Brown Long-eared Bat Plecotus Auritus Research Articles

Bats (Chiroptera) of spruce forests in the Ukrainian Carpathians

Bat communities in monoculture spruce plantations (Skolivski Beskydy NNP, Gorgany (NNP Syniohora) and Chornohora areas) and spruce forests of the upper mountain forest belt (Verkhovynskyi NNP, Karpatskyi NNP) were studied by recording echolocation calls to assess the importance of such ecosystems for this group of animals. 11 species were recorded at the sample plots: Northern bat Eptesicus nilssonii, Serotine bat Eptesicus serotinus, Brand’s bat/Whiskered bat Myotis brandtii/mystacinus, Daubenton’s bat Myotis daubentonii, Greater mouse-eared bat Myotis myotis, Common noctule Nyctalus noctula, Brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus, Nathusius’s bat Pipistrellus nathusii, Common pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Soprano pipistrelle Pipistrellus pygmaeus, Parti-coloured bat Vespertilio murinus. According to the degree of dominance (total number of registered calls), E. nilssonii was the most numerous (32.7%). M. mystacinus/brandtii (25.6%) and P. nathusii (18.9%) were somewhat less numerous. According to the spatial distribution (presence in the sample plots), only the pair M. mystacinus/brandtii was detected in all the studied plots. Of the other species, E. nilssonii (58.8%) and P. nathusii (41.2%) were most frequently represented. For the sibling species M. mystacinus/M. brandtii no special habitat requirements were found, but the high frequency of their observations in all ranges of forest biotopes shows them as typical "forest". The dominance of E. nilssonii in spruce forests confirms that this species mainly uses semi-boreal coniferous forests in the Central Europe. The highest value of Shannon's biodiversity index was found in spruce forests of lower altitudes, Skolivski Beskydy NNP (H' = 1.616) and Syniohora NNP (H' = 1.627). Probably, coniferous forests at lower altitudes can be more favourable foraging biotopes for representatives of populations that are not topically associated with such forests: P. pygmaeus, P. pipistrellus, V. murinus, N. noctula. The observed level of nocturnal activity and species diversity of bats in spruce forests suggests that they may be important to their local populations. Coniferous monocultures can play an important role for local bat populations by acting as migratory corridors and foraging sites.

Bats (Chiroptera) of Transnistrian underground shelters based on results of the 2020–2021 census

This report presents data on the species composition of bats inhabiting underground structures and complexes on the left bank of the Dnister River according to survey results for 2020–2021. Field studies of bats (order Chiroptera) inhabiting underground shelters of the left bank of the middle and lower reaches of the Dnister were conducted from August 2020 to October 2021. In total, we found 26 underground sites and complexes potentially suitable for bats in Transnistria and in 15 of them we counted their number and species composition. Most of the detected underground objects are of anthropogenic origin (former industrial tunnels for limestone mining and manual mining), and only 2 of natural origin — a shallow cave in the village of Rascov, Camenca District and a karst cave in the village of Mikhailovka, Rybnitsa District. The identified objects formed the basis of the first detailed cadastre of underground structures of the left bank of the Dnister and adjacent areas. Each underground facility was mapped with exact GPS coordinates and assigned a corresponding index and serial number. According to the survey results, 8 species of bats were recorded: Rhinolophus hipposideros, Myotis blythii, Myotis bechsteinii, Myotis daubentonii, Myotis dasycneme, Plecotus auritus, Plecotus austriacus, and Eptesicus serotinus. The most widespread and frequently encountered species in the studied area are the lesser horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hipposideros and Daubenton’s bat Myotis daubentonii. The rare species include the brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus and the grey long-eared bat Plecotus austriacus. The pond bat Myotis dasycneme and Bechstein’s bay Myotis bechsteinii are considered extremely rare, and the latter has never been recorded in Transnistria before. Based on the obtained data and in order to preserve the species diversity of bats, we identified a number of underground complexes as key objects of primary importance in the life of bats during hibernation and their breeding season.

