Hipposideros Armiger Research Articles

Recovery Cycle of Inferior Collicular Neurons Determine Pulse Following Rate in CF-FM Bat*

The characteristics of recovery cycles in inferior collicular (IC) neurons of leaf-nosed bat (Hipposideros armiger) and effect of the recovery cycle on the following pulse repetition rate were studied using mimic CF-FM sound stimuli emitted by free flying bat. Recovery cycle of 93 IC neurons were obtained from IC of five bats with normal hearing. These neurons were classified into three types, i.e. long recovery (LR, 47.4%), moderate recovery (MR, 35.1%), and short recovery (SR, 17.5%), according to their inter pulse interval (IPI) (ms) of 50% recovery under two CF-FM sound stimulation condition. Each type of the neurons could also be categorized into different sub-types according to changes induced by IPI increasing such as single-IPI response area neurons, multi-IPI response area neurons, and monotonic-IPI response neurons. Mean IPIs of 50% recovery of LR, MR, and SR neurons were (64.0 ± 24.8), (19.6 ± 5.8), and (7.1 ± 2.4) ms, respectively (P 0.001). The calculated theoretically following pulse repetition rate (pulse per second, Hz) of LR, MR, and SR neurons by mean IPI of 50% recovery for each type were (18.2 ± 7.0), (55.4 ± 15.7), and (171.3 ± 102.9) Hz, respectively (P 0.001). These three types of IC neurons were well corresponding to their three hunting phases, search, approach, and catch phases. The sub-types of single-IPI response area neurons and multi-IPI response area neurons had hunting phase selectivity, and sub-type of monotonic-IPI response neurons had well sensitivity to IPI change, but their hunting phase selectivity was of a sort. These results demonstrated that recovery cycle of IC neurons determined the ability to follow pulse repetition rate and matched this bat's echolocation behavior.

Host Range, Prevalence, and Genetic Diversity of Adenoviruses in Bats

Bats are the second largest group of mammals on earth and act as reservoirs of many emerging viruses. In this study, a novel bat adenovirus (AdV) (BtAdV-TJM) was isolated from bat fecal samples by using a bat primary kidney cell line. Infection studies indicated that most animal and human cell lines are susceptible to BtAdV-TJM, suggesting a possible wide host range. Genome analysis revealed 30 putative genes encoding proteins homologous to their counterparts in most known AdVs. Phylogenetic analysis placed BtAdV-TJM within the genus Mastadenovirus, most closely related to tree shrew and canine AdVs. PCR analysis of 350 bat fecal samples, collected from 19 species in five Chinese provinces during 2007 and 2008, indicated that 28 (or 8%) samples were positive for AdVs. The samples were from five bat species, Hipposideros armiger, Myotis horsfieldii, M. ricketti, Myotis spp., and Scotophilus kuhlii. The prevalence ranged from 6.25% (H. armiger in 2007) to 40% (M. ricketti in 2007). Comparison studies based on available partial sequences of the pol gene demonstrated a great genetic diversity among bat AdVs infecting different bat species as well as those infecting the same bat species. This is the first report of a genetically diverse group of DNA viruses in bats. Our results support the notion, derived from previous studies based on RNA viruses (especially coronaviruses and astroviruses), that bats seem to have the unusual ability to harbor a large number of genetically diverse viruses within a geographic location and/or within a taxonomic group.

Phylogeography and Population Genetic Structure of the Great Leaf-Nosed Bat (Hipposideros armiger) in China

The geographical patterns of the genetic structure of Hipposideros armiger in China were assessed by analyzing sequence variation in the mitochondrial DNA control region. Analysis of molecular variance revealed a very strong genetic structure among 5 regions in H. armiger. A neighbor-joining tree, haplotype network construction by TCS and multidimensional scaling plots all showed significant geographic differentiation among 5 regions. The high genetic structure detected in H. armiger could be a consequence of poor dispersal ability, local adaptation, or marked female philopatry. The lack of genetic structure among 3 regions separated by the Gaoligong Range and the Qiongzhou Strait could be due to incomplete lineage sorting. Our estimated times of divergence for H. armiger populations suggested a relatively recent split. The S Yunnan population with the highest genetic diversity and the Hainan population with the lowest genetic diversity should be equally given priority for conservation. Although H. armiger has been shown to carry viruses implicated in human disease, we find little evidence for population mixing. We thus suggest minimizing disturbance to bats' roosting caves for minimizing the potential risk of virus transmission.

