Myotis Daubentoni Research Articles

Mites and Ticks (Acari) of Bats (Chiroptera) collected from Bursa and Kütahya Provinces, North-Western of Türkiye.

A total of 357 specimens belonging to nineteen species of bats collected from Bursa and Kütahya Provinces, Türkiye, were examined for mite ectoparasites. Related bat species were collected and studied about ectoparasitologically. For this purpose stereo and light microscopic methods used. Bat species, bat number, acari species, acari number and their gender, infected numbers were determined. The bats were found to harbour nine acarid species: Eyndhovenia euryalis, E. myoti, Steatonyssus noctulus, Steatonyssus sp., Ixodes vespertilionis, Dermanyssus sp., Ornithonyssus desultarius, Anchystropus zelebarii and Macronyssus aristippe. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of acarids on Rhinolophus euryale and Myotis daubentoni. New area and host records are reported.

Bats in the collection of the Zoological museum of Belarusian State University

The results of the examination of bat collection of the Zoological Museum of Belarusian State University, Minsk, one of the largest natural history museums in Belarus are presented. The collection contains 226 specimens, collected in 1924-2006, mainly in Belarus (in all administrative regions). In the collection there are specimens of Vespertilionidae: Barbastella barbastellus, Eptesicus nilssonii, E. serotinus, Myotis daubentoni, Myotis ex gr. “mystacinus-brandtii, Nyctalus lasiopterus, N. leisleri, N. noctula, Pipistrellus kuhlii, P. nathusii, P. pipistrellus s. l., Plecotus auritus, Vespertilio murinus; and as well one species of Pteropodidae: Rousettus aegyptiacus. Voucher data were digitized and systematized. The electronic catalog was compiled and conveyed to the Museum. The scientific and historical value of the collection is shown.

Further Evidence for the Basal Divergence ofCheiromeles(Chiroptera: Molossidae)

The earliest diverging lineages in the subfamily Molossinae have not been well established. The genera Cheiromeles and Mormopterus have been found in separate studies to be the oldest lineage, however no previous studies using a molecular approach have included an analysis of sequence data from Cheiromeles and Mormopterus together in the same study. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that recombination activating gene 2 (Rag2) sequence data support the basal divergence of Cheiromeles in the Molossinae subfamily. Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood analyses of Rag2 sequences from 64 molossid bats (representing 13 genera, 31 species) and five outgroup taxa (Antrozous pallidus, Myotis daubentoni, M. velifer, M. yumanensis, and Natalus stramineus) obtained from GenBank resulted in the placement of Cheiromeles as the most basal lineage within a monophyletic Molossinae. Mormopterus was placed as sister to the rest of Molossinae (excluding Cheiromeles).

Bats benefit from beavers: a facilitative link between aquatic and terrestrial food webs

Bat populations are declining in many areas, partly because up to two-thirds of their wetland habitats have been lost. One natural agent creating wetlands is the beaver, which is recolonizing its former range. Beaver flowages are known for their high production of aquatic invertebrates. We tested the hypothesis that the high numbers of insects emerging from beaver flowages influences their use by foraging bats. We compared bat use and bat numbers above flowages of introduced Canadian beavers Castor canadensis and in nearby control ponds where beavers were absent. The two bat species detected, Eptesicus nilssoni and Myotis daubentoni, used beaver flowages more than non-beaver ponds. This is especially the case for Eptesicus nilssoni. Bats also seemed to forage in larger groups while above beaver ponds compared to the control ponds. Beaver flowages appeared to improve bat habitats. A plausible reason for this could be the high number of insects emerging from beaver ponds. Favouring the beaver in habitat management is a tool for creating suitable conditions for many other species, such as bats. In areas not suited for the beaver, insect production can be achieved by imitating the beaver with man-made impoundments. This is especially important in areas which have lost most of their wetlands.

