Hibernation Sites Research Articles

Great capricorn beetle-created corridors as refuges for lizards

Ecosystem engineering is among the most important factors shaping ecosystems; however, it remains largely unstudied. Here, we present observations on three lizard species, the common lizard Zootoca vivipara, the sand lizard Lacerta agilis, and the slow worm Anguis fragilis, which use habitats created by the great capricorn beetle, Cerambyx cerdo. These galleries are heavily used by the common lizards and young sand lizards. We discuss the possible advantages of such beetle-created habitats for reptiles: antipredator refuges, hibernation sites, thermoregulatory behaviour, and preying activities. Since previous studies have reported numerous invertebrate species as well as vertebrates (including bats and snakes) in these refugia, we find the great capricorn beetle-inhabited oaks as potentially important microhabitats for a variety of animals.

Whole‐room ultraviolet sanitization as a method for the site‐level treatment ofPseudogymnoascus destructans

AbstractWhite‐nose syndrome (WNS), a catastrophic fungal disease of hibernating bats, is perpetuated by environmental reservoirs of the fungal pathogen,Pseudogymnoascus destructans. Surviving bats clear infection each summer but are re‐infected upon return to the hibernaculum. Therefore, addressing environmental reservoirs is critical for managing WNS. Ultraviolet (UV) light is known to killP. destructansin the lab, and whole‐room UV sanitization is a common practice in many commercial settings. However, effective UV treatment at the hibernaculum scale has yet to be confirmed. Importantly, existing standard practices likely require modification for implementation in hibernation sites. Prior to field testing, confirming the ability of UV sanitizers to treat the complex topography of hibernacula, as well as quantifying the effects of such topography on effective treatment times is necessary. Here we use a laboratory setting to investigate the feasibility of whole‐room UV‐C sanitization in treating environmental reservoirs ofP. destructans. All trials resulted in mean fungal reductions of 97.3% (range: 91.9‐99.7%) relative to controls. To prepare for future implementation within a hibernaculum, we quantified the effect of distance, emission angle, and incidence angle on UV‐C irradiance delivered to target locations. From these data, we calculated treatment times required for killingP. destructansat the scale of a natural setting. Measurable UV‐C irradiance extended to a maximum distance of 21.3 m. Angles of emission and incidence both reduced irradiance; however, we conclude that ~325 m3of surface volume could be treated in <2 h. Taken together, UV‐C sanitization may provide a feasible, scalable, and relatively ecologically benign method of reducingP. destructanspopulations.

Epizootics of entomopathogenic fungi at overwintering sites of Oebalus mexicana Sailer (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) from Western Mexico

BackgroundOebalus mexicana Sailer (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is an important pest of sorghum in Central-Western Mexico. In addition to damaging the grain, it is a vector of the panicle blight, Fusarium moniliforme. Oebalus mexicana hibernates at > 2200 m above sea level (masl), and its control in these sites is through entomopathogenic fungi (EPF). Their effectiveness could be misperceived as natural epizootics at hibernation sites. To characterize fungal epizootics associated with hibernating adults of O. mexicana, during 2019 and part of 2020, a study was established in the Zináparo hill, Michoacan, Mexico. Three sampling strata were defined—two at low (2219 masl) and high levels of elevation (2351 masl), and another one at intermediate elevation (2244 masl) and soil humidity most of the year. Under the leaf litter, live arthropods and corpses with and without mycosis were recorded every 2 weeks; associated EPF were isolated and identified. Soil humidity, temperature, and RH under the litter were recorded.ResultsSix genera of fungi were identified, with Beauveria being the most prevalent. Mortality of O. mexicana in the field was > 80%, with a high correlation (r = 0.85–0.97) with mortality due to fungi (> 65%). The humidity of soil and litter created a suitable environment for the development of epizootics. The highest prevalence was registered at the elevations of 2244, 2351, and 2219 masl, respectively. More than 15 families of arthropods were registered, several of them with the presence of mycosis. Their permanence as alternate hosts contributed to the persistence of the fungi. Field and laboratory evidences suggested that the frequent flights of O. mexicana favoured the self-dissemination of EPF. Thus, more than 37% of live individuals with inoculum and subsequent infection and death were recorded.ConclusionsThe EPF disease at overwintering sites of O. mexicana was enzootic, and under favourable conditions it can become epizootic. The high levels of natural control in hibernation sites suggest that additional control measures for O. mexicana are unnecessary; on the contrary, the conservation of these sites as reservoirs of EPF is proposed for a sustainable use in the management of this and other pests.

