Long-fingered Bat Research Articles

No apparent ecological trend to the flight-initiating jump performance of five bat species

The jump performance of five insectivorous bat species (Miniopterus schreibersii, Myotis blythii, Myotis capaccinii, Myotis myotis and Rhinolophus blasii) was filmed using a high-speed camera. All study bats jumped using a similar technique, with the wing musculature providing the force. The bats jumped off the wrist joint of their wings, typically with their feet already off the ground. Contrary to expectations, jump performance did not correlate with ecology and was instead strongly determined by body size. In general, the larger bats produced more jump force, left the ground at higher speeds and jumped higher than the smaller bats. The differences in force production disappeared when the data were corrected for body size, with the exception of Myotis capaccinii, which produced significantly less force. Scaling of jump performance with body size measured here was compared against two existing muscle performance scaling models. The model suggesting that muscle contraction velocity is proportional to muscle length was better supported than that based on muscle cross-sectional area. Both models, however, failed to accurately predict the scaling of jump forces, with the slope of the relationship being significantly steeper than predicted, highlighting the need for further investigations of vertebrate muscle performance scaling. The results of this study indicate that a bat's jumping ability is a secondary locomotor ability that uses the strongly selected-for flight apparatus with no apparent ecological trend present, i.e. flight so dominates bat locomotor morphology that other locomotor abilities tend to be derivative.

Dietary composition, echolocation pulses and morphological measurements of the long-fingered bat Miniopterus fuliginosus (Chiroptera: Vespertilioninae)

We investigated food (insect) availability in foraging areas utilized by the long-fingered bat Miniopterus fuliginosus using light traps, fish netting and fecal analysis. The dominant preys of M. fuliginosus were Lepidoptera (55%, by volume percent) and Coleoptera (38%) of a relatively large body size. M. fuliginosus has relatively long, narrow wings and a wing span of 6.58+/-0.12 and high wing loading of 9.85+/-0.83 N/m2. The echolocation calls of free flying M. fuliginosus were FM signals, with a pulse duration of 1.45+/-0.06 ms, interpulse interval of 63.08+/-21.55 ms, and low dominant frequency of 44.50+/-2.26 kHz. This study shows that the morphological characteristics and echolocation calls of long-fingered bats are closely linked to their predatory behavior.

Reproductive and age classes do not change spatial dynamics of foraging long-fingered bats (Myotis capaccinii)

Spatial dynamics of foraging long-fingered bats (Myotis capaccinii) were studied in the Eastern Iberian Peninsula. We analysed the locations of 45 radio-tracked individuals during three discrete periods through the breeding season and measured the spatial parameters related to their foraging behaviour in order to test whether variations in spatial use occur. Colony range, measured as the minimum convex polygon through all the radiolocations, was 345 km2, but the area used during each period was smaller. During pre-breeding, foraging bats gathered at two stretches of different tributary rivers; during lactation, they scattered throughout the river system; and during weaning, they aggregated at a stretch of the main river. Individuals on average flew 5.7 km from roosts to foraging areas, with a maximum absolute distance of 22.7 km. Individual foraging ranges were measured linearly, because the bats foraged mostly along rivers; their values averaged 1.3 km/night and overlapped extensively between neighbouring bats (>65% on average). The sampling period, rather than the bats’ reproductive status, age, or sex, explained the observed variability in spatial distribution and size of hunting sites. We did not find differences in spatial parameters between lactating females and non-lactating bats, nor between juveniles and adults. This is the first study to split the independent effects of season and population class in order to enable unconfounded interpretations of the spatial dynamics of foraging reproductive females and juveniles. We speculate that the relationship between colony size and prey availability ruled the observed changes in foraging area through seasons. The considerable overlap in individual foraging ranges may be a necessary adaption to large colonies forced by the specific roost requirements of the long-fingered bat and the narrow foraging niche they appear to occupy.

Evaluation of Maternal Features as Indicators of Asynchronous Embryonic Development inMiniopterus natalensis