Surveillance for European bat lyssavirus in Swiss bats

Most countries in Western Europe are currently free of rabies in terrestrial mammals. Nevertheless, rabies remains a residual risk to public health due to the natural circulation of bat-specific viruses, such as European bat lyssaviruses (EBLVs). European bat lyssavirus types 1 and 2 (EBLV-1 and EBLV-2) are widely distributed throughout Europe, but little is known of their true prevalence and epidemiology. We report that only three out of 837 brains taken from bats submitted to the Swiss Rabies Centre between 1976 and 2009 were found by immunofluorescence (FAT) to be positive for EBLVs. All three positive cases were in Myotis daubentoni, from 1992, 1993 and 2002. In addition to this passive surveillance, we undertook a targeted survey in 2009, aimed at detecting lyssaviruses in live bats in Switzerland. A total of 237 bats of the species M. daubentoni, Myotis myotis, Eptesicus serotinus and Nyctalus noctula were captured at different sites in western Switzerland. Oropharyngeal swabs and blood from each individual were analysed by RT-PCR and rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT), respectively. RNA corresponding to EBLV-2 was detected from oropharyngeal swabs of a single M. daubentoni bat, but no infectious virus was found. Molecular phylogenetic analysis revealed that the corresponding sequence was closely related to the other EBLV-2 sequences identified in previous rabies isolates from Swiss bats (particularly to that found at Geneva in 2002). Three M. daubentoni bats were found to be seropositive by RFFIT. In conclusion, even though the prevalence is low in Switzerland, continuous management and surveillance are required to assess the potential risk to public health.

Identification of sympatric bat species by the echolocation calls

One hundred and thirty-eight echolocation calls of 63 free-flying individuals of five bat species (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, Myotis formosus, Myotis ikonnikovi, Myotis daubentoni and Murina leucogaster) were recorded (by ultrasonic bat detector (D980)) in Zhi’an village of Jilin Province, China. According to the frequency-time spectra, these calls were categorized into two types: FM/CF (constant frequency) / FM (R. ferrumequinum) and FM (frequency modulated) (M. formosus, M. ikonnikovi, M. daubentoni and M. leucogaster). Sonograms of the calls of R. ferrumequinum could easily be distinguished from those of the other four species. For the calls of the remaining four species, six echolocation call parameters, including starting frequency, ending frequency, peak frequency duration, longest inter-pulse interval and shortest inter-pulse interval, were examined by stepwise discriminant analysis. The results show that 84.1% of calls were correctly classified, which indicates that these parameters of echolocation calls play an important role in identifying bat species. These parameters can be used to test the accuracy of general predictions based on bats’ morphology in the same forest and can provide essential information for assessing patterns of bat habitat use.

Reproduction affects flight activity in female and male Daubenton’s bats, Myotis daubentoni

Nearly all mammals in the temperate zone breed in spring and summer when climatic conditions are favourable and food is abundant. Similar to other mammals, food requirements of female bats are particularly high during pregnancy and lactation and of males during spermatogenesis. Seasonal changes in energy demand and reproductive condition should therefore result in different foraging activity within and between sexes. This assumption was tested on 16 adult females and 13 adult males of the Palaearctic Daubenton’s bat, Myotis daubentoni (Kuhl, 1817), that were radio-tracked during pregnancy, lactation, and post-lactation periods. Pregnant females, as hypothesized, flew significantly longer (mean: 358.9 min; 70% of the night length) than males (mean: 228.5 min; 42.4% of the night length) during spring. In contrast, nightly flight time of lactating females decreased and was significantly less than that of pregnant females, but was similar to that of males during the same period. The longest flight times of males were registered during late summer when spermatogenetic activity is high. However, there were distinct differences in the use of foraging areas between female and male Daubenton’s bats. Female bats used small, individual foraging areas during pregnancy and lactation. The pattern was reversed in females after the young had been weaned and in males after they entered spermatogenesis. Overall, the results confirmed our proposition that flight activity reflects the higher energy demand and nutrition requirements in the different reproductive periods.

On the taxonomical status of Myotis abei YOSHIKURA, 1944 (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae).

The type specimen of Myotis abei YOSHIKURA, 1944 was examined and compared with species of subgenera Leuconoe and Selysius from Japan and adjacent territories. The analysis of external characters and measurements indicated that M. abei should be recognised as a junior synonym of Myotis daubentoni (KUHL, 1817).

