Pond Bat Myotis Dasycneme Research Articles

The first find of the pond bat <i>Myotis dasycneme</i> (Boie, 1825) in Stavropol Territory and western Caucasus, Russia

The aim of the work was to describe the discovery of a pond bat Myotis dasycneme (Boie, 1825) in the vicinity of Zheleznovodsk, Stavropol Territory, Russia in August 2023.We examined the Letnei Merzloti Cave, an artificial tunnel about 400 metres long with small dead‐end caverns. The pond bat was found in a small dead‐end cavern. This is the first find of this species in the Stavropol region and the third find in the Caucasus.The first finds of the pond bat were made in the Western Caucasus in 1999 and 2003. This find provides more data about a small population of pond bats in the Caucasus. It is noteworthy that this species of bat (M. dasycneme), together with M. daubentonii, are the only known natural wild hosts of the Europian bat lissavirus virus type 2 in Europe. Given the fact that bats are considered natural hosts of all types of coronaviruses, and that the pond bat previously evidenced the circulation of both alpha and beta coronaviruses in the European population (Germany, the Netherlands), we must be aware of the potential of this species as a reservoir of pathogenic zoonotic coronaviruses.

Bats (Chiroptera) of the Ujście Warty National Park and the surrounding area

Bat research was carried out in 2012-2013 in the Ujście Warty National Park and in adjacent areas. Bats were caught in chiropterological nets, searched for in winter and summer roosts. Detector listening was carried out and the owls' diet was analyzed for the presence of bats among their prey. In the national park area, 11 species of bats were detected, and together with the Natura 2000 area "Ujście Warty" and the neighbouring areas, a total of 15 species were detected: the Daubenton's bat Myotis daubentonii, Natterer's bat Myotis nattereri, Brandt's bat Myotis brandtii, noctule bat Nyctalus noctula, serotine bat Eptesicus serotinus, common pipistrelle bat Pipistrellus pipistrellus, soprano pipistrelle bat Pipistrellus pygmaeus, Nathusius' pipistrelle bat Pipistrellus nathusii, brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus, gray long-eared bat Plecotus austriacus, western barbastelle bat Barbastella barbastellus, greater mouse-eared bat Myotis myotis, Bechstein's bat Myotis bechsteinii, pond bat Myotis dasycneme and the parti-coloured bat Vespertilio murinus. The bat fauna of this area is relatively rich compared to other protected areas and presented results constitute an important supplement to the knowledge about the vertebrate fauna of the national park and its vicinity.

Female pond bats hunt in other areas than males and consume lighter prey when pregnant.

Animals with large energy requirements are forced to optimize their hunting strategy, which may result in differentiation of the diet between sexes and across seasons. Here, we examined spatiotemporal variation in the diet of both sexes of the Pond Bat Myotis dasycneme, a species known to have spatial segregation of sexes when the young are born and lactating. Fecal pellets were collected from live animals for a period of 15 years at various locations in the Netherlands. A total of 535 pellets were successfully analyzed by microscopy and an additional 160 pellets by DNA metabarcoding. Morphological and molecular analyses showed that the diet of pregnant and lactating pond bats differed significantly from the diet of females with no reproductive investment. Further analyses of the data showed that pregnant female pond bats are highly dependent on small prey and pupae, mainly nonbiting midges and mosquitoes (Diptera: Chironomidae and Culicidae). These insects can be found in large quantities in peatlands intersected with shallow waterways, the habitat type in which female pond bats were observed more often than males. Our results suggest that during pregnancy the spatial segregation of sexes coincides with sex-specific diets, which might reflect habitat selection based on energy requirements, in addition to lowered intraspecific competition.

Seasonal Variation of Immunohematological Parameters of the Peripheral Blood in the Pond Bat Myotis dasycneme (Boie, 1825) of the Urals.

