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Rainho A, Ferreira DF, Makori B, Bartonjo M, Repas-Gonçalves M, Kirakou S, Maghuwa F, Webala PW, Tomé R. Guild Vertical Stratification and Drivers of Bat Foraging in a Semi-Arid Tropical Region, Kenya. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1116. [PMID: 37627000 PMCID: PMC10452385 DOI: 10.3390/biology12081116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Africa faces significant challenges in reconciling economic and social development while preserving its natural resources. Little is known about the diverse bat community on the continent, particularly in drier ecosystems. A better understanding of the bat community will help improve and inform the management of these ecosystems. Our study aimed to provide detailed information on the main drivers of bat richness and activity at three different heights above the ground in a semi-arid region of Kenya. We assessed how bat activity varied with space and height using acoustic sampling and complementary methods. We sampled 48 sites at ground level and two sites on meteorological masts at 20 m and 35 m above the ground. We recorded more than 20 bat species, including one species of concern for conservation. Our models showed that the use of space varies with bat guild, creating trade-offs in the variables that affect their activity. Low-flying bat species are mostly associated with habitat variables, whereas high-flying species are more dependent on weather conditions. Our study highlights the richness of bat assemblages in semi-arid environments and emphasizes the need for management measures to protect bat diversity in the face of habitat degradation caused by climate change, land management, and development projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rainho
- cE3c—Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes & CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Diogo F. Ferreira
- CIBIO-InBIO, Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, University of Porto, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
| | - Beryl Makori
- The Pangolin Project, P.O. Box 15156, Langata 00509, Kenya
| | - Michael Bartonjo
- Mammalogy Section, National Museums of Kenya, P.O. Box 40658, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
| | | | - Stanley Kirakou
- Environment and Sustainable Development Department, Kenya Electricity Generating Company, P.O. Box 47936, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
| | - Florah Maghuwa
- Environment and Sustainable Development Department, Kenya Electricity Generating Company, P.O. Box 47936, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
| | - Paul W. Webala
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Maasai Mara University, P.O. Box 861, Narok 20500, Kenya
| | - Ricardo Tomé
- The Biodiversity Consultancy, 3E King’s Parade, Cambridge CB2 1SJ, UK
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Laux M, Lv H, Entling MH, Schirmel J, Narang A, Köhler M, Saha S. Native pedunculate oaks support more biodiversity than non-native oaks, but non-native oaks are healthier than native oaks: A study on street and park trees of a city. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 853:158603. [PMID: 36089021 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Trees in cities provide multiple ecosystem services. However, simultaneously ensuring healthy trees with high habitat diversity can be challenging in a harsh urban environment. We compared health, microhabitats, and bat activities between native (Quercus robur L.) and non-native (Quercus rubra L.) oaks growing in different urban habitats (street vs. park) in Karlsruhe, southwestern Germany. We randomly selected 167 oak trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) >20 cm across the city from Urban Tree Registrar. We performed tree health assessment, dendrometric, and microhabitat inventory. We recorded the four-day bat activities on 45 native and non-native oaks with acoustic loggers installed on the trees. We found that non-native oaks were healthier than native oaks but provided less abundance and richness of microhabitats. Tree size (positive effect) and pruning (negative effect) strongly influence microhabitat richness and abundance. In addition, park trees hosted significantly more microhabitats than street trees. We recorded the activities of 9 bat species from 4 genera. Pipistrellus bats were more active in park trees than street trees. Long-eared bats (Plecotus) were more active near the native than non-native oaks. Bats are likely favored by microhabitats such as fork split, lightning scar, and woodpecker "flute" that are more common in less healthy trees. We conclude that non-native red oak can be planted alongside streets, where the conditions are harsher than in parks to better adapt to climatic changes and stay healthy with less maintenance. The preservation of native pedunculate oak trees, especially within parks, is paramount for urban biodiversity conservation because of their potential to provide microhabitats and supporting bats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Laux
- Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (ITAS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlstraße 11, 76133 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Hailiang Lv
- Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (ITAS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlstraße 11, 76133 Karlsruhe, Germany; Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Xinfeng Road 5, 163316 Daqing, China.