Bats of Lithuania: distribution, status and protection

AbstractThe Lithuanian bat fauna includes 14 species. Myotis daubentoni, Pipistrellus nathusii, Plecotus auritus and Eptesicus serotinus are the most abundant and widespread species, although recently P. auritus has disappeared from some hibernacula. There are still abundant populations of Myotis nattereri, Myotis brandti and Barbastella barbastellus in hibernacula, while their status in summer is unknown. Myotis dasycneme is probably very rare and endangered. The status of Myotis mystacinus and Nyctalus leisleri is not clear, but they are most likely very rare because very few specimens have been found. So far little is known about status of Nyctalus noctula, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Eptesicus nilssoni and Vespertilio murinus because these species are common only during autumn bat migration along the Baltic Sea coast. Two other species, Myotis bechsteini and Rhinolophus hipposideros, have been rejected from the list of bats of Lithuania, because old references to records of these species were not reliable.From what is currently known it seems that: (i) the northern limits of distribution of B. barbastellus and E. serotinus reach the middle of Lithuania between 55°N and 56°N, which may also be the southern limit of abundance of E. nilssoni; (ii) the wintering site with the largest numbers of bats in Lithuania is the vaults of Kaunas fortress, where every year eight species are found hibernating in numbers estimated as follows: M. daubentoni 400–500, M. nattereri 200–300, M. brandti 80–100, B.barbastellus 200–300, P. auritus 40–60, M. dasycneme 15–20 and a few E. serotinus and E. nilssoni.In Lithuania nine bat species have been protected by law since 1991, as species included in the Red Data Book. Also 11 bat reserves have been designated in Kaunas fortress to protect the most important hibernation sites in Lithuania.

Evaporative water loss in two sympatric species of vespertilionid bat, Plecotus auritus and Myotis daubentoni: relation to foraging mode and implications for roost site selection

Simultaneous measures of oxygen consumption and evaporative water loss (EWL) were made in two species of temperate‐zone vespertilionid bat (Plecotus auritus and Myotis daubentoni; mean body mass 9.12 and 10.12g, respectively) at ambient temperatures (Ta) of 5, 15 and 25°C and variable vapour pressure deficit. EWL was directly dependent on vapour pressure deficit and oxygen consumption and inversely dependent on Ta. EWL was significantly greater in P. auritus than in M. daubentoni. A model for EWL in P. auritus under a variety of environmental conditions (5–25°C and 20–80% relative humidity) suggested that EWL from bats in shallow summer torpor will be lowest at low Ta, and that, except at low (> 50%) relative humidity, EWL from euthermic bats will be lowest at high Ta. At low relative humidity (< 20%), resting bats could lose over 30% of body mass per day (24 h) through evaporation. At high Ta (> 25°C), EWL from euthermic bats could be over 65% lower at high (> 80%) compared to low (< 20%) relative humidity. In bats in shallow summer torpor at low (5°C) Ta the equivalent saving was > 96%. At low relative humidity predicted EWL from bats in shallow summer torpor was 34 to 81% of that from euthermic bats, and at low Ta and high relative humidity was only 2%. In the wild, M. daubentoni has freer access to drinking water than does P. auritus and yet EWL at rest was higher in the latter species. We suggest that post‐prandial dumping of urinary water by M. daubentoni leads to a limit in the amount of body water available to this species to cover evaporative losses once within the day roost, which in turn has led to an adaptation of physiology towards the minimization of EWL when at rest.

Post‐prandial urine loss and its relation to ecology in brown long‐eared (Plecotus auritus) and Daubenton's (Myotis daubentoni) bats (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

Urine loss, over the first 12 hours after feeding, was positively and linearly dependent on food consumption in water‐denied, brown long‐eared bats (Plecotus auritus) and also in water‐denied and water‐provided, Daubenton's bats (Myotis daubentoni). The slope of the relationship (food‐dependent urine loss) (363 μ 1 g dry mass food−1, S.D.=±70, n=19) was not significantly different between the two species but predicted urine loss at zero food consumption (food‐independent urine loss) was significantly lower in P. auritus (0.048 μl.min−1, S.D. =±0.015, n= 12) than in M. duubentoni (0.217 μl min−1 S.D. =±0.040, n = 7). The same results were apparent if the data for M. daubentoni were restricted to water‐deprived animals only. Of total urine loss, 46% occurred in the first hour after feeding in M. daubentoni compared with only 20% in P. auritus. We suggest that the differences between the two species in the pattern of postprandial urine loss reflect their relative association with open water when foraging and roosting in the wild. In the course of the water‐denied experiment, M. duubentoni lost 15% of pre‐fed body mass and showed signs of severe dehydration, while P. auritus only lost 6% and did not. However, urine loss only accounted for 8–10% of body mass loss. A water budget model for wild P. auritus in the summer was developed and suggested that if bats did not drink, approximately 19% of water loss would be attributable to faecal water loss, 18–20% to urine loss, and 59–62% of intake would be available to support evaporation and reproductive losses.

