Bat Diversity Research Articles

Responses of insectivorous bats to different types of land-use in an endemic-rich island in Central West Africa

Land-use change underpins the ongoing biodiversity crisis. Although such impacts are particularly acute across endemic-rich oceanic islands, little is known for afro-tropical islands. Here we assessed insectivorous bat responses to different land-use types of the island of São Tomé, in Central West Africa. Since its human colonization in the mid-15th century, São Tomé lost over 70 % of its native habitat, mostly to shaded and oil palm plantations, agriculture, and urban areas, while part of that was abandoned allowing secondary forests to re-grow. Using passive acoustic monitoring, we surveyed insectivorous bats in 115 sites across each land-use type over one month. We then examined bat species richness and activity, and species-specific activity. Based on 5520 h of recordings, we obtained 19,744 bat passes from five of the six taxa known to occur on the island, three of which are endemics. Both species richness and activity were highest in the four non-forest land-use types, with activity further decreasing with altitude. Species-specific responses corresponded to foraging guild: the forest foragers Hipposideros ruber and Macronycteris thomensis showed higher activity in forests and shaded plantations, the activity of the open-space foragers Chaerephon spp. peaked in urban areas, while that of the edge forager Miniopterus newtoni was highest in oil palm plantations. The island's insectivorous bats are persisting despite land-use change, including island endemics. Maintaining the mosaic of land-use types, including native forests, is likely to help sustain insectivorous bat diversity in this tropical island.

Alpha and Betacoronavirus Detection in Neotropical Bats from Northeast Brazil Suggests Wide Geographical Distribution and Persistence in Natural Populations

The emergence of zoonotic viral diseases, notably exemplified by the recent coronavirus disease pandemic in 2019 (COVID-19), underscores the critical need to understand the dynamics of viruses circulating in wildlife populations. This study aimed to investigate the diversity of coronaviruses in bat populations from northeastern Brazil, particularly in the state of Ceará, where little research on bat pathogens has been conducted previously. Bat sampling was performed between March 2021 and March 2022 across three municipalities, resulting in the collection of oral and rectal swabs from 298 captured individuals. Molecular analyses revealed alphacoronaviruses in multiple bat species. Additionally, a novel Betacoronavirus was identified in Artibeus planirostris, which did not fall within an established subgenus. Phylogenetic placement of these new coronavirus sequences suggests that closely related coronavirus lineages can infect a wide range of bat species sampled in distantly related Brazilian states and biomes. No SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A viruses were found in the sampled bats. These findings expand our understanding of coronavirus diversity in Brazilian bats. The detection of coronaviruses in various bat species underscores the importance of bats as reservoirs for these viruses. The absence of SARS-CoV-2 in the sampled bats indicates a lack of spillback events from human or environmental sources. However, the potential for future transmission events underscores the importance of ongoing surveillance and transmission mitigation protocols in wildlife management practices.

Picornaviridae and Caliciviridae diversity in Madagascar fruit bats is driven by cross-continental genetic exchange.

Bats are reservoir hosts for numerous well-known zoonotic viruses, but their broader virus-hosting capacities remain understudied. Picornavirales are an order of enteric viruses known to cause disease across a wide range of mammalian hosts, including Hepatitis A in humans and foot-and-mouth disease in ungulates. Host-switching and recombination drive the diversification of Picornavirales worldwide. Divergent Caliciviridae and Picornaviridae (families within the Picornavirales ) have been described in bats across mainland Africa, but surveillance for these viruses has been rare in the Southwest Indian Ocean Islands. Bats live in close proximity to and are consumed widely as a food source by humans in Madagascar, providing opportunities for zoonotic transmission. Prior work in Madagascar has described numerous evolutionarily divergent bat viruses, some with zoonotic potential. Using metagenomic Next Generation Sequencing of urine and fecal samples obtained from three species of endemic Malagasy fruit bats ( Eidolon dupreanum , Pteropus rufus , and Rousettus madagascariensis ), we recovered 13 full-length and 37 partial-length genomic sequences within the order Picornavirales (36 Picornaviridae and 14 Caliciviridae sequences), which we identify and describe here. We find evidence that genetic exchange between mainland African bat and Madagascar bat Picornavirales likely shaped the diversification patterns of these novel sequences through recombination events between closely related Picornavirales ; thus far, high host fidelity appears to have limited these viruses from spilling over into other species.

