Guano Research Articles

English

English

Genetic Characterization of Providence Virus Isolated from Bat Guano in Hungary.

We report the complete genome sequence and genetic characterization of a novel strain of Providence virus, detected in Barbastella barbastellus bat guano, collected in Hungary in 2014. Our data may facilitate the understanding of the evolutionary processes of this unique viral family of Carmotetraviridae.

Detection of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome‐Related Coronavirus and Alphacoronavirus in the Bat Population of Taiwan

SummaryBats have been demonstrated to be natural reservoirs of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) CoV. Faecal samples from 248 individuals of 20 bat species were tested for partial RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase gene of CoV and 57 faecal samples from eight bat species were tested positive. The highest detection rate of 44% for Scotophilus kuhlii, followed by 30% for Rhinolophus monoceros. Significantly higher detection rates of coronaviral RNA were found in female bats and Scotophilus kuhlii roosting in palm trees. Phylogenetic analysis classified the positive samples into SARS‐related (SARSr) CoV, Scotophilus bat CoV 512 close to those from China and Philippines, and Miniopterus bat CoV 1A‐related lineages. Coronaviral RNA was also detected in bat guano from Scotophilus kuhlii and Myotis formosus flavus on the ground and had potential risk for human exposure. Diverse bat CoV with zoonotic potential could be introduced by migratory bats and maintained in the endemic bat population in Taiwan.

Fungi isolated and quantified from bat guano and air in Harmanecká and Driny Caves (Slovakia)

Fungi isolated and quantified from bat guano and air in Harmanecká and Driny Caves (Slovakia)

A brief history of exploration in Lechuguilla Cave in New Mexico, USA

Lechuguilla Cave, a complex three-dimensional cave with a single known entrance, is located in remote desert terrain in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, in southeastern New Mexico, USA. The Guadalupe Mountains there contain uplifted limestone and dolomite rock in the Permian-age Capitan Reef complex. Hundreds of caves have been found in this region, but Lechuguilla Cave greatly exceeds the size of all others known. It was only a small pit mined for bat guano in the early twentieth century. In the 1970s the Cave Research Foundation performed digs at the bottom, where profuse air movement had been noted in the debris. This work ceased but another team of cavers visited in 1984, hearing and feeling the significant air, and began a digging project approved by the Park. The cavers dug into continuing passage in 1986. It was explored in three major branches, generally trending west/southwest to east/northeast, parallel to the reef face, with north-south connections along deep rift features. Depositional and corrosional events during sulfuric-acid speleogenesis created remarkable speleothems and speleogenesis, and the cave has often been called “the Jewel of the Underground”. The rapidly growing cave passed 80 km of surveyed length by 1990. Within the first ten years of exploration, 28 large-scale expeditions led to the cave reaching 113 km in length. From 1997 to 2013, 109 additional kilometers were mapped with smaller teams of up to 12 cavers per expedition. Exploration and mapping is now done in three to five expeditions per year, and recent work has focused on climbs and smaller leads such as tight crawls and fissures that were previously passed. Significant discoveries continue to be found using these techniques. The cave reaches a depth of 475 m and has been mapped to over 222 km in length. Exploration to the extreme ends is efficiently done with multi-day expeditions, using established camps in each branch. Cavers from the United States and dozens of other countries have been involved in this mapping project. The cave now has more than 35,000 survey stations, and the complexity of the maze of passages creates significant challenges for cartographers. Based on ever-present airflow and porosity of the bedrock, it is expected that this cave will continue to surprise and delight explorers and speleo-scientists in the future.

What you need is what you eat? Prey selection by the bat Myotis daubentonii.

Optimal foraging theory predicts that predators are selective when faced with abundant prey, but become less picky when prey gets sparse. Insectivorous bats in temperate regions are faced with the challenge of building up fat reserves vital for hibernation during a period of decreasing arthropod abundances. According to optimal foraging theory, prehibernating bats should adopt a less selective feeding behavior--yet empirical studies have revealed many apparently generalized species to be composed of specialist individuals. Targeting the diet of the bat Myotis daubentonii, we used a combination of molecular techniques to test for seasonal changes in prey selectivity and individual-level variation in prey preferences. DNA metabarcoding was used to characterize both the prey contents of bat droppings and the insect community available as prey. To test for dietary differences among M. daubentonii individuals, we used ten microsatellite loci to assign droppings to individual bats. The comparison between consumed and available prey revealed a preference for certain prey items regardless of availability. Nonbiting midges (Chironomidae) remained the most highly consumed prey at all times, despite a significant increase in the availability of black flies (Simuliidae) towards the end of the season. The bats sampled showed no evidence of individual specialization in dietary preferences. Overall, our approach offers little support for optimal foraging theory. Thus, it shows how novel combinations of genetic markers can be used to test general theory, targeting patterns at both the level of prey communities and individual predators.