Bats (Plecotus auritus) use contact calls for communication among roost mates

Communication between group members is mediated by a diverse range of signals. Contact calls are produced by many species of birds and mammals to maintain group cohesion and associations among individuals. Contact calls in bats are typically relatively low-frequency social calls, produced only for communication. However, echolocation calls (higher in frequency and used primarily for orientation and prey detection) can also facilitate interaction among individuals and location of conspecifics in the roost. We studied calling behaviour of brown long-eared bats (Plecotus auritus) during return to maternity roosts in response to playbacks of social and echolocation calls. We hypothesised that calling by conspecifics would elicit responses in colony members. Bat responses (inspection flights and social calls production) were significantly highest during social call and echolocation call playbacks than during noise (control) playbacks. We suggest that social calling in maternity roosts of brown long-eared bat evolved to maintain associations among roostmates, rather than to find roosts or roostmates, because this species is strongly faithful to roosts and the social groups and roosts are stable over time and space. Living in a stable social group requires recognition of group members and affiliation of social bonds with group members, features that may be mediated by vocal signals.

Special acoustical role of pinna simplifying spatial target localization by the brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus.

Echolocating bats locate a target by sonar. The performance of this system is related to the shape of the binaural conformation in bats. From numerical predictions, it was found that in a central frequency band, the orientation of a strong sidelobe is shifted nearly linearly in the vertical direction. Inspired by this, the authors built an accurate wide-scope elevation estimation system by constructing a pair of erect artificial pinnae and realized simultaneous elevation and azimuth estimation by constructing a pair of orthogonal pinnae. By demonstrating the simplicity of spatial target echolocation, the authors showed that only two independent single-output neural networks were needed for either elevation or azimuth estimation. This method could be applied to imitate any other mammal species with similar pinna directivity patterns to facilitate and improve an artificial echolocation system.

SUMMER POPULATION OF BATS IN PROTECTED AREAS AND THEIR SURROUNDINGS IN THE EAST OF FENNOSCANDIA

The eastern outskirts of Fennoscandia harbour two protected areas – Vodlozersky and Kenozersky national parks. They are relatively close to each other and occupy vast taiga territories in the Republic of Karelia and the Arkhangelsk Region. They are distinguished for the share of old-growth forests and the pattern of agricultural use of the land. The species composition of bats in these protected areas has not been previously studied, and the only species definitely known to inhabit the territories was the Northern bat. Special censuses of bats in these areas were carried out using traditional (mist nets, visual observations) and modern (static ultrasonic detector) methods. The counts were carried out at fixed points, along car and water transects. A total of 28 bats of 4 species were captured (Northern bat Eptesicus nilssonii Keyserling & Blasius 1839, Daubenton’s bat Myotis daubentonii Kuhl 1817, Brandt’s bat M. brandtii Eversmann 1845, whiskered bat M. mystacinus Kuhl 1817), and records were made of 185 bats of 7 species (apart from the ones listed above they were the brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus L. 1758, common noctule Nyctalus noctula Schreber 1774, parti-coloured bat Vespertilio murinus L. 1758, pond bat M. dasycneme Boie 1825, Natterer’s bat M. nattereri Kuhl 1817), and bats classified as Brandt’s/whiskered bats. The relative abundance (%) and relative density (ind./km of transect) of some species are reported, as well as the dominance of the northern bat in all the communities, which is characteristic of the middle taiga subzone in general. The northernmost summer habitats of the whiskered bat in the European North of Russia were identified. A comparative analysis of the two protected areas in terms of species composition, relative abundance and relative density of bats did not reveal any sharp differences in these parameters.