| | - Martin H Entling
- University of Koblenz-Landau, Fortstraße 7, 76829 Landau, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
| | - Jens Schirmel
- University of Koblenz-Landau, Fortstraße 7, 76829 Landau, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
| | - Aditya Narang
- University of Koblenz-Landau, Fortstraße 7, 76829 Landau, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
| | - Mario Köhler
- City Horticulture Office (Gartenbauamt), Municipality of Karlsruhe, Lammstraße 7a, 76133 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Somidh Saha
- Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (ITAS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlstraße 11, 76133 Karlsruhe, Germany; Institute for Geography and Geoecology (IfGG), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Kaiserstraße 12, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
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Ratnadass A, Martin T. Crop protection practices and risks associated with infectious tropical parasitic diseases. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 823:153633. [PMID: 35124028 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Two recent literature reviews have shown that: i) agroecological crop protection (ACP) practices generally reduce risks of viral zoonoses, unlike conventional (agrochemical-based) practices which tend to increase them; ii) substitution-based crop protection (CP) practices (mainly biocontrol-based) could result in fewer health risks from bacterial infectious diseases. Here, we present an analysis of the scientific literature to determine to what extent the conclusions regarding viruses or bacteria can be extended to infectious diseases caused by protozoan or helminthic parasites. This analysis of cases of both vector-transmitted and water- or food-borne parasitic diseases, shows, in terms of reduction of health risks: i) an overall negative effect arising from the use of synthetic plant protection products; ii) the relevance of substitution CP practices not strictly under the ACP banner. On the other hand, the public and veterinary health issue of antiparasitic resistance is not affected by CP practices. The positive effects at the large spatio-temporal scales of ACP approaches remain valid, although to a slightly lesser extent than for bacterial diseases and viral zoonoses, in particular through biodiversity conservation which fosters natural regulations and control, preventing the undesirable effects of synthetic pesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alain Ratnadass
- CIRAD, UPR HortSys, F-97455 Saint-Pierre, Réunion, France; HortSys, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, Montpellier, France.
| | - Thibaud Martin
- HortSys, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, Montpellier, France; CIRAD, UPR HortSys, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
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Rose C, Schramm A, Irish J, Bilde T, Bird TL. Host Plant Availability and Nest-Site Selection of the Social Spider Stegodyphus dumicola Pocock, 1898 (Eresidae). INSECTS 2021; 13:30. [PMID: 35055873 PMCID: PMC8777811 DOI: 10.3390/insects13010030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
An animals' habitat defines the resources that are available for its use, such as host plants or food sources, and the use of these resources are critical for optimizing fitness. Spiders are abundant in all terrestrial habitats and are often associated with vegetation, which may provide structure for anchoring capture webs, attract insect prey, or provide protective function. Social spiders construct sedentary communal silk nests on host plants, but we know little about whether and how they make nest-site decisions. We examined host plant use in relation to host plant availability in the social spider Stegodyphus dumicola Pocock, 1898 (Eresidae) across different arid biomes in Namibia and analysed the role of host plant characteristics (height, spines, scent, sturdiness) on nest occurrence. Host plant communities and densities differed between locations. Spider nests were relatively more abundant on Acacia spp., Boscia foetida, Combretum spp., Dichrostachys cinerea, Parkinsonia africana, Tarchonanthus camphoratus, and Ziziphus mucronatus, and nests survived longer on preferred plant genera Acacia, Boscia and Combretum. Spider nests were relatively more abundant on plants higher than 2 m, and on plants with thorns and with a rigid structure. Our results suggest that spiders display differential use of host plant species, and that characteristics such as rigidity and thorns confer benefits such as protection from browsing animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clémence Rose
- Department of Biology, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark; (A.S.); (T.B.); (T.L.B.)
| | - Andreas Schramm
- Department of Biology, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark; (A.S.); (T.B.); (T.L.B.)
| | - John Irish
- National Museum of Namibia, Windhoek 1005, Namibia;
| | - Trine Bilde
- Department of Biology, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark; (A.S.); (T.B.); (T.L.B.)
| | - Tharina L. Bird
- Department of Biology, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark; (A.S.); (T.B.); (T.L.B.)