Molecular detection of trypanosomatids among cave-dwelling bats from Colombia.

Bats play crucial roles in various ecosystems including caves. Although the presence of trypanosomatid species in bats has been documented in Colombia, their diversity in cave-dwelling bats remains unclear. This study aimed to characterize the frequency and diversity of protists from the family Trypanosomatidae circulating in bats from the Macaregua cave ecosystem in Santander, Colombia. A total of 112 specimens from the three permanently residing bat species were examined for trypanosomatid presence through the amplification and sequencing of a region of the 18S rRNA gene in blood samples. We report an overall trypanosomatid detection rate of 42.9% (n = 48), involving the three evaluated bat species: Carollia perspicillata (19/43, 44.2%), Natalus tumidirostris (17/39, 43.6%), and Mormoops megalophylla (12/30, 40.0%). The trypanosomatids were classified by amplicon sequencing and phylogenetic analysis as Trypanosoma spp. (33/112, 29.5%), Leishmania spp. (8/112, 7.1%), and Crithidia spp. (9/112, 8%). In addition, two individuals simultaneously carried more than one genus: Trypanosoma and Leishmania (MT087, C. perspicillata), and Trypanosoma and Crithidia (MT120, M. megalophylla). Some of the samples positive for trypanosomatids were characterized at the species level using the same method with the Cytochrome B gene, identifying Trypanosoma cruzi cruzi (TcI-III and TcBat), Trypanosoma cruzi marinkellei, and Leishmania braziliensis in the evaluated bats. We describe the presence of pathogenic trypanosomatids (T. cruzi cruzi, T. cruzi marinkellei, and L. braziliensis), as well as monoxenous trypanosomatids such as Crithidia spp. as the Trypanosomatidae protists carried by bats in cave ecosystems from Colombia. The discussion on how bats become infected by these parasites and their potential role in wild transmission cycles is provided below.

Diversity of ectoparasitic bat flies (Diptera, Hippoboscoidea) in inter-Andean valleys: evaluating interactions in the largest inter-Andean basin of Colombia.

Flies belonging to the families Streblidae and Nycteribiidae are highly specialized arthropods that feed on the blood of bats. Their morphology varies and has adapted throughout their coevolutionary history with hosts. Bat flies are often associated with specific bat species and can establish distinct infracommunities. Interaction networks have been used to better understand these associations, revealing interaction modules between bats and their parasites. The Magdalena River basin is the largest in Colombia, encompassing a wide variety of climatic and ecological conditions, with up to 98 bat species reported. We conducted field trips to capture bats and bat flies in different locations along the basin and reviewed literature records and biological collections to gather additional data on interactions between bats and bat flies in this region. We found a high diversity of bats and bat flies in the Magdalena River basin, revealing a medium specialization and modularity in these interactions. We identified bat fly infracommunities and negative associations between certain bat fly species, suggesting competition for resources within hosts. The specialization is similar to that reported in degraded and fragmented habitats where the availability of shelters decreases, favoring the overcrowding of bats, forming multi-species colonies. In conclusion, our study provides important information on the interactions between bats and bat flies in the Magdalena River basin, expanding knowledge about the diversity and structure of these communities in inter-Andean landscapes.

Landscape influences bat suppression of pine processionary moth: Implications for pest management.

