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Turbill C, Walker M, Boardman W, Martin JM, McKeown A, Meade J, Welbergen JA. Torpor use in the wild by one of the world's largest bats. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20241137. [PMID: 38981525 PMCID: PMC11335021 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.1137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Torpor is widespread among bats presumably because most species are small, and torpor greatly reduces their high mass-specific resting energy expenditure, especially in the cold. Torpor has not been recorded in any bat species larger than 50 g, yet in theory could be beneficial even in the world's largest bats (flying-foxes; Pteropus spp.) that are exposed to adverse environmental conditions causing energy bottlenecks. We used temperature telemetry to measure body temperature in wild-living adult male grey-headed flying-foxes (P. poliocephalus; 799 g) during winter in southern Australia. We found that all individuals used torpor while day-roosting, with minimum body temperature reaching 27°C. Torpor was recorded following a period of cool, wet and windy weather, and on a day with the coldest maximum air temperature, suggesting it is an adaptation to reduce energy expenditure during periods of increased thermoregulatory costs and depleted body energy stores. A capacity for torpor among flying-foxes has implications for understanding their distribution, behavioural ecology and life history. Furthermore, our discovery increases the body mass of bats known to use torpor by more than tenfold and extends the documented use of this energy-saving strategy under wild conditions to all bat superfamilies, with implications for the evolutionary maintenance of torpor among bats and other mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Turbill
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Science, Western Sydney University, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Melissa Walker
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Wayne Boardman
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, South Australia, Australia
| | - John M. Martin
- Taronga Conservation Society, Mosman, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Adam McKeown
- CSIRO Land & Water, Atherton, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jessica Meade
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Justin A. Welbergen
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia
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Baranowski K, Bharti N. Habitat loss for black flying foxes and implications for Hendra virus. LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY 2023; 38:1605-1618. [PMID: 37229480 PMCID: PMC10073794 DOI: 10.1007/s10980-023-01642-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Context Environmental change impacts natural ecosystems and wildlife populations. In Australia, native forests have been heavily cleared and the local emergence of Hendra virus (HeV) has been linked to land-use change, winter habitat loss, and changing bat behavior. Objectives We quantified changes in landscape factors for black flying foxes (Pteropus alecto), a reservoir host of HeV, in sub-tropical Queensland, Australia from 2000-2020. We hypothesized that native winter habitat loss and native remnant forest loss were greatest in areas with the most human population growth. Methods We measured the spatiotemporal change in human population size and native 'remnant' woody vegetation extent. We assessed changes in the observed P. alecto population and native winter habitats in bioregions where P. alecto are observed roosting in winter. We assessed changes in the amount of remnant vegetation across bioregions and within 50 km foraging buffers around roosts. Results Human populations in these bioregions grew by 1.18 M people, mostly within 50 km foraging areas around roosts. Remnant forest extent decreased overall, but regrowth was observed when policy restricted vegetation clearing. Winter habitats were continuously lost across all spatial scales. Observed roost counts of P. alecto declined. Conclusion Native remnant forest loss and winter habitat loss were not directly linked to spatial human population growth. Rather, most remnant vegetation was cleared for indirect human use. We observed forest loss and regrowth in response to state land clearing policies. Expanded flying fox population surveys will help better understand how land-use change has impacted P. alecto distribution and Hendra virus spillover. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10980-023-01642-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsee Baranowski
- Department of Biology, Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA USA
| | - Nita Bharti
- Department of Biology, Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA USA
