Asian Bats Research Articles

Social calls honestly signal female competitive ability in Asian particoloured bats

Why a variety of social animals vocalize during agonistic foraging interactions remains obscure. One possibility is that these signals advertise the signaller's competitive ability, playing a role in the defence of food resources, yet there is limited evidence in support of this idea. Here, we used adult female Asian particoloured bats, Vespertilio sinensis, to test whether individual variation in competitive ability when foraging can be explained by social calls. Using synchronized infrared video and audio recording, we monitored bat social vocalizations, dominance rank and weight gain in triads under controlled food conditions. Additionally, subsequent playbacks, consisting of experimental stimuli, echolocation pulses and silence, were presented to feeding bats in a laboratory. Analyses showed that females uttered low-frequency social calls composed of one to five syllable types during feeding competition. The rates of social vocalizations increased with reduced food availability. Interestingly, dominance score and weight gain correlated weakly with body size, but positively with call rate and associated parameters. Playback of social calls inhibited the visits of bats to the focal food dish compared to playback of silence and echolocation pulses. The amount of food consumed was greatly reduced in the presence of experimental stimuli versus controls. Collectively, these results highlight that acoustic signals serve as an honest indicator of bat competitive ability.

Longevities and long-distance movements in the Asian parti-colored bats, Vespertilio sinensis, clarified by the long-term banding research in the Tohoku Region, Japan

Longevities and long-distance movements in the Asian parti-colored bats, <i>Vespertilio sinensis</i>, clarified by the long-term banding research in the Tohoku Region, Japan

Using a Novel Partitivirus in Pseudogymnoascus destructans to Understand the Epidemiology of White-Nose Syndrome.

White-nose syndrome is one of the most lethal wildlife diseases, killing over 5 million North American bats since it was first reported in 2006. The causal agent of the disease is a psychrophilic filamentous fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans. The fungus is widely distributed in North America and Europe and has recently been found in some parts of Asia, but interestingly, no mass mortality is observed in European or Asian bats. Here we report a novel double-stranded RNA virus found in North American isolates of the fungus and show that the virus can be used as a tool to study the epidemiology of White-nose syndrome. The virus, termed Pseudogymnoascus destructans partitivirus-pa, contains 2 genomic segments, dsRNA 1 and dsRNA 2 of 1.76 kbp and 1.59 kbp respectively, each possessing a single open reading frame, and forms isometric particles approximately 30 nm in diameter, characteristic of the genus Gammapartitivirus in the family Partitiviridae. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the virus is closely related to Penicillium stoloniferum virus S. We were able to cure P. destructans of the virus by treating fungal cultures with polyethylene glycol. Examination of 62 isolates of P. destructans including 35 from United States, 10 from Canada and 17 from Europe showed virus infection only in North American isolates of the fungus. Bayesian phylogenetic analysis using nucleotide sequences of the viral coat protein geographically clustered North American isolates indicating fungal spread followed by local adaptation of P. destructans in different regions of the United States and Canada. This is the first demonstration that a mycovirus potentially can be used to study fungal disease epidemiology.

Identification of a Lineage D Betacoronavirus in Cave Nectar Bats (Eonycteris spelaea) in Singapore and an Overview of Lineage D Reservoir Ecology in SE Asian Bats.

SummaryCoronaviruses are a diverse group of viruses that infect mammals and birds. Bats are reservoirs for several different coronaviruses in the Alphacoronavirus and Betacoronavirus genera. They also appear to be the natural reservoir for the ancestral viruses that generated the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus outbreaks. Here, we detected coronavirus sequences in next‐generation sequence data created from Eonycteris spelaea faeces and urine. We also screened by PCR urine samples, faecal samples and rectal swabs collected from six species of bats in Singapore between 2011 and 2014, all of which were negative. The phylogenetic analysis indicates this novel strain is most closely related to lineage D Betacoronaviruses detected in a diverse range of bat species. This is the second time that coronaviruses have been detected in cave nectar bats, but the first coronavirus sequence data generated from this species. Bat species from which this group of coronaviruses has been detected are widely distributed across SE Asia, South Asia and Southern China. They overlap geographically, often share roosting sites and have been witnessed to forage on the same plant. The addition of sequence data from this group of viruses will allow us to better understand coronavirus evolution and host specificity.

