1
|
Schneider WT, Holland RA, Keišs O, Lindecke O. Migratory bats are sensitive to magnetic inclination changes during the compass calibration period. Biol Lett 2023; 19:20230181. [PMID: 38016643 PMCID: PMC10684344 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2023.0181] [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: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The Earth's magnetic field is used as a navigational cue by many animals. For mammals, however, there are few data to show that navigation ability relies on sensing the natural magnetic field. In night-time migrating bats, experiments demonstrating a role for the solar azimuth at sunset in the calibration of the orientation system suggest that the magnetic field is a candidate for their compass. Here, we investigated how an altered magnetic field at sunset changes the nocturnal orientation of the bat Pipistrellus pygmaeus. We exposed bats to either the natural magnetic field, a horizontally shifted field (120°), or the same shifted field combined with a reversal of the natural value of inclination (70° to -70°). We later released the bats and found that the take-off orientation differed among all treatments. Bats that were exposed to the 120° shift were unimodally oriented northwards in contrast to controls which exhibited a bimodal north-south distribution. Surprisingly, the orientation of bats exposed to both a 120° shift and reverse inclination was indistinguishable from a uniform distribution. These results suggest that these migratory bats calibrate the magnetic field at sunset, and for the first time, they show that bats are sensitive to the angle of magnetic inclination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Richard A. Holland
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Oskars Keišs
- Laboratory of Ornithology, Institute of Biology, University of Latvia, Rīga LV–1004, Latvia
| | - Oliver Lindecke
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK
- Institute of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Carl-von-Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Oldenburg 26129, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hex SBSW, Tombak K, Rubenstein DI. A new classification of mammalian uni-male multi-female groups based on the fundamental principles governing inter- and intrasexual relationships. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-021-03046-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
3
|
Vine C, Teeling EC, Smith M, Corton C, Oliver K, Skelton J, Betteridge E, Doulcan J, Quail MA, McCarthy SA, Howe K, Torrance J, Wood J, Pelan S, Sims Y, Challis R, Threlfall J, Mead D, Blaxter M. The genome sequence of the common pipistrelle, Pipistrellus pipistrellus Schreber 1774. Wellcome Open Res 2021. [DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16895.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We present a genome assembly from an individual female Pipistrellus pipistrellus (the common pipistrelle; Chordata; Mammalia; Chiroptera; Vespertilionidae). The genome sequence is 1.76 gigabases in span. The majority of the assembly is scaffolded into 21 chromosomal pseudomolecules, with the X sex chromosome assembled.
Collapse
|
4
|
Tracing the geographic origin of common pipistrelles (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) swarming at a mass hibernaculum. Mamm Biol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-020-00057-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
|
5
|
Centeno‐Cuadros A, Razgour O, García‐Mudarra JL, Mingo‐Casas P, Sandonís V, Redondo A, Ibáñez C, Paz O, Martinez‐Alós S, Pérez Suarez G, Echevarría JE, Juste J. Comparative phylogeography and asymmetric hybridization between cryptic bat species. J ZOOL SYST EVOL RES 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Orly Razgour
- Biological Sciences University of Southampton Southampton UK
| | | | | | | | - Adrián Redondo
- Departmento de Ecología Evolutiva Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC) Sevilla Spain
| | - Carlos Ibáñez
- Departmento de Ecología Evolutiva Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC) Sevilla Spain
| | - Oscar Paz
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida, Facultad de Ciencias Universidad de Alcalá Alcalá de Henares, Madrid Spain
| | - Susana Martinez‐Alós
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida, Facultad de Ciencias Universidad de Alcalá Alcalá de Henares, Madrid Spain
| | - Gonzalo Pérez Suarez
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida, Facultad de Ciencias Universidad de Alcalá Alcalá de Henares, Madrid Spain
| | - Juan E. Echevarría
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III Majadahonda, Madrid Spain