Bats provide important ecosystem services, particularly in agriculture, yet integrating bat management into conservation plans remains challenging. Some landscape features considerably influence bat presence, diversity, and ecosystem service provision. Understanding the relationship between landscape structure, composition, pest suppression, and ecosystem services is crucial. We modelled areas where bats most effectively suppress pine processionary moths (Thaumetopoea pityocampa), considering landscape characteristics to predict ecosystem services and optimise pest suppression in Serra da Estrela, Portugal. Faecal samples collected during fieldwork were analysed for pine processionary moth presence in bat diets. Lasso regression assessed spatial landscape variables to create an "optimal landscape" for predation. Landscape structure and composition influenced pest suppression differently, with the greatest impact within a 5000-m buffer. "Riparian edge" and "tree cover density" were key habitat structure variables supporting bat navigation and access to hunting areas, while "other forest" and "vineyard/orchard" areas were important composition variables. Optimising landscape composition involves incorporating diverse forest within agroforestry systems to enhance pest suppression by creating habitats reflecting bats' foraging preferences. We recommend strategies focusing on riparian edge conservation, selective canopy reduction, and promoting diverse forest compositions. These strategies aim to create mosaic landscapes balancing land uses, fostering optimal conditions for bat foraging. Our study shows edges provide the highest rates of bats-pine processionary moth interactions. However, caution is needed to avoid excessive fragmentation, which may reduce habitat suitability and increase pest presence before effective bat predation. A balanced approach, focusing on edge creation without over-fragmenting the landscape, is key to promoting sustainable pest management.

Geographically widespread and novel hemotropic mycoplasmas and bartonellae in Mexican free-tailed bats and sympatric North American bat species.

Bats have been intensively sampled for viruses but remain mostly understudied for bacterial pathogens. However, bacterial pathogens can have significant impacts on both human health and bat morbidity and even mortality. Hemoplasmas and bartonellae are facultative intracellular bacteria of special interest in bats, given their high prevalence and substantial genetic diversity. Surveys have also supported plausible zoonotic transmission of these bacteria from bats to humans, including Candidatus Mycoplasma haematohominis and Candidatus Bartonella mayotimonensis. Greater characterization of these bacteria across global bat diversity (over 1,480 species) is therefore warranted to inform infection risks for both bats and humans, although little surveillance has thus far been conducted in North American bats. We here describe novel (and in some cases panmictic) hemoplasmas and bartonellae across three colonies of Mexican free-tailed bats and sympatric bat species. We find high genetic diversity and seasonality of these pathogens, including lineages closely related to human pathogens, such as Bartonella rochalimae.

Forest and Isolation Determine Bat Species Richness on Mediterranean Islands: Conservation Implications

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe study of island species richness has gone far beyond traditional theories, as more and more studies attempt to include new predictor variables besides island area. Despite the rich bat diversity of Mediterranean islands, no studies have examined the factors influencing chiropteran species richness in such a geographic context.AimsWe used Greek islands as a model to detect drivers of bat species richness based on a broad species occurrence dataset from islands of the Aegean and Ionian Seas, which was explored using 10 potential predictor variables.Materials and MethodsInitially, we comprehensively evaluated all available data and sources for 53 Greek islands, deemed essential. This resulted in a reduced set of 28 islands. Predictors were grouped into three categories: island area, landscape diversity and island isolation. Generalised linear models were employed to identify the most significant factors explaining bat species richness in the 28 islands.ResultsTree cover and the distance between the islands and their nearest coast (mainland or island) best performed to predict bat species richness on Greek islands.DiscussionWe show the important role of landscape composition and degree of isolation in influencing the distribution of bat species on islands.ConclusionWe highlight the importance of forest habitats and the vital role of their management and protection, especially in the insular systems of the Mediterranean basin, where the risk of forest degradation or loss due to wildfires and land use change is especially high.

Agriculture and Water Availability Show Contrasting Effects on Bats in a Mediterranean Island of Outstanding Chiropteran Biogeographical Value

ABSTRACTWith their unique ecosystems and evolutionary dynamics, small islands offer fascinating contexts to explore animal diversity. Island bats are key players in maintaining ecological balance. However, their populations are threatened worldwide, necessitating comprehensive research and conservation strategies. Pantelleria, a small Mediterranean island and a biogeographic crossroad between Europe and Africa, offers an excellent model to exemplify the challenges to bat conservation in such geographic contexts. We tested three hypotheses: (1) bats would show weak preference patterns for landscape composition due to the island's heterogeneous landscapes, (2) farmland (especially vineyards) would strongly affect bat activity, and (3) distance from water sources would highly influence bat richness and activity. We surveyed bats acoustically using Audiomoth recorders covering most of the island's surface. We recorded seven bat species, including endangered Plecotus gaisleri, Myotis punicus and Rhinolophus mehelyi. Bats showed weak preferences for specific landscape composition, but the dominant species (Pipistrellus kuhlii) decreased its activity for increasing portions of vineyards within the landscape. Moreover, distance to water critically influenced bat richness and activity. Agricultural expansion, pesticide use and human activities pose significant threats to bats on Pantelleria. We advocate for sustainable farming practices and careful water resource management to safeguard bat habitats and mitigate these threats. Conservation should target vineyards, a key economic resource to produce world‐renowned wine ‘Passito di Pantelleria’ by reducing pesticide use and adopting organic management. Water might be supplemented in critical dry habitats. We urge the preservation of bat diversity to support ecosystem health and resilience on small islands like Pantelleria.