Epidemiology of Histoplasmosis Outbreaks, United States, 1938-2013.

Histoplasmosis has been described as the most common endemic mycosis in the United States. However, histoplasmosis is not nationally notifiable. Its presumed geographic distribution is largely derived from skin test surveys performed during the 1940s, and information about its local features comes primarily from outbreak investigations. We conducted a literature review to assess epidemiologic features of histoplasmosis outbreaks in the United States. During 1938-2013, a total of 105 outbreaks involving 2,850 cases were reported in 26 states and the territory of Puerto Rico. Common exposure settings were chicken coops and buildings or other structures undergoing renovation or demolition. Birds, bats, or their droppings were reported to be present in 77% of outbreak settings, and workplace exposures were reported in 41% of outbreaks. The continued occurrence of histoplasmosis outbreaks, particularly work-related ones involving known disturbance of bird or bat droppings, highlights the need to increase awareness of the disease.

EFFECT OF BAT GUANO ON SOME GROWTH ASPECTS OF WHEAT (Triticum aestivum L.)

Pot experiment was carried out at a greenhouse belongs to College of Education-University of Alanbar during winter season of 2013/2014 to investigate the effect of application of different levels of bat guano 0, 4 and 8 gm on some growth traits for two bread wheat triticum aestivum L. Cvs, one is local cv. (Aliz) another one is imported from Australia (Eratom). The experimental treatments were distributed under with factorial experiment arrangement 23 and 43.30 gm and root dry weight of 7.29 and 7.53, for each combination, respectively. It thus could be concluded that the application of bat guano at 8gm alone was the better than 4gm in some traits. However, the genetic affinity of local cv was dominated with 4gm application and of imported cv was to 8gm application. Some traits were measured as plant height, leaf area, leaf nos., tillers nos., root length, vegetative dry weight and root dry weight. Results revealed that bat guano application of 8gm was significantly superior in average of leaf nos of 33 leaves. Plant-1, tiller nos of (5.5 tillers. Plant-1) root length of 10.5 cm and vegetative dry weight of 40.27 gm. Local cv also significantly gave the highest average of leaf nos 29 leaves. Plant-1, root length 10.0 cm and vegetative dry weight 37.31 gm. Furthermore, the interaction combinations of 4gm with local cv and 8gm with imported one were superior in average leaf nos of 38 and 28 leaves. Plant-1, tiller nos of 7 and 5 tillers. Plant-1, root length of 11 and 10 cm, vegetative dry weight of 40.

Groundwater quality in selected caves in Ravni kotari (Croatia)

Complex mechanisms of pollution transport in karst underground and the fact that contaminated cave water can be a health hazard if used for human consumption, imposes the need for monitoring the cave water quality. In order to determine groundwater quality, water samples were collected in four caves in Ravni kotari (Croatia) and analyzed for microbiological and chemical indicators of pollution. Microbiological analyses showed increased concentration of various coliform bacteria at all four locations. Probable sources of pollution are inadequately built septic tanks in nearby villages and bat guano in caves with bat colonies. Chemical analyses indicated values of possible pollutants to be much lower than the permitted values, which reflects the fact that agriculture, as a frequent source of chemical pollution in rural regions, is not as developed as it used to be, thus posing no serious threat to the groundwater quality.

Mitigating the Impact of Bats in Historic Churches: The Response of Natterer's Bats Myotis nattereri to Artificial Roosts and Deterrence.

Bats frequently roost in historic churches, and these colonies are of considerable conservation value. Inside churches, bat droppings and urine can cause damage to the historic fabric of the building and to items of cultural significance. In extreme cases, large quantities of droppings can restrict the use of a church for worship and/or other community functions. In the United Kingdom, bats and their roosts are protected by law, and striking a balance between conserving the natural and cultural heritage can be a significant challenge. We investigated mitigation strategies that could be employed in churches and other historic buildings to alleviate problems caused by bats without adversely affecting their welfare or conservation status. We used a combination of artificial roost provision and deterrence at churches in Norfolk, England, where significant maternity colonies of Natterer’s bats Myotis nattereri damage church features. Radio-tracking data and population modelling showed that excluding M. nattereri from churches is likely to have a negative impact on their welfare and conservation status, but that judicious use of deterrents, especially high intensity ultrasound, can mitigate problems caused by bats. We show that deterrence can be used to move bats humanely from specific roosting sites within a church and limit the spread of droppings and urine so that problems to congregations and damage to cultural heritage can be much reduced. In addition, construction of bespoke roost spaces within churches can allow bats to continue to roost within the fabric of the building without flying in the church interior. We highlight that deterrence has the potential to cause serious harm to M. nattereri populations if not used judiciously, and so the effects of deterrents will need careful monitoring, and their use needs strict regulation.