The tachinid fly, Pentatomophaga latifascia (Diptera: Tachinidae), may help control Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in early spring in northern Japan

Abstract This study investigated the potential of the parasitic tachinid fly, Pentatomophaga latifascia (Diptera: Tachinidae), as a biological control agent against adult brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), in Akita Prefecture, northern Japan. Overwintering adults of H. halys were collected from a hibernation site from 2017 to 2019, and the adults were reared at 20 °C in the following spring of each year. Almost all female and male adults parasitised by P. latifascia survived only a few days after the larvae of P. latifascia emerged, and none of the females laid eggs. Emergence of larval P. latifascia from the adults was observed from 18 days after the start of rearing, and all emergence was completed within a 20-day period. The parasitism rate of the field population of overwintered H. halys adults was about 10% each year, and the survival rates of adults of both sexes decreased by about 10%, in synchrony with the time of emergence of larval P. latifascia. These observations indicated that P. latifascia contributed to a decrease in the population density of post-overwintering adult H. halys, at least in early spring.

Seasonal population dynamics and movement patterns of a critically endangered, cave-dwelling bat,

Context Seasonal migration and movements of bats have important implications for their conservation. The southern bent-winged bat (Miniopterus orianae bassanii), a critically endangered cave-dwelling taxon in Australia, has been described as undertaking regional-scale migration between maternity and non-breeding caves. Aims To describe the seasonal cycle of movements by the southern bent-winged bat, including migration and congregation events of different sex- and age-classes in the population. Methods We tagged a total of 2966 southern bent-winged bats with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags. Antennas were used to detect bats in flight at a major maternity cave and a key non-breeding cave in south-east South Australia, from January 2016 to August 2019. We used capture–resight histories to visualise population patterns and model the daily encounter probability for each sex- and age-class at the respective roost sites. Key results Bats congregated at the maternity cave for most of the year, with different seasonal patterns among sex- and age-classes. Seasonal movements were associated with behaviour over winter months: most of the population dispersed from the maternity cave from May and a staged return occurred among population classes from July through September. A previously undescribed movement occurred in adult females and juveniles each year: these classes left the maternity cave in late summer, when juveniles became independent, and returned in early mid-autumn, later undertaking winter dispersal. Complex underlying movements of individuals occurred throughout the year, with individuals able to fly 72 km between roosting caves in just a few hours. Conclusions Seasonal movements are a key aspect of the life history of this taxon. The newly reported movement of adult females and juveniles conforms to the maternal guidance hypothesis, whereby mothers guide their young to suitable non-breeding caves and hibernation sites. In addition to seasonal movements, some individuals moved 72 km between caves multiple times over short time periods, including on successive nights. This 72-km overnight flight distance more than doubles the previous distance used to inform management buffer zones. Extended congregation of bats at the maternity cave highlights resource limitation in the surrounding area as a potential threat to this population. Implications The dynamic nature of the population has implications for the management of emerging risks, including mortality at windfarms and potential rapid spread of the exotic white-nose syndrome.

Non-crop habitat management: Promoter of natural enemies of crop pests

Non-crop habitats provide essential resources for natural enemies such as plant-derived food, such as nectar or pollen, shelter, alternative prey, protection from pesticides and other disturbances, and moderate microclimate and hibernation sites. The main aim of habitat management is to offer a favourable ecological infrastructure within the landscape. Different ways of habitat management such as selecting appropriate plant species, understanding behavioural mechanism, maintaining the spatial scale and spatial arrangement with heterogeneity has a positive impact on conservation biological control. Harmful conditions are mitigated or favourable conditions are increased for natural enemies in conservation biological control. In previous days, conservation and biological control were not applied a lot, but it has gotten more attention. Natural pest management can be conducted at different spatial scales like at the landscape scale and at the field scale; natural pest management at the landscape scale through habitat management is focused on in this essay. In agricultural landscapes, non-crop habitats are comprised of hedgerows, field margin, road verges, fallows, meadows and often woody forests. Different agricultural pest species and many natural enemies are associated with these non-crop habitats. The proportion of habitat defines landscape complexity can influence the diversity of animals, plants and microorganisms. Ecosystem services that improve ecosystems through nutrient cycling, water regulation and pest suppression are positively influenced by landscape complexity that can help reduce pest density and crop injury. Habitat management has a higher level of opportunity to maximize multi-functional ecosystem services through a wider scale of landscape management. Therefore, habitat management can be combined into land use types of local, regional, nationwide, and worldwide economic aspects to reduce the dependency of high input based on existing agriculture.

