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Uusitalo RJ, Jackson RT, Lunn TJ, Korhonen EM, Ogola JG, Webala PW, Sironen TA, Forbes KM. Current and future environmental suitability for bats hosting potential zoonotic pathogens in rural Kenya. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11572. [PMID: 38882532 PMCID: PMC11177178 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11572] [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: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Synanthropic bats live in close proximity to humans and domestic animals, creating opportunities for potential pathogen spillover. We explored environmental correlates of occurrence for a widely distributed synanthropic African bat, Mops pumilus-a species associated with potential zoonotic viruses-and estimated current and future environmental suitability in the Taita Hills region and surrounding plains in Taita-Taveta County in southeast Kenya. To project future environmental suitability, we used four Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 general circulation models that capture temperature and precipitation changes for East Africa. The models were parameterized with empirical capture data of M. pumilus collected from 2016 to 2023, combined with satellite-based vegetation, topographic, and climatic data to identify responses to environmental factors. The strongest drivers for current environmental suitability for M. pumilus were short distance to rivers, higher precipitation during the driest months, sparse vegetation-often related to urban areas-and low yearly temperature variation. To predict current and future areas suitable for M. pumilus, we created ensemble niche models, which yielded excellent predictive accuracies. Current suitable environments were located southward from the central and southern Taita Hills and surrounding plains, overlapping with urban centers with the highest human population densities in the area. Future projections for 2050 indicated a moderate increase in suitability range in the southern portion of the region and surrounding plains in human-dominated areas; however, projections for 2090 showed a slight contraction of environmental suitability for M. pumilus, potentially due to the negative impact of increased temperatures. These results show how environmental changes are likely to impact the human exposure risk of bat-borne pathogens and could help public health officials develop strategies to prevent these risks in Taita-Taveta County, Kenya, and other parts of Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruut J Uusitalo
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital Helsinki Finland
- Department of Geosciences and Geography, Faculty of Science University of Helsinki Helsinki Finland
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Helsinki Helsinki Finland
| | - Reilly T Jackson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fullbright College of Arts and Sciences University of Arkansas Fayetteville Arkansas USA
- Arizona Game and Fish Department Wildlife Research Branch Phoenix Arizona USA
| | - Tamika J Lunn
- Odum School of Ecology University of Georgia Athens USA
- Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases University of Georgia Athens USA
| | - Essi M Korhonen
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital Helsinki Finland
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Helsinki Helsinki Finland
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences University of Nairobi Nairobi Kenya
| | - Joseph G Ogola
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences University of Nairobi Nairobi Kenya
| | - Paul W Webala
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, School of Natural Resources, Environmental Studies and Agriculture Maasai Mara University Narok Kenya
| | - Tarja A Sironen
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital Helsinki Finland
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Helsinki Helsinki Finland
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences University of Nairobi Nairobi Kenya
| | - Kristian M Forbes
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fullbright College of Arts and Sciences University of Arkansas Fayetteville Arkansas USA
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2
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Abdullah NI, Elias NA, Ohte N, Vincenot C. Resource partitioning among bat species in Peninsular Malaysia rice fields. PeerJ 2024; 12:e16657. [PMID: 38250723 PMCID: PMC10800099 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Resource partitioning among tropical bats in agricultural areas of Peninsular Malaysia remains unclear. This study was conducted to evaluate resource partitioning among bats by examining their fecal samples. The main bat species sampled included: Rhinolophus coelophyllus, Rhinolophus malayanus, Rhinolophus pusillus, Rhinolophus refulgens, Taphozous melanopogon and Hipposideros larvatus. Two harp traps were set at different elevations on a hilltop (Gunung Keriang) and two high nets were used in neighboring rice fields at three sites, for three consecutive nights per sampling from April 2021 to February 2022. A total of 301 bats and 1,505 pellets were analyzed using a conventional approach which examined the fecal sample under the microscope. All of the bat species within the study had insects from the order Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera and Hemiptera in their diet. Larger bats exhibited a greater variety of prey consumption. Male individuals were observed to be generalists while female individuals were specialists, particularly during pregnancy and lactating reproductive stages. Bat species and insect order had a significant impact on the percentage fragment frequency of the insects consumed. Rhinolophus coelophyllus specialized in feeding on Coleoptera and Diptera, H. larvatus fed on Coleoptera, R. malayanus fed on Hemiptera, R. pusillus and T. melanopogon fed on Lepidoptera. Future molecular analysis can be carried out to further identify the insect pests consumed by these bats up to species level. These findings enhance our understanding of bats' ecological roles in agricultural landscapes and contribute to conservation and pest management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nur-Izzati Abdullah
- Department of Social Informatics, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Island Bat Research Group, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Nurul-Ain Elias
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Nobuhito Ohte
- Department of Social Informatics, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Christian Vincenot
- Island Bat Research Group, Kyoto, Japan
- Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
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3
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Willig MR, Presley SJ. Reproductive phenologies of phyllostomid bat populations and ensembles from lowland Amazonia. J Mammal 2023; 104:752-769. [PMID: 37545669 PMCID: PMC10399921 DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyad032] [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: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural selection should favor individuals that synchronize energy-demanding aspects of reproductive activity with periods of high resource abundance and predictability, leading to seasonal patterns of reproduction at the population level. Nonetheless, few studies-especially those on bats in the Neotropics-have used rigorous quantitative criteria to distinguish among phenological patterns for different populations from the same habitat or for the same species in different habitats. To explore such issues, we quantified annual patterns of reproduction in male and in female bats from lowland Amazonia (environs of Iquitos, Peru), and did so at the level of populations and ensembles. Five species exhibited unimodal patterns including Artibeus obscurus, A. planirostris, Carollia benkeithi, Phyllostomus hastatus, and Rhinophylla pumilio. Two species (A. lituratus and Glossophaga soricina) evinced bimodal patterns with reproductive peaks separated by patterns of inactivity, whereas four species (C. brevicauda, C. perspicillata, Sturnira lilium, and S. tildae) evinced a bimodal pattern in which peaks in activity occur in tandem, with the first peak generally markedly higher than the second peak. Frugivore, gleaning animalivore, and nectarivore ensembles exhibited bimodal, unimodal, and bimodal reproductive phenologies, respectively. Nonetheless, interannual variation in phenology (i.e., the monthly timing of peaks within a season rather than the number of peaks per year) characterized four (A. obscurus, C. brevicauda, C. perspicillata, and S. lilium) of the eight species and each of the three ensembles (frugivores, gleaning animalivores, and nectarivores) with adequate sampling. Regardless of interspecific variation in strategies, the phenology of reproduction enhances the likelihood that parturition and recruitment of young into the population occurs during the wet season, the period of likely highest resource abundance. Based on a comparison of our results with those from other well-studied bat populations, four species did not exhibit geographic variation in reproductive phenologies (A. obscurus, G. soricina, C. brevicauda, and R. pumilio), whereas three species evinced such geographic variation (A. lituratus, A. planirostris, and C. perspicillata). Climate change will likely alter the seasons and extents of propitious times for reproductive activities, as well as the reliability of proximate cues for initiating reproduction, compromising current reproductive strategies and leading to altered phenological patterns of reproduction or reproductive success, possibly resulting in local extinction of some species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R Willig
- Institute of the Environment, Center for Environmental Sciences & Engineering, and Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-4210, USA
| | - Steven J Presley
- Institute of the Environment, Center for Environmental Sciences & Engineering, and Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-4210, USA
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4
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Pellón JJ, Medina-Espinoza EF, Lim BK, Cornejo F, Medellín RA. Eat what you can, when you can: relatively high arthropod consumption by frugivorous bats in Amazonian Peru. Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00327-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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5
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Tanshi I, Obitte BC, Monadjem A, Rossiter SJ, Fisher‐Phelps M, Kingston T. Multiple dimensions of biodiversity in paleotropical hotspots reveal comparable bat diversity. Biotropica 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.13143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Iroro Tanshi