Immunohematological parameters were for the first time studied in the pond bat Myotis dasycneme (Boie, 1825), the most common chiropteran species in the Urals, during seasonal periods of the annual life cycle. Multivariate nonparametric analysis of variance showed the absence of significant gender differences in red blood cell parameters (p = 0.35). Gender differences were observed in the counts of white blood cells, band neutrophils, segments neutrophils, and lymphocytes in the blood (p < 0.05). Males showed a higher development of innate immunity in summer compared with females (p < 0.05). A high lymphocyte level (50.6-53.5%) was observed in both males and females in the autumn-winter hibernation period, providing immune surveillance and specific reactive activation of the acquired adaptive immune response.

Small mammals in the diet of the tawny owl Strix aluco in selected sites of the Biebrza Basin and Knyszyn Forest in north-eastern Poland.

The analysis of pellets of the tawny owl Strix aluco collected in the years 2009–2023 in 22 sites (ten in the Biebrza Basin and twelve in Knyszyn Forest) allowed for finding four species of Soricomorpha, nine species of Chiroptera and fifteen species of Rodentia (4, 5 and 12 in the Biebrza Basin and 4, 7 and 13 in Knyszyn Forest, respectively). Most common and most frequently caught by owls were: the bank vole Clethrionomys glareolus, the yellow-necked mouse Apodemus flavicollis and the common shrew Sorex araneus. Valuable species of bats included the pond bat Myotis dasycneme and the western barbastelle Barbastella barbastellus noted in Knyszyn Forest. Rare rodents found in both study areas were: the northern birch mouse Sicista betulina and the common dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius while the forest dormouse Dryomys nitedula was noted only in Knyszyn Forest. The European water vole Arvicola amphibius commonly noted in the Biebrza Basin was not found in Knyszyn Forest. On the contrary, the common pine vole Microtus subterraneus was reecorded only in Knyszyn Forest.

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

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

A survey of bat ectoparasitic mites of Belarus

ABSTRACT We surveyed ectoparasite mite species in the Republic of Belarus. One tick species and seven mite species were collected; four of them were recorded for first time: Carios vespertilionis from Pipistrellus species; Spinturnix plecotinus from the long-eared bat Plecotus auritus; Macronyssus corethroproctus from the pond bat Myotis dasycneme; and Macronyssus kolenatii from the Nathusius’ pipistrelle Pipistrellus nathusii. We give diagnostic illustrations of the above mites and tick.

Changes in the abundance of parasitic gamasid mite Macronyssus corethroproctus (Oudemans, 1902) during the overwintering period of its host, the pond bat Myotis dasycneme (Boie, 1825)

The population dynamics of the parasitic gamasid mite Macronyssus corethroproctus (Oudemans, 1902) during the overwintering period of its host, the pond bat Myotis dasycneme (Boie, 1825), has been analyzed. Regression equations have been obtained that describe the dependence of the abundance of mites on the time since the start of overwintering and on host’s sex and body condition.

The Diet of the Pond BatMyotis dasycnemeand Its Seasonal Variation in a Forested Lakeland of Northern Poland

The diet of the Central European trawling vespertilionid, the pond bat Myotis dasycneme, was studied in a nursery roost in the postglacial lakeland of northern Poland , based on a very large (n = 1,725) sample of faecal pellets. This is only the third published dietary study of the species, considered to have a high conservation priority in Europe. Pond bats'prey was dominated by non-biting midges (Chironomidae — both imagines and pupae) and caddis flies (Trichoptera). However, the spectrum of prey was relatively broad, with 16 taxa, including 12 recorded for the first time in the diet of M. dasycneme. Frequency of occurrence (0%) of particular taxa varied through the season. 0% of caddis flies and non-biting midges in droppings were negatively correlated (rs= -0.75, P < 0.05); exceptionally high 0% of caddis flies, being larger (and presumably more profitable) prey, occurred in late June and July, coinciding with high energy demands of lactating females. No evidence of piscivory was revealed.