- General Entomology Section, Ditsong National Museum of Natural History, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
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Hending D, Drew H, Holderied MW. Habitat Use of Constant Frequency Echolocating Bats in North-West Madagascar with Acoustic Evidence for a Possible New Species. ACTA CHIROPTEROLOGICA 2021. [DOI: 10.3161/15081109acc2021.23.1.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Hending
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom
| | - Helen Drew
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom
| | - Marc W. Holderied
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom
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Ferrante M, Möller DM, Möller GM, Lubin Y, Segoli M. Seed Predation on Oil-Polluted and Unpolluted Vachellia ( Acacia) Trees in a Hyper-Arid Desert Ecosystem. INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11100665. [PMID: 32998405 PMCID: PMC7600291 DOI: 10.3390/insects11100665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Bruchid beetles are the pests of many plant species worldwide. One or more grubs can develop inside a seed by consuming it and impairing its germination. Vachellia trees are important for preserving diverse and healthy arid ecosystems, but they are often threatened by human activities and hostile environmental conditions. Seed predation by bruchid beetles is one of the major causes of the decline in the populations of Vachellia trees in Israel. In a hyper-arid desert ecosystem affected by two major oil spills (in 1975 and 2014), we evaluated whether oil pollution increases seed predation rates of the seeds of Vachellia tortilis and V. raddiana. We recorded remarkably high predation rates for both species, particularly at the ground level, which suggests that conservation measures to reduce repeated infestations on fallen pods may be important to preserve these tree species. However, we found no clear evidence of a negative effect of oil pollution on seed predation, indicating that it did not increase the vulnerability of the seeds to bruchids even in trees affected by the recent oil spill. Abstract Acacia trees are keystone species in many arid environments, supporting high levels of plant and animal diversity. In Israel, the populations of Vachellia (formerly Acacia) tortilis (Forssk.) and V. raddiana (Savi) are declining at an alarming rate. Severe infestations by bruchid beetles (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) are among the major causes of seed mortality, but additional environmental stressors can reduce the defence level of the seeds, exacerbating their susceptibility to predators. In a hyper-arid desert ecosystem affected by two major oil spills (in 1975 and 2014), we quantified seed predation rates caused by insect granivores before and after the pods dropped to the ground. We recorded predation rates of up to 84% for both tree species, and higher predation rates at the ground level than in the canopy, suggesting that repeated infestations occur. These results reinforce the call to protect the populations of large ungulates such as gazelles, which kill the bruchids by feeding upon the pods, and promote seed germination and dispersion. We found no clear evidence of a negative effect of the oil spill on seed predation, indicating that oil pollution did not increase the vulnerability of the seeds to granivores even in trees affected by the recent oil spill.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Ferrante
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion 8499000, Israel; (D.M.M.); (G.M.M.); (Y.L.); (M.S.)
- CE3C-Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Azorean Biodiversity Group, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of the Azores, PT-9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +351-926-042-036
| | - Daniella M. Möller
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion 8499000, Israel; (D.M.M.); (G.M.M.); (Y.L.); (M.S.)
| | - Gabriella M. Möller
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion 8499000, Israel; (D.M.M.); (G.M.M.); (Y.L.); (M.S.)
| | - Yael Lubin
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion 8499000, Israel; (D.M.M.); (G.M.M.); (Y.L.); (M.S.)
| | - Michal Segoli
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion 8499000, Israel; (D.M.M.); (G.M.M.); (Y.L.); (M.S.)