Predicting spring migration of two European amphibian species with plant phenology using citizen science data

Habitat fragmentation is one of the drivers for amphibian population declines globally. Especially in industrialized countries roads disrupt the seasonal migration of amphibians between hibernation and reproduction sites, often ending in roadkills. Thus, a timely installing of temporary mitigation measures is important for amphibian conservation. We wanted to find out if plant phenology can be a proxy in advance to determine the start of amphibian migration, since both phenomena are triggered by temperature. We analysed data of 3751 amphibian and 7818 plant phenology observations from citizen science projects in Austria between 2000 and 2018. Using robust regression modelling we compared the migration of common toads (Bufo bufo) and common frogs (Rana temporaria) with the phenology of five tree, one shrub, and one herb species. Results showed close associations between the migration of common frogs and phenological phases of European larch, goat willow and apricot. Models based on goat willow predict migration of common frog to occur 21 days after flowering, when flowering was observed on 60th day of year; apricot based models predict migration to occur 1 day after flowering, observed on the 75th day of year. Common toads showed weaker associations with plant phenology than common frogs. Our findings suggest that plant phenology can be used to determine the onset of temporary mitigation measures for certain amphibian species to prevent roadkills.

Camera traps with white flash are a minimally invasive method for long‐term bat monitoring

AbstractCamera traps are an increasingly popular survey tool for ecological research and biodiversity conservation, but studies investigating their impact on focal individuals have been limited to only a few mammal species. In this context, echolocating bats are particularly interesting as they rely less on vision for navigation, yet show a strong negative reaction to constant illumination. At hibernacula, camera traps with white flash could offer an efficient alternative method for monitoring threatened bat species, but the potential negative impact of white flash on bat behavior is unknown. Here, we investigate the effect of camera traps emitting white flash at four hibernation sites fitted with infrared light barriers, infrared video cameras, and acoustic recorders over 16 weeks. At each site, the flash was turned off every second week. We quantified whether flash affected (1) nightly bat passes using generalized linear mixed models, (2) flight direction of entering bats using permutational multivariate analyses, and (3) latency of the first echolocation call after the camera trap trigger using randomization tests. Additionally, we quantified and corrected for the potential impact of confounding factors, such as weather and social interactions. Overall, white flash did not influence short‐ or long‐term bat activity, flight direction or echolocation behavior. A decrease in nightly bat activity was observed with an increasing proportion of hours with rain. Moreover, flight direction was affected by the presence of other bats, likely due to chasing and avoidance behavior. Our findings highlight the potential of camera traps with white flash triggered by infrared light barriers as a minimally invasive method for long‐term bat population monitoring and observation of species‐specific phenology. Such automated monitoring technologies can improve our understanding of long‐term population dynamics across a wide range of spatial‐temporal scales and taxa and consequently, contribute to data‐driven wildlife conservation and management.