The timing of early reproductive events for the Natal long-fingered bat, Miniopterus natalensis, was examined during its breeding season (August to December) in its maternity roost at the De Hoop Nature Reserve (South Africa). This migrating species is monoestrous with copulation occurring around April in South African populations. Embryonic development is stalled during hibernation by delayed implantation of the blastocyst. As a result, limb bud stage embryos (CS13) are first noted in other South African populations in mid-September. The timing of these reproductive events for the De Hoop population is similar with bats arriving at the maternity roosts in September and embryos at the limb bud stage (CS13) being noted in this month. Pregnancy was not synchronous in the population with bats dissected on the same day exhibiting differences in the stage of development of their young (CS11 to CS21 being the largest range). Maternal features (progesterone concentration, body mass and abdominal distension) were analysed to determine if they provided a reliable estimate of embryonic stage. The progesterone concentrations of pregnant bats showed a similar profile to the Kwa-Zulu Natal and the Eastern Cape populations. Though progesterone concentration did increase as pregnancy progressed, it was not an accurate predictor of embryonic stage. Maternal body mass did not correlate with the stage of embryonic development. However, abdominal distension determined by palpation is an accurate field based predictor of the stages of pregnancy: no abdominal distension, small to medium abdominal distension and large abdominal distension distinguished between non-pregnant bats and those carrying either early (CS11–CS15) or mid-developmental stages (CS16–CS21), respectively.

Handedness in the echolocating Schreiber's Long-Fingered Bat (Miniopterus schreibersii)

Bats, in terms of variety of species and their absolute numbers, are the most successful mammals on earth. The anatomical and functional peculiarities of Microchiroptera are not confined only to the auditory system; the wings (hands) of bats are unique both from an anatomical point of view as from a sensorial one. They are much thinner than those of birds and their bony structure is much more similar to a primate hand than to the forelimb of other mammals of the bat's size; the thumb, is very small and on its distal end there is a little claw that bats use for crawling and manipulating food. However, despite this very frequent use of the hands for food catching and for walking, nothing is known about the existence of a preferential use of the hands in Microchiroptera. The present study investigates the existence of handedness in the Schreiber's Long-Fingered Bat by recording the preferential use of the hand while climbing the walls of a plastic cylinder. This bat species is lateralized at population level and shows a left forelimb bias when using hands for climbing/grasping. This result is the first evidence of population-level handedness in an echolocating bat species.

Food and Feeding Habits of Some Bats from Turkey

Food habits data were obtained from 26 species of bats from Turkey. Barbastella barbastellus, Myotis capaccinii, M. mystacinus, Plecotus auritus, P. austriacus, P. kolombatovici, P. macrobullaris, and Rhinolophus euryale were primarily moth feeders. Eptesicus bottae, E. serotinus, Myotis myotis, and Taphozous nudiventris fed heavily on beetles. Myotis aurascens and, M. brandtii fed heavily on Diptera. Myotis blythii and Tadarida teniotis were tentatively classified as cricket feeders at least in Turkey. Hypsugo savii, Miniopterus schreibersii, Myotis emarginatus, M. nattereri, Pipistrellus kuhlii, P. pipistrellus, P. pygmaeus, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, R. hipposideros, and R. mehelyi preyed on a variety of insects and may be treated as generalists. In 17 species, the foods found paralleled those previously reported in the literature, but in nine (some with notably small samples) they did not. These are apparently the first data on the food of Plecotus macrobullaris, P. kolombatovici, M. schreibersii, and M. aurascens.

S17-03 Differences in the wing and hindlimb transcriptomes of the natal long-fingered bat, Miniopterus natalensis, during embryonic development

S17-03 Differences in the wing and hindlimb transcriptomes of the natal long-fingered bat, Miniopterus natalensis, during embryonic development

Foraging behaviour of the long-fingered bat Myotis capaccinii: implications for conservation and management

The main factors threatening Myotis capaccinii (Bonaparte, 1837) are considered to be foraging habitat degradation and roost loss. Conservation strategies that focus on the protection of roosts are feasible as long as direct threats by human activities are correctly identified. However, before protection of foraging habitat can be implemented more accurate information is required. We review the available information of relevance to foraging habitat management for the species. Three main topics are considered based on the results of a radiotelemetry study on 45 ind. in 3 seasons: habitat dependence, features of foraging habitat, and spatial range. M. capaccinii foraged almost completely over aquatic habitats as in other telemetry studies. We discuss the importance of terres- trial habitats and the dependence of the species on aquatic habitats. It has been proposed that sev- eral factors affect habitat selection in this species. The presence of smooth, clutter-free water surfaces seems to be the most important structural factor, but we found that prey richness also affected habi- tat selection. Effects of features related to riparian vegetation and water quality are thought to vary according to local conditions. Preference for wide water bodies is probably linked to preference for smooth surfaces, where detection and trawling of prey is favoured. As highlighted by recent teleme- try studies, we observed M. capaccinii foraging at long distances from the roost. Therefore, the area of application for conservation measures should be large: we suggest a protection radius of 20 km around roosts.

