department of BiologyUmm Al‐Qura UniversityMakkahSaudi Arabia
| | - Robyn A. Grant
- Faculty of Science and EngineeringManchester Metropolitan UniversityManchesterUK
| | | | - Louise M. Melling
- Faculty of Science and EngineeringManchester Metropolitan UniversityManchesterUK
| | - Gary Dougill
- Faculty of Science and EngineeringManchester Metropolitan UniversityManchesterUK
| | - David R. Killick
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological SciencesUniversity of Liverpool, LeahurstLiverpoolUK
| | - Kirsty J. Shaw
- Faculty of Science and EngineeringManchester Metropolitan UniversityManchesterUK
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11
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Presence of humans and domestic cats affects bat behaviour in an urban nursery of greater horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum). Behav Processes 2019; 164:4-9. [PMID: 30951813 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2019.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2019] [Revised: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Proximity to humans is a primary stressor for wildlife, especially in urban habitats where frequent disturbance may occur. Several bat species often roost in buildings but while the effects of disturbance inside the roost are well documented, little is known about those occurring in the proximity of roosts. We tested the effects of anthropogenic stressors on bats by monitoring reactions to disturbance in a colony of greater horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum). We assessed disturbance by recording and quantifying the presence of people, domestic cats and noise sources near the roost. Disturbance outside the roost caused the disruption of roosting clusters; when cats entered the roost, bats decreased indoor flight activity. Emergence timing was delayed when people were close to the roost exit, and the delay increased along with the number of people. The occurrence of a cat increased the degree of group clustering during emergence. Cats entered the roost especially when young bats were present, and bat remains occurred in 30% of the cat scats we examined. We show that the occurence of human activities near roosts and free-ranging domestic cats are important albeit overlooked sources of disturbance.
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