Ecology of outbreak populations of the western spruce budworm

AbstractWe sampled outbreak populations of western spruce budworm, Choristoneura occidentalis (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), between 1997 and 2016 in Douglas‐fir forests in the interior of British Columbia, Canada. Annual rates of change in population densities were correlated with generation survival, modulated by egg recruitment via dispersal of moths. Most temporal variation in generation survival was the result of variation in survival of small, non‐feeding larval stages. Survival rates of feeding larval and pupal stages determined the magnitude of generation survival but contributed little to temporal trend. Survival of small larvae was the product of density‐related losses of larvae dispersing to and from hibernation sites and weather‐related stress caused by warm temperatures in late summer and early spring. Overwinter survival improved in cooler years and at higher elevations. Survival of feeding larvae and pupae was associated with mortality by natural enemies, in particular a few species of dominant, ubiquitous endoparasitoids, and an episodic, virulent baculovirus. Recruitment of eggs indicated emigration of gravid moths independent of defoliation but proportional to density of local moths. During periods of increasing and decreasing population densities over a large outbreak area, a marked differential in adult densities among locations resulted in greater than expected per‐capita egg recruitment to areas of relatively low density and vice versa, indicative of net exchange of gravid moths from high‐ to low‐density populations. The result was homogenization of egg densities among locations, apparent synchrony of the outbreak at the large scale, and extended duration of the outbreak at some locations, despite declining generation survival. These results are compared with field studies of the closely related spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana. We suggest our interpretation applies more generally and outbreaks of conifer‐feeding budworms are maintained for several years by compensatory survival of sequential life‐history stages and spatio‐temporal smoothing of densities via dispersal of gravid moths. Parasitoids and pathogens can cause sudden declines in densities, but populations inevitably wane as a result of cumulative degradation of their resource. The interaction and temporal sequence of bottom‐up and top‐down factors explain the similarities and differences in outbreak characteristics within‐ and among‐budworm species.

Greater Mouse-Eared Bats (Myotis myotis) Hibernating in the Nietoperek Bat Reserve (Poland) as a Vector of Airborne Culturable Fungi.

Simple SummaryFungi and bats are important parts of many ecosystems where they play critical ecological roles. Bats can contribute to an increase of airborne fungi in underground ecosystems, which may cause allergies and infections in mammals. Our study contributes to gaining new knowledge about aeromycota present in the close vicinity of the hibernating greater mouse-eared bat (Myotis myotis) in an underground site. M. myotis is the most common bat species in Europe with direct human contact. Hibernating M. myotis contribute to an increase in the concentration of aeromycota in the underground site and is a vector/reservoir of microscopic fungi, including those that are potential threats to mammal populations; however, the concentration of aeromycota at this site does not pose a threat to human health.Bats can contribute to an increase of aeromycota in underground ecosystems and might be a vector/reservoir of microorganisms; however, there is no information about the number and species composition of fungi around hibernating bats. One of the most common species in Europe with direct human contact is the greater mouse-eared bat (Myotis myotis). The goal of our research was the first report of the airborne fungi present in the close vicinity of hibernating M. myotis in the Nietoperek bat reserve (Western Poland) by the use of culture-based techniques and genetic and phenotypic identifications. Aerobiological investigations of mycobiota under hibernating bats were performed on two culture media (PDA and YPG) and at two incubation temperatures (7 and 24 ± 0.5 °C). Overall, we detected 32 fungal species from three phyla (Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Zygomycota) and 12 genera. The application of YPG medium and the higher incubation temperature showed higher numbers of isolated fungal species and CFU. Penicillium spp. were dominant in the study, with spores found outside the underground hibernation site from 51.9% to 86.3% and from 56.7% to 100% inside the bat reserve. Penicillium chrysogenum was the most frequently isolated species, then Absidia glauca, Aspergillus fumigatus, A. tubingensis, Mortierella polycephala, Naganishia diffluens, and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa. Temperature, relative humidity, and the abundance of bats correlated positively with the concentration of airborne fungal propagules, between fungal species diversity, and the concentration of aeromycota, but the number of fungal species did not positively correlate with the number of bats. The air in the underground site was more contaminated by fungi than the air outside; however, the concentration of aeromycota does not pose a threat for human health. Nevertheless, hibernating bats contribute to an increase in the aeromycota and as a vector/reservoir of microscopic fungi, including those that may cause allergies and infections in mammals, and should be monitored.

Winter activity of boreal bats

Natural hibernation sites used by bats in areas that lack cave features have long remained unresolved. To investigate hibernation site selection and winter activity of boreal bats, we recorded bat calls using passive acoustic monitoring at 16 sites in South-Western Finland. These sites included four rock outcrops with crevices and cave features, three glacial erratics or boulder fields, three ancient shores, three root cellars and three control sites where we did not expect bats to be overwintering. Our results revealed echolocation calls of Eptesicus nilssonii, Plecotus auritus and Myotis sp. We recorded significantly more activity near rock outcrops compared to other habitats, excluding root cellars. We also found that ambient temperature had a positive effect on bat activity and found evidence that P. auritus may be using low barometric pressure as a proxy for suitable foraging conditions during the winter. Our results suggest that rock outcrops may be more important to bats than previously acknowledged, highlighting the need to take these sites in account in planning of conservation measures. Furthermore, our findings underline the suitability of using acoustic monitoring in homing on hibernation sites that are not otherwise accessible.

