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Starik N, Gygax L, Göttert T. Unexpected bat community changes along an urban-rural gradient in the Berlin-Brandenburg metropolitan area. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10552. [PMID: 38720052 PMCID: PMC11078944 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61317-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Urbanization gradients are increasingly used in ecological studies to discover responses of species communities to different intensities of human-induced habitat transformation. Here, we investigated patterns of bat communities against the background of different urbanization levels using a priori defined urbanization categories based on distance classes (5 km intervals) along a linear transect from the urban core of the city of Berlin westwards into the rural outskirts of the state of Brandenburg. Using linear-mixed effects models, we found that "distance class", as a proxy for urbanization level, is a meaningful and suitable predictor of bat species richness and diversity. We observed an unexpectedly sudden increase in bat species richness and diversity and changes in species-specific activity levels relatively close to the urban center at the transition between urban and peri-urban areas. This change suggests a relevant influence of the peri-urban areas as a "buffer zone" for specific bat species not able to adapt to the heavily modified inner core of the metropolitan area. Although we could demonstrate that anthropogenic noise and artificial light have the potential to predict the variability of bat species activity along the urban-rural gradient, the actual influence on observed shifts in the bat community needs further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Starik
- Albrecht Daniel Thaer-Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10009, Berlin, Germany
- Deutsche Fledermauswarte e.V., Am Juliusturm 63, 13599, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lorenz Gygax
- Albrecht Daniel Thaer-Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10009, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Göttert
- Research Center [Sustainability-Transformation-Transfer], Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, 16225, Eberswalde, Germany.
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Gómez-Sánchez EF, Ochoa-Díaz-López H, Espinoza-Medinilla EE, Velázquez-Ramírez DD, Santos-Hernandez NG, Ruiz-Castillejos C, Vidal-López DG, Moreno-Rodríguez A, Flores-Villegas AL, López-Argueta E, De Fuentes-Vicente JA. Mini-exon gene reveals circulation of TcI Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas, 1909) (Kinetoplastida, Trypanosomatidae) in bats and small mammals in an ecological reserve in southeastern Mexico. Zookeys 2022; 1084:139-150. [PMID: 35177949 PMCID: PMC8816842 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1084.78664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
A wide variety of mammals are involved in the sylvatic cycle of Trypanosomacruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. In many areas in Latin America where T.cruzi is endemic, this cycle is poorly known, and its main reservoirs have not been identified. In this study we analyzed T.cruzi infection in bats and other small mammals from an Ecological Reserve in southeastern Mexico. From January through March 2021, we captured wild individuals to extract cardiac and peripheral blood, and infection was detected by PCR of the mini-exon gene. In bats, the prevalence of infection was 16.36%, while in small mammals the prevalence was 28.57%. All of the samples that were positive for T.cruzi were identified as the TCI genotype. Our findings suggest that this zone, situated at the periphery of urban zones might have epidemiological relevance in the sylvatic cycle of T.cruzi and needs to be monitored. The infection of bats in this area is particularly concerning since the flight pattern of this populations overlaps with human settlements. Despite being subject to conservation protections, there continue to be anthropogenic actions that disturb the study area, which could exacerbate risks to public health.
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Adams H, McGuire L. Island biogeography theory and the urban landscape: stopover site selection by the silver-haired bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans). CAN J ZOOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2021-0214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Many migratory bats require forested sites for roosting and foraging along their migration path, but increased urbanization and intensive agricultural practices may reduce the availability of stopover sites. Urban forests may provide important stopover habitat, maintaining landscape connectivity in regions where the majority of natural habitat has been cleared for development. Island biogeography theory can be applied to urbanized temperate forest biomes where small urban forests represent islands separated from the larger “mainland” forest. We used acoustic monitoring during the fall migration period to investigate the use of urban forest habitat by the migratory species Lasionycteris noctivagans Le Conte, 1831. We predicted that recorded activity would have a positive relationship with forest patch area and shape and a negative relationship with isolation from other forest patches, as suggested by island biogeography theory. We observed greater activity at larger forest patches, and although relationships for shape and isolation were not statistically supported the observed patterns were consistent with predictions. Our results demonstrate the need for more in-depth research on the habitat requirements for both migratory and resident bat species and the impact that ongoing urbanization has on local bat populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Adams
- University of Waterloo, 8430, Department of Biology, Waterloo, Canada
- Memorial University of Newfoundland, 7512, Biology, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Liam McGuire
- University of Waterloo, 8430, Department of Biology, Waterloo, Canada, N2L 3G1
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Four Years Continuous Monitoring Reveals Different Effects of Urban Constructed Wetlands on Bats. LAND 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/land10101087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Proactive artificial wetland constructions have been implemented to mitigate the loss of wetlands and their ecosystem services. As wetlands are habitats for bats, short-term (one or two years) studies find that constructed wetlands can immediately increase local bat activity and diversity. However, it is not clear how constructed wetlands affect bats through time while the wetlands are aging. We collected four years of continuous bat acoustic monitoring data at two constructed wetlands in an urban park in Greensboro, NC, USA. We examined bat activity and community composition patterns at these wetlands and compared them with reference sites in the city. With four years of data, we found that the effects of constructed wetlands were both habitat- and species-specific. The wetland in forests significantly increased bat activity, while the wetland in the open grass altered bat community composition. Specifically, in terms of species, we found that over time, constructed wetlands no longer attracted more big brown, silver-haired, or evening bats than control sites while the wetlands aged, highlighting the need to study broadly how each bat species uses natural and artificial wetlands. We emphasize the importance of long-term monitoring and the periodical evaluation of wildlife conservation actions.