A comparative study of prenatal development in Miniopterus schreibersii fuliginosus, Hipposideros armiger and H. pratti

BackgroundBats comprise the second largest order of mammals. However, there are far fewer morphological studies of post-implantation embryonic development than early embryonic development in bats.ResultsWe studied three species of bats (Miniopterus schreibersii fuliginosus, Hipposideros armiger and H. pratti), representing the two suborders Yangochiroptera and Yinpterochiroptera. Using an established embryonic staging system, we identified the embryonic stages for M. schreibersii fuliginosus, H. armiger and H. pratti and described the morphological changes in each species, including the development of the complex and distinctive nose-leaves in H. armiger and H. pratti. Finally, we compared embryonic and fetal morphology of the three species in the present study with five other species for which information is available.ConclusionAs a whole, the organogenetic sequence of bat embryos is uniform and the embryos appear homoplastic before Stage 16. Morphological differentiation between species occurs mainly after embryonic Stage 16. Our study provides three new bat species for interspecific comparison of post-implantation embryonic development within the order Chiroptera and detailed data on the development of nose-leaves for bats in the superfamily Rhinolophoidea.

The auditory response properties of single-on and double-on responders in the inferior colliculus of the leaf-nosed bat, Hipposideros armiger

The present study examines the response properties of neurons in the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus (IC) of the CF–FM (constant frequency–frequency-modulated) bat, Hipposideros armiger using CF, FM and CF–FM sounds as stimuli. All 169 IC neurons recorded are tonotopically organized along the dorsoventral axis of the IC. Collicular neurons have V-shaped or upper-threshold frequency tuning curves. Those neurons tuned at the predominant second harmonic have extremely sharp frequency tuning curves and low minimum thresholds. Collicular neurons typically discharge impulses to both CF and FM sounds. However, when stimulated with CF–FM sounds, most (76%) neurons only discharge impulses to the onset of CF–FM sounds (single-on responders). The remaining neurons (24%) discharge impulses to both CF and FM components (double-on responders) of CF–FM sounds. The double-on responders have higher minimum threshold and longer latency to the FM component than to the CF component of CF–FM sounds. Our data show that the FM component of the CF–FM sounds contributes significantly in shaping the discharge pattern, latency and number of impulses of IC neurons. The present study suggests that using CF–FM sounds to study auditory response properties of the CF–FM bat may be essential for a better understanding of echo analysis by the CF–FM in the real world. Because the double-on responders have shorter response latency than single-on responders, we speculate that these two types of responders may be best suited for echo analysis during different phases of hunting.

Recent Surveys of Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) from China. I. Rhinolophidae and Hipposideridae

We conducted surveys of bats in China between 1999 and 2007, resulting in the identification of at least 62 species. In this paper we present data on 19 species, comprising 12 species from the family Rhinolophidae and seven from the Hipposideridae. Rhinolophids captured were Rhinolophus affinis, R. ferrumequinum, R. lepidus, R. luctus, R. macrotis, R. siamensis, R. marshalli, R. rex, R. pearsonii, R. pusillus, R. sinicus and R. stheno. Because of extensive morphological similarities we question the species distinctiveness of R. osgoodi (may be conspecific with R. lepidus), R. paradoxolophus (which may best be treated as a subspecies of R. rex), R. huananus (probably synonymous with R. siamensis), and we are skeptical as to whether R. sinicus is distinct from R. thomasi. Hipposiderids captured were Hipposideros armiger, H. cineraceus, H. larvatus, H. pomona, H. pratti, Aselliscus stoliczkanus and Coelops frithii. Of these species, two rhinolophids (Rhinolophus marshalli and R. stheno) and one hipposiderid (Hipposideros cineraceus) represent new species records for China. We present data on species' ranges, morphology and echolocation call frequencies, as well as some notes on ecology and conservation status. China hosts a considerable diversity of rhinolophid and hipposiderid bats, yet threats to their habitats and populations are substantial.