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7
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Lisón F, Jiménez‐Franco MV, Altamirano A, Haz Á, Calvo JF, Jones G. Bat ecology and conservation in semi‐arid and arid landscapes: a global systematic review. Mamm Rev 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fulgencio Lisón
- Laboratorio de Ecología del Paisaje y Conservación Departamento de Ciencias Forestales Universidad de La Frontera Box‐45D Temuco Chile
- Departamento de Zoología Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanográficas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C Concepción Chile
| | - María V. Jiménez‐Franco
- Área de Ecología Departamento de Biología Aplicada Universidad Miguel Hernández Avda. Universidad, s/n. Edf. Vinalopó 03202 Elche, Alicante Spain
- Department of Ecological Modelling UFZ‐Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research D‐04301 Leipzig Germany
| | - Adison Altamirano
- Laboratorio de Ecología del Paisaje y Conservación Departamento de Ciencias Forestales Universidad de La Frontera Box‐45D Temuco Chile
| | - Ángeles Haz
- Paseo Rosales 10 4D, Molina de Segura 30500 Murcia Spain
| | - José F. Calvo
- Departamento de Ecología e Hidrología Universidad de Murcia 30100 Campus de Espinardo Murcia Spain
| | - Gareth Jones
- School of Biological Sciences University of Bristol 24 Tyndall Avenue BS8 1TQ Bristol UK
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Abed OA, Abu Baker MA, Amr ZS. Seasonal habitat selection and temporal activity patterns determine the structure of bat assemblages in Dhana Biosphere Reserve, Jordan (Mammalia: Chiroptera). ZOOLOGY IN THE MIDDLE EAST 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/09397140.2018.1540151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Omar A. Abed
- Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, Amman, Jordan
| | | | - Zuhair S. Amr
- Department of Biology, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
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9
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Seasonal activity pattern and habitat use by the Kuhl’s pipistrelle (Pipistrellus kuhlii) in an arid environment. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-018-1193-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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10
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Razgour O, Persey M, Shamir U, Korine C. The role of climate, water and biotic interactions in shaping biodiversity patterns in arid environments across spatial scales. DIVERS DISTRIB 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Orly Razgour
- Biological Sciences; University of Southampton; Southampton UK
- School of Biological Sciences; University of Bristol; Bristol UK
| | - Mike Persey
- School of Biological Sciences; University of Bristol; Bristol UK
| | - Uzi Shamir
- Department of Geography and Human Environment; Tel Aviv University; Tel Aviv Israel
| | - Carmi Korine
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology; Ben-Gurion University of the Negev; Midreshet Ben-Gurion Israel
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11
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Greenfeld A, Saltz D, Kapota D, Korine C. Managing anthropogenic driven range expansion behaviourally: Mediterranean bats in desert ecosystems. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-018-1182-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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12
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Detecting hierarchical levels of connectivity in a population of Acacia tortilis at the northern edge of the species' global distribution: Combining classical population genetics and network analyses. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0194901. [PMID: 29649222 PMCID: PMC5896914 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic diversity and structure of populations at the edge of the species' spatial distribution are important for potential adaptation to environmental changes and consequently, for the long-term survival of the species. Here, we combined classical population genetic methods with newly developed network analyses to gain complementary insights into the genetic structure and diversity of Acacia tortilis, a keystone desert tree, at the northern edge of its global distribution, where the population is under threat from climatic, ecological, and anthropogenic changes. We sampled A. tortilis from 14 sites along the Dead Sea region and the Arava Valley in Israel and in Jordan. In addition, we obtained samples from Egypt and Sudan, the hypothesized origin of the species. Samples from all sites were genotyped using six polymorphic microsatellite loci.Our results indicate a significant genetic structure in A. tortilis along the Arava Valley. This was detected at different hierarchical levels-from the basic unit of the subpopulation, corresponding to groups of trees within ephemeral rivers (wadis), to groups of subpopulations (communities) that are genetically more connected relative to others. The latter structure mostly corresponds to the partition of the major drainage basins in the area. Network analyses, combined with classical methods, allowed for the identification of key A. tortilis subpopulations in this region, characterized by their relatively high level of genetic diversity and centrality in maintaining gene flow in the population. Characterizing such key subpopulations may enable conservation managers to focus their efforts on certain subpopulations that might be particularly important for the population's long-term persistence, thus contributing to species conservation within its peripheral range.
