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Kaňuch P, Kasanický T, Ružinská R, Zelenka J. The effect of logging on fission-fusion behaviour of tree-dwelling bats explored by an agent-based model. ECOL INFORM 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2022.101884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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2
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Andersen BR, Geluso K. Roosts of Northern Long-Eared Myotis (Myotis septentrionalis) at the Western Edge of the Great Plains. WEST N AM NATURALIST 2022. [DOI: 10.3398/064.082.0313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Brett R. Andersen
- Department of Biology, University of Nebraska at Kearney, Kearney, NE 68849
| | - Keith Geluso
- Department of Biology, University of Nebraska at Kearney, Kearney, NE 68849
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Gorman KM, Barr EL, Nocera T, Ford WM. Characteristics of Day-Roosts Used by Northern Long-Eared Bats (Myotis septentrionalis) in Coastal New York. Northeast Nat (Steuben) 2022. [DOI: 10.1656/045.029.0201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine M. Gorman
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 149 Cheatham Hall, 310 West Campus Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061
| | - Elaine L. Barr
- Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge, US Fish and Wildlife Service, 3982 Waverly Road, Williamstown, WV 26187
| | - Tomás Nocera
- US Army Garrison Fort Belvoir, Directorate of Public Works: Environmental Division, 9430 Jackson Loop, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060
| | - W. Mark Ford
- US Geological Survey, Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, 106 Cheatham Hall, 310 West Campus Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061
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Unique Land Cover Classification to Assess Day-Roost Habitat Selection of Northern Long-Eared Bats on the Coastal Plain of North Carolina, USA. FORESTS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/f13050792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Reproductively successful and over-wintering populations of the endangered northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) have recently been discovered on the Coastal Plain of North Carolina. Empirical data on resource selection within the region is limited, likely hindering management of these coastal forests. Our objectives were to determine roosting home range size, selection of day-roost tree species, second- and third-order roosting habitat selection, and to quantify the overall availability of resources in the surrounding landscape. We found core and peripheral roosting home range estimates were large, yet similar to observations from other areas of contiguous forests. Prior to juvenile volancy, female northern long-eared bats appear to select red maple (Acer rubrum), water ash (Fraxinus caroliniana), and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) as day-roosts, but then use sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), swamp bay (Persea palustris), and water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica) after juvenile volancy. At the second-order spatial scale, roosting home ranges were associated with woody wetlands farther from anthropogenic development and open water. However, within the third-order scale, northern long-eared bats were associated with undeveloped woody wetlands and upland forests, areas containing shorter trees and occurring proximal to open water. Peripheral and core areas were predicted to comprise approximately 20% of the local landscape. Our results show that complex and large tracts of woody wetlands juxtaposed with upland forests in this part of the Coastal Plain may be important for northern long-eared bats locally, results largely consistent with species management efforts in eastern North America.