A survey of small mammals from Huu Lien Nature Reserve, Lang Son Province, Vietnam

ABSTRACT A survey of the small mammals of Huu Lien Nature Reserve, Lang Son Province, Vietnam (21°40′52″N, 106°20′28″E) resulted in the capture of 187 specimens representing 21 species of bat, insectivore, and rodent: Suncus etruscus, Rhinolophus pearsonii, Rhinolophus pusillus, Rhinolophus stheno microglobosus, Aselliscus stoliczkanus, Hipposideros armiger, Hipposideros larvatus, Harpiocephalus harpia, Pipistrellus paterculus, Scotomanes ornatus, Callosciurus erythraeus, Dremomys rufigenis, Niviventer fulvescens, Niviventer langbianis, Tonkinomys daovantieni, Rattus andamanensis, Rattus losea, Rattus tanezumi, Mus caroli, Rhizomys pruinosus, and Atherurus macrourus. In addition Ratufa bicolor and Tamiops sp. are reported from observations. The recently described genus and species Tonkinomys daovantieni is currently known only from material collected during the present survey and is apparently endemic to karst habitats in northeastern Vietnam.

Characterization of novel microsatellite loci in the great leaf-nosed bat, Hipposideros armiger and cross-amplification in other related species

Eight microsatellite loci were isolated from an enriched genomic library of the great leaf-nosed bat, Hipposideros armiger. The polymorphism of these loci was tested on a population of 48 individuals from Anhui Province, China. All loci revealed the polymorphism ranging from three to 12 alleles. The observed heterozygosity values were from 0.213 to 0.875 and expected heterozygosity from 0.232 to 0.820. No significant linkage disequilibrium was detected. Two loci significantly deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium after Bonferroni correction. In addition, successful cross-amplification also suggested that these microsatellite markers will facilitate research on the population genetics and gene flow of H. armiger and other related species.

A review of Ascodipterinae (Diptera: Streblidae) of the Oriental and Australasian regions with a description of three new species of Ascodipteron Adensamer and a key to the subfamily

The Ascodipterinae of the Oriental and Australasian regions are reviewed. Three new species, each known only from dealate females, are described: 1) Ascodipteron egeri sp. nov. from Malaysia, ex. Megaderma spasma (Linnaeus) attached in urogenital area; 2) Ascodipteron longiascus sp. nov. from southern China, ex. Hipposideros armiger (Hodgson), attachment site unknown; and 3) Ascodipteron wenzeli sp. nov.from Vietnam and Malaysia, ex. Rhinolophus spp. attached in urogenital area. A neotype and lectotype are designated for Ascodipteron phyllorhinae Adensamer and Ascodipteron speiserianum Muir, respectively. A neotype is designated for Ascodipteron archboldi Maa and a lectotype for Ascodipteron emballonurae Banks; the former an objective synonym of A. phyllorhinae and the latter a junior synonym of A. phyllorhinae. A neotype is also designated for Ascodipteron australiansi Muir which is regarded as a junior synonym of A. speiserianum. Ascodipteron lophotes Monticelli, A. megastigmatos Jobling, A. siamense Speiser and A. tabulatum Speiser are considered nomina dubia. The genus Paraascodipteron is tentatively referred to the subfamilyBrachytarsininae. The distribution of Maabella stomalata Hastriter and Bush is extended from China and Vietnam to Borneo, Java, Malaysia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippine Islands, and West Papua on numerous species of Hipposideros and Rhinolophus. A key to the recognized species of Ascodipterinae is provided. There are fifteen valid species of Ascodipteron.