Extensive longevity and DNA virus-driven adaptation in nearctic Myotis bats.

The genus Myotis is one of the largest clades of bats, and exhibits some of the most extreme variation in lifespans among mammals alongside unique adaptations to viral tolerance and immune defense. To study the evolution of longevity-associated traits and infectious disease, we generated near-complete genome assemblies and cell lines for 8 closely related species of Myotis. Using genome-wide screens of positive selection, analyses of structural variation, and functional experiments in primary cell lines, we identify new patterns of adaptation contributing to longevity, cancer resistance, and viral interactions in bats. We find that Myotis bats have some of the most significant variation in cancer risk across mammals and demonstrate a unique DNA damage response in primary cells of the long-lived M. lucifugus. We also find evidence of abundant adaptation in response to DNA viruses - but not RNA viruses - in Myotis and other bats in sharp contrast with other mammals, potentially contributing to the role of bats as reservoirs of zoonoses. Together, our results demonstrate how genomics and primary cells derived from diverse taxa uncover the molecular bases of extreme adaptations in non-model organisms.

Bat ectoparasites (Diptera: Streblidae and Acari: Spinturnicidae) from an urban area in the Amazon-Cerrado transition

Parasites significantly influence ecosystems by controlling host populations and spreading diseases, thereby impacting ecological balances. In the Neotropics, hematophagous bat flies and mites are common ectoparasites of bats. The state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, hosts a diverse bat fauna across its Amazon Forest, Cerrado, and Pantanal habitats. We described bat flies and wing mites associated with bats in an urban area in the Amazon-Cerrado transition. Despite the expected diversity of bat in the study area, we expect to find a low number of ectoparasites species, as urban areas are typically associated with reduced parasite diversity. Bats were captured using mist nets, and ectoparasites collected manually or with tweezers and identified under the stereomicroscope. We found 10 species of ectoparasites (seven bat flies and three wingmites) from 181 bats across 22 species. The study found low ectoparasite diversity, possibly due to the small number of bats captured or the constraints found in the urban environment. Most observed bat-ectoparasite associations were consistent with previous studies, but some unexpected associations suggested possible contamination or transient relationships. This research fills a gap in the knowledge of bat ectoparasites in Mato Grosso, contributing to understanding bat-ectoparasite dynamics in diverse habitats.

Bat Species Diversity in the Merapoh Rich Limestone-rich Area within Lipis National Geopark, Malaysia.

Merapoh, Pahang, is an area rich with limestone karst located within the Lipis National Geopark and home to the Sungai Relau gate of Taman Negara Pahang, a totally protected rainforest in Malaysia. Much of the research conducted here is mainly inside the National Park, with few published faunal records for the Merapoh caves. This study compiled the data on the bat species diversity of eight Merapoh caves (March 2020 to March 2022) using mist nets and harp traps. Our results indicate that Chiroptera diversity at Merapoh caves is rich, with a total of 32 species recorded from 865 individuals and four new locality records for the State of Pahang, namely Rousettusleschenaultii, Lyrodermalyra, Rhinolophuscoelophyllus and Hipposiderospomona. Gua Gunting has the highest diversity of bats recorded in this study (19 species). Significant Merapoh caves with bat colony roosts in Merapoh include Gua Jinjang Pelamin (Eonycterisspelaea & Rousettusleschenaultii), Gua Tahi Bintang (Hipposideroslarvatus) and Gua Pasir Besar (Miniopterusmedius). Rhinolophusconvexus, previously recorded only in upper montane rainforests, was also recorded in Merapoh caves indicating that this species can also be found in lower elevations than previously thought. Based on the findings of the current study and additional records from two previous studies, the Merapoh bat species diversity checklist totalled up to 38 species. On the whole, the rich bat diversity in Merapoh is reflective of its immense limestone karst landscape, which highlights the reason Lipis National Geopark has been recently gazetted. Future bat research should continue here and in other karsts within Lipis Geopark to sustainably conserve biological diversity, manage geological structures and raise awareness amongst the locals to appreciate their national heritage.