제주도 큰발윗수염박쥐(Myotis macrodactylus)의 유전적 집단 구조와 계통 유연관계

본 연구는 미토콘드리아 DNA (mtDNA) cytochrome B (CYTB)와 NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (ND1) 유전자 서열의 다형성을 근거로 제주도 큰발윗수염박쥐 집단의 유전적 집단 구조와 계통 유연관계를 조사하는 데 목적이 있다. 동아시아 박쥐에서 CYTB 유전자 haplotype은 14개의 haplotype들이 발견되었고, ND1은 9개의 haplotype 들이 발견되었다. 집단별 haplotype의 분포는 지역-특이적인 양상을 보였다. ND1 haplotype 분석결과에서 제주도 집단은 4개의 haplotype을 나타내고, 한라산 소집단과 서부지역 소집단은 3개 haplotype을 나타내었으나, 동부지역 소집단에서는 제주도 전체에서 공통으로 발견되는 1개(Nd03)의 haplotype만 출현하였다. NJ tree에서 제주도 집단은 강원도 집단보다 일본 집단과 더 근연으로 확인되었다. 중국과 일본의 모계선조 계보 사이의 분화 시점은 0.789&#xB1;0.063 MYBP으로 추정되었고, 제주도와 일본의 모계선조는 약 17만 년(0.168&#xB1;0.013 MYBP) 전에 분리된 것 으로 판단된다. 제주도 집단은 적어도 5만 년 이전에 이주한 것으로 보인다. 또한 ND1 haplotype 분석결과는 제주도 집단이 이주 후에도 지역 내에서의 적어도 2회 이상의 유전적 분화를 겪었다는 것을 보여주고 있다. 본 연구 결과는 동아시아 큰발윗수염박쥐의 계통 유연관계를 이해하는 데 중요한 기초자료가 될 것이며, 향후 한반도의 남부와 중국, 러시아 등에서 시료 확보를 통해 집단 간 진화적 상관관계를 이해하는 데 필요한 설득력 있는 자료가 마련되어야 할 것이다. This study was carried out to reveal the genetic population structure of the Jeju Island population and the phylogenetic relationship of East Asian populations of the large-footed bat (Myotis macrodactylus) based on the genetic polymorphisms of mitochondrial cytochrome B (CYTB) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (ND1) gene sequences. A total of fourteen and nine haplotypes were found in the CYTB and ND1 sequences from East Asian bats, respectively. Haplotype distribution showed locality specific patterns. The results from ND1 haplotype analysis showed that the Jeju Island population has four haplotypes: the Mt. Halla and Western subpopulations have three ND1 haplotypes, but the Eastern subpopulation has just a single haplotype Nd03, which is commonly found on this island. The neighbor-joining (NJ) tree showed the closer relationship between Jeju Island and Japan rather than that between Jeju and Gangwon-do Province. The divergence time between the maternal ancestor lineages of Japanese and Chinese populations was estimated to be 0.789&#xB1;0.063 MYBP. The secondary divergence between Jeju and Japanese bats was calculated about to be 0.168&#xB1;0.013 MYBP. The Jeju population has immigrated to the island at least fifty thousand years ago. In addition, ND1 haplotype analysis suggested that the insular bats have experienced at least two further genetic differentiation events within this island. Consequently, these findings suggested that the results of this study may play a critical role in understanding the phylogenetic relationship among East Asian bat populations of M. macrodactylus. To prepare more explainable information on evolutionary correlation, analysis is still required to examine using expanded samples from China, Russia, and southern parts of the Korean Peninsula.

Significant Range Extension of Two Uncommon South-East Asian Bat Species

Abstract. During the field surveys, held in the framework of activities of the Vietnamese-Russian Tropical Center, two remarkable bat records were made in Vietnamese provinces Dong Nai and Kon Tum. Adult female of Hipposideros swinhoei was captured in Cat Tien National Park, more than in 1,000 km south from previously known localities. Adult females of Nyctalus cf. labiata were captured in Kon Plong forestry, representing probably the first exact Indochinese locality for this species. Both records provide new valuable information about distribution of Palaearctic faunal elements in Asian tropical areas.