Investigating the ecology of the Great Yellow Bumblebee (Bombus distinguendus) within the wider bumblebee community in North-West Ireland

Bumblebees are a key pollinator group globally which have declined over time. However, while some species remain common others are rare and have declined at a sharper rate. The Great Yellow Bumblebee (Bombus distinguendus Morawitz) is classified as ‘Endangered’ on the Irish Red List, and ‘Vulnerable’ at European level. We aimed to investigate the ecology of B. distinguendus within the wider bumblebee community in its only remaining Irish population to inform conservation management. Eight true bumblebee species were recorded in total in four habitat types surveyed, with highest species richness in species-rich grassland and highest abundance in urban habitats. Highest numbers of B. distinguendus were found in two designated nature reserves. However, outside these reserves the species was only found in three of twelve sites surveyed in both species-rich and coastal grassland habitats. B. distinguendus is a late emerging species in this region with a foraging preference for Common Knapweed (Centaurea nigra). Availability of key forage species was lowest when numbers of B. distinguendus were highest, potentially limiting survival of this species. Some smaller suitable habitats in urban areas and roadside verges were not used by the species, which suggests potential issues with habitat connectivity, patch size and/or availability of nesting and hibernation sites. Based on our findings, we suggest that existing species-rich and coastal grassland sites should be conserved, and other areas restored, for B. distinguendus in Ireland. Conservation management should focus on delaying cutting grasslands until late September, winter grazing of stock and reducing pesticides and fertilisers with the aim of increasing forage availability in late season, and ensuring that suitable habitats are connected in the landscape to allow adequate habitat area as well as movement and dispersal of the species to new areas.

Associating physiological functions with genomic variability in hibernating bats

The challenges of surviving periods of increased physiological stress elicit selective pressures that drive adaptations to overcome hardships. Bats in the Palearctic region survive winter in hibernation. We sampled single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in hibernating Myotis myotis bats using double-digest restriction site-associated DNA sequencing and we associated the genomic variability with the observed phenotypes reflecting hibernation site preference, body condition and bat health during hibernation. We did not observe genotype associations between the detrended body condition index, representing fat reserves, and functional genes involved in fat metabolism. Bat body surface temperature, reflecting roost selection, or roost warmth relative to the climate at the site did not show any associations with the sampled genotypes. We found SNPs with associations to macroclimatic variables, characterising the hibernaculum, and blood biochemistry, related to health of the bat. The genes in proximity of the associated SNPs were involved in metabolism, immune response and signal transduction, including chaperones, apoptosis and autophagy regulators and immune signalling molecules. The genetic adaptations included adaptation to tissue repair and protection against tissue damage.

Temperature driven hibernation site use in the Western barbastelle Barbastella barbastellus (Schreber, 1774)

In temperate regions, winter is characterized by cold temperatures and low food availability. Heterothermic animals can bridge this period by entering a state of torpor characterized by decreased body temperature and reduced metabolic rate. Hibernation site choice is crucial since temperature conditions in the hibernaculum will impact torpor. We analysed temperature-dependent hibernation site use of Barbastella barbastellus. Bats and temperature were monitored in an underground system (1999–2019) and standalone bunkers (2007–2019) in Western Poland. During the winter of 2017–2018 we analysed the thermal variability of the hibernacula. Seasonal variation is higher in bunkers and thus temperatures get colder in winter than in the underground system. On the other hand, short-term variability (thermal variability index) in the bunkers was lower than in the underground system. This makes bunkers a more stable environment to hibernate for cold dwelling bats in warm winters, when temperatures in the bunkers do not get below freezing. Bats use both the warm underground system and the colder bunkers. During the last decade, a continuous series of warm winters occurred and the population of barbastelle bats partly moved from the underground system to the bunkers. These present temperature increases broadened the range of potential hibernation sites for barbastelles. Our study indicates that long-term trends, seasonal variation and short-term variability in temperatures are all important and should be analysed to investigate hibernaculum use by bats. Our study shows that small hibernation sites may become more important in the future.