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, CIBERESP Madrid Spain
| | - Javier Juste
- Departmento de Ecología Evolutiva Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC) Sevilla Spain
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, CIBERESP Madrid Spain
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Spatiotemporal pattern in the autumn invasion behaviour of the common pipistrelle, Pipistrellus pipistrellus: Review with a case study. Mamm Biol 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2019.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
7
|
Lindecke O, Elksne A, Holland RA, Pētersons G, Voigt CC. Orientation and flight behaviour identify the Soprano pipistrelle as a migratory bat species at the Baltic Sea coast. J Zool (1987) 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- O. Lindecke
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research Berlin Germany
- Institute of Biology Freie Universität Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - A. Elksne
- Institute of Biology University of Latvia Salaspils Latvia
| | - R. A. Holland
- School of Biological Sciences Bangor University Bangor UK
| | - G. Pētersons
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies Jelgava Latvia
| | - C. C. Voigt
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research Berlin Germany
- Institute of Biology Freie Universität Berlin Berlin Germany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Chaverri G, Ancillotto L, Russo D. Social communication in bats. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2018; 93:1938-1954. [PMID: 29766650 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Revised: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Bats represent one of the most diverse mammalian orders, not only in terms of species numbers, but also in their ecology and life histories. Many species are known to use ephemeral and/or unpredictable resources that require substantial investment to find and defend, and also engage in social interactions, thus requiring significant levels of social coordination. To accomplish these tasks, bats must be able to communicate; there is now substantial evidence that demonstrates the complexity of bat communication and the varied ways in which bats solve some of the problems associated with their unique life histories. However, while the study of communication in bats is rapidly growing, it still lags behind other taxa. Here we provide a comprehensive overview of communication in bats, from the reasons why they communicate to the diversity and application of different signal modalities. The most widespread form of communication is the transmission of a signaller's characteristics, such as species identity, sex, individual identity, group membership, social status and body condition, and because many species of bats can rely little on vision due to their nocturnal lifestyles, it is assumed that sound and olfaction are particularly important signalling modes. For example, research suggests that secretions from specialized glands, often in combination with urine and saliva, are responsible for species recognition in several species. These olfactory signals may also convey information about sex and colony membership. Olfaction may be used in combination with sound, particularly in species that emit constant frequency (CF) echolocation calls, to recognize conspecifics from heterospecifics, yet their simple structure and high frequency do not allow much information of individual identity to be conveyed over long distances. By contrast, social calls may encode a larger number of cues of individual identity, and their lower frequencies increase their range of detection. Social calls are also known to deter predators, repel competitors from foraging patches, attract group mates to roost sites, coordinate foraging activities, and are used during courtship. In addition to sound, visual displays such as wing flapping or hovering may be used during courtship, and swarming around roost sites may serve as a visual cue of roost location. However, visual communication in bats still remains a poorly studied signal modality. Finally, the most common form of tactile communication known in bats is social grooming, which may be used to signal reproductive condition, but also to facilitate and strengthen cooperative interactions. Overall, this review demonstrates the rapid advances made in the study of bat social communication during recent years, and also identifies topics that require further study, particularly those that may allow us to understand adaptation to rapidly changing environmental conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gloriana Chaverri