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Fu Y, Kloepper LN. A systematic method for isolating, tracking and discriminating time-frequency components of bat echolocation calls. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2018; 143:716. [PMID: 29495687 DOI: 10.1121/1.5023205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Echolocating bats can rapidly modify frequency modulation (FM) curvatures of their calls when facing challenging echolocation tasks. Frequency parameters, such as start/end/peak frequency, have often been extracted from the time-frequency domain to study the call variation. Even though this kind of signal investigation method reveals important findings, these approaches to analyze bat echolocation calls use bulk parameters, which hide subtleties in the call structure that may be important to the bat. In some cases, calls can have the same start and end frequencies but have different FM curvatures, and subsequently may influence the sensory task performance. In the present study, the authors demonstrate an algorithm using a combination of digital filters, power limited time-frequency information, derivative dynamic time warping, and agglomerative hierarchical clustering to extract and categorize the time-frequency components (TFCs) of 21 calls from Brazilian free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis) to quantitatively compare FM curvatures. The detailed curvature analysis shows an alternative perspective to look into the TFCs and hence serves as the preliminary step to understand the adaptive call design of bats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqing Fu
- Department of Biology, Saint Mary's College, 149 Le Mans Hall, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
| | - Laura N Kloepper
- Department of Biology, Saint Mary's College, 149 Le Mans Hall, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
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14
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Hending D, Holderied M, McCabe G. The use of Vocalizations of the Sambirano Mouse Lemur ( Microcebus sambiranensis) in an Acoustic Survey of Habitat Preference. INT J PRIMATOL 2017; 38:732-750. [PMID: 28845070 PMCID: PMC5550550 DOI: 10.1007/s10764-017-9977-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Primate vocalizations convey a variety of information to conspecifics. The acoustic traits of these vocalizations are an effective vocal fingerprint to discriminate between sibling species for taxonomic diagnosis. However, the vocal behavior of nocturnal primates has been poorly studied and there are few studies of their vocal repertoires. We compiled a vocal repertoire for the Endangered Sambirano mouse lemur, Microcebus sambiranensis, an unstudied nocturnal primate of northwestern Madagascar, and compared the acoustic properties of one of their call types to those of M. murinus and M. rufus. We recorded vocalizations from radio-collared individuals using handheld recorders over 3 months. We also conducted an acoustic survey to measure the vocal activity of M. sambiranensis in four forest habitat types at the study site. We identified and classified five vocalization types in M. sambiranensis. The vocal repertoires of the three Microcebus species contain very similar call types but have different acoustic properties, with one loud call type, the whistle, having significantly different acoustic properties between species. Our acoustic survey detected more calls of M. sambiranensis in secondary forest, riparian forest, and forest edge habitats, suggesting that individuals may prefer these habitat types over primary forest. Our results suggest interspecific differences in the vocal repertoire of mouse lemurs, and that these differences can be used to investigate habitat preference via acoustic surveys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Hending
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TH UK
- Bristol Zoological Society, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3HA UK
| | - Marc Holderied
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TH UK
| | - Grainne McCabe
- Bristol Zoological Society, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3HA UK
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15
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Nothers M, Segev N, Kreyling J, Hjazin A, Groner E. Desert Vegetation Forty Years after an Oil Spill. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2017; 46:568-575. [PMID: 28724112 DOI: 10.2134/jeq2016.03.0078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Deserts are the most frequent locations of terrestrial crude oil contaminations. Nevertheless, the long-term effects of petroleum hydrocarbons on desert ecosystems are still unknown, which makes risk assessment and decision making concerning remediation difficult. This study examined the long-term effects of petroleum hydrocarbons on perennial desert vegetation. The study site was a hyper-arid area in the south of Israel, which was contaminated by a crude oil spill in 1975. The contaminated area was compared to uncontaminated reference areas. The composition of perennial plants 40 yr after the oil spill was not significantly affected by the contamination. However, the size distribution of the two most dominant shrub species, Baker and (Moq.) Iljin., and the only tree species, Savi and (Forssk.) Hayne, were different from the reference. These differences can be explained by decreased recruitment. The estimated recruitment of in the last 40 yr post oil spill was 74% less than recruitment in the reference area. Low recruitment of may in the future lead to the loss of tree cover, which would change the entire ecosystem, as are keystone species on which a number of microorganisms, plants, and animals rely. Remediation of oil spills and preventative measures are recommended.