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Nicolson SW. Sweet solutions: nectar chemistry and quality. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2022; 377:20210163. [PMID: 35491604 PMCID: PMC9058545 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2021.0163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Nectar, the main floral reward for pollinators, varies greatly in composition and concentration. The assumption that nectar quality is equivalent to its sugar (energy) concentration is too simple. Diverse non-sugar components, especially amino acids and secondary metabolites, play various roles in nutrition and health of pollinators. Many nectar compounds have indirect effects by altering the foraging behaviour of pollinators or protecting them from disease. This review also emphasizes the water component of nectar, often ignored because of evaporative losses and difficulties in sampling small nectar volumes. Nectar properties vary with environmental factors, pollinator visits and microbial contamination. Pollination mutualisms depend on the ability of insect and vertebrate pollinators to cope with and benefit from the variation and diversity in nectar chemistry. This article is part of the theme issue 'Natural processes influencing pollinator health: from chemistry to landscapes'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan W. Nicolson
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
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Baranowski K, Faust C, Eby P, Bharti N. Quantifying the impacts of Australian bushfires on native forests and gray-headed flying foxes. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
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Stojanovic D, McEvoy J, Alves F, Rayner L, Heinsohn R, Saunders D, Webb M. Parental care does not compensate for the effects of bad years on reproductive success of a vagile bird. J Zool (1987) 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- D. Stojanovic
- Fenner School of Environment and Society Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
| | - J. McEvoy
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute National Zoological Park Front Royal VA USA
| | - F. Alves
- Fenner School of Environment and Society Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
| | - L. Rayner
- Fenner School of Environment and Society Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
| | - R. Heinsohn
- Fenner School of Environment and Society Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
| | - D. Saunders
- Fenner School of Environment and Society Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
| | - M. Webb
- Fenner School of Environment and Society Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
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Scaccabarozzi D, Campbell T, Dods K. A simple and effective ground‐based tool for sampling tree flowers at height for subsequent nectar extraction. Methods Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Scaccabarozzi
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences Curtin University Bentley WA Australia
- Department of Biology University of Naples Federico II Naples Italy
- Kings Park Science Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions West Perth WA Australia
| | - Tristan Campbell
- School of Electrical Engineering, Computing and Mathematical Sciences Curtin University Bentley WA Australia
| | - Kenneth Dods
- ChemCentre, Resources and Chemistry Precinct Bentley WA Australia
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Petit S, Stonor MB, Weyland JJ, Gibbs J, Amato B. Camponotus
ants mine sand for vertebrate urine to extract nitrogen. AUSTRAL ECOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Petit
- SCARCE Research Centre; University of South Australia; Mawson Lakes South Australia 5095 Australia
- Kangaroo Island Research Station; Dudley West Penneshaw South Australia Australia
| | - M. Bernard Stonor
- Kangaroo Island Research Station; Dudley West Penneshaw South Australia Australia
| | - John J. Weyland
- SCARCE Research Centre; University of South Australia; Mawson Lakes South Australia 5095 Australia
| | - Joan Gibbs
- SCARCE Research Centre; University of South Australia; Mawson Lakes South Australia 5095 Australia
- Kangaroo Island Research Station; Dudley West Penneshaw South Australia Australia
| | - Bianca Amato
- SCARCE Research Centre; University of South Australia; Mawson Lakes South Australia 5095 Australia
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Crates R, Terauds A, Rayner L, Stojanovic D, Heinsohn R, Ingwersen D, Webb M. An occupancy approach to monitoring regent honeyeaters. J Wildl Manage 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ross Crates
- Fenner School; Australian National University; Canberra 2601 Australia
| | - Aleks Terauds
- Fenner School; Australian National University; Canberra 2601 Australia
| | - Laura Rayner
- Fenner School; Australian National University; Canberra 2601 Australia
| | - Dejan Stojanovic
- Fenner School; Australian National University; Canberra 2601 Australia
| | - Robert Heinsohn
- Fenner School; Australian National University; Canberra 2601 Australia
| | | | - Matthew Webb
- Fenner School; Australian National University; Canberra 2601 Australia