- Recinto de Golfito, Universidad de Costa Rica, Golfito, 60701, Costa Rica
| | - Leonardo Ancillotto
- Wildlife Research Unit, Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Università 100, Portici NA 80055, Italy
| | - Danilo Russo
- Wildlife Research Unit, Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Università 100, Portici NA 80055, Italy.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, U.K
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Nusová G, šemeláková M, paučulovÁ L, Uhrin M, Kañuch P. Haplotype diversity in common pipistrelle’s mass hibernacula from central Europe. Biologia (Bratisl) 2017. [DOI: 10.1515/biolog-2017-0061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
|
10
|
Investigating Hybridization between the Two Sibling Bat Species Myotis myotis and M. blythii from Guano in a Natural Mixed Maternity Colony. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0170534. [PMID: 28199337 PMCID: PMC5310717 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0170534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Because they can form seasonal mixed-species groups during mating and maternal care, bats are exciting models for studying interspecific hybridization. Myotis myotis and M. blythii are genetically close and morphologically almost identical, but they differ in some aspects of their ecology and life-history traits. When they occur in sympatry, they often form large mixed maternity colonies, in which their relative abundance can vary across time due to a shift in the timing of parturition. For the first time, we used non-invasive genetic methods to assess the hybridization rate and colony composition in a maternity colony of M. myotis and M. blythii located in the French Alps. Bat guano was collected on five sampling dates spread across the roost occupancy period and was analysed for individual genotype. We investigated whether the presence of hybrids followed the pattern of one of the parental species or if it was intermediate. We identified 140 M. myotis, 12 M. blythii and 13 hybrids among 250 samples. Parental species appeared as genetically well-differentiated clusters, with an asymmetrical introgression towards M. blythii. By studying colony parameters (effective size, sex ratio and proportion of the three bat types) across the sampling dates, we found that the abundances of hybrid and M. blythii individuals were positively correlated. Our study provides a promising non-invasive method to study hybridization in bats and raises questions about the taxonomic status of the two Myotis species. We discuss the contribution of this study to the knowledge of hybrid ecology, and we make recommendations for possible future research to better understand the ecology and behaviour of hybrid individuals.
Collapse
|
11
|
Bartoničková L, Reiter A, Bartonička T. Mating and Courtship Behaviour of Two Sibling Bat Species (Pipistrellus pipistrellus, P. pygmaeus) in the Vicinity of a Hibernaculum. ACTA CHIROPTEROLOGICA 2016. [DOI: 10.3161/15081109acc2016.18.2.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
12
|
Voigt-Heucke SL, Zimmer S, Kipper S. Does Interspecific Eavesdropping Promote Aerial Aggregations in European Pipistrelle Bats During Autumn? Ethology 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Silke L. Voigt-Heucke
- Animal Behaviour Group; Institute of Biology; Freie Universität Berlin; Berlin Germany
| | - Stefanie Zimmer
- Animal Behaviour Group; Institute of Biology; Freie Universität Berlin; Berlin Germany
| | - Silke Kipper
- Animal Behaviour Group; Institute of Biology; Freie Universität Berlin; Berlin Germany
- Chair of Zoology; Technische Universität München; Freising Germany
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Naidoo T, Schoeman MC, Goodman SM, Taylor PJ, Lamb JM. Discordance between mitochondrial and nuclear genetic structure in the bat Chaerephon pumilus (Chiroptera: Molossidae) from southern Africa. Mamm Biol 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2015.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
14
|
Bogdanowicz W, Hulva P, Černá Bolfíková B, Buś MM, Rychlicka E, Sztencel-Jabłonka A, Cistrone L, Russo D. Cryptic diversity of Italian bats and the role of the Apennine refugium in the phylogeography of the western Palaearctic. Zool J Linn Soc 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wiesław Bogdanowicz
- Museum and Institute of Zoology; Polish Academy of Sciences; Wilcza 64 00-679 Warszawa Poland
| | - Pavel Hulva
- Department of Zoology; Charles University in Prague; Viničná 7 12843 Prague Czech Republic
- Department of Biology and Ecology; University of Ostrava; Chittussiho 10 71000 Ostrava Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Černá Bolfíková
- Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences; Czech University of Life Sciences Prague; Kamýcká 129 16500 Prague Czech Republic
| | - Magdalena M. Buś
- Museum and Institute of Zoology; Polish Academy of Sciences; Wilcza 64 00-679 Warszawa Poland
| | - Edyta Rychlicka
- Museum and Institute of Zoology; Polish Academy of Sciences; Wilcza 64 00-679 Warszawa Poland
| | - Anna Sztencel-Jabłonka
- Museum and Institute of Zoology; Polish Academy of Sciences; Wilcza 64 00-679 Warszawa Poland
| | - Luca Cistrone
- Forestry and Conservation; Via Botticelli n°14 03043 Cassino Frosinone Italy
| | - Danilo Russo
- Wildlife Research Unit; Laboratorio di Ecologia Applicata; Sezione di Biologia e Protezione dei Sistemi Agrari e Forestali; Dipartimento di Agraria; Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II; via Università, 100 80055 Portici Napoli Italy
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Boston ESM, Puechmaille SJ, Clissmann F, Teeling EC. Further Evidence for Cryptic North-Western Refugia in Europe? Mitochondrial Phylogeography of the Sibling SpeciesPipistrellus pipistrellusandPipistrellus pygmaeus. ACTA CHIROPTEROLOGICA 2014. [DOI: 10.3161/150811014x687233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
16
|
Ancillotto L, Allegrini C, Serangeli MT, Jones G, Russo D. Sociality across species: spatial proximity of newborn bats promotes heterospecific social bonding. Behav Ecol 2014. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/aru193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
|
17
|
Burns LE, Frasier TR, Broders HG. Genetic connectivity among swarming sites in the wide ranging and recently declining little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus). Ecol Evol 2014; 4:4130-49. [PMID: 25505539 PMCID: PMC4242565 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2014] [Revised: 08/29/2014] [Accepted: 09/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Characterizing movement dynamics and spatial aspects of gene flow within a species permits inference on population structuring. As patterns of structuring are products of historical and current demographics and gene flow, assessment of structure through time can yield an understanding of evolutionary dynamics acting on populations that are necessary to inform management. Recent dramatic population declines in hibernating bats in eastern North America from white-nose syndrome have prompted the need for information on movement dynamics for multiple bat species. We characterized population genetic structure of the little brown bat, Myotis lucifugus, at swarming sites in southeastern Canada using 9 nuclear microsatellites and a 292-bp region of the mitochondrial genome. Analyses of F ST, ΦST, and Bayesian clustering (STRUCTURE) found weak levels of genetic structure among swarming sites for the nuclear and mitochondrial genome (Global F ST = 0.001, P < 0.05, Global ΦST = 0.045, P < 0.01, STRUCTURE K = 1) suggesting high contemporary gene flow. Hierarchical AMOVA also suggests little structuring at a regional (provincial) level. Metrics of nuclear genetic structure were not found to differ between males and females suggesting weak asymmetries in gene flow between the sexes. However, a greater degree of mitochondrial structuring does support male-biased dispersal long term. Demographic analyses were consistent with past population growth and suggest a population expansion occurred from approximately 1250 to 12,500 BP, following Pleistocene deglaciation in the region. Our study suggests high gene flow and thus a high degree of connectivity among bats that visit swarming sites whereby mainland areas of the region may be best considered as one large gene pool for management and conservation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lynne E Burns
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Life Sciences Centre 1355 Oxford Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4J1, Canada
| | - Timothy R Frasier
- Department of Biology, Saint Mary's University 923 Robie Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 3C3, Canada
| | - Hugh G Broders
- Department of Biology, Saint Mary's University 923 Robie Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 3C3, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Fornůsková A, Petit EJ, Bartonička T, Kaňuch P, Butet A, Řehák Z, Bryja J. Strong matrilineal structure in common pipistrelle bats (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) is associated with variability in echolocation calls. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/bij.12381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alena Fornůsková