- Department of Biological Sciences Texas Tech University Lubbock Texas USA
- Department of Biology University of Washington Seattle Washington USA
- Department of Animal and Environmental Biology University of Benin Benin City Nigeria
- Small Mammal Conservation Organization Benin City Nigeria
| | - Benneth C. Obitte
- Department of Biological Sciences Texas Tech University Lubbock Texas USA
- Small Mammal Conservation Organization Benin City Nigeria
| | - Ara Monadjem
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Eswatini Kwaluseni Eswatini
- Department of Zoology & Entomology, Mammal Research Institute University of Pretoria Hatfield South Africa
| | - Stephen J. Rossiter
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences Queen Mary University of London London UK
| | - Marina Fisher‐Phelps
- Department of Biological Sciences Texas Tech University Lubbock Texas USA
- National Audubon Society Dallas Texas USA
| | - Tigga Kingston
- Department of Biological Sciences Texas Tech University Lubbock Texas USA
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Stowe HE, Michaud JP, Kim TN. Resource amount and discontinuity influence flight and reproduction in
Hippodamia convergens
(Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah E. Stowe
- Department of Entomology Kansas State University Manhattan Kansas USA
| | - J. P. Michaud
- Department of Entomology Kansas State University, Agricultural Research Center—Hays Hays Kansas USA
| | - Tania N. Kim
- Department of Entomology Kansas State University Manhattan Kansas USA
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Aylen O, Bishop PJ, bin Haji Abd Wahab R, Grafe TU. Effectiveness of acoustic lures for increasing tropical forest understory bat captures. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8775. [PMID: 35386871 PMCID: PMC8969924 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Bats are the most diverse mammalian order second to rodents, with 1400+ species globally. In the tropics, it is possible to find more than 60 bat species at a single site. However, monitoring bats is challenging due to their small size, ability to fly, cryptic nature, and nocturnal activity. Recently, bioacoustic techniques have been incorporated into survey methods, either through passive acoustic monitoring or acoustic bat lures. Lures have been developed on the premise that broadcasting acoustic stimuli increases the number of captures in harp traps or mist nets. However, this is a relatively new, niche method. This study tested the efficacy of two commonly used acoustic bat lure devices, broadcasting two different acoustic stimuli, to increase forest understory bat captures in the tropics. This is the first time an acoustic bat lure has been systematically tested in a tropical rainforest, and the first study to compare two lure devices (Sussex AutoBat and Apodemus BatLure). Using a paired experimental design, two synthesized acoustic stimuli were broadcasted, a feeding call and a social call, to understand the importance of the call type used on capture rates and genus‐specific responses. Using an acoustic lure significantly increased capture rates, while the type of device did not impact capture rates. The two acoustic stimuli had an almost even distribution of captures, suggesting that the type of call may be less important than previously thought. Results indicate a possible deterrent effect on Rhinolophous sp., while being particularly effective for attracting bats in the genera Murina and Kerivoula. This study highlights the effectiveness of lures, however, also indicates that lure effects can vary across genera. Therefore, lures may bias survey results by altering the species composition of bats caught. Future research should focus on a single species or genus, using synthesized calls of conspecifics, to fully understand the effect of lures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Aylen
- Department of Zoology University of Otago Dunedin New Zealand
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES) University of New South Wales Sydney Australia
| | | | - Rodzay bin Haji Abd Wahab
- Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research Universiti Brunei Darussalam Gadong Brunei Darussalam
| | - T. Ulmar Grafe
- Faculty of Science Universiti Brunei Darussalam Gadong Brunei Darussalam
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Hazard QCK, Sabino-Pinto J, López-Baucells A, Farneda FZ, Meyer CFJ, Rocha R. Reproductive phenologies of phyllostomid bats in the Central Amazon. Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00242-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Cappelle J, Furey N, Hoem T, Ou TP, Lim T, Hul V, Heng O, Chevalier V, Dussart P, Duong V. Longitudinal monitoring in Cambodia suggests higher circulation of alpha and betacoronaviruses in juvenile and immature bats of three species. Sci Rep 2021; 11:24145. [PMID: 34921180 PMCID: PMC8683416 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03169-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that coronaviruses circulate widely in Southeast Asian bat species and that the progenitors of the SARS-Cov-2 virus could have originated in rhinolophid bats in the region. Our objective was to assess the diversity and circulation patterns of coronavirus in several bat species in Southeast Asia. We undertook monthly live-capture sessions and sampling in Cambodia over 17 months to cover all phases of the annual reproduction cycle of bats and test specifically the association between their age and CoV infection status. We additionally examined current information on the reproductive phenology of Rhinolophus and other bat species presently known to occur in mainland southeast China, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Results from our longitudinal monitoring (573 bats belonging to 8 species) showed an overall proportion of positive PCR tests for CoV of 4.2% (24/573) in cave-dwelling bats from Kampot and 4.75% (22/463) in flying-foxes from Kandal. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the PCR amplicon sequences of CoVs (n = 46) obtained clustered in Alphacoronavirus and Betacoronavirus. Interestingly, Hipposideros larvatus sensu lato harbored viruses from both genera. Our results suggest an association between positive detections of coronaviruses and juvenile and immature bats in Cambodia (OR = 3.24 [1.46-7.76], p = 0.005). Since the limited data presently available from literature review indicates that reproduction is largely synchronized among rhinolophid and hipposiderid bats in our study region, particularly in its more seasonal portions (above 16° N), this may lead to seasonal patterns in CoV circulation. Overall, our study suggests that surveillance of CoV in insectivorous bat species in Southeast Asia, including SARS-CoV-related coronaviruses in rhinolophid bats, could be targeted from June to October for species exhibiting high proportions of juveniles and immatures during these months. It also highlights the need to develop long-term longitudinal surveys of bats and improve our understanding of their ecology in the region, for both biodiversity conservation and public health reasons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Cappelle
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE (Animal, Santé, Territoires, Risques, Ecosystèmes), TA A 117/E, Campus International de Baillarguet, 34398, Montpellier CEDEX 5, France.
- ASTRE, CIRAD, INRAE, Univ Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
| | - Neil Furey
- Harrison Institute, Sevenoaks, Kent, England
- Fauna and Flora International, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Thavry Hoem
- Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Institut Pasteur International Network, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Tey Putita Ou
- Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Institut Pasteur International Network, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Thona Lim
- Free the Bears, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Vibol Hul
- Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Institut Pasteur International Network, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE: Aix-Marseille Univ-IRD 190-Inserm 1207), Marseille, France
| | - Oudam Heng
- Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Institut Pasteur International Network, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Véronique Chevalier
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE (Animal, Santé, Territoires, Risques, Ecosystèmes), TA A 117/E, Campus International de Baillarguet, 34398, Montpellier CEDEX 5, France
- ASTRE, CIRAD, INRAE, Univ Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Institut Pasteur International Network, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Philippe Dussart
- Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Institut Pasteur International Network, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Institut Pasteur International Network, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Veasna Duong
- Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Institut Pasteur International Network, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
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Kusuminda T, Mannakkara A, Gamage R, Patterson BD, Yapa WB. Roosting ecology of insectivorous bats in a tropical agricultural landscape. MAMMALIA 2021. [DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2021-0056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Bats spend more than half of their life in roosts, where key life events transpire. Therefore the availability and selection of roosts are important to bats everywhere, and may limit their ability to exploit every habitat, including agricultural landscapes such as paddy fields, orchards and tea plantations. This study aimed to investigate the day roosts used by insectivorous bat species in tea plantations of Sri Lanka. We surveyed 18 tea plantations where we recorded a total of 44 roosts involving five families and nine species of bats (Hipposideros galeritus, Hipposideros lankadiva, Hipposideros speoris, Rhinolophus beddomei, Rhinolophus rouxii, Megaderma spasma, Pipistrellus ceylonicus, Pipistrellus coromandra and Miniopterus cf. fuliginosus). Most (26) of the recorded roosts were geomorphic, (11) were anthropogenic, and (7) were in vegetation. H. lankadiva and M. cf. fuliginosus are the only species known to roost exclusively in geomorphic roosts; all others were opportunistic. Although protecting bat roosts is crucial for their conservation, it is challenging in view of existing tea management practices. Therefore, natural roosts should be maintained and protected. The introduction of artificial roosts might increase the number of bats able to forage over tea plantations and maximize their consumption of agricultural pests, thereby increasing tea production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tharaka Kusuminda