Survey for Bat Lyssaviruses, Thailand

Surveillance for lyssaviruses was conducted among bat populations in 8 provinces in Thailand. In 2002 and 2003, a total of 932 bats of 11 species were captured and released after serum collection. Lyssavirus infection was determined by conducting virus neutralization assays on bat serum samples. Of collected samples, 538 were either hemolysed or insufficient in volume, which left 394 suitable for analysis. These samples included the following: Pteropus lylei (n = 335), Eonycteris spelaea (n = 45), Hipposideros armiger (n = 13), and Rousettus leschennaulti (n = 1). No serum samples had evidence of neutralizing antibodies when tested against rabies virus. However, 16 samples had detectable neutralizing antibodies against Aravan virus, Khujand virus, Irkut virus, or Australian bat lyssavirus; all were specifically associated with fruit bats P. lylei (n = 15) and E. spelaea (n = 1). These results are consistent with the presence of naturally occurring viruses related to new putative lyssavirus genotypes.

Cestode parasites of some bats from the People's Republic of China

A new species and one known species of the genus Vampirolepis and a new species of the genus Hymenolepis were obtained through the examination of 56 specimens of bats of eight species belonging to six genera in four families collected at eight sites of Sichuan, the People's Republic of China during the period between 21 and 29 August 1996. The following cestodes are recovered: Vampirolepis sichuanensis n.sp. from Rhinolophus cornutus; V. isensis Sawada 1966 from R. pearsoni; and Hymenolepis kagurakoumori n.sp. from Hipposideros armiger. Vampirolepis sichuanensis closely resembles V. brevihamata, but differs from it in the larger blade and the larger number of rostellar hooks. Hymenolepis kagurakoumori n.sp. closely resembles H. rhinopomae, but differs from it in the larger strobila, the smaller scolex and the thicker outermost chorion of eggs.

Auditory adaptations for prey capture in echolocating bats

Auditory adaptations for prey capture in echolocating bats

Cervical Vertebrae in Relation to Roosting Posture in Bats

We examined the cervical vertebrae of the following bats: Penthetor lucasi, Micropteropus pusillus, Hypsignathus monstrosus, Rhinopoma hardwickei, Taphozous melanopogon, Noctilio leporinus, Nycteris thebaica, Rhinolophus affinus, Hipposideros armiger, Macrotus waterhousii, Glossophaga longirostris, Artibeus jamaicensis, Myotis lucifugus, Otomops martiensseni , and Molossus molossus to identify specializations associated with dorso-ventral flexibility. The specializations of the cervical vertebrae of Megachiroptera and Microchiroptera were distinctly different, and none of the species examined shows evidence of an intermediate condition. Specializations for dorso-ventral flexibility included the thickness of the neural arches, the plane of articulation between adjacent centra, the ventral interlocking of adjacent centra, and the angles of articulation reflected by the anterior zygapophyses. These differences correlate with difference in roosting posture because the Megachiroptera typically roost with the head facing ventrad, and many Microchiroptera roost with the head facing dorsad, 180° different from the megachiropteran posture.

Hepatocystis in Formosan Mammals with a Description of a New Species*

SYNOPSIS. Hepatocystis has been found extremely common in a number of species of Formosan mammals, notably the large leafnosed bat (Hipposideros armiger terasensis), the Formosan macaque (Macaca cyclopis), and various subspecies of the red‐bellied tree squirrel (Callosciurus erythraeus). Less often infected were the long‐winged bat (Miniopterus schreibersii) and the Formosan giant flying squirrel (Petaurista grandis). The species occurring in H. a. terasensis is believed to be new, and is named Hepatocystis hipposideri. It causes considerable enlargement (but not other changes) of the host cell, is often amoeboid, and usually has numerous fine pigment granules.