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Barratt AE, Gonsalves L, Turbill C. Winter torpor and activity patterns of a fishing bat ( Myotis macropus) in a mild climate. J Mammal 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyac061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Small insectivorous bats often enter a state of torpor, a controlled, reversible decrease in body temperature and metabolic rate. Torpor provides substantial energy savings and is used more extensively during periods of low temperature and reduced prey availability. We studied torpor use and activity of a small (10.1 ± 0.4 g) fishing bat, Myotis macropus, during winter in a mild climate in Australia. We predicted that the thermal stability of water would make foraging opportunities in winter more productive and consistent in a riparian habitat compared to a woodland habitat, and therefore, fishing bats would use torpor less than expected during winter compared to other bats. Using temperature-sensitive radio transmitters, we recorded the skin temperature of 12 adult (6 M, 6 F) bats over 161 bat-days (13.4 ± 5.4 days per bat) during Austral winter (late May to August), when daily air temperature averaged 6.2–18.2°C. Bats used torpor every day, with bouts lasting a median of 21.3 h and up to 144.6 h. Multiday torpor bouts were more common in females than males. Arousals occurred just after sunset and lasted 3.5 ± 2.9 h. Arousals tended to be longer in males than females and to occur on warmer evenings, suggesting some winter foraging and perhaps male harem territoriality or other mating-related activity was occurring. The extensive use of torpor by M. macropus during relatively mild winter conditions when food is likely available suggests torpor might function to minimize the risks of mortality caused by activity and to increase body condition for the upcoming breeding season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice E Barratt
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment and School of Science, Western Sydney University, Hawkesbury Campus , Richmond, New South Wales 2753 , Australia
| | - Leroy Gonsalves
- Forest Science Unit, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries , Parramatta, New South Wales 2150 , Australia
| | - Christopher Turbill
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment and School of Science, Western Sydney University, Hawkesbury Campus , Richmond, New South Wales 2753 , Australia
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Mayer-Pinto M, Jones TM, Swearer SE, Robert KA, Bolton D, Aulsebrook AE, Dafforn KA, Dickerson AL, Dimovski AM, Hubbard N, McLay LK, Pendoley K, Poore AG, Thums M, Willmott NJ, Yokochi K, Fobert EK. Light pollution: a landscape-scale issue requiring cross-realm consideration. UCL OPEN ENVIRONMENT 2022; 4:e036. [PMID: 37228454 PMCID: PMC10171420 DOI: 10.14324/111.444/ucloe.000036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Terrestrial, marine and freshwater realms are inherently linked through ecological, biogeochemical and/or physical processes. An understanding of these connections is critical to optimise management strategies and ensure the ongoing resilience of ecosystems. Artificial light at night (ALAN) is a global stressor that can profoundly affect a wide range of organisms and habitats and impact multiple realms. Despite this, current management practices for light pollution rarely consider connectivity between realms. Here we discuss the ways in which ALAN can have cross-realm impacts and provide case studies for each example discussed. We identified three main ways in which ALAN can affect two or more realms: 1) impacts on species that have life cycles and/or stages in two or more realms, such as diadromous fish that cross realms during ontogenetic migrations and many terrestrial insects that have juvenile phases of the life cycle in aquatic realms; 2) impacts on species interactions that occur across realm boundaries, and 3) impacts on transition zones or ecosystems such as mangroves and estuaries. We then propose a framework for cross-realm management of light pollution and discuss current challenges and potential solutions to increase the uptake of a cross-realm approach for ALAN management. We argue that the strengthening and formalisation of professional networks that involve academics, lighting practitioners, environmental managers and regulators that work in multiple realms is essential to provide an integrated approach to light pollution. Networks that have a strong multi-realm and multi-disciplinary focus are important as they enable a holistic understanding of issues related to ALAN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Mayer-Pinto
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Theresa M. Jones
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Stephen E. Swearer
- National Centre for Coasts and Climate (NCCC), School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Kylie A. Robert
- Research Centre for Future Landscapes, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Damon Bolton
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Anne E. Aulsebrook
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
- Department of Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen 82319, Germany
| | - Katherine A. Dafforn
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Ashton L. Dickerson
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Alicia M. Dimovski
- Research Centre for Future Landscapes, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Niki Hubbard
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Lucy K. McLay
- Agriculture Victoria Research, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
| | - Kellie Pendoley
- Pendoley Environmental Pty Ltd, 12A Pitt Way, Booragoon, WA 6154, Australia
| | - Alistair G.B. Poore
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Michele Thums
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Nikolas J. Willmott
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Kaori Yokochi
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia
| | - Emily K. Fobert
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
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