Analysis of the diets of Leisler's Nyctalus leisleri, Daubenton's Myotis daubentoni and pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus bats in Ireland

Journal of ZoologyVolume 231, Issue 4 p. 656-663 Analysis of the diets of Leisler's Nyctalus leisleri, Daubenton's Myotis daubentoni and pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus bats in Ireland C. M. Sullivan, C. M. Sullivan Department of Zoology, University College, Galway, IrelandSearch for more papers by this authorC. B. Shiel, C. B. Shiel Department of Zoology, University College, Galway, IrelandSearch for more papers by this authorC. M. McAney, C. M. McAney Department of Zoology, University College, Galway, IrelandSearch for more papers by this authorJ. S. Fairley, J. S. Fairley Department of Zoology, University College, Galway, IrelandSearch for more papers by this author C. M. Sullivan, C. M. Sullivan Department of Zoology, University College, Galway, IrelandSearch for more papers by this authorC. B. Shiel, C. B. Shiel Department of Zoology, University College, Galway, IrelandSearch for more papers by this authorC. M. McAney, C. M. McAney Department of Zoology, University College, Galway, IrelandSearch for more papers by this authorJ. S. Fairley, J. S. Fairley Department of Zoology, University College, Galway, IrelandSearch for more papers by this author First published: December 1993 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1993.tb01947.xCitations: 37AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume231, Issue4December 1993Pages 656-663 RelatedInformation

Defecation, apparent absorption efficiency, and the importance of water obtained in the food for water balance in captive brown long‐eared (Plecotus auritus) and Daubenton's (Myotis daubentoni) bats

Mean apparent dry mass absorption efficiency by P. auritus fed on mealworms was 0.853 (S.D.=0.4, n=43). Mean apparent energy absorption efficiency by P. auritus and M. daubentoni fed on mealworms was 0.90 (S.D.=0.007, n=8). The mean energy content of mealworms was 28.6 kJ.g‐1 dry mass (S.D.=1.1, n=8), and that of faeces was 19.5 kJ.g‐1 (S.D.=0.7, n=8) in P. auritus and 19.9 kJ.g‐1 (S.D.=1.3, n=8) in M. daubentoni. Water content of mealworms was 61.1% wet mass (S.D.=1.4, n=173); water content of faeces was 73.3% in P. auritus (S.D.=6.8, n=76) and 72.3% (S.D.=7.0, n=42) in M. daubentoni. Oven‐dried mealworms consisted of <1% ash, <1% carbohydrate, 31% lipid and 39% protein. We suggest that the dry mass unaccounted for (28%) represented chitin, of which 59% was apparently absorbed during digestion. Apparent absorption by mass of both lipid and protein by P. auritus fed on mealworms was greater than 90%. Cumulative post‐prandial defecation was sigmoidal in both bat species with 50% (by mass) of faeces being voided within 4 h and 95% within 12 h of feeding. On the basis of previous measurements, using doubly‐labelled water, of daily energy expenditure and water flux in free‐living P. auritus, we predict that water intake via the food, as free water and as potential metabolic water, represents 20 to 40% of total daily water flux for P. auritus during lactation in the wild.

