Abstract
Simple SummaryFungi and bats are important parts of many ecosystems where they play critical ecological roles. Bats can contribute to an increase of airborne fungi in underground ecosystems, which may cause allergies and infections in mammals. Our study contributes to gaining new knowledge about aeromycota present in the close vicinity of the hibernating greater mouse-eared bat (Myotis myotis) in an underground site. M. myotis is the most common bat species in Europe with direct human contact. Hibernating M. myotis contribute to an increase in the concentration of aeromycota in the underground site and is a vector/reservoir of microscopic fungi, including those that are potential threats to mammal populations; however, the concentration of aeromycota at this site does not pose a threat to human health.Bats can contribute to an increase of aeromycota in underground ecosystems and might be a vector/reservoir of microorganisms; however, there is no information about the number and species composition of fungi around hibernating bats. One of the most common species in Europe with direct human contact is the greater mouse-eared bat (Myotis myotis). The goal of our research was the first report of the airborne fungi present in the close vicinity of hibernating M. myotis in the Nietoperek bat reserve (Western Poland) by the use of culture-based techniques and genetic and phenotypic identifications. Aerobiological investigations of mycobiota under hibernating bats were performed on two culture media (PDA and YPG) and at two incubation temperatures (7 and 24 ± 0.5 °C). Overall, we detected 32 fungal species from three phyla (Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Zygomycota) and 12 genera. The application of YPG medium and the higher incubation temperature showed higher numbers of isolated fungal species and CFU. Penicillium spp. were dominant in the study, with spores found outside the underground hibernation site from 51.9% to 86.3% and from 56.7% to 100% inside the bat reserve. Penicillium chrysogenum was the most frequently isolated species, then Absidia glauca, Aspergillus fumigatus, A. tubingensis, Mortierella polycephala, Naganishia diffluens, and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa. Temperature, relative humidity, and the abundance of bats correlated positively with the concentration of airborne fungal propagules, between fungal species diversity, and the concentration of aeromycota, but the number of fungal species did not positively correlate with the number of bats. The air in the underground site was more contaminated by fungi than the air outside; however, the concentration of aeromycota does not pose a threat for human health. Nevertheless, hibernating bats contribute to an increase in the aeromycota and as a vector/reservoir of microscopic fungi, including those that may cause allergies and infections in mammals, and should be monitored.
Highlights
Bats (Chiroptera) are one of the most versatile placental mammals
Seven different species of bats were found in the Nietoperek bat reserve corridors: namely, Myotis myotis, Myotis daubentonii, Myotis nattereri, Myotis dasycneme, Barbastella barbastellus, Plecotus auritus, and a species that has not been identified (Table 2)
Our study contributes to gaining new knowledge about the aeromycota present in the close vicinity of hibernating Myotis myotis in an underground site at the Nietoperek bat preserve in Poland
Summary
Bats (Chiroptera) are one of the most versatile placental mammals They can be found in almost every part of the world, except Antarctica [1]. In many places in the United States, flying bats are an attraction for tourists. Such is the case of Carlsbad Cavern and the Congress Street Bridge in Austin, Texas [7,8]. It is believed that bats can have a negative impact on human health and act as a natural reservoir of many zoonotic pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, or fungi [9,10,11,12]. Due to their high mobility and a complex social life, bats can spread diseases among themselves, as well as transfer them to humans, posing a potential threat to all of us [12,13]
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