The 3rd International Southeast Asian Bat Conference参加報告

The 3rd International Southeast Asian Bat Conference参加報告

Henipaviruses are Not Yet History

ABSTRACT Within the Paramyxoviridae family, Henipaviruses are the deadliest human pathogens. Nipah and Hendra viruses comprise the genus Henipavirus, zoonotic pathogens which cause encephalitis and respiratory disease in humans with mortality rates that can exceed 70%. Henipaviruses are the only Paramyxoviruses classified as biosafety level 4 pathogens due to their extreme pathogenicity, potential for bioterrorism and lack of available licensed vaccines or therapeutic modalities. Both viruses emerged from their natural reservoir, Asian fruit bats, during the last decade of the 20th century. They caused severe disease and mortality in humans, horses and swine. They also infected a number of other mammalian species. With significant progress in understanding the biology of these deadly pathogens, including the discovery of a Hendra virus vaccine and a potential neutralizing antibody, have we really won the war against the Henipavirus?

A Recent Bat Survey Reveals Bukit Barisan Selatan Landscape as a Chiropteran Diversity Hotspot in Sumatra

Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park is one of the last refuges protecting intact forest and a representative mammalian fauna in Sumatra. However, knowledge of bat diversity in the area is limited. From 2010 to 2012, 47 bat species were recorded through a series of surveys in 12 localities within and around the national park. An additional six species from the area were identified from the mammal collection of the Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense, Indonesia. At least seven of the species reported in this study are new records for Sumatra, including Kerivoula krauensis, K. lenis, K. minuta, Murina rozendaali, Myotis horsfieldii, Myotis cf. borneoensis, and Rhinolophus borneensis/celebensis. Moreover, a finding of two distinct morphs of Chironax melanocephalus coexisting in the study area indicates another possible undescribed species. With 60 species, we consider Bukit Barisan Selatan Landscape to be a Southeast Asian bat diversity hotspot and of critical importance in maintaining bat diversity in Sumatra.

Parasite and viral species richness of Southeast Asian bats: Fragmentation of area distribution matters.

Interest in bat-borne diseases and parasites has grown in the past decade over concerns for human health. However, the drivers of parasite diversity among bat host species are understudied as are the links between parasite richness and emerging risks. Thus, we aimed at exploring factors that explain macro and microparasite species richness in bats from Southeast Asia, a hotspot of emerging infectious diseases. First, we identified bat species that need increased sampling effort for pathogen discovery. Our approach highlights pathogen investigation disparities among species within the same genus, such as Rhinolophus and Pteropus. Secondly, comparative analysis using independent contrasts method allowed the identification of likely factors explaining parasite and viral diversity of bats. Our results showed a key role of bat distribution shape, an index of the fragmentation of bat distribution, on parasite diversity, linked to a decrease for both viral and endoparasite species richness. We discuss how our study may contribute to a better understanding of the link between parasite species richness and emergence.

Phylogeography of the Rickett’s big-footed bat, Myotis pilosus(Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae): a novel pattern of genetic structure of bats in China

BackgroundChina is characterized by complex topographic structure and dramatic palaeoclimatic changes, making species biogeography studies particularly interesting. Previous researchers have also demonstrated multiple species experienced complex population histories, meanwhile multiple shelters existed in Chinese mainland. Despite this, species phylogeography is still largely unexplored. In the present study, we used a combination of microsatellites and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to investigate the phylogeography of the east Asian fish-eating bat (Myotis pilosus).ResultsPhylogenetic analyses showed that M. pilosus comprised three main lineages: A, B and C, which corresponded to distinct geographic populations of the Yangtze Plain (YTP), Sichuan Basin (SCB) and North and South of China (NSC), respectively. The most recent common ancestor of M. pilosus was dated as 0.25 million years before present (BP). Population expansion events were inferred for populations of Clade C, North China Plain region, Clade B and YunGui Plateau region at 38,700, 15,900, 4,520 and 4,520 years BP, respectively. Conflicting results were obtained from mtDNA and microsatellite analyses; strong population genetic structure was obtained from mtDNA data but not microsatellite data. The microsatellite data indicated that genetic subdivision fits an isolation-by-distance (IBD) model, but the mtDNA data failed to support this model.ConclusionsOur results suggested that Pleistocene climatic oscillations might have had a profound influence on the demographic history of M. pilosus. Spatial genetic structures of maternal lineages that are different from those observed in other sympatric bats species may be as a result of interactions among special population history and local environmental factors. There are at least three possible refugia for M. pilosus during glacial episodes. Apparently contradictory genetic structure patterns of mtDNA and microsatellite could be explained by male-mediated gene flow among populations. This study also provides insights on the necessity of conservation of M. pilosus populations to conserve this genetic biodiversity, especially in the areas of YTP, SCB and NSC regions.