- Department of Agricultural Biology, Faculty of Agriculture , University of Ruhuna , Kamburupitiya , 81100 , Sri Lanka
| | - Amani Mannakkara
- Department of Agricultural Biology, Faculty of Agriculture , University of Ruhuna , Kamburupitiya , 81100 , Sri Lanka
| | - Rajika Gamage
- Tea Research Institute , Talawakelle , 22100 , Sri Lanka
| | - Bruce D. Patterson
- Negaunee Integrative Research Center, Field Museum of Natural History , Chicago , IL , USA
| | - Wipula B. Yapa
- Department of Zoology and Environment Sciences, Faculty of Science , University of Colombo , Colombo , Sri Lanka
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11
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Lee KEM, Lum WHD, Coleman JL. Ecological impacts of the LED-streetlight retrofit on insectivorous bats in Singapore. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0247900. [PMID: 34038438 PMCID: PMC8153503 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cities around the world are transitioning to more efficient lighting schemes, especially retrofitting traditional, high-pressure sodium (HPS) streetlights with light-emitting diode (LED) lights. Although these initiatives aim to address the problems of urban sustainability and save money, the ecological impacts of these retrofits remain poorly understood, especially in brightly lit cities and in the tropics, where urbanisation is most rapid. We performed an experimental study of the retrofit in Singapore-focusing on insectivorous bats, whose activity we monitored acoustically along paired control (HPS-lit) and treatment (LED-lit) streets. We recorded seven species along these streets, but only obtained enough recordings to measure the effect of light type for three of them-all of which can reasonably be described as urban adapters. The strongest predictor of bat activity (an index of habitat use) was rainfall-it has a positive effect. Light type did not influence bat activity or species composition of the bat assemblage along these streets, though it did interact with the effects of rainfall and traffic noise for one bat species. Ultimately, the retrofit may be ecologically meaningless to urban-adapted, tropical insectivores that already experience high levels of light pollution as they do in Singapore. However, while our findings may appear reassuring to those concerned with such retrofits in other tropical and/or brightly-lit cities, they also highlight the contextual nature of ecological impacts. We point out that they should not be prematurely generalised to other locales and systems. In particular, they do not imply no impact on species that are less urban-adapted, and there is a clear need for further studies, for example, on responses of other foraging guilds and of bats (and insects) throughout the tropics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Ee Meng Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - W. H. Deon Lum
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Joanna L. Coleman
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
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12
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Using mounting, orientation, and design to improve bat box thermodynamics in a northern temperate environment. Sci Rep 2021; 11:7728. [PMID: 33833318 PMCID: PMC8032723 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87327-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Wildlife managers design artificial structures, such as bird houses and bat boxes, to provide alternative nesting and roosting sites that aid wildlife conservation. However, artificial structures for wildlife may not be equally efficient at all sites due to varying climate or habitat characteristics influencing thermal properties. For example, bat boxes are a popular measure employed to provide compensatory or supplementary roost sites for bats and educate the public. Yet, bat boxes are often thermally unstable or too cold to fulfill reproductive females needs in northern temperate environments. To help improve the thermodynamics of bat boxes, we tested the effect of (1) three mountings, (2) four orientations, and (3) twelve bat box designs on the internal temperature of bat boxes. We recorded temperatures in bat boxes across a climate gradient at seven sites in Quebec, Canada. Bat boxes mounted on buildings had warmer microclimates at night than those on poles and those facing east warmed sooner in the morning than those facing west or south. Our best new model based on passive solar architecture (Ncube PH1) increased the time in the optimal temperature range (22–40 °C) of targeted species by up to 13% compared to the most commonly used model (Classic 4-chamber) when mounted on a building with an east orientation (other designs presented in the Supplementary Information). Based on bioenergetic models, we estimated that bats saved up to 8% of their daily energy using the Ncube PH1 compared to the Classic 4-chamber when mounted on a building with an east orientation. We demonstrate that the use of energy-saving concepts from architecture can improve the thermal performance of bat boxes and potentially other wildlife structures as well.