Hibernation of bats in post-Soviet military objects in Poland

In the years 2004-2018, data on bats wintering in 9 sites of the Northern Group of the Soviet Army (PGWAR) stationed in the years 1945-1993 in Poland were obtained. A total of at least 11 bat species were found: greater mouse-eared bat Myotis myotis, Natterer’s bat M. nattereri, Daubenton’s bat M. daubentonii, Bechstein’s bat M. bechsteinii, whiskered/Brandt’s/Alcathoe bats M. mystacinus/brandtii/alcathoe, brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus, grey long-eared bat P. austriacus, western barbastelle Barbastella barbastellus, serotine bat Eptesicus serotinus, common noctule Nyctalus noctula, common pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus and bats determined to the genus Pipistrellus. From 6 to 449 individuals hibernated in the facilities. Noteworthy is the presence of three species from Annex II of the Habitats Directive of EU. In most of the facilities, M. myotis and B. barbastellus were found, and M. bechsteinii in Wilkocin only. Wintering sites were used by numerous bats and also by endangered species therefore those buildings should be advisable to be covered with forms of nature protection.

<p class="Body">Morphological and ontogenetic characteristics of Demodex plecoti sp. nov. (Acariformes: Demodecidae) from the brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae), with comments on parasitism

A new species, Demodex plecoti sp. nov. (Acariformes: Demodecidae), is described based on adult and immature stages from the brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus (Linnaeus, 1758) in Poland. The mites were found in 100% of the examined bat individuals, with a mean intensity of 23.5 parasites per host. Demodex plecoti sp. nov. was observed only in the hairless body regions, were the skin was membranous, thin and delicate.

Long-Term Increase in Hibernating Bats in Swedish Mines — Effect of Global Warming?

We present the result of bat winter censuses in three old mines in southern Sweden from 1980 until present (2017). The Taberg and Kleva mines, each with about 1.5 km of accessible passages, have winter populations of 517 and 132 bats, respectively (maximum counts) belonging to six species, the highest numbers known in underground sites in Sweden. Adelfors is less extensive and has fewer individuals (maximum 22). The two former sites were protected and gated in the 1980′s while the third site still has no formal protection and is subject to disturbance. Generally Daubenton's bat Myotis daubentonii and the brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus are common species and the numbers are stable. The whiskered and Brandt's bats M. mystacinus/brandtii and Natterer's bat M. nattereri have increased significantly, while the northern bat Eptesicus nilssonii, which is relatively rare in mines generally, has shown a slight but significant decline. At the species level the population trends conform well to those of the respective species in continental Europe and the British Isles. This suggests that there is a common factor behind the population changes across Europe. Although our data are very limited, the results question some previous explanations for the observed trends, but are in line with theoretical predictions based on global warming scenarios.

Bat assemblages in fragmented forest complexes near Rogów (central Poland)

AbstractHabitat fragmentation affects bat assemblages living in forests by changing species composition, species richness and population densities. The aim of this paper was to determine the structure of bat assemblages in fragmented forests of central Poland (Experimental Forest Station SGGW in Rogów) based on data concerning bat fauna of this area.Our work is based on published as well as unpublished data collected between 2011–2017 and the two main methods employed during field work were: (1) evening and night bat netting, (2) detection of flying bats on transects or in points by using ultrasound detectors. 16 bat species were observed with the most common ones being serotine batEptesicus serotinus(Schreb.), common noctuleNyctalus noctula(Schreb.) and brown long-eared batPlecotus auritus(l.). less numerous in overall but frequently observed in some sites were the western barbastelleBarbastella barbastellus(Schreb.) and the Daubenton's batMyotis daubentonii(Kuhl). The following species occurred rarely: greater mouse-eared batMyotis myotis(Bork.), Natterer's batM. nattereri(Kuhl), whiskered batM. mystacinus(Kuhl), Brandt's batM. brandtii(evers.), northern batEptesicus nilssonii(Keys. & Blas.) parti-coloured batVespertilio murinusl., lesser noctuleNyctalus leisleri(Kuhl), common pipistrellePipistrellus pipistrellus(Schreb.), nathusius' pipistrelleP. nathusii(Keys. & Blas.), soprano pipistrelleP. pygmaeus(leach) and grey long-eared batPlecotus austriacus(Fish.).Fragmented forests of the study area did not differ significantly in terms of bat species composition from other fragmented forests of central Poland (Płońsk Plain) nor the large forest complexes of the Bolimowska and Kampinoska Forests. In this study area, however, bat assemblages were characterized by a lower relative abundance of the common noctule and a higher relative abundance of the serotine bat as compared to assemblages in other forests of central Poland.In conclusion, the forest fragmentation near Rogów does not significantly affect bat richness and fertilized habitats are suitable for relatively large populations of species such as the western barbastelle and lesser noctule.