New chiropterans from the middle Eocene of Shanghuang (Jiangsu Province, Coastal China): new insight into the dawn horseshoe bats (Rhinolophidae) in Asia

Until recently, the fossil record of Paleogene bats in Asia primarily included extinct families (i.e. ‘Eochiroptera’) from the early Eocene of Vastan in India and from the middle‐late Eocene of the Liguanqiao and Yuanqu basins in central China. Here, we describe a new fauna of Chiroptera from the middle Eocene Shanghuang fissure fillings of China. The fauna includes abundant material referred to a new rhinolophid (Protorhinolophus shanghuangensis gen. and sp. n.), one specimen of a possible rhinopomatid and several indeterminate rhinolophoids. This new bat assemblage constitutes the earliest record of extant families of microbats in Asia. Because it lacks representatives of ‘Eochiroptera’, this Shanghuang bat fauna indicates significant turnover in Asian bat communities. The dental pattern of P. shanghuangensis shows a mosaic of primitive and derived features (‘Eochiroptera’ vs Rhinolophidae dental characteristics), suggesting that this taxon occupies a basal position among the Rhinolophidae. Rhinolophids were already well diversified at the end of the late Eocene in Europe. Interestingly, many dental characteristics of Protorhinolophus are also found in a primitive rhinolophoid taxon, Vaylatsia, from the middle Eocene to late Oligocene of Europe, supporting a close relationship between these taxa. These affinities testify to the widespread Eurasian distribution of rhinolophoids during the Eocene and are consistent with a westward dispersal of the group from eastern Asia to Europe owing to the greater antiquity of Protorhinolophus.

Dispersal, mating events and fine-scale genetic structure in the lesser flat-headed bats.

Population genetic structure has important consequences in evolutionary processes and conservation genetics in animals. Fine-scale population genetic structure depends on the pattern of landscape, the permanent movement of individuals, and the dispersal of their genes during temporary mating events. The lesser flat-headed bat (Tylonycteris pachypus) is a nonmigratory Asian bat species that roosts in small groups within the internodes of bamboo stems and the habitats are fragmented. Our previous parentage analyses revealed considerable extra-group mating in this species. To assess the spatial limits and sex-biased nature of gene flow in the same population, we used 20 microsatellite loci and mtDNA sequencing of the ND2 gene to quantify genetic structure among 54 groups of adult flat-headed bats, at nine localities in South China. AMOVA and F ST estimates revealed significant genetic differentiation among localities. Alternatively, the pairwise F ST values among roosting groups appeared to be related to the incidence of associated extra-group breeding, suggesting the impact of mating events on fine-scale genetic structure. Global spatial autocorrelation analyses showed positive genetic correlation for up to 3 km, indicating the role of fragmented habitat and the specialized social organization as a barrier in the movement of individuals among bamboo forests. The male-biased dispersal pattern resulted in weaker spatial genetic structure between localities among males than among females, and fine-scale analyses supported that relatedness levels within internodes were higher among females than among males. Finally, only females were more related to their same sex roost mates than to individuals from neighbouring roosts, suggestive of natal philopatry in females.

The New Age of Virus Discovery: Genomic Analysis of a Novel Human Betacoronavirus Isolated from a Fatal Case of Pneumonia

ABSTRACTA new human betacoronavirus in lineage c, tentatively called HCoV-EMC, was isolated from a patient from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia who died from acute severe pneumonia and renal failure. The viral RNA has been detected in eight additional cases. Sequencing and bioinformatic analysis of the viral genomic RNA showed that it is a novel virus not previously detected in any other species and that its closest relatives are two Asian bat coronaviruses. HCoV-EMC may represent a sporadic spillover to humans from an unknown animal reservoir. In a recent article, van Boheemen et al. demonstrated how state-of-the-art sequencing technology and bioinformatic analysis can quickly provide critical insight into the viral genome sequence, phylogeny, replication strategy, and potential drug and vaccine targets and generate tools to evaluate the possible epidemic risk associated with this novel human virus.