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Gorman KM, Deeley SM, Barr EL, Freeze SR, Kalen N, Muthersbaugh MS, Ford WM. Broad-scale geographic and temporal assessment of northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) maternity colony-landscape association. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2022. [DOI: 10.3354/esr01170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
As the federally threatened northern long-eared bat Myotis septentrionalis continues to decline due to white-nose syndrome (WNS) impacts, the application of effective conservation measures is needed but often hindered by the lack of ecological data. To date, recommended management practices have been adopted in part from other federally listed sympatric species such as the endangered Indiana bat M. sodalis. During the maternity season, these measures have largely focused on conservation of known day-roost habitat, often with little consideration for foraging habitat, particularly riparian areas. We examined acoustic activity of northern long-eared bats relative to day-roost and capture data at coastal and interior sites in the District of Columbia, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, USA, over the course of 6 summers (2015-�2020), where maternity activity was still documented after the initial arrival and spread of WNS. Acoustic activity of northern long-eared bats relative to forest cover decreased at the acoustic site level (fine scale) but increased at the sampling region level (coarse scale). We observed a positive association of northern long-eared bat acoustic activity with riparian areas. Additionally, we observed higher levels of activity during pregnancy through early lactation period of the reproductive cycle prior to juvenile volancy. Our findings suggest the need for more explicit inclusion of forested riparian habitats in northern long-eared bat conservation planning. Acoustic sampling in spring and early summer rather than mid- to late summer and in forested riparian areas is the most effective strategy for identifying potential active northern long-eared bat maternity colonies on the local landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- KM Gorman
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - SM Deeley
- Office of Research and Development, Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC 20004, USA
| | - EL Barr
- Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge, US Fish and Wildlife Service, 3982 Waverly Road, Williamstown, WV 26187, USA
| | - SR Freeze
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - N Kalen
- Conservation Management Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - MS Muthersbaugh
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, Clemson, NC 29631, USA
| | - WM Ford
- US Geological Survey, Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
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6
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Summer Populations of Northern Long-eared Bat in an Eastern Kentucky Forest Following Arrival of White-nose Syndrome. AMERICAN MIDLAND NATURALIST 2022. [DOI: 10.1674/0003-0031-187.1.71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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7
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Diggins CA, Ford WM. Spatial behavior of northern flying squirrels in the same social network. Ethology 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Corinne A. Diggins
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation Virginia Tech Blacksburg VA USA
| | - W. Mark Ford
- USGS Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Blacksburg VA USA
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8
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Hyzy BA, Russell RE, Silvis A, Ford WM, Riddle J, Russell K. Occupancy and Detectability of Northern Long‐eared Bats in the Lake States Region. WILDLIFE SOC B 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Brenna A. Hyzy
- College of Natural Resources University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Stevens Point WI 54481 USA
| | - Robin E. Russell
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center Madison WI 53705 USA
| | - Alex Silvis
- West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Elkins WV 26241 USA
| | - W. Mark Ford
- U.S. Geological Survey, Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Blacksburg VA 24061 USA
| | - Jason Riddle
- College of Natural Resources University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Stevens Point WI 54481 USA
| | - Kevin Russell
- College of Natural Resources University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Stevens Point WI 54481 USA
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9
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Burns DDR, Franks DW, Parr C, Robinson EJH. Ant colony nest networks adapt to resource disruption. J Anim Ecol 2020; 90:143-152. [PMID: 32141609 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Animal social structure is shaped by environmental conditions, such as food availability. This is important as conditions are likely to change in the future and changes to social structure can have cascading ecological effects. Wood ants are a useful taxon for the study of the relationship between social structure and environmental conditions, as some populations form large nest networks and they are ecologically dominant in many northern hemisphere woodlands. Nest networks are formed when a colony inhabits more than one nest, known as polydomy. Polydomous colonies are composed of distinct sub-colonies that inhabit spatially distinct nests and that share resources with each other. In this study, we performed a controlled experiment on 10 polydomous wood ant (Formica lugubris) colonies to test how changing the resource environment affects the social structure of a polydomous colony. We took network maps of all colonies for 5 years before the experiment to assess how the networks changes under natural conditions. After this period, we prevented ants from accessing an important food source for a year in five colonies and left the other five colonies undisturbed. We found that preventing access to an important food source causes polydomous wood ant colony networks to fragment into smaller components and begin foraging on previously unused food sources. These changes were not associated with a reduction in the growth of populations inhabiting individual nests (sub-colonies), foundation of new nests or survival, when compared with control colonies. Colony splitting likely occurred as the availability of food in each nest changed causing sub-colonies to change their inter-nest connections. Consequently, our results demonstrate that polydomous colonies can adjust to environmental changes by altering their social network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic D R Burns