Bat consumption in Thailand

BackgroundHuman consumption of bats poses an increasing public health threat globally. Communities in which bat guano is mined from caves have extensive exposure to bat excreta, often harvest bats for consumption, and are at risk for bat-borne diseases.MethodsThis rapid ethnographic study was conducted in four provinces of Thailand (Ratchaburi, Sakaeo, Nakorn Sawan, and Phitsanulok), where bat guano was mined and sold during the period April–August 2014. The aim of this study was to understand behaviors and risk perceptions associated with bat conservation, exposure to bats and their excreta, and bat consumption. Sixty-seven respondents playing various roles in bat guano mining, packaging, sale, and use as fertilizer participated in the study. Data were collected through interviews and/or focus group discussions.ResultsIn spite of a bat conservation program dating back to the 1980s, the benefits of conserving bats and the risks associated with bat consumption were not clear and infrequently articulated by study respondents.DiscussionSince bat consumption continues, albeit covertly, the risk of bat-borne diseases remains high. There is an opportunity to reduce the risk of bat-borne diseases in guano-mining communities by strengthening bat conservation efforts and raising awareness of the health risks of bat consumption. Further research is suggested to test behavior change strategies for reducing bat consumption.

Bat guano δ13C and δ15N values as climate proxy

The aim of the present study is to demonstrate the usefulness of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in bat guano as proxies for paleoclimate changes. We show a 2500-year record of environmental change in Romania using δ 13 C, δ 15 N, and (C:N) derived from precisely 14 C-dated bat guano cores recovered from Gaura cu Musca (GM), Zidita (ZC), and Magurici (MC) caves

Discovery of lepidopteran insects feeding on bat guano in Japan

Discovery of lepidopteran insects feeding on bat guano in Japan

Role of Indian flying fox Pteropus giganteus Brünnich, 1782 (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) as a seed disperser in urban areas of Lahore, Pakistan

This 1-year study, extending from January to December 2011, was conducted to investigate the role of the Indian flying fox (Pteropus giganteus) as a seed disperser in Lahore, Pakistan. Ejecta of the species from two roosting sites, i.e. Jinnah garden and Lalazar garden, was collected and the plant seeds were extracted from bat boluses and guano. Various seeds of edible trees and forest plantation species extracted from ejecta of P. Giganteus included areca palm (Areca catechu), coromandel ebony (Diospyros melanoxylon), Indian gaabh (D. Peregrina), lemon-scented gum (Eucalyptus citriodora), Chinese fan palm (Livistona chinensis), sapodilla (Manilkara zapota), mahwa (Madhuca longifolia), Indian lilac (Melia azedarach), cajeput tree (Melaleuca leucadendra), rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum), guava (Psidium guajava), and janbolanum plum (Syzygium jambolanum). Measurements of the extracted seeds' length (mm), diameter (mm), and weight (g) were taken and the seeds of jack fruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) were found the longest (40 mm) with the maximum average diameter (50 mm) while the rambutan (N. Lappaceum) seeds were the heaviest (3.4 g). It can be concluded from the present study that P. Giganteus is a seed disperser and transporter of heavier seeds as heavier seeds are mammal-dependent for their dispersal.

Acanthamoeba and other free-living amoebae in bat guano, an extreme habitat.

Several representatives of the so-called free-living amoebae (FLA) are of medical relevance, not only as facultative pathogens but also as vehicles for pathogenic bacteria. Some FLA can survive and even grow under extreme environmental conditions. Bat guano is an exceptional habitat, the conditions becoming gradually more extreme with aging. In the current study, samples of bat guano of different ages from five caves in Slovenia were screened for the presence of FLA. FLA were isolated from almost all guano samples, including guano with a pH of 3.5. Only the two samples that had been drawn from >20-year-old guano were negative for FLA. Generally, FLA diversity correlated to high concentrations of cultivable bacteria (∼10(8) CFU/g) and fungi (∼10(5) CFU/g). Interestingly, the absence of FLA in seasoned guanos was mirrored by the presence of dictyostelid slime moulds. The isolated amoebae were identified as belonging to the genera Acanthamoeba, Copromyxa, Naegleria, Sappinia, Tetramitus, Thecamoeba, Vahlkampfia, Vannella and Vermamoeba. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on the diversity of FLA in guano.