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Butt N, Seabrook L, Maron M, Law BS, Dawson TP, Syktus J, McAlpine CA. Cascading effects of climate extremes on vertebrate fauna through changes to low-latitude tree flowering and fruiting phenology. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2015; 21:3267-77. [PMID: 25605302 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.12869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2014] [Accepted: 01/06/2015] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Forest vertebrate fauna provide critical services, such as pollination and seed dispersal, which underpin functional and resilient ecosystems. In turn, many of these fauna are dependent on the flowering phenology of the plant species of such ecosystems. The impact of changes in climate, including climate extremes, on the interaction between these fauna and flora has not been identified or elucidated, yet influences on flowering phenology are already evident. These changes are well documented in the mid to high latitudes. However, there is emerging evidence that the flowering phenology, nectar/pollen production, and fruit production of long-lived trees in tropical and subtropical forests are also being impacted by changes in the frequency and severity of climate extremes. Here, we examine the implications of these changes for vertebrate fauna dependent on these resources. We review the literature to establish evidence for links between climate extremes and flowering phenology, elucidating the nature of relationships between different vertebrate taxa and flowering regimes. We combine this information with climate change projections to postulate about the likely impacts on nectar, pollen and fruit resource availability and the consequences for dependent vertebrate fauna. The most recent climate projections show that the frequency and intensity of climate extremes will increase during the 21st century. These changes are likely to significantly alter mass flowering and fruiting events in the tropics and subtropics, which are frequently cued by climate extremes, such as intensive rainfall events or rapid temperature shifts. We find that in these systems the abundance and duration of resource availability for vertebrate fauna is likely to fluctuate, and the time intervals between episodes of high resource availability to increase. The combined impact of these changes has the potential to result in cascading effects on ecosystems through changes in pollinator and seed dispersal ecology, and demands a focused research effort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Butt
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions and School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Qld, 4072, Australia
| | - Leonie Seabrook
- School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Qld, 4072, Australia
| | - Martine Maron
- School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Qld, 4072, Australia
| | - Bradley S Law
- Forest Science Unit, NSW Primary Industries, Locked Bag 5123, Parramatta, NSW, 2124, Australia
| | - Terence P Dawson
- School of the Environment, University of Dundee, Perth Rd, Dundee, DD1 4HN, UK
| | - Jozef Syktus
- School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Qld, 4072, Australia
- Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, Qld, 4102, Australia
| | - Clive A McAlpine
- School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Qld, 4072, Australia
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Sharpe DJ, Goldingay RL. Population ecology of the nectar-feeding squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) in remnant forest in subtropical Australia. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2010. [DOI: 10.1071/wr09051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context. Nectar is a temporally variable food resource. However, because few studies describe the population dynamics of nectar-feeding non-flying mammals, it is unclear how such populations are influenced by resource availability.
Aims. We investigated the population ecology of the squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) in remnant forest in Brisbane, Australia, where nectar was a dominant food item.
Methods. We used 36 tree-mounted traps to census a squirrel glider population inhabiting a 47-ha urban remnant over a 4-year period.
Key results. A total of 201 gliders was captured 705 times in 3729 trap-nights (19% trap success). Population density peaked in the first year at ~1.6 individuals ha–1, and declined down to ~0.5 individuals ha–1 by the final year. This change in population density appeared to be mediated by annual variation in flowering intensity. Births occurred from March to November, peaking between April and July. All females >1 year old bred in each year of the study, with a mean litter size of 1.7 (n = 122). The overall natality rate was 1.9, indicating that females occasionally bred twice per year. The sex ratio was at parity in the pouch and in the trappable population. Gliders first entered the trappable population at 4 months of age, and persisted for a mean of 32 months. The maximum longevity was at least 6 years.
Conclusions. The demographic characteristics of this squirrel glider population within remnant forest surrounded by urban development were similar to those reported elsewhere. Variation in nectar availability appears to have a substantial influence on the dynamics of squirrel glider populations.
Implications. The substantial variation in population size driven by food availability raises concerns regarding the viability of small populations of nectarivorous non-flying mammals inhabiting remnant habitat.
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