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK.,York Cross-disciplinary Centre for Systems Analysis, University of York, York, UK
| | - Daniel W Franks
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK.,York Cross-disciplinary Centre for Systems Analysis, University of York, York, UK.,Department of Computer Science, University of York, York, UK
| | - Catherine Parr
- Department of Earth, Ocean and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.,Centre for African Ecology, School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Elva J H Robinson
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK.,York Cross-disciplinary Centre for Systems Analysis, University of York, York, UK
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10
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Hyzy BA, Russell RE, Silvis A, Ford WM, Riddle J, Russell K. Investigating maternity roost selection by northern long-eared bats at three sites in Wisconsin. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2020. [DOI: 10.3354/esr01004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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11
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Bondo KJ, Willis CKR, Metheny JD, Kilgour RJ, Gillam EH, Kalcounis‐Rueppell MC, Brigham RM. Bats relocate maternity colony after the natural loss of roost trees. J Wildl Manage 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kristin J. Bondo
- University of Regina Department of Biology Regina SK S4S 0A2 Canada
| | | | - Jackie D. Metheny
- Department of BiologyUniversity of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro NC 27402‐6170 USA
| | - R. Julia Kilgour
- University of Regina Department of Biology Regina SK S4S 0A2 Canada
| | - Erin H. Gillam
- University of Regina Department of Biology Regina SK S4S 0A2 Canada
| | | | - R. M. Brigham
- University of Regina Department of Biology Regina SK S4S 0A2 Canada
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12
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Olivera-Hyde M, Silvis A, Hallerman EM, Ford WM, Britzke ER. Relatedness within and among northern long-eared bat ( Myotis septentrionalis) colonies at a local scale. CAN J ZOOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2018-0229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We assessed parentage within and among maternity colonies of northern long-eared bats (Myotis septentrionalis (Trouessart, 1897)) in north-central Kentucky, USA, from 2011 to 2013 to examine colony social structure, formation, and membership dynamics. We intensively sampled colonies in close and remote (>10 km) proximity before and after targeted day-roost removal. Colonies were not necessarily composed of closely related individuals, although natal philopatry was common. Adjacent colonies often contained maternally related individuals, indicating that some pups did disperse, albeit not far from their natal home range. Whereas some young had been sired by males also collected on site, most had not, as would be expected since the species mates in fall near hibernacula across a wider landscape. The number of parentages that we inferred among colonies, however, suggests that outside the maternity season, social groups may be relatively flexible and open. Analysis of microsatellite DNA data showed a low FST(0.011) and best fit to a model of one multilocus genotypic cluster across the study area. We observed high turnover in colony membership between years in all colonies, regardless of roost-removal treatment. Our results suggest that female northern long-eared bats exhibit fidelity to a general geographic area and complex, dynamic social–genetic structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miluska Olivera-Hyde
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Alexander Silvis
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Eric M. Hallerman
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - W. Mark Ford
- U.S. Geological Survey Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Eric R. Britzke
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineer Research and Development Center, Environmental Laboratory, Vicksburg, MS 39180, USA
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13
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Cruz JLDL, Ward RL, Schroder ES. Landscape Characteristics Related to Use of Artificial Roosts by Northern Long-Eared Bats in North-Central West Virginia. Northeast Nat (Steuben) 2018. [DOI: 10.1656/045.025.0312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jesse L. De La Cruz
- Conservation Management Institute at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1900 Kraft Drive, Suite 105, Blacksburg, VA 24061
- AllStar Ecology LLC, 1582 Meadowdale Road, Fairmont, WV 26554
| | - Ryan L. Ward
- AllStar Ecology LLC, 1582 Meadowdale Road, Fairmont, WV 26554
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14
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Jones K, Thompson R, Godfrey S. Social networks: a tool for assessing the impact of perturbations on wildlife behaviour and implications for pathogen transmission. BEHAVIOUR 2018. [DOI: 10.1163/1568539x-00003485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Wildlife are increasingly subject to perturbations, which can impact pathogen transmission and lead to disease emergence. While a myriad of factors influence disease dynamics in wildlife, behaviour is emerging as a major influence. In this review, we examine how perturbations alter the behaviour of individuals and how, in turn, disease transmission may be impacted, with a focus on the use of network models as a powerful tool. There are emerging hypotheses as to how networks respond to different types of perturbations. The broad effects of perturbations make predicting potential outcomes and identifying mitigation opportunities for disease emergence critical; yet, the current paucity of data makes identification of underlying trends difficult. Social network analysis facilitates a mechanistic approach to how perturbation-induced behavioural changes result in shifts in pathogen transmission. However, the field is still developing, and future work should strive to address current deficits. There is particular need for empirical data to support modelling predictions and increased inclusion of pathogen monitoring in network studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- K.L. Jones