The role of early development in mammalian limb diversification: A descriptive comparison of early limb development between the natal long‐fingered bat (Miniopterus natalensis) and the mouse (Mus musculus)

Comparative embryology expands our understanding of unique limb structures, such as that found in bats. Bat forelimb digits 2 to 5 are differentially elongated and joined by webbing, while the hindlimb digits are of similar length in many species. We compare limb development between the mouse and the Natal long-fingered bat, Miniopterus natalensis, to pinpoint the stage at which their limbs begin to differ. The bat forelimb differs from the mouse at Carollia stage (CS) 14 with the appearance of the wing membrane primordia. This difference is enhanced at CS 15 with the posterior expansion of the hand plate. The bat hindlimb begins to differ from the mouse between CS 15 and 16 when the foot plate undergoes a proximal expansion resulting in digit primordia of very similar length. Our findings support recent gene expression studies, which reveal a role for early patterning in the development of the bat limb.

Molecular systematics of the Chinese Myotis (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) inferred from cytochrome-b sequences

We recently sequenced the cytochrome-b gene of six Chinese Myotis species, added their molecular systematics into the previous molecular phylogenetic studies on the Old World Myotis, and clarified the phylogenetic status of these East Asian species. The results demonstrate that most Old World Myotis are divided into six clades, namely Clade I–Clade VII and the Ethiopian Clade. All the “daubentonii” species referred to here, such as Myotis capaccinii, M. daubentonii, M. longipes, M. fimbriatus, and M. macrodactylus, are divergent from each other, indicating that the questionable species M. longipes and M. fimbriatus are valid species, and supports that the morphological and behavioral resemblance in the “daubentonii” group are caused by convergent evolution. Myotis altarium forms a monophyletic group with two allopatric species M. ikonnikovi and M. mystacinus, suggesting that their morphological differences might have been caused by their eco-environmental differences. Our data also imply the abundance of species diversity in a certain clade, which consists of M. davidii, M. siligorensis, M. longipes, and two unidentified species M. sp1 and M. sp2.

Sex-specific roost movements and population dynamics of the vulnerable long-fingered bat, Myotis capaccinii

The roosts of many IUCN-listed cave-roosting bat species are under threat from tourist development in SE Europe and other regions of the world. Much-needed conservation strategies require, among other information, an understanding of their roost movements and population dynamics, which can now be obtained relatively quickly using advanced models. We have studied the long-fingered bat, Myotis capaccinii, an obligate cave-dweller, in Dadia National Park, Greece. The species formed colonies of up to a few thousand individuals and was highly mobile, frequently switching summer roosts up to 39 km apart, even during late pregnancy. The bats migrated to distant hibernacula including a cave in Bulgaria 140 km NW of the Park. Adult recapture probabilities varied with season and sex: low female recapture rates in autumn, relative to spring and summer, indicated non-random temporary emigration following nursery colony dispersal. The opposite pattern was seen in males: increasing recapture rates in the autumn suggest that males gather in these roosts to mate with females in transit. Adult survival (0.86–0.94) was similar in females and males, similar in winter and summer, and comparable to recent estimates for other bats based on similar modelling techniques. Sex-based differences in juvenile recapture suggest female philopatry and male-biased dispersal. Our work shows that protection of M. capaccinii roosts must extend beyond the Park’s and indeed the country’s boundaries: its conservation requires large-scale, trans-national integrated conservation plans. Our results will apply to many other warm-temperate species with similar life history cycles.

Fishing behaviour in the long-fingered bat Myotis capaccinii (Bonaparte, 1837): an experimental approach

To study the fishing behaviour of Myotis capaccinii, we performed an experiment in a flight tent containing an artificial pond. We recorded the behaviour of two groups of bats — eight individuals from two different roosts — using IR video camcorders and ultrasound detectors, and evaluated diet by analyzing faeces. Nightly, increasing amounts of fish were released in the pond. Our data show that M. capaccinii is able to exhibit fishing behaviour when fish occur in high densities in shallow waters, gaffing live fish from the water using their hind feet. They were attracted neither by dead fish floating, nor by ripples made by fishes feeding on the water surface. Bats showed a specific fishing behaviour with two main foraging patterns: A) long series of circular flights, skimming along the water and dipping in softly twice or three times in each roundabout; B) long figure-eight loops with bats flying faster and higher, swooping down on the centre of the pond, where they snapped their hind feet hard into the water. Compared with the echolocation calls used to catch insects from the water's surface in the wild, terminal buzzes were incomplete during the dips made to fish. Buzz II were always lacking, and buzz I had much longer inter-pulse intervals. This suggests that they were not pursuing specific targets but dipping randomly. We propose a scenario in which fishing behaviour occurs in the wild, linked to the seasonal drought of small ponds, marshes, or channels where large numbers of small fish become readily available and thus a profitable resource.