Effects of Disturbance on the Energy Expenditure of Hibernating Bats

(1) We investigated the effects of a range of stimuli, associated with disturbance by visitors to caves, on the energy expenditure of hibernating bats. (2) Twenty-five individual bats of six species were exposed to 206 separate applications of non-tactile stimuli (head torch, photographic flash, sound, speech, temperature increase). This resulted in only nine significant increases in energy expenditure (4.4%). In contrast, nineteen out of nineteen tactile stimuli, applied to ten individuals of four species, resulted in significant increases in energy expenditure. The difference in frequency of response to the two types of stimulation was highly significant. (3) The extra energy expended by bats in a response following a non-tactile stimulation was low (mean=49 J). Tactile stimulation resulted in much greater energy expenditure (mean= 2038 J). (4) Neither the degree nor the frequency of response to non-tactile stimulation was affected by species, body mass, ambient temperature, season, or metabolic rate during torpor. Degree of response to tactile stimulation increased significantly with increasing body mass. (5) Energy expenditure during torpor (pre-stimulation) was significantly affected by temperature in Natterer's bat (Myotis nattereri Kuhl), Daubenton's bat (Myotis daubentoni Kuhl), brown long-eared bats (Plecotus auritus L.), and by body mass in these species and pipistrelles (Pipistrellus pipistrellus Schreber). The mean energy expenditure across all species was 6-17mW. (6) By combining the measured energy expenditure in torpor before stimulation with the increase in energy requirements which accompanied non-tactile and tactile disturbance, the mean maximum reduction in potential duration of hibernation resulting from a non-tactile disturbance which elicited a significant response was 4-5h, and was 104h for each tactile disturbance. (7) Each non-tactile disturbance was predicted to decrease fat stores by 0001 g. Each tactile disturbance was predicted to decrease fat stores by 005 g.

Flight performance, foraging tactics and echolocation in the trawling insectivorous bat Myotis adversus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

The bat Myotis adversus hunts for prey by aerial hawking and by taking prey from the water surface with its feet (trawling). The flight performance and echolocation of this species were studied in Queensland, Australia, and comparisons were made with Myotis daubentoni, a bat filling a similar ecological niche in the Palaearctic Region. The bats foraged in very similar ways, using the same foraging tactics and feeding in similar habitats, yet they were not geometrically similar in shape. The slightly larger Myotis adversus had relatively larger wings than M. daubentoni, conferring a slightly lower wing‐loading. Nevertheless, M. adversus flew faster than M. daubentoni during the searching phase of foraging. Myotis daubentoni turned in tighter circles than M. adversus. Both species used short frequency‐modulated (FM) echolocation calls of a characteristic sigmoidal structure, and nulls typically observed in the calls were an observational artefact. Myotis adversus also adopted an unusual ‘long’FM call while foraging. The relations between echolocation frequencies and body size were explored in male M. adversus. Specialized morphological and acoustic adaptations for prey capture by trawling in insectivorous bats are discussed.

Entwicklung einiger Nistkastenbewohner in ostbayerischen Waldgebieten Teil II: Säuger

From 1950 until 1987 up to 3,350 nest-boxes were checked each year in woodland of Eastern Bavaria. Among the mammals bats (Myotis daubentoni and other species), dormice (Muscardinus avellanarius, Glis glis andEliomys quercinus) and mice (Apodemus spp.) were observed. The distribution of the dominant species is mapped (Figs. 1, 3) and the annual percentage of occupied boxes by different groups and species is shown in diagrams (Figs. 2, 4, 5). The quote of nest-boxes inhabited by small mammals increased since 1980. Several factors influencing the occurrence of mammals in nest-boxes such as adaption, competition, population density and climatic conditions are discussed.

Changes in numbers of Myotis daubentoni (Kuhl, 1819) in autumn shelters and the effect of disturbance

Undergrounds of 2 forts in Central Poland were inhabited by Myotis daubentoni at the beginning of August. From the half of September the majority of individuals remained in lethargy. The maximum numbers were reached in the end of October (in 1984 - 70 individuals, in 1985 - 52 individuals). Studied forts are only autumn shelters for the majority of individuals, non proper hibernacula. It was found that the process of bat ringing resulted faster leaving undergrounds. Disturbance with the frequency once per two weeks changed natural dynamics in lower degree than more frequent controls.

Geographic Variation and Taxonomy of Daubenton's Bat, Myotis daubentoni in Europe

Multivariate analyses of 12 cranial and 15 dental measurements demonstrated that Myotis daubentoni increases in size from south to north. Geographic coordinates explained 53 and 43% of cranial and dental variation, respectively. The gradual clinal variation appears to be an example of Wright's (1943) isolation-by-distance model. The latitudinal clines in size are correlated negatively with temperature (as predicted by Bergmann's rule) and associated positively with moisture. Cranial variation, however, is more strictly associated with geoclimatic factors than is dental variation, which shows a more complex pattern. These results suggest that both climate (natural selection) and geographic factors (barriers to gene flow) contributed to differentiation in M. daubentoni . There also is a significant positive correlation between skull size of M. daubentoni and number of presumably competing species of Myotis at a given locality. Significant phenetic overlap exists among the three currently recognized subspecies of M. daubentoni in Europe. I, therefore, propose that M. d. nathalinae and M. d. volgensis be considered synonyms of M. d. daubentoni .