How Bat Breath and Guano Can Change the Shapes of Caves

Researchers working in caves in Borneo and elsewhere are finding evidence that biological processes shape many tropical caves by slowly eating away at surrounding rock.

Key to Identify Insects from Droppings of Some Insectivorous Bats of Nepal

Food habit of insectivorous bats was studied using fecal analysis. The fresh bat dropping samples from Mahendra cave, Pokhara and Nagarjun cave, Kathmandu were collected in March and September 2011. Bat droppings were moistened in hot water, separated into fine pieces and observed under stereoscope. The recovered insects and insect parts were mounted in slide, photographed and identified up to Order and Family level. Altogether ten insect orders viz. Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Homoptera, Odonata, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Orthoptera, Trichoptera and Thysanoptera and 25 families were identified. In addition, spider and mites were also reported. The identification key to Order and Family level has been prepared based on the studied characters compared with taxonomic characters from literature.Journal of Institute of Science and Technology, 2014, 19(1): 129-136

Cave physical attributes influencing the structure of terrestrial invertebrate communities in Neotropics

The stability of temperature and humidity in caves is well known. However, little is known if higher or lower cave environmental stability (temperature, humidity, light and others) implies changes in the structure of the biological communities. Number, position and size of entrances, then size, depth, host rock and extent of the cave, the amount and type of food resources are all factors that can have strong influence on the cave biological communities. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the correlation between the presence of water bodies, size of entrances and the linear development of caves with the terrestrial invertebrate richness and species composition in 55 limestone caves located in the Brazilian Savannah, sampled from 2000 to 2011. Invertebrates were sampled by active search throughout the caves, prioritizing micro-habitats (sites under rocks) and organic resources (litter, twigs, feces and bat guano). We recorded 1,451 invertebrate species. Species richness was positively correlated with presence of cave streams, width of entrances and linear development of the caves. The richness of troglomorphic species was positively correlated to the presence of perennial pools and linear development of the caves. The presence of cave streams was a decisive factor for determining the community structure, increasing the number and the similarity of troglophile species among the caves. Flood pulses can cause disturbances that eventually select the same species besides importing resources. However, for the terrestrial troglomorphic species the disturbance caused by cave streams may decrease the number of species.

The early Cambrian tommotiidKulparina rostratafrom South Australia

AbstractThe early Cambrian (Terreneuvian, Stage 2) tommotiidKulparina rostrataConway Morris and Bengtson in Bengtson et al., 1990 is revised. The pyramidal sclerites ofK. rostrataare shown to be bilaterally symmetrical and homologues of the symmetrical S1 sclerites ofPaterimitra pyramidalisLaurie, 1986. The scleritome ofK. rostratais also shown to include flattened asymmetrical sclerites that were originally described under the nameEccentrotheca guanoBengtson in Bengtson et al., 1990 and which correspond to the L-sclerites ofPaterimitra. A modified tubular scleritome and a sessile filter-feeding mode of life is envisaged forKulparina rostrata.

Seasonal changes in stable carbon and nitrogen isotope compositions of bat guano (Guadeloupe)

Stable isotope compositions of fossil bat guano have recently been developed as a proxy for reconstructing terrestrial paleoenvironments. However, our understanding of exactly how accurately these isotope compositions reflect seasonal variations remains limited. Here, we present a study of modern guano of phytophagous bats collected monthly over a one-year period at two roosting sites in Guadeloupe. The aim is to assess the degree to which seasonal climate and environmental variations are reflected in carbon and nitrogen isotope compositions from bat guano, as well as to evaluate the potential use of guano from phytophagous bats as a paleoenvironmental record. Our results show that stable isotope compositions vary locally, suggesting that guano of phytophagous bats accurately records local environmental conditions. Additionally, stable isotope compositions reflect seasonal variations influencing bat diet that lead to modifications of up to 2‰ of the carbon isotope compositions from feces. However, these variations are not correlated solely with climate variables as there is no straightforward relationship between climate, vegetation and bat diet over a one-year period. Moreover, these seasonal variations drive one of the bat colonies to occasionally consume insects, which can be traced as a seasonal shift in %N (up to 4.5%) and carbon isotope compositions (up to 5.6‰). Seasonal changes in isotope compositions are still lower than expected variations from fossil feces, confirming the potential use of feces from phytophagous bats as a reliable paleoenvironmental proxy.