Autumn swarming of the pond batMyotis dasycnemeat hibernation sites in Latvia

Capturing of swarming bats was carried out at five hibernation sites in Latvia in 2005- 2007. In total 436 pond bats Myotis dasycneme were caught and marked with forearm rings. The most prominent swarming was observed in August-September, which corresponds with relevant results from other countries. Most bats caught were adults, with the domination of adult males. Spearman's rank correlation showed statistically significant changes in numbers of different age and sex groups of bats during the swarming season. Behavioural observations of bats and recaptures of males indicate that possibly the main reason for the swarming activity of pond bats is mating.

Summer distribution of the Pond bat Myotis dasycneme (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) in the west of Flanders (Belgium) with regard to water quality

The summer distribution of the Pond bat Myotis dasycneme in the west of Flanders was assessed by bat detector surveys and a radiotracking project focusing on hunting activity as well as commuting activity. A preliminary attempt was made to relate hunting activity to water quality data and some field observations of nocturnal insect activity. This study revealed new records of pond bats in the area including a small maternity roost. Recorded activity was high over broad waterways, lower over large ponds and medium sized waterways and very low over small waterways. Pond bats were observed hunting over waterways with different pollution levels from mild to heavier pollution. However more activity was recorded over waterways with mild and moderate pollution than over polluted waterways, whereas Daubenton’s bat Myotis daubentonii was found hunting over all waterways regardless the pollution level.

Acoustic perception of landscape elements by the pond bat (Myotis dasycneme)

AbstractWe tested the hypothesis that echolocating bats use landscape elements as acoustic landmarks. We predicted that bats should be able to perceive distant landscape elements using echolocation and hence change their echolocation behaviour in relation to these elements. Echolocation parameters of commuting pond bats Myotis dasycneme (Boie, 1825) were related to the bats' distance from banks of different sized canals. Pulse durations emitted while bats flew over canals of 13, 19, and 25 m wide increased successively. Interpulse intervals were equally long at 13, 19, and 25 m wide canals, but significantly longer at a 30 m wide canal. The mean interpulse interval used by bats flying along the midline of the 30 m wide canal was just sufficiently long to prevent overlap of an echo from the canal bank and a new outgoing pulse. The results indicate that pond bats perceive the canal banks by gradually adapting their pulse emissions to the distance to the banks. This suggests a role for the banks as acoustic landmarks.

Transfer of microcontaminants from sediment to chironomids, and the risk for the Pond bat Myotis dasycneme (Chiroptera) preying on them

Transfer ratios of metals, PCBs, pesticides and PAHs from the sediment to chironomid larvae and adults collected in a highly contaminated area, the Biesbosch, were studied. Metal concentrations in larvae were 0.28 (Cd), 0.02 (Cr), 0.52 (Cu), 0.06 (Hg), 0.03 (Pb), 0.32 (Zn) times those found in standard sediment, on a dry weight basis. Hg and Zn were well transported to the adult stage. Dry weight ratios of contaminant residues in adults and in larvae were 0.38 (Cd), 0.23 (Cr), 0.62 (Cu), 1.03 (Hg), 0.08 (Pb), 0.94 (Zn). For PCBs and pesticides, the concentration ratios of chironomid larvae fat to sediment (dry organic matter) varied around 3.3, which is consistent with laboratory studies. Organochlorine residues in adult fat were comparable to those in larvae lipids. However, the concentrations of non-ortho PCBs were 1.7 times higher in adults. For polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), larval fat:sediment (organic matter) concentration ratios ranged from 0.004 to 0.1. Adult: larvae ratios for PAHs varied between 0.2 and 0.6. For naphthalene a much higher transport ratio of 2 was found. Chironomid adults are the most important potential food source of the Pond bat, which lives in low densities in the Biesbosch. The contaminant concentrations measured in the chironomids do not exceed diet levels that are thought to be safe for mammals. However, Pond bats collected in less contaminated areas contained PCB-concentrations of 9, 33 and 76 mg kg−1 lipid weight, which are above concentrations that cause reproduction effects on Mink