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Loumassine HE, Allegrini B, Bounaceur F, Peyre O, Aulagnier S. A new mammal species for Algeria, Rhinopoma microphyllum (Chiroptera: Rhinopomatidae): morphological and acoustic identification. MAMMALIA 2017. [DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2016-0153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The greater mouse-tailed bat (Rhinopoma microphyllum Brunnich 1782) is reported for the first time in Algeria from two caves of the Boukaïs region (Bechar). Noseleaf shape, forearm and tail lengths clearly identified this species. The frequency of maximal energy of echolocation calls varied from 28.2 to 31.2 kHz for hand released individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hibat-Ellah Loumassine
- Laboratory of Agro-Biotechnology and Nutrition in Semi-Arid areas, Faculté des Sciences , Université Ibn Khaldoun , 14000 Tiaret , Algeria
| | - Benjamin Allegrini
- Naturalia Environment, Green Park – Bât C , 149, Avenue du Golf , Baillargues 34670 , France
| | - Farid Bounaceur
- Laboratory of Agro-Biotechnology and Nutrition in Semi-Arid areas, Faculté des Sciences , Université Ibn Khaldoun , 14000 Tiaret , Algeria
| | - Olivier Peyre
- Naturalia Environment, Green Park – Bât C , 149, Avenue du Golf , Baillargues 34670 , France
| | - Stéphane Aulagnier
- Behavior and Ecology of Wild Fauna, National Institute of Agronomic Research , University of Toulouse, CS 52627 , 31326 Castanet Tolosan cedex , France
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17
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Moores R, Brown D. New records of bats from southern Morocco (Atlantic Sahara) and notes on echolocation. MAMMALIA 2017. [DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2016-0028] [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
AbstractIn this short note, we report the first records for two bat species: the Egyptian free-tailed bat
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18
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Hackett TD, Holderied MW, Korine C. Echolocation call description of 15 species of Middle-Eastern desert dwelling insectivorous bats. BIOACOUSTICS 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/09524622.2016.1247386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Talya D. Hackett
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | | | - Carmi Korine
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
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19
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Russo D, Ancillotto L, Cistrone L, Korine C. The Buzz of Drinking on the Wing in Echolocating Bats. Ethology 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- 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; Portici (Napoli) Italy
- School of Biological Sciences; Life Sciences Building; University of Bristol; Bristol UK
| | - Leonardo Ancillotto
- 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; Portici (Napoli) Italy
| | - Luca Cistrone
- Forestry and Conservation; Cassino (Frosinone) Italy
| | - Carmi Korine
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology; Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research; Ben-Gurion University of the Negev; Sede Boqer Campus, Midreshet Ben-Gurion Israel
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20
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21
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Hackett TD, Korine C, Holderied M. A whispering bat that screams: bimodal switch of foraging guild from gleaning to aerial-hawking in the desert long-eared bat. J Exp Biol 2014; 217:3028-32. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.100362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Echolocating bats have historically been classified as either loud aerial-hawkers or whispering gleaners. Some bat species can forage in multiple ways and others have demonstrated limited flexibility in the amplitude of their echolocation calls. The desert long-eared bat, Otonycteris hemprichii, has been said to be a passive gleaning whispering bat preying on terrestrial arthropods such as scorpions. Using an acoustic tracking system we recorded individuals flying at foraging and drinking sites and compared their flight height, flight speed, call duration, pulse interval and source levels to gleaning individuals previously recorded using the same setup. We found differences in all variables with the strongest difference in source levels where bats called at a mean of 119 dBpeSPL (compared to 75 dBpeSPL when gleaning). Bat faecal analysis indicated that their diet differed from previous studies and that prey species were capable of flight. We conclude that the bats switched from passive gleaning to capturing airborne insects (aerial-hawking). While whispering bats have been known to opportunistically catch insects on the wing, in the present study we show a full bimodal switch between foraging guilds with the respective changes in source level to those typical of a true aerial-hawker.
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