Distribución y estado de conservación de los quirópteros en Aragón

In the period 2004-2006 a sampling of bats took place in Aragon. Traps were set in 47 forests and 67 potential shelters were inspected. Mist nets, harp traps, ultrasound detectors and video cameras were used. A total of 1197 specimens, belonging to 24 species, were captured; 529 records were obtained and the presence of at least 120 breeding colonies was identified (32 of them the common pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus, 110 records and 30 breeding colonies), Savi’s pipistrelle (Hypsugo savii, 63 records and 11 colonies) and Kuhl’s pipistrelle (Pipistrellus kuhlii, 48 records and 13 colonies). Reproduction data have been found for all species except for Myotis capaccinii, Myotis cf. nattereri, Nyctalus lasiopterus, Nyctalus leisleri and Eptesicus serotinus. The species found can be divided into four large groups: one of general and continuous distribution (P. pipistrellus, P. kuhlii, H. savii, E. serotinus and P. austriacus), another of general but discontinuous distribution (R. ferrumequinum, R. hipposideros, R. euryale, M. myotis, M. blythii, M. escalerae, M. emarginatus, M. daubentonii, P. pygmaeus, M. schreibersii and T. teniotis), a third of forest species, which were found only in some of the extensive wooded areas (Pyrenees, Moncayo and the south of Teruel: M. mystacinus, M. cf. nattereri, P. auritus, B. barbastellus, N. lasiopterus and N. leisleri) and finally two very rare species in the region (M. capaccinii and P. macrobullaris). The distribution of these species in Aragon is shown and their status in relation to data obtained and the bibliography is reviewed.

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in the long‐fingered bat Miniopterus fuliginosus

We isolated and characterized 10 microsatellite loci in the long-fingered bat Miniopterus fuliginosus. These loci were tested on 48 individuals from Anhui Province of China, and all loci were highly polymorphic. The mean number of observed alleles per locus was 13.6 (range from six to 27). Observed and expected heterozygosity values ranged from 0.364 to 0.957, and from 0.676 to 0.951, respectively. After Bonferroni correction, four loci deviated significantly from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. No pairs of loci were in linkage disequilibrium. These polymorphic markers will be used to examine population structure and genetic diversity in this species.

Seasonal Roosting Habits and Population Structure of the Long-fingered Bat Myotis capaccinii in Greece

The long-fingered bat Myotis capaccinii (Bonaparte, 1837) is considered rare and is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (2007). It remains one of the least studied bats in Europe. Protection of roosts is fundamental to bat conservation but, for it to be effective, knowledge about roosting ecology is required. We evaluated roosting habits, colony structure, and colony composition of M. capaccinii in the National Park of Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli in Greece during 2002–2004 at 6 underground sites. We report results from regular capture of marked individuals and measures of roost microclimate. Individuals formed large maternity colonies in spring. Parturition began in April and by the end of May all captured females had given birth. The 1st volant young appeared in late June and almost all were weaned by the end of July. Summer colonies were sexually segregated; few males were present in the nursery roosts. Adult females began to disperse in August and the proportion of males increased through September and October. Young born in the year remained in the roosts after the females had left. M. capaccinii selected summer roosts with a wide range of temperatures, tolerating temperatures as low as 11.2°C, probably because of the thermoregulatory benefits of aggregating in single- and multispecies clusters. Few individuals remained in these sites during the winter. The majority of females appeared to reach sexual maturity in their 1st autumn and most males did so in their 2nd year. Body mass of males increased steadily from spring through to autumn, whereas mass of females only increased in the autumn before hibernation, except for the additional weight of the fetus during pregnancy, implying that reproduction imposes energetic constraints on females.

The mitochondrial and nuclear genetic structure of Myotis capaccinii (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in the Eurasian transition, and its taxonomic implications

Allopatric isolation in glacial refugia has caused differentiation and speciation in many taxa globally. In this study, we investigated the nuclear and mitochondrial genetic differentiation of the long fingered bat, Myotis capaccinii during the ice ages in south‐eastern Europe and Anatolia. The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analyses indicated a suture zone similar to those recorded in other animal species, including bats, suggesting the association of more than one refugium with the region. Contrary to most of the other species where a suture zone was seen in Anatolia, for M. capaccinii the geographical location of the genetic break was in south‐eastern Europe. This mitochondrial differentiation was not reflected in the nuclear microsatellites, however, suggesting that the lack of contact during the ice ages did not result in reproductive isolation. Hence taxonomically, the two mitochondrial clades cannot be treated as separate species.