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Mena JL, Rivero J, Bonifaz E, Pastor P, Pacheco J, Aide TM. The effect of artificial light on bat richness and nocturnal soundscapes along an urbanization gradient in an arid landscape of central Peru. Urban Ecosyst 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-021-01163-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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6
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Hall EM, Bennett VJ. Seasonal variation in home range size of evening bats (Nycticeius humeralis) in an urban environment. J Mammal 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyab106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Despite the negative impacts of urbanization on bats, green spaces in urban environments, such as parks, cemeteries, and golf courses, have the potential to provide resources necessary for these animals. Water resources in these areas include natural or semi-natural ponds, streams, and drainage ditches. Such water resources, however, are frequently ephemeral when subject to prolonged periods of high temperatures and low precipitation. We hypothesized that home ranges of evening bats (Nycticeius humeralis) would increase in size or shift from urban green spaces into surrounding neighborhoods to access alternative resources, such as residential swimming pools, when water resources in green spaces are scarce. To explore whether seasonal variations in bat home ranges occurred, we radio-tracked resident evening bats in a local park system during their summer activity period 2017–2019 in Fort Worth, Texas, USA. We used Local Convex Hulls created by associating point locations with their nearest neighbor to estimate home range size, location, and the percentage area that fell within the surrounding neighborhood. We compared these variables to temperature and precipitation using various regression models. We successfully tracked 30 bats over the 3-year period and found a positive correlation between home range size and temperature. Home range sizes increased 6-fold when temperatures exceeded 30°C. Our study indicates the importance of urban neighborhoods surrounding green spaces in providing alternative resources, such as water, for bats. If managed appropriately, these urban areas have the potential to act as oases for bat populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen M Hall
- Department of Environmental Science, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Victoria J Bennett
- Department of Environmental Science, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX, USA
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Robinson CV, Robinson JM. Listen But Do Not Touch: Using a Smartphone Acoustic Device to Investigate Bat Activity, with Implications for Community-Based Monitoring. ACTA CHIROPTEROLOGICA 2021. [DOI: 10.3161/15081109acc2021.23.1.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chloe V. Robinson
- Integrative Biology, Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Jessica M. Robinson
- Integrative Biology, Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
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Gwee SXW, St John AL, Gray GC, Pang J. Animals as potential reservoirs for dengue transmission: A systematic review. One Health 2021; 12:100216. [PMID: 33598525 PMCID: PMC7868715 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2021.100216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Dengue is a rapidly spreading mosquito-borne flavivirus infection that is prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Humans are known to be the main reservoir host maintaining the epidemic cycles of dengue but it is unclear if dengue virus is also maintained in a similar enzootic cycle. The systematic review was conducted in accordance to Cochrane's PRISMA recommendations. A search was done on PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and Cochrane Library. Key data on animal dengue positivity was extracted and classified according to animal type and diagnostic modes. Of the 3818 articles identified, 56 articles were used in this review. A total of 16,333 animals were tested, 1817 of which were positive for dengue virus by RT-PCR or serology. Dengue positivity was detected in bats (10.1%), non-human primates (27.3%), birds (11%), bovid (4.1%), dogs (1.6%), horses (5.1%), pigs (34.1%), rodents (3.5%), marsupials (13%) and other small animals (7.3%). While majority of dengue positivity via serology suggests potential enzootic transmission, but regular dengue virus spillback cannot be excluded. With the exception of bats, acute infection among animals is limited. Further investigation on animals is critically required to better understand their role as potential reservoir in dengue transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia Xiao Wei Gwee
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Centre of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ashley L. St John
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Pathology Department, Duke University, USA
- SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health University, Singapore
| | - Gregory C. Gray
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
- SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health University, Singapore
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Duke University, USA
- Global Health Institute, Duke University, USA
- Duke Kunshan University, China
| | - Junxiong Pang
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Centre of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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9
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Villarroya-Villalba L, Casanelles-Abella J, Moretti M, Pinho P, Samson R, Van Mensel A, Chiron F, Zellweger F, Obrist MK. Response of bats and nocturnal insects to urban green areas in Europe. Basic Appl Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2021.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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11