- aSchool of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - R.C.A. Thompson
- aSchool of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - S.S. Godfrey
- aSchool of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
- bDepartment of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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15
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Thalken MM, Lacki MJ. Tree roosts of northern long-eared bats following white-nose syndrome. J Wildl Manage 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marissa M. Thalken
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources; University of Kentucky; Lexington KY 40546 USA
| | - Michael J. Lacki
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources; University of Kentucky; Lexington KY 40546 USA
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16
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Patriquin KJ, Leonard ML, Broders HG, Ford WM, Britzke ER, Silvis A. Weather as a proximate explanation for fission–fusion dynamics in female northern long-eared bats. Anim Behav 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2016.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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17
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Deriving Habitat Models for Northern Long-Eared Bats from Historical Detection Data: A Case Study Using the Fernow Experimental Forest. JOURNAL OF FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 2016. [DOI: 10.3996/012015-jfwm-004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The listing of the northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) as federally threatened under the Endangered Species Act following severe population declines from white-nose syndrome presents considerable challenges to natural resource managers. Because the northern long-eared bat is a forest habitat generalist, development of effective conservation measures will depend on appropriate understanding of its habitat relationships at individual locations. However, severely reduced population sizes make gathering data for such models difficult. As a result, historical data may be essential in development of habitat models. To date, there has been little evaluation of how effective historical bat presence data, such as data derived from mist-net captures, acoustic detection, and day-roost locations, may be in developing habitat models, nor is it clear how models created using different data sources may differ. We explored this issue by creating presence probability models for the northern long-eared bat on the Fernow Experimental Forest in the central Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia using a historical, presence-only data set. Each presence data type produced outputs that were dissimilar but that still corresponded with known traits of the northern long-eared bat or are easily explained in the context of the particular data collection protocol. However, our results also highlight potential limitations of individual data types. For example, models from mist-net capture data only showed high probability of presence along the dendritic network of riparian areas, an obvious artifact of sampling methodology. Development of ecological niche and presence models for northern long-eared bat populations could be highly valuable for resource managers going forward with this species. We caution, however, that efforts to create such models should consider the substantial limitations of models derived from historical data, and address model assumptions.
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Abstract
Little is known about the ecology of many of the parasites and pathogens affecting bats, but host social behavior almost certainly plays an important role in bat-parasite dynamics. Understanding parasite dynamics for bats is important from a human public health perspective because of their role as natural reservoirs for recent high-profile emerging zoonotic pathogens (e.g. Ebola, Hendra) and from a bat conservation perspective because of the recent emergence of white-nose syndrome (WNS) in North America highlighting the potential population impacts of parasites and pathogens. Although some bat species are among the most gregarious of mammals, species vary widely in terms of their social behavior and this variation could influence pathogen transmission and impacts. Here, we review the literature on links between bat social behavior and parasite dynamics. Using standardized search terms in Web of Science, we identified articles that explicitly tested or discussed links between some aspect of bat sociality and parasite transmission or host population impacts. We identified social network analysis, epidemiological modeling, and interspecific comparative analyses as the most commonly used methods to quantify relationships between social behavior and parasite-risk in bats while WNS, Hendra virus, and arthropod ectoparasites were the most commonly studied host-parasite systems. We summarize known host-parasite relationships in these three systems and propose testable hypotheses that could improve our understanding of links between host sociality and parasite-dynamics in bats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Ortega
- Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City, Mexico
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Clement MJ, O'Keefe JM, Walters B. A method for estimating abundance of mobile populations using telemetry and counts of unmarked animals. Ecosphere 2015. [DOI: 10.1890/es15-00180.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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Russell RE, Thogmartin WE, Erickson RA, Szymanski J, Tinsley K. Estimating the short-term recovery potential of little brown bats in the eastern United States in the face of White-nose syndrome. Ecol Modell 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2015.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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21