Long term trends of hibernating bats in North-Western Italy

Several species of bats have faced strong population declines in Europe during the last century. However, an increase in some bat populations has been recently found in some parts of western Europe. We monitored wintering bats in the underground caves of north-western Italy (Piedmont, Valle d’Aosta and Liguria regions), with the aim of estimating long-term population variations. Over 28 years (from 1992 to 2019), 52 hibernation sites were monitored where 14 species of bats were present. Altogether, 97% of individuals belonged to Rhinolophus euryale, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, Rhinolophus hipposideros, Barbastella barbastellus, Myotis emarginatus, and to the large Myotis group (Myotis myotis/blythii). We found a positive population trend for these six most common species with an average annual increase ranging between 3.5% (R. ferrumequinum) and 15.0% (B. barbastellus), which is in congruence with what has occurred in central and western Europe in the last 20 years. The species R. hipposideros showed a significant increase during the first 10 years, followed by a stable trend thereafter.

Generational shift in the migratory common noctule bat: first-year males lead the way to hibernacula at higher latitudes.

Many migratory species have shifted their geographic distribution in response to climate change, yet the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood, particularly for mammals. We hypothesized that generational shifts are underlying the observed colonization of hibernation sites further north in a migratory bat, the common noctule (Nyctalus noctula). To evaluate our hypothesis, we collected long-term data on the migratory status and demography of common noctules in a recently colonized hibernation area. Based on isotopic data of 413 individuals, we observed a significant decline in the proportion of long-distance migrants from 2004 to 2015 for both sexes and across all age groups. Demographic data collected between 2007 and 2016 from 3394 individuals demonstrated that subadult males were more abundant during the early colonization stage, followed by a gradual shift to a more balanced age and sex composition. Our results suggest that the colonization of hibernacula at higher latitudes is promoted by generational shifts, involving mostly first-year males. Generational shifts seem to be a likely mechanism for distribution changes in other bats and potentially also in other mammals.

Linear woody landscape elements may help to mitigate leaf surface loss caused by the cereal leaf beetle

ContextWoody semi-natural habitats serve as permanent habitats and hibernation sites for natural enemies and, through spillover processes, they play an important role in the biological control of insect pests. However, this service is also dependent on the amount and configuration of the dominating woody habitat types: linear landscape elements (hedgerows, shelterbelts), and more evenly extended plantations. Relating natural enemy action to the landscape context can help to identify the effect of woody habitats on biological control effectiveness.ObjectivesIn the Central European agricultural landscapes such as in the Hungarian lowlands, where our study took place, woody linear elements are characterised by high, while woody areal elements, mostly plantations, by low biological and structural diversity. In this study, we aimed to determine which composition and configuration of woody linear and areal habitats in the landscape may enhance the effect of natural enemy action on plant damage caused by the cereal leaf beetle (CLB, Oulema melanopus).MethodsHerbivory suppression by natural enemies was assessed from the leaf damage difference between caged and open treatments. These exclusion experiments were carried out in 34 wheat fields on plants with controlled CLB infections. The results were related to landscape structure, quantified by different landscape metrics of both woody linear and areal habitats inside buffers between 150 and 500 m radii, surrounding the wheat fields.ResultsThe exclusion of natural enemies increased the leaf surface loss caused by CLBs in all fields. Shelterbelts and hedgerows in 150–200 m vicinity of the wheat fields had a strong suppressing effect on CLB damage, while the presence of plantations at 250 m and further rather impeded natural enemy action.ConclusionsOur results indicate that shelterbelts and hedgerows may provide a strong spillover of natural enemies, thus contribute to an enhanced biological control of CLBs.

A Culture-Based ID of Micromycetes on the Wing Membranes of Greater Mouse-Eared Bats (Myotis myotis) from the "Nietoperek" Site (Poland).