The projected effects of climatic and vegetation changes on the distribution and diversity of Southeast Asian bats

AbstractSoutheast‐Asia (SEA) constitutes a global biodiversity hotspot, but is exposed to extensive deforestation and faces numerous threats to its biodiversity. Climate change represents a major challenge to the survival and viability of species, and the potential consequences must be assessed to allow for mitigation. We project the effects of several climate change scenarios on bat diversity, and predict changes in range size for 171 bat species throughout SEA. We predict decreases in species richness in all areas with high species richness (&gt;80 species) at 2050–2080, using bioclimatic IPCC scenarios A2 (a severe scenario, continuously increasing human population size, regional changes in economic growth) and B1 (the ‘greenest’ scenario, global population peaking mid‐century). We also predicted changes in species richness in scenarios that project vegetation changes in addition to climate change up to 2050. At 2050 and 2080, A2 and B1 scenarios incorporating changes in climatic factors predicted that 3–9% species would lose all currently suitable niche space. When considering total extents of species distribution in SEA (including possible range expansions), 2–6% of species may have no suitable niche space in 2050–2080. When potential vegetation and climate changes were combined only 1% of species showed no changes in their predicted ranges by 2050. Although some species are projected to expand ranges, this may be ecologically impossible due to potential barriers to dispersal, especially for species with poor dispersal ability. Only 1–13% of species showed no projected reductions in their current range under bioclimatic scenarios. An effective way to facilitate range shift for dispersal‐limited species is to improve landscape connectivity. If current trends in environmental change continue and species cannot expand their ranges into new areas, then the majority of bat species in SEA may show decreases in range size and increased extinction risk within the next century.

2nd International South-East Asian Bat Conference (2011)参加報告

2nd International South-East Asian Bat Conference (2011)参加報告

Mechanisms of Sperm Storage in the Female Reproductive Tract: an Interspecies Comparison

Once semen has been collected for artificial insemination, it is diluted into extenders designed to prevent its deterioration over the period prior to insemination. If the semen is not frozen, the extenders provide protection for a period of a few hours to a few days, depending on species. Despite the efforts of biotechnologists to increase the duration of storage without compromising fertility, there has been relatively little progress for many years. However, comparative studies in diverse species have revealed that long-term sperm storage (up to months and years) within the female reproductive tract is relatively commonplace in reptiles, fishes, birds and amphibians. Even among mammals, some species of bat have evolved mechanisms for storing spermatozoa for several months in the uterus or oviduct so that they can mate in the autumn but postpone fertilization until the spring. We currently know little about the mechanisms that support such long-term sperm storage, mainly because evidence from such species is either absent or fragmentary. Nevertheless, parallels between mammalian and other systems, where spermatozoa are sequestered in sperm storage tubules, suggest that the enclosure of spermatozoa within pockets of epithelial cells may be sufficient to achieve long-term sperm storage. In addition, recent evidence from sperm-storing bats has suggested an alternative, or additional, hypothesis that the modulation of apoptosis within epithelial cells is important in controlling sperm survival. Despite a lack of direct experimental evidence from a wide variety of species, I propose that there is now enough evidence to warrant investigation of these hypotheses.

SARS-Coronavirus ancestor’s foot-prints in South-East Asian bat colonies and the refuge theory