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Boyle WA, Shogren EH, Brawn JD. Hygric Niches for Tropical Endotherms. Trends Ecol Evol 2020; 35:938-952. [PMID: 32693967 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2020.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Biotic selective pressures dominate explanations for the evolutionary ecology of tropical endotherms. Yet, abiotic factors, principally precipitation regimes, shape biogeographical and phenological patterns in tropical regions. Despite its importance, we lack a framework for understanding when, why, and how rain affects endotherms. Here, we review how tropical birds and mammals respond to rain at individual, population, and community levels, and propose a conceptual framework to interpret divergent responses. Diverse direct and indirect mechanisms underlie responses to rainfall, including physiological, top-down, and food-related drivers. Our framework constitutes a roadmap for the empirical studies required to understand the consequences of rainfall variability. Identifying the patterns and mechanisms underpinning responses to temporal variation in precipitation is crucial to anticipate consequences of anthropogenic climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Alice Boyle
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA.
| | - Elsie H Shogren
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Jeffrey D Brawn
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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14
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Bat Ensembles Differ in Response to Use Zones in a Tropical Biosphere Reserve. DIVERSITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/d12020060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Biosphere reserves, designated under The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) Man and Biosphere Programme, aim to sustainably integrate protected areas into the biological and economic landscape around them by buffering strictly protected habitats with zones of limited use. However, the effectiveness of biosphere reserves and the contribution of the different zones of use to protection is poorly known. We assessed the diversity and activity of bats in the Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve (CRBR) in Sabah, Malaysia, using harp traps, mist nets and acoustic surveys in each zone—core, buffer, transition and in agricultural plots outside of the reserve. We captured 30 species, bringing the known bat fauna of CRBR to 50 species, half of Borneo’s bat species. Species composition and acoustic activity varied among zones and by foraging ensemble, with the core and buffer showing particular importance for conserving forest-dependent insectivorous bats. Frugivorous bats were found in all zones but were the most abundant and most species-rich ensemble within agricultural sites. Although sampling was limited, bat diversity and activity was low in the transition zone compared to other zones, indicating potential for management practices that increase food availability and enhance biodiversity value. We conclude that, collectively, the zones of the CRBR effectively protect diversity, but the value of the transition zone can be improved.
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Frick WF, Kingston T, Flanders J. A review of the major threats and challenges to global bat conservation. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2019; 1469:5-25. [PMID: 30937915 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 187] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2018] [Revised: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Bats are an ecologically and taxonomically diverse group accounting for roughly a fifth of mammalian diversity worldwide. Many of the threats bats face (e.g., habitat loss, bushmeat hunting, and climate change) reflect the conservation challenges of our era. However, compared to other mammals and birds, we know significantly less about the population status of most bat species, which makes prioritizing and planning conservation actions challenging. Over a third of bat species assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) are considered threatened or data deficient, and well over half of the species have unknown or decreasing population trends. That equals 988 species, or 80% of bats assessed by IUCN, needing conservation or research attention. Delivering conservation to bat species will require sustained efforts to assess population status and trends and address data deficiencies. Successful bat conservation must integrate research and conservation to identify stressors and their solutions and to test the efficacy of actions to stabilize or increase populations. Global and regional networks that connect researchers, conservation practitioners, and local stakeholders to share knowledge, build capacity, and prioritize and coordinate research and conservation efforts, are vital to ensuring sustainable bat populations worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winifred F Frick
- Bat Conservation International, Austin, Texas.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California
| | - Tigga Kingston
- Department of Biological Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
| | - Jon Flanders