Lactate Dehydrogenase Isozymes in the Tissues of Hibernating Bats (Chiroptera)

A comparative electrophoretic assay of lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27) isozymes has been carried out in the homogenates of the tissues of cardiac and skeletal muscles, liver, kidneys and lungs of five species of hibernating bats of the order Chiroptera: the northern bat Eptesicus nilssonii Keyserling and Blasius, the brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus L., Brandt’s bat Myotis brandtii Eversmann, Daubenton’s bat Myotis daubentonii Kuhl, and the whiskered bat Myotis mystacinus Kuhl, which live in Karelia near the northern border of their distribution area. High contents of aerobic lactate dehydrogenase 1 and lactate dehydrogenase 2 isozymes have been detected in the skeletal muscle of the studied bats. The lactate dehydrogenase isozyme spectra of the tissues of kidneys and skeletal muscles from the smaller representatives of bats (the whiskered and Brandt’s bats) contained the highest content of H subunits among the studied species. In contrast, the predominance of M subunits has been revealed in the lactate dehydrogenase isozyme spectra of the kidneys of the northern and the brown long-eared bats. The discovered interspecies differences are discussed in the context of the adaptation of bats to hibernation.

First record of brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) for Sicily island (Italy)

First record of brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) for Sicily island (Italy)

Conspicuous Visual Cues can Help Bats to Find Tree Cavities

In bats, vision plays a role in various contexts, particularly for long distance orientation and the detection of food. However, the extent to which vision is used is still poorly known. Here we test whether conspicuous visual cues increase the performance of the brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus in an experimental paradigm based on tree hole discovery by bats. We used experimental logs with bark ‘stripped off’ (conspicuous bright area around entrance) and with bark ‘not stripped off’ to investigate whether there were differences in effectiveness of finding the entrances with or without light. Results indicate that the bats' effectiveness in finding the stripped entrances increased when light was provided. We suggest that the entrance was more visible due to high contrast between bark and wood. Our results indicate that visual cues could play a role in preselection of roost sites for this species.

The Use of Bat Boxes of Two Models by Nathusius' Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus nathusii) in Southeastern Lithuania

In 2008, the use of bat boxes of two models (standard and flat) by Nathusius' pipistrelle (Pipistrellus Nathusii) bats was investigated in eight protected territories in southeastern Lithuania. In each locality, 18 bat boxes of both models were observed. The groups of three boxes were erected on separate trees. The rate of occupancy of standard boxes by Nathusius’ bats was found to be nearly six times higher than that of flat boxes. The absolute majority of bats used both models during the nursery and autumn migration season. Standard boxes were used by Nathusius’ pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus), pond bat (Myotis dasycneme), brown long-eared bat (Plecotus auritus) and noctule (Nyctalus noctula), whereas flat boxes were used only by Nathusius’ pipistrelle and pond bat.