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Patriquin KJ, Guy C, Hinds J, Ratcliffe JM. Male and female bats differ in their use of a large urban park. JOURNAL OF URBAN ECOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/jue/juz015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Understanding how wildlife respond to ever-encroaching urbanization is of great concern. Bats are the second-most speciose mammalian order and while many appear to be urban adapted, we currently have a limited understanding of their demography and habitat use within urban environments. Using a combination of captures to obtain demographic data, radio-telemetry to examine foraging and roosting behaviour, and data on diet and prey availability, we examined how big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus), a synurbic species, use an urban green space (High Park) in Canada’s largest city centre, Toronto. We found that adult males outnumbered adult females more than two to one and that males were found throughout the park, while females were concentrated in an area with greater access to water, but lower prey availability. We also found that bats of both sexes were in poorer body condition than reported for other non-urban areas, including a site within southern Ontario. Our data suggest that High Park may not provide adequate resources for reproductive females as they were never found roosting in the park and beetles, their preferred prey, were limited. Although previous studies suggest urban green spaces may offer refuge to bats, most have not considered sex-specific responses to urbanization as they have largely been based on acoustic surveys. Our study therefore highlights the importance of considering demographic differences in response to urbanization to better inform urban management plans and green space development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista J Patriquin
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Road, William G Davis Building, Mississauga, Ontario L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Cylita Guy
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Road, William G Davis Building, Mississauga, Ontario L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Joshua Hinds
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Road, William G Davis Building, Mississauga, Ontario L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - John M Ratcliffe
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Road, William G Davis Building, Mississauga, Ontario L5L 1C6, Canada
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12
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Thomas JP, Jung TS. Life in a northern town: rural villages in the boreal forest are islands of habitat for an endangered bat. Ecosphere 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Julie P. Thomas
- Department of Environment Government of Yukon 419 Range Road, Whitehorse Whitehorse Yukon Y1A 3V1 Canada
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Calgary 2500 University Drive NW Calgary Alberta T2N 1N4 Canada
| | - Thomas S. Jung
- Department of Environment Government of Yukon 419 Range Road, Whitehorse Whitehorse Yukon Y1A 3V1 Canada
- Department of Renewable Resources University of Alberta 116 St. & 85 Ave., Edmonton Edmonton Alberta T6G 2R3 Canada
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13
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Camacho-Cervantes M, Ojanguren AF, MacGregor-Fors I. Birds from the burgh: bird diversity and its relation with urban traits in a small town. JOURNAL OF URBAN ECOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/jue/juy011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Morelia Camacho-Cervantes
- Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior s/n, Coyoacan, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Alfredo F Ojanguren
- Centre for Biological Diversity, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9TH, UK
| | - Ian MacGregor-Fors
- Red de Ambiente y Sustentabilidad, Instituto de Ecología A. C., Carretera antigua a Coatepec 351, El Haya, Xalapa 91070, Veracruz, México
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14
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Gallo T, Lehrer EW, Fidino M, Kilgour RJ, Wolff PJ, Magle SB. Need for multiscale planning for conservation of urban bats. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2018; 32:638-647. [PMID: 29124788 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Revised: 10/11/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
For over a century there have been continual efforts to incorporate nature into urban planning. These efforts (i.e., urban reconciliation) aim to manage and create habitats that support biodiversity within cities. Given that species select habitat at different spatial scales, understanding the scale at which urban species respond to their environment is critical to the success of urban reconciliation efforts. We assessed species-habitat relationships for common bat species at 50-m, 500-m, and 1 km spatial scales in the Chicago (U.S.A.) metropolitan area and predicted bat activity across the greater Chicago region. Habitat characteristics across all measured scales were important predictors of silver-haired bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans) and eastern red bat (Lasiurus borealis) activity, and big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) activity was significantly lower at urban sites relative to rural sites. Open vegetation had a negative effect on silver-haired bat activity at the 50-m scale but a positive effect at the 500-m scale, indicating potential shifts in the relative importance of some habitat characteristics at different scales. These results demonstrate that localized effects may be constrained by broader spatial patterns. Our findings highlight the importance of considering scale in urban reconciliation efforts and our landscape predictions provide information that can help prioritize urban conservation work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis Gallo
- Urban Wildlife Institute, Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614, U.S.A