Mountains host significantly more data deficient and threatened bat species than lowlands

Mountains harbour one third of the world’s biodiversity and much of it is under increasing anthropogenic pressure. Yet, global assessments of the occurrence, and threat status of most mountain taxa, especially elusive ones are lacking, thereby hindering conservation and research prioritisation. In this study, we synthesise the distribution and conservation status of bats, a species rich taxon on mountains. By using data on geographical and elevational distribution ranges from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), we examined bat species richness on mountains, species that predominantly occur in mountains (‘mountain dwelling species’), and those restricted to upper montane and alpine regions within mountains (‘highland dwelling species’). We also used published trait datasets to investigate the traits that are associated with mountain dwelling in bats. Globally, we identified 148 mountain dwelling and 46 highland dwelling bat species. Bat diversity is highest in the Northern Andes and Guiana Highlands. The mountain dwelling nature of bat species was found to be significantly associated with biogeographic realm. Importantly, our results show that mountain dwelling species are proportionately more data deficient than species that predominantly occur in lowlands. Additionally, highland dwelling species are proportionately more threatened than lowland species. Our results highlight a significant dearth of knowledge on mountain dwelling bat species. We conclude that more research is needed for bats specialised on mountain ecosystems. Our results draw attention towards improving the knowledge and protection of bat species that occur predominantly at high elevations across the world.

DNA metabarcoding analyses reveal fine-scale microbiome structures on Western Canadian bat wings.

Microbiomes play important roles in host health. White-nose syndrome (WNS), a fungal infection of bat wings and muzzles, has threatened bat populations across North America since 2006. Recent research suggest that the skin microbiome of bats may play a significant role in bat's susceptibility to WNS. However, relatively little is known about the skin microbiome composition and function in bats in Western Canada, a region with a high diversity of bats, but WNS has yet to be a major issue. Here, we revealed high bacterial and fungal diversities on the skin of three common bat species in Lillooet, British Columbia, including several highly prevalent microbial species that have been rarely reported in other regions. Our analyses showed fine-scale structures of bat wing microbiome based on local sites and bat species. The knowledge obtained from WNS-naïve bat populations in this study may help develop mitigation and management strategies against WNS.

The state of the bats in North America.

The world's rich diversity of bats supports healthy ecosystems and important ecosystem services. Maintaining healthy biological systems requires prompt identification of threats to biodiversity and immediate action to protect species, which for wide-ranging bat species that span geopolitical boundaries warrants international coordination. Anthropogenic forces drive the threats to bats throughout North America and the world. We conducted an international expert elicitation to assess the status of 153 bat species in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. We used expert assessment to determine the conservation status, highest impact threats, and recent population trends for these species. We found that 53% of North American bat species have moderate to very high risk of extinction in the next 15 years. The highest impact threats varied with species and country, and four IUCN threat categories had the greatest overall impacts: Climate Change, Problematic Species (including disease), Agriculture, and Energy Production. Experts estimated that 90% of species assessed had decreasing population trends over the past 15 years, demonstrating the need for conservation action. Although the state of North American bats is concerning, we identify threats that can be addressed through internationally collaborative, proactive, and protective actions to support the recovery and resilience of North American bat species.

Diversidad y conservación de los murciélagos de Cusco, Perú

In this work, we present an updated list of bats from the Cusco department, based on the review of scientific collections, databases, and published research. Our data show that Cusco is one of the regions with the highest bat diversity in the country, recording seven families, 55 genera, and 114 species, nearly 60% of those recorded for Peru. This diversity includes two of the nine endemic species registered in Peru: Mormopterus phrudus and Anoura javieri. According to Peruvian legislation, five species are categorized as threatened, while six species are listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Additionally, 10 species are considered common, and 27 are classified as rare. The density map of records indicates that the highest concentration of records is in the La Convención province and identifies four areas with information gaps: 1) Southeast of Cusco, 2) Southwest, encompassing the provinces of Chumbivilcas and Espinar, 3) Northwest of La Convención, and 4) Northeast of La Convención. The list provides species data at the provincial level, highlighting information gaps and updates on species distribution across ecoregions, besides is included the distribution maps of all species.