The aerodynamics of big ears in the brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus

Wings are the most obvious adaptation bats have for powered flight and differences in wing morphology are known to correlate with flight behaviour. However, the function(s) of ancillary structures such as the ears and tail, which may also play an important role during flight, are less well understood. Here we constructed a simplified model of a bat body with ears based upon morphological measurements of a brown long-eared bat (Plecotus auritus) to examine the aerodynamic implications of flying with large ears. The forces and moments produced by the model were measured using a sensitive 6-component force and torque balance during wind tunnel testing. The large ears of the model bat produced positive lift as well as positive drag of the same order of magnitude. At small ears angles (0° to 10°), increasing the angle of the ears resulted in an increase of the lift-to-drag ratio. At higher ear angles (> 10°) separation of the flow occurred which caused a large decrease in the lift-to-drag ratio produced. To maximise the benefit from the ears (i.e., lift-to-drag ratio) our model predicts that a horizontal free flying P. auritus should hold its ears at an approximate angle of 10°. The results of the pitching moment coefficient are inconclusive in determining if the large ears are important as flight control structures. The additional drag produced by the ears has consequences for the foraging behaviour of P. auritus with reductions in its flight speed and foraging range.

Foraging habitats of bats in southern Finland

We determined the foraging habitats of the northern batEptesicus nilssonii (Keyserling et Blasius, 1839), Brandt’s batMyotis brandtii (Eversmann, 1845), whiskered batMyotis mystacinus (Kuhl, 1819), Daubenton’s batMyotis daubentonii (Kuhl, 1819) and brown long-eared batPlecotus auritus (Linnaeus, 1758) in southern Finland. Among these species, we compared the diversities of foraging habitats, linear feature preference and the bats’ tendencies to forage simultaneously.Eptesicus nilssonii was the most opportunistic, foraging in a wide range of habitats.Myotis daubentonii (94%) foraged mainly on water habitats, whileM. brandtii/mystacinus (89%) andP. auritus (66%) foraged mainly in forest habitats. The diversities of foraging habitats used byE. nilssonii andP. auritus were higher than those ofM. brandtii/mystacinus andM. daubentonii. Both E.nilssonii andP. auritus foraged mostly alone or in small numbers, whileM. brandtii/mystacinus tended to gather in large numbers to forage in the same habitat. Half ofE. nilssonii and 46% ofM. daubentonii foraged over linear features, while other species did not use linear features to such an extent. Management and conservation of foraging habitats are needed especially forM. brandtii/mystacinus andM. daubentonii, which are more specialized thanE. nilssonii and P. auritus.

NEW DATA ON BATS IN THE PANERIAI TUNNEL (VILNIUS, LITHUANIA)

The species composition and abundance of hibernating bats were investigated in the Paneriai tunnel in Vilnius (Lithuania) in 2000-2007. The following seven bat species were found hibernating there: the Daubenton's bat (Myotis daubentonii), pond bat (Myotis dasycneme), Brandt's bat (Myotis brandtii), Natterer's bat (Myotis nattereri), brown long-eared bat (Plecotus auritus), barbastelle bat (Barbastella barbastellus), and the serotine bat (Eptesicus serotinus). In 2000 about 100 hibernating bats were recorded in the tunnel. During the following years their numbers increased, and reached over 700 in 2006-2007. Daubenton's bats constituted 63.1% of the colony, while the percentage of pond bats in the colony was 18.3%. In 2004 access to the Paneriai tunnel for human visitors was partly blocked by a 3 m high wall.

New Data on Bats Hibernating in Underground Sites in Vilnius, Lithuania

Investigations into bat diversity and abundance were carried out in Vilnius in 2005. Ten bat hibernation sites were investigated in the city where six bat species were found: Daubenton's bat (Myotis daubentonii), pond bat (Myotis dasycneme), Brandt.s/whiskered bat (Myotis brandtii/mystacinus), brown long-eared bat (Plecotus auritus), barbastelle bat (Barbastella barbastellus) and northern bat (Eptesicus nilssonii). More than 820 bats roosted in Vilnius: Daubenton.s bats constituted 62.5 %, barbastelle bats – 11.1% and pond bats – 10.7%. Pond bats, Daubenton's bats and barbastelle bats made up the largest known hibernating populations in south-eastern Lithuania. Brandt’s/whiskered bats have been recorded in Vilnius hibernation sites for the first time.