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology; AS CR; Květná 8 603 65 Brno Czech Republic
- Department of Botany and Zoology; Faculty of Science; Masaryk University; Kotlářská 2 611 37 Brno Czech Republic
- UMR CNRS 6553 ECOBIO; Université Rennes 1; Rennes France
| | - Eric J. Petit
- UMR CNRS 6553 ECOBIO; Université Rennes 1; Rennes France
- Ecology and Ecosystem Health; UMR 985 Agrocampus Ouest-Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique; F-35042 Rennes France
| | - Tomáš Bartonička
- Department of Botany and Zoology; Faculty of Science; Masaryk University; Kotlářská 2 611 37 Brno Czech Republic
| | - Peter Kaňuch
- Institute of Forest Ecology SAS; Zvolen Slovakia
| | - Alain Butet
- UMR CNRS 6553 ECOBIO; Université Rennes 1; Rennes France
| | - Zdeněk Řehák
- Department of Botany and Zoology; Faculty of Science; Masaryk University; Kotlářská 2 611 37 Brno Czech Republic
| | - Josef Bryja
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology; AS CR; Květná 8 603 65 Brno Czech Republic
- Department of Botany and Zoology; Faculty of Science; Masaryk University; Kotlářská 2 611 37 Brno Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Herdina AN, Hulva P, Horáček I, Benda P, Mayer C, Hilgers H, Metscher BD. MicroCT Imaging Reveals Morphometric Baculum Differences for Discriminating the Cryptic SpeciesPipistrellus pipistrellusandP. pygmaeus. ACTA CHIROPTEROLOGICA 2014. [DOI: 10.3161/150811014x683372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
20
|
Petersen A, Jensen JK, Jenkins P, Bloch D, Ingimarsson F. A Review of the Occurrence of Bats (Chiroptera) on Islands in the North East Atlantic and on North Sea Installations. ACTA CHIROPTEROLOGICA 2014. [DOI: 10.3161/150811014x683381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
21
|
Kusch J, Schmitz A. Environmental Factors Affecting the Differential use of Foraging Habitat by Three Sympatric Species ofPipistrellus. ACTA CHIROPTEROLOGICA 2013. [DOI: 10.3161/150811013x667858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
22
|
Bogdanowicz W, Lesiński G, Sadkowska-Todys M, Gajewska M, Rutkowski R. Population Genetics and Bat Rabies: A Case Study ofEptesicus serotinusin Poland. ACTA CHIROPTEROLOGICA 2013. [DOI: 10.3161/150811013x667849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
23
|
Bogdanowicz W, Piksa K, Tereba A. Hybridization hotspots at bat swarming sites. PLoS One 2012; 7:e53334. [PMID: 23300912 PMCID: PMC3532499 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0053334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2012] [Accepted: 11/29/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
During late summer and early autumn in temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere, thousands of bats gather at caves, mainly for the purpose of mating. We demonstrated that this swarming behavior most probably leads not only to breeding among bats of the same species but also interbreeding between different species. Using 14 nuclear microsatellites and three different methods (the Bayesian assignment approaches of STRUCTURE and NEWHYBRIDS and a principal coordinate analysis of pairwise genetic distances), we analyzed 375 individuals belonging to three species of whiskered bats (genus Myotis) at swarming sites across their sympatric range in southern Poland. The overall hybridization rate varied from 3.2 to 7.2%. At the species level, depending on the method used, these values ranged from 2.1-4.6% in M. mystacinus and 3.0-3.7% in M. brandtii to 6.5-30.4% in M. alcathoe. Hybrids occurred in about half of the caves we studied. In all three species, the sex ratio of hybrids was biased towards males but the observed differences did not differ statistically from those noted at the population level. In our opinion, factors leading to the formation of these admixed individuals and their relatively high frequency are: i) swarming behaviour at swarming sites, where high numbers of bats belonging to several species meet; ii) male-biased sex ratio during the swarming period; iii) the fact that all these bats are generally polygynous. The highly different population sizes of different species at swarming sites may also play some role. Swarming sites may represent unique hybrid hotspots, which, as there are at least 2,000 caves in the Polish Carpathians alone, may occur on a massive scale not previously observed for any group of mammal species in the wild. Evidently, these sites should be treated as focal points for the conservation of biodiversity and evolutionary processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wiesław Bogdanowicz
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warszawa, Poland.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|