The echolocation and hunting behavior of Daubenton's bat, Myotis daubentoni

The echolocation and hunting behavior of Daubenton's bat (Myotis daubentoni) were studied in the field under completely natural conditions using a multiflash photographic system synchronized with high-speed tape recordings. The hunting behavior of M. daubentoni is separated into four stages. In the search flight stage Daubenton's bat flies with an average speed of 3.4±0.6 m/s SD usually within 30 cm over water surfaces searching for insects. After the detection of potential prey, the approach flight stage occurs, during which the bat approaches the target in a goal-directed flight. The stage tail down indicates that M. daubentoni is close to the potential prey (approximately 10–22 cm) and is preparing for the catch. The insects are caught with the interfemoral membrane, the feet, and sometimes with the additional aid of a wing. In the stage head down, the bat seizes the prey during flight. Immediately afterwards, Daubenton's bat returns to search flight. M. daubentoni shows the typical echolocation behavior of a vespertilionid bat, emitting frequency-modulated (FM) echolocation signals. The three behavioral stages search, approach, and terminal phase (Griffin et al. 1960) are used to describe the pulse pattern of foraging M. daubentoni in the field. The terminal phase (or buzz) of Daubenton's bat is separated into two parts: buzz I and buzz II. Buzz II is distinguished from buzz I by the following characteristics: a sharp drop in terminal frequency, a distinct reduction in the bandwidth of the first harmonic, a continuous high repetition rate throughout the phase in the range 155–210 Hz, very short pulses (0,25–0.3 ms) and interpulse intervals (4.5–5.0 ms) at the end of the phase, and a distinct decrease in duty cycle. A pause in echolocation separates the end of the terminal phase from the ongoing search phase. The reduction in sound duration after the detection of a target and during pursuits with successfull or attempted catches is discussed in relation to the actual distance of the bat to the target at each stage. It is likely that Daubenton's bat reduces sound duration during approach and terminal phase in order to prevent an overlap of an outgoing pulse with the returning echo from the target. It is argued that the minimum detection distance can be estimated from the sound duration during search flight. Estimates of detection and reaction distances of M. daubentoni based upon synchronized photos and echolocation sequences are given to corroborate this hypothesis. An average detection distance of 128 cm and an average reaction distance of 112 cm were determined. Each behavioral stage of foraging M. daubentoni is characterized by a distinct pattern of echolocation signals and a distinct stage in hunting behavior. The approach flight in hunting behavior coincides with the approach phase and with buzz I in echolocation behavior. The stage tail down corresponds to buzz II. The stage head down is correlated with a pause in echolocation. Immediately afterwards, the bat returns into search flight and into the search phase, emitting search signals.

Polychromophilus murinus: a malarial parasite of bats: life-history and ultrastructural studies.

Polychromophilus murinus, a malaria parasite of Chiroptera is reported from Myotis daubentoni in England. The vector was suspected to be the ectoparasitic Nycteribiid fly, Nycteribia kolenatii. N. kolenatii collected from wild-caught M. daubentoni were found to have oocysts on the midgut and sporozoites in the salivary glands. Wild-caught N. kolenatii were maintained on two wild-caught M. daubentoni harbouring heavy (patent) infections of P. murinus; both oocysts and sporozoites were found in these flies. The mature oocysts measured 52-71 micron in diameter. Sporozoites were straight or slightly crescentic and had a mean length of 7.4 micron. Electron microscopy of immature and mature oocysts revealed a morphology similar to that of malaria parasites. Sporozoites were also similar in structure to Plasmodium sporozoites and were found in the epithelial cells of the salivary gland and within the lumen; a cytostome was present and transverse sections revealed 21 microtubules arranged evenly around the periphery. Sporozoites were observed within the basement membrane of the salivary gland of N. kolenatii; such sporozoites appeared to be penetrating the gland, a process hitherto not described in malaria parasites. Rickettsia-like bodies were found within the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells of the salivary gland. Exflagellation of microgametocytes was achieved. An ultrastructural study of the gametocytes revealed a structure similar to that described in other Haemoproteidae. A common feature of infected erythrocytes was a projecting erythrocyte membrane. Attempts to find schizogony in impression smears and sections of tissues of two infected M. daubentoni were not successful.