Conservation gaps for Brazilian bats, limited protection across conservation units and the importance of the indigenous lands.

In Brazil, there is 13% of the world's bat diversity, is the second most diverse group of mammals, playing a crucial role in providing ecosystem services that benefit humans. However, anthropogenic disturbances exacerbate processes of species extinction, shifts in geographic distributions, and phenological changes, despite efforts to safeguard biodiversity through the creation of Conservation Units and Indigenous Lands. Moreover, gaps in taxonomic knowledge and challenges related to species distribution hinder the effective implementation of conservation strategies in protected areas. This study assesses the contribution of Brazilian Conservation Units (both Full Protection and Sustainable Use) and Indigenous Lands to the conservation of bat species and their ecosystem services. It also presents maps illustrating species richness by trophic guilds and threat classification according to IUCN, including species listed as Data Deficient. The findings reveal low percentages of potential bat distribution areas within these protected regions, especially for insectivorous, nectarivorous, and frugivorous bats in the Cerrado biome, which are classified as Near Threatened. Additionally, the highest bat species richness was observed in the Amazon and Atlantic Forest biomes.

Response of phyllostomid bat diversity to tree cover types in North-western Ecuador

Agricultural activities affect tropical forest biodiversity; however, some bat species can survive under these anthropogenic changes. We described the characteristics of phyllostomid bat assemblages in tree covers located in 48 plots among four agricultural landscapes of North-western Ecuador. Bats were captured with mist nets installed at a ground level reaching three meters’ height. For each of the plots, we installed a mist net in four types of tree cover (polyspecific live fences, monospecific live fences, cacao plantations, and isolated trees in pastures). We captured 250 phyllostomid bats belonging to 16 species with a trapping effort of 19,200 m2 of net coverage. Polyspecific live fences showed significant differences in relative abundance, richness, and diversity of phyllostomid bats compared to the other three. Frugivorous and nectarivorous guilds were the most abundant, and also exhibited the highest richness among other guilds present in agricultural landscapes. In addition, frugivorous, and nectarivorous guilds increase their abundance and richness in agricultural landscapes, while the animalivorous guild is negatively affected. We recommend installing polyspecific live fences in tropical production systems to support the conservation of phyllostomid bats. We conclude that living fences composed of various plant species favour the abundance, richness, and diversity of phyllostomid bats.

Acoustic study of urban bat diversity in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

Urbanisation presents both challenges and opportunities for bat populations. Understanding the composition and distribution of urban bat species is the first step toward their effective conservation. However, comprehensive studies on urban bat diversity remain scarce in Bulgaria. To address this gap, we conducted a year-long acoustic survey on five different habitats in the urbanised territory of Veliko Tarnovo. Our study identified the presence of eight bat species and other distinct acoustic groups within the urban environment. Bats were found to utilise various habitats across the urban landscape. Although the activity was highest during May and September, bats remained active all year round, including the winter. Our study provides insights into synanthropic bats’ seasonal and microhabitat-dependent use of urban areas. These findings will establish a baseline for future research focusing on habitat preferences, population dynamics, and interactions with urbanisation. Such research is essential for the effective management and conservation of bat populations in urban environments.

Pathogenic viruses associated with bats of Malaysia.

Numerous human diseases, including those caused by viruses like Nipah virus and SARS-CoV, can be traced back to bats as their origin. Malaysia, notably Sabah and Sarawak in Borneo Island, is home to a rich diversity of bats that serve as hosts for various viruses. This comprehensive review represents the inaugural exploration of viruses found in Malaysian bats, as documented in scientific journals. It also encompasses documented instances of bat virus-related disease outbreaks in Malaysia up to the present day, along with an analysis of the risk factors associated with virus spillover events. Furthermore, this review offers insights into prospective research areas of significance and suggests potential mitigation strategies.