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in the long-fingered bat Miniopterus fuliginosus

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in the long-fingered bat Miniopterus fuliginosus

Diet and prey selection in the trawling long‐fingered bat

AbstractThe diet of the long‐fingered bat Myotis capaccinii is poorly known, and there is no previously recorded information on this species' prey preferences. To investigate these subjects, we captured 51 individuals at a nursery cave in the Iberian Peninsula, from pre‐breeding to post‐lactation seasons. Each bat's diet composition was assessed by faecal content analysis and its foraging places (rivers, pools and channels) identified by radio‐telemetry. To estimate prey availability, we sampled arthropods in the individual bats' identified foraging places and also emulated the bats' hunting technique. The bats' diet comprised of arthropods, dominated by small insects with aquatic larvae and flying adult phases. The most consumed taxon was Nematocera (mainly Chironomidae), including adults and pupae, which were also found to be the most abundant prey over water. Other frequently consumed prey were brachycerans, lepidopterans, arachnids, trichopterans and neuropterans. Diet proportions were compared with prey availability to infer a rank of preferences. The preferred prey were lepidopterans and arachnids, both having a terrestrial life cycle and a bigger size than any other taxa consumed. Without discarding the possible underestimation of prey's aerial availability, the observed preference pattern seems to be a consequence of selection for size more than for specific taxa. Apparently M. capaccinii efficiently exploit water‐related prey according to availability when the bats hunt low over the water's surface, and are also able to take more profitable prey found higher in the air.

The Distribution of Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) in Syria

The present study consists of both new records and literary data for 23 species of bats reported from Syria. Sixteen species of bats belonging to 6 families have been collected either by mist nets or recovered from owl pellets during the present study. Families Pteropodidae, Emballonuridae, Hipposideridae, and Molossidae are represented by a single species for each family; Rousettus aegyptiacus, Taphozous nudiventris, Asellia tridens, and Tadarida teniotis respectively. Family Rhinolophidae is represented by three species; Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, Rhinolophus hipposideros, and Rhinolophus euryale. Family Vespertilionidae is represented by fi ve genera (Eptesicus, Myotis, Pipistrellus, Otonycteris, and Miniopterus) and nine species; Eptesicus bottae, Eptesicus serotinus, Myotis myotis, Myotis blythii, Myotis emarginatus, Myotis capaccinii, Pipistrellus kuhlii, Otonycteris hemprichii, and Miniopterus schreibersii respectively. We also include distributional data for seven species which have been collected previously but have not during the present study (Rhinolophus blasii, Rhinolophus mehelyi, Myotis aurascens, Myotis nattereri, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Hypsugo savii, and Plecotus macrobullaris). Thus, the bat fauna of Syria consists of 23 species belonging to twelve genera and six families. External and cranial measurements are given for most species. Notes on biology and ecology as well as distribution maps and a complete listing for all previous and recent records are provided for each species. Tadarida teniotis is mentioned for the fi rst time for Syria in this review.

Foraging requirements of the endangered long‐fingered bat: the influence of micro‐habitat structure, water quality and prey type

Abstract Myotis capaccinii is one of the most endangered Mediterranean bats. We radio tracked 21 adult individuals to assess foraging range and analyse micro‐habitat selection around a nursery roost in central Italy. Habitats were characterized by development of riparian vegetation, distance between banks, degree of water clutter and levels of water pollution (expressed by macro‐benthic bioindicators). Diet was also analysed to see whether prey rarity might account for species decline. Myotis capaccinii proved highly mobile: the maximum straight line distance between roost location and the farthest foraging fix recorded on one night was c. 21 km, whereas this variable averaged 7.5 km for the entire study. In general, the species preferred calm waters bordered by well‐developed riparian vegetation and large (>5 m) inter‐bank distances. Such factors determined the overall quality of foraging sites. Although diet was dominated by pollution‐tolerant insects such as Chironomus midges, bats preferred less polluted waters. Our study also confirmed the occurrence of piscivory in this bat. Of the factors potentially responsible for species endangerment, the most likely are general habitat degradation, that is alteration of riparian vegetation and pollution, and cave roost loss. Given the large ecological niche overlap, increasing Myotis daubentonii may be outcompeting M. capaccinii. The most urgent actions to preserve M. capaccinii are extensive restoration of riparian vegetation and strict roost protection. Our study offers indications about where, and how, restoration of riparian vegetation may translate into best conservation results.