One of the great challenges in the ecology of infectious diseases is to understand what drives the emergence of new pathogens including the relationship between viruses and their hosts. In the case of the emergence of SevereAcute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV), several studies have shown coronavirus diversity in bats as well as the existence of SARS-CoV infection in apparently healthy bats, suggesting that bats may be a crucial host in the genesis of this disease. To elucidate the biogeographic origin of SARS-CoV and investigate the role that bats played in its emergence, we amplified coronavirus sequences from bat species captured throughout Thailand and assessed the phylogenetic relationships to each other and to other published coronavirus sequences. To this end, RdRp sequence of Coronavirinae was targeted by RT-PCR in non-invasive samples from bats collected in Thailand. Two new coronaviruses were detected in two bat species: one Betacoronavirus in Hipposideros larvatus and one Alphacoronavirus in Hipposiderosarmiger. Interestingly, these viruses from South-East Asia are related to those previously detected in Africa (Betacoronavirus-b) or in Europe (Alphacoronavirus & Betacoronavirus-b). These findings illuminate the origin and the evolutionary history of the SARS-CoV group found in bats by pushing forward the hypothesis of a Betacoronavirus spill-over from Hipposideridae to Rhinolophidae and then from Rhinolophidae to civets and Human. All reported Betacoronaviruses-b (SARS-CoV group) of Hipposideridae and Rhinolophidae respectively cluster in two groups despite their broad geographic distribution and the sympatry of their hosts, which is in favor of an ancient and genetically independent evolution of Betacoronavirus-b clusters in these families. Moreover, despite its probable pathogenicity, we found that a Betacoronavirus-b can persistently infect a medium-sized hipposiderid bat colony. These findings illustrate the importance of the host phylogeny and the host/pathogen ecological interactions in the description and the understanding of pathogen emergence. The host’s phylogeny, biogeography and behaviour, combined with already described roles of pathogen plasticity and anthropic changes are likely to be co-factors of disease emergence. Elucidating the common ancestor of Hipposideridae and Rhinolophidae is key to understanding the evolutionary history of actual betacoronaviruses and therefore to get an insight of the deep origin of SARS-CoV.

Rabies-related knowledge and practices among persons at risk of bat exposures in Thailand.

BackgroundRabies is a fatal encephalitis caused by lyssaviruses. Evidence of lyssavirus circulation has recently emerged in Southeast Asian bats. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Thailand to assess rabies-related knowledge and practices among persons regularly exposed to bats and bat habitats. The objectives were to identify deficiencies in rabies awareness, describe the occurrence of bat exposures, and explore factors associated with transdermal bat exposures.MethodsA survey was administered to a convenience sample of adult guano miners, bat hunters, game wardens, and residents/personnel at Buddhist temples where mass bat roosting occurs. The questionnaire elicited information on demographics, experience with bat exposures, and rabies knowledge. Participants were also asked to describe actions they would take in response to a bat bite as well as actions for a bite from a potentially rabid animal. Bivariate analysis was used to compare responses between groups and multivariable logistic regression was used to explore factors independently associated with being bitten or scratched by a bat.FindingsOf 106 people interviewed, 11 (10%) identified bats as a potential source of rabies. A history of a bat bite or scratch was reported by 29 (27%), and 38 (36%) stated either that they would do nothing or that they did not know what they would do in response to a bat bite. Guano miners were less likely than other groups to indicate animal bites as a mechanism of rabies transmission (68% vs. 90%, p = 0.03) and were less likely to say they would respond appropriately to a bat bite or scratch (61% vs. 27%, p = 0.003). Guano mining, bat hunting, and being in a bat cave or roost area more than 5 times a year were associated with history of a bat bite or scratch.ConclusionsThese findings indicate the need for educational outreach to raise awareness of bat rabies, promote exposure prevention, and ensure appropriate health-seeking behaviors for bat-inflicted wounds, particularly among at-risk groups in Thailand.

Seasonal Change in the Diet Composition of the Asian Parti-Coloured BatVespertilio sinensis

We determined the food habit of the Asian parti-coloured bat Vespertilio sinensis from May to August by analysing their faecal samples. Eight orders of insects were identified in the faeces. Lepidoptera, Diptera and Coleoptera had high frequencies of occurrence, but the proportion of each order varied with the sampling period. A comparison between diet composition and relative insect abundance showed that proportions of Coleoptera in the diet were larger than those in insect abundance. This pattern also was true for Lepidoptera in some sampling periods. In contrast, proportions of Diptera in the diet were lower than those in insect abundance, although Diptera was a major prey item. These results suggest that the diet composition of V. sinensis may be biased towards larger-sized taxa. Furthermore, the lack of any significant differences between diet composition and insect abundance for the other five orders suggested that the diet composition of V. sinensis is also influenced by the seasonal prevalence of each insect taxon.