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Karen EP, Richard JR, Wil O, W MF, Christopher SH. Post-White-nose syndrome trends in Virginias cave bats, 2008-2013. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.5897/jene2015.0507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
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22
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Silvis A, Ford WM, Britzke ER. Effects of hierarchical roost removal on northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) maternity colonies. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0116356. [PMID: 25611060 PMCID: PMC4303276 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0116356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2014] [Accepted: 11/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Forest roosting bats use a variety of ephemeral roosts such as snags and declining live trees. Although conservation of summer maternity habitat is considered critical for forest-roosting bats, bat response to roost loss still is poorly understood. To address this, we monitored 3 northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) maternity colonies on Fort Knox Military Reservation, Kentucky, USA, before and after targeted roost removal during the dormant season when bats were hibernating in caves. We used 2 treatments: removal of a single highly used (primary) roost and removal of 24% of less used (secondary) roosts, and an un-manipulated control. Neither treatment altered the number of roosts used by individual bats, but secondary roost removal doubled the distances moved between sequentially used roosts. However, overall space use by and location of colonies was similar pre- and post-treatment. Patterns of roost use before and after removal treatments also were similar but bats maintained closer social connections after our treatments. Roost height, diameter at breast height, percent canopy openness, and roost species composition were similar pre- and post-treatment. We detected differences in the distribution of roosts among decay stages and crown classes pre- and post-roost removal, but this may have been a result of temperature differences between treatment years. Our results suggest that loss of a primary roost or ≤ 20% of secondary roosts in the dormant season may not cause northern long-eared bats to abandon roosting areas or substantially alter some roosting behaviors in the following active season when tree-roosts are used. Critically, tolerance limits to roost loss may be dependent upon local forest conditions, and continued research on this topic will be necessary for conservation of the northern long-eared bat across its range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Silvis
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - W. Mark Ford
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
- US Geological Survey, Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Eric R. Britzke
- US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Environmental Laboratory, Vicksburg, Mississippi, United States of America
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Silvis A, Ford WM, Britzke ER. Day-roost tree selection by northern long-eared bats—What do non-roost tree comparisons and one year of data really tell us? Glob Ecol Conserv 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2015.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
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Silvis A, Kniowski AB, Gehrt SD, Ford WM. Roosting and foraging social structure of the endangered Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis). PLoS One 2014; 9:e96937. [PMID: 24816811 PMCID: PMC4016147 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0096937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2013] [Accepted: 04/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Social dynamics are an important but poorly understood aspect of bat ecology. Herein we use a combination of graph theoretic and spatial approaches to describe the roost and social network characteristics and foraging associations of an Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) maternity colony in an agricultural landscape in Ohio, USA. We tracked 46 bats to 50 roosts (423 total relocations) and collected 2,306 foraging locations for 40 bats during the summers of 2009 and 2010. We found the colony roosting network was highly centralized in both years and that roost and social networks differed significantly from random networks. Roost and social network structure also differed substantially between years. Social network structure appeared to be unrelated to segregation of roosts between age classes. For bats whose individual foraging ranges were calculated, many shared foraging space with at least one other bat. Compared across all possible bat dyads, 47% and 43% of the dyads showed more than expected overlap of foraging areas in 2009 and 2010 respectively. Colony roosting area differed between years, but the roosting area centroid shifted only 332 m. In contrast, whole colony foraging area use was similar between years. Random roost removal simulations suggest that Indiana bat colonies may be robust to loss of a limited number of roosts but may respond differently from year to year. Our study emphasizes the utility of graphic theoretic and spatial approaches for examining the sociality and roosting behavior of bats. Detailed knowledge of the relationships between social and spatial aspects of bat ecology could greatly increase conservation effectiveness by allowing more structured approaches to roost and habitat retention for tree-roosting, socially-aggregating bat species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Silvis
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Andrew B. Kniowski
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Stanley D. Gehrt
- School of Environment and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - W. Mark Ford
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
- U.S. Geological Survey, Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
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