| | - Elizabeth W Lehrer
- Urban Wildlife Institute, Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614, U.S.A
| | - Mason Fidino
- Urban Wildlife Institute, Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614, U.S.A
| | - R Julia Kilgour
- Urban Wildlife Institute, Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614, U.S.A
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Ontario N1G, 2W1, Guelph, Canada
| | - Patrick J Wolff
- Urban Wildlife Institute, Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614, U.S.A
- U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, CERL, 2902 Newmark Drive, Champaign, IL 61822, U.S.A
| | - Seth B Magle
- Urban Wildlife Institute, Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614, U.S.A
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16
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Lv J, Fernández de Marco MDM, Goharriz H, Phipps LP, McElhinney LM, Hernández-Triana LM, Wu S, Lin X, Fooks AR, Johnson N. Detection of tick-borne bacteria and babesia with zoonotic potential in Argas (Carios) vespertilionis (Latreille, 1802) ticks from British bats. Sci Rep 2018; 8:1865. [PMID: 29382871 PMCID: PMC5789838 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-20138-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks host a wide range of zoonotic pathogens and are a significant source of diseases that affect humans and livestock. However, little is known about the pathogens associated with bat ticks. We have collected ectoparasites from bat carcasses over a seven year period. Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) were extracted from 296 ticks removed from bats and the species designation was confirmed in all ticks as Argas (Carios) vespertilionis. A subset of these samples (n = 120) were tested for the presence of zoonotic pathogens by molecular methods. Babesia species, Rickettsia spp., within the spotted fever group (SFG), and Ehrlichia spp. were detected in ticks removed from 26 bats submitted from 14 counties across England. The prevalence of Rickettsia spp. was found to be highest in Pipistrellus pipistrellus from southern England. This study suggests that the tick species that host B. venatorum may include the genus Argas in addition to the genus Ixodes. As A. vespertilionis has been reported to feed on humans, detection of B. venatorum and SFG Rickettsia spp. could present a risk of disease transmission in England. No evidence for the presence of flaviviruses or Issyk-Kul virus (nairovirus) was found in these tick samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jizhou Lv
- Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine, Beijing, 100176, P.R. China.,Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
| | | | - Hooman Goharriz
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - L Paul Phipps
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Lorraine M McElhinney
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK.,Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7BE, UK
| | | | - Shaoqiang Wu
- Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine, Beijing, 100176, P.R. China
| | - Xiangmei Lin
- Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine, Beijing, 100176, P.R. China
| | - Anthony R Fooks
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK.,Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7BE, UK
| | - Nicholas Johnson
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK. .,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK.
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Li H, Kalcounis‐Rueppell M. Separating the effects of water quality and urbanization on temperate insectivorous bats at the landscape scale. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:667-678. [PMID: 29321903 PMCID: PMC5756845 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Revised: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Many local scale studies have shown that bats respond to water quality degradation or urbanization in a species-specific manner. However, few have separated the effects of urbanization versus water quality degradation on bats, in single city or single watershed case studies. Across North Carolina, USA, we used the standardized North American Bat Monitoring Program mobile transect protocol to survey bat activity in 2015 and 2016 at 41 sites. We collected statewide water quality and urban land cover data to disentangle the effects of urbanization and water quality degradation on bats at the landscape scale. We found that statewide, water quality degradation and urbanization were not correlated. We found that bats responded to water quality degradation and urbanization independently at the landscape scale. Eptesicus fuscus and Lasiurus cinereus negatively responded to water quality degradation. Lasiurus borealis and Perimyotis subflavus positively responded to water quality degradation. Lasionycteris noctivagans did not respond to water quality degradation but was more active in more urbanized areas. Tadarida brasiliensis positively responded to urbanization and was less active in areas with degraded water quality. We show that bat-water quality relationships found at the local scale are evident at a landscape scale. We confirm that bats are useful bioindicators for both urbanization and water quality degradation. We suggest that water quality can be used to predict the presence of bat species of conservation concern, such as P. subflavus, in areas where it has not been studied locally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Li
- Department of BiologyThe University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboroNCUSA
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18
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Adams RA. Dark side of climate change: species-specific responses and first indications of disruption in spring altitudinal migration in myotis bats. J Zool (1987) 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R. A. Adams
- School of Biological Sciences; University of Northern Colorado; Greeley CO USA
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