- Bat Conservation International, Austin, Texas.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
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Gorresen PM, Brinck KW, DeLisle MA, Montoya-Aiona K, Pinzari CA, Bonaccorso FJ. Multi-state occupancy models of foraging habitat use by the Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus). PLoS One 2018; 13:e0205150. [PMID: 30379835 PMCID: PMC6209161 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Multi-state occupancy modeling can often improve assessments of habitat use and site quality when animal activity or behavior data are available. We examine the use of the approach for evaluating foraging habitat suitability of the endangered Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus) from classifications of site occupancy based on flight activity levels and feeding behavior. In addition, we used data from separate visual and auditory sources, namely thermal videography and acoustic (echolocation) detectors, jointly deployed at sample sites to compare the effectiveness of each method in the context of occupancy modeling. Video-derived observations demonstrated higher and more accurate estimates of the prevalence of high bat flight activity and feeding events than acoustic sampling methods. Elevated levels of acoustic activity by Hawaiian hoary bats were found to be related primarily to beetle biomass in this study. The approach may have a variety of applications in bat research, including inference about species-resource relationships, habitat quality and the extent to which species intensively use areas for activities such as foraging.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. Marcos Gorresen
- Hawai‘i Cooperative Studies Unit, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, Hilo, Hawai‘i, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Kevin W. Brinck
- Hawai‘i Cooperative Studies Unit, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, Hilo, Hawai‘i, United States of America
| | - Megan A. DeLisle
- Hawai‘i Cooperative Studies Unit, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, Hilo, Hawai‘i, United States of America
| | - Kristina Montoya-Aiona
- U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, Hawaii National Park, Hawai‘i, United States of America
| | - Corinna A. Pinzari
- Hawai‘i Cooperative Studies Unit, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, Hilo, Hawai‘i, United States of America
| | - Frank J. Bonaccorso
- U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, Hawaii National Park, Hawai‘i, United States of America
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Reproductive Ecology of Wrinkle-Lipped Free-Tailed Bats Chaerephon plicatus (Buchannan, 1800) in Relation to Guano Production in Cambodia. DIVERSITY 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/d10030091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Wildlife populations in Southeast Asia are subject to increasing pressure from climate change, habitat loss and human disturbance. Cave-roosting bats are particularly vulnerable to all three factors. Because of the ecological services they provide, it is important to assess specific vulnerabilities to inform their conservation management. We evaluated the reproductive phenology and body condition of Chaerephon plicatus for 14 months in 2015–2016 and quantified guano harvesting at the largest colony in Cambodia in 2011–2016. As in Thailand and Myanmar, two annual breeding cycles were recorded, characterized as continuous bimodal polyoestry, with parturition primarily occurring in April and October. Significant declines occurred in body condition between the late wet season and the late dry season, suggesting that bats experience increasing energetic stress as the dry season progresses. Annual guano harvests increased over the study period but could not be used as a proxy for monitoring population size due to the loss of unknown amounts during the wet season and unquantified movements of bats between C. plicatus colonies in the region. We recommend studies to determine the scale and drivers of such movements and creation of sustainable guano harvesting and population monitoring initiatives to ensure the conservation of C. plicatus colonies in Cambodia.
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Assemblage and Species Threshold Responses to Environmental and Disturbance Gradients Shape Bat Diversity in Disturbed Cave Landscapes. DIVERSITY 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/d10030055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Murray SW, Khan FAA, Kingston T, Zubaid A, Campbell P. A New Species in the Hipposideros bicolor Group (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae) from Peninsular Malaysia. ACTA CHIROPTEROLOGICA 2018. [DOI: 10.3161/15081109acc2018.20.1.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Susan W. Murray
- Center for Ecology and Conservation Biology, Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston MA 02215, USA
| | - Faisal A. A. Khan
- Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Tigga Kingston
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock TX 79409, USA
| | - Akbar Zubaid
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Polly Campbell
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater OK 74078, USA
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