Simple SummaryThis study reports the colonization by fungi of the wing membranes of the female greater mouse-eared bat (Myotis myotis) during spring emergence from the “Nietoperek” underground hibernation site. Overall, we isolated 17 different fungal species and the most commonly isolated was Penicillium chrysogenum—the cosmopolitan species. Some fungal species may be pathogens of mammals, including bats. However, taking into account habitat preferences and the life cycle of bats, it can be assumed that some fungi were accidentally obtained from the surface of vegetation during early spring activity. Therefore, in the near future, we want to study the mycobiota of other bat species because they could be pathogens or part of the normal microbiome.Bats play important functions in ecosystems and many of them are threatened with extinction. Thus, the monitoring of the health status and prevention of diseases seem to be important aspects of welfare and conservation of these mammals. The main goal of the study was the identification of culturable fungal species colonizing the wing membranes of female greater mouse-eared bat (Myotis myotis) during spring emergence from the “Nietoperek” underground hibernation site by the use of genetic and phenotypic analyses. The study site is situated in Western Poland (52°25′ N, 15°32′ E) and is ranked within the top 10 largest hibernation sites in the European Union. The number of hibernating bats in the winter exceeds 39,000 individuals of 12 species, with M. myotis being the most common one. The wing membranes of M. myotis were sampled using sterile swabs wetted in physiological saline (0.85% NaCl). Potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates were incubated in the dark at 8, 24 and 36 ± 1 °C for 3 up to 42 days. All fungi isolated from the surface of wing membranes were assigned to 17 distinct fungal isolates belonging to 17 fungal species. Penicillium chrysogenum was the most frequently isolated species. Some of these fungal species might have a pathogenic potential for bats and other mammals. However, taking into account habitat preferences and the life cycle of bats, it can be assumed that some fungi were accidentally obtained from the surface of vegetation during early spring activity. Moreover, Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd)—the causative agent of the White Nose Syndrome (WNS)—was not found during testing, despite it was found very often in M. myotis during previous studies in this same location.

Characterizing New Wintering Sites for Monarch Butterfly Colonies in Sierra Nevada, Mexico.

Every year, Danaus plexippus (Linnaeus, 1758) travels to hibernate in oyamel fir forests located between the limits of the states of Michoacán and Mexico in Mexico. Climate change and anthropogenic actions are diminishing oyamel fir forests in Mexico, putting pressure on the habitats of monarch butterflies. In the last decade, new colonies outside their usual range have been predicted through modeling and reported by the National Commission on Protected Areas of Mexico. The objectives of the study were to recover information on the historical and new hibernation sites, reported or modeled, from different literature sources. We also aimed to perform a bioclimatic and forest biometric characterization of new monarch butterfly colonies located in Sierra Nevada in Mexico to provide information to aid in conservation strategies for the monarch butterfly population. We conducted field trips to georeference the colonies at sites located in the Atlautla municipality in Mexico State. Climatic, topographic, and forest biometric variables were used to characterize the sites physically. It was found that the butterfly’s roosts occurred at a higher elevation than those recorded by other sources. The locations where the monarch’s colonies were established, in the east of Mexico State, provide information relevant to defining and developing policies for their conservation.

The evolution of a bat population with white-nose syndrome (WNS) reveals a shift from an epizootic to an enzootic phase

BackgroundWhite-nose Syndrome (WNS) is a mycosis caused by a cutaneous infection with the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd). It produces hibernation mortality rates of 75–98% in 4 bats: Myotis lucifugus, M. septentrionalis, M. sodalis, and Perimyotis subflavus. These high mortality rates were observed during the first several years after the arrival of P. destructans at a hibernation site. Mortality is caused by a 60% decrease in torpor bout duration, which results in a premature depletion of depot fat prior to spring.ResultsLittle is known about the long-term effects of Pd on torpor and mortality, thus we conducted a 9-year study on M. lucifugus at 5 of the hibernation sites where Pd first appeared in North America during the winter of 2007–08. The M. lucifugus hibernating at one of these sites one year after the arrival of Pd (2008–09) had: a) a mean torpor bout duration of 7.6 d, b) no depot fat reserves by March, and c) an apparent over-winter mortality rate of 88%. The M. lucifugus hibernating at this same site 6–9 years after the arrival of Pd, in contrast, had: a) a mean torpor bout duration of 14.7 d, b) depot fat remaining in March, and c) an apparent mortality rate of 50%. The number of M. lucifugus hibernating at 2 of these sites has consistently increased since 2010 and is now more than 3.0-fold higher than the number remaining after the winter of 2008–09.ConclusionsThese findings indicate that this population of M. lucifugus has evolved mechanisms to hibernate well in the presence of Pd, thus reducing over-winter mortality.