The First Data about the Hibernation of Daubenton's Bat (Myotis Daubentonii) in the Paneriai Tunnel (Vilnius, Lithuania)

Bat hibernation conditions as well as diversity and abundance of hibernating bats were investigated in the Paneriai tunnel (Vilnius, Lithuania) in 2000–2003. Five bat species were found to hibernate in the tunnel: Daubenton's bat (Myotis daubentonii), pond bat (Myotis dasycneme), brown long-eared bat (Plecotus auritus), barbastelle bat (Barbastella barbastellus), and serotine bat (Eptesicus serotinus). It was established that about 130 bats roost in the hibernation site every year, Daubenton's bats constituting 72% of them. That is the largest known hibernating cluster of Daubenton.s bats in southeastern Lithuania. The Paneriai tunnel is protected as an engineering monument. It is recommended that the tunnel should be granted the status of a bat reserve.

Social and population structure of a gleaning bat, Plecotus auritus

AbstractBrown long‐eared bats Plecotus auritus occupying 30 summer roosts in north‐east Scotland were studied over 15 years. During this time 1365 bats were ringed, and a further 720 recaptures were made. Individual bats showed a high degree of roost fidelity, returning to one main roost site; < 1% of recaptured bats had moved among roost sites, and all recorded movements (n= 5) were < 300 m. Adults of both sexes were loyal to the roost sites at which they were first captured, indicating long‐term use of roosts. At least some juveniles (n= 32) of both sexes returned to the natal roost. Mark–recapture estimates indicated that colonies of this species were substantially larger (c. 30–50 individuals) than assumed in previous studies. Plecotus auritus differs from most other temperate zone, vespertilionid species in that there was no evidence of sexual segregation during summer, with males present in all colonies throughout the period of occupancy. Population structure in summer seems to be consistent with a metapopulation model, with discrete sub‐populations showing minimal interchange. The group size, colony composition and population structure described in this species may be associated with the wing shape (particularly aspect ratio) and foraging behaviour of P. auritus. It is postulated that relative motility, linked to wing structure, may affect the distribution of individuals, and may have implications for the genetic structure of this species. Correlations between aspect ratio and both colony size and migratory behaviour, across British bat species, indicate that wing shape could be an important factor contributing to patterns of social behaviour and genetic structuring in bats.

Social and population structure of a gleaning bat, Plecotus auritus

Brown long-eared bats Plecotus auritus occupying 30 summer roosts in north-east Scotland were studied over 15 years. During this time 1365 bats were ringed, and a further 720 recaptures were made. Individual bats showed a high degree of roost fidelity, returning to one main roost site; < 1% of recaptured bats had moved among roost sites, and all recorded movements (n= 5) were < 300 m. Adults of both sexes were loyal to the roost sites at which they were first captured, indicating long-term use of roosts. At least some juveniles (n= 32) of both sexes returned to the natal roost. Mark–recapture estimates indicated that colonies of this species were substantially larger (c. 30–50 individuals) than assumed in previous studies. Plecotus auritus differs from most other temperate zone, vespertilionid species in that there was no evidence of sexual segregation during summer, with males present in all colonies throughout the period of occupancy. Population structure in summer seems to be consistent with a metapopulation model, with discrete sub-populations showing minimal interchange. The group size, colony composition and population structure described in this species may be associated with the wing shape (particularly aspect ratio) and foraging behaviour of P. auritus. It is postulated that relative motility, linked to wing structure, may affect the distribution of individuals, and may have implications for the genetic structure of this species. Correlations between aspect ratio and both colony size and migratory behaviour, across British bat species, indicate that wing shape could be an important factor contributing to patterns of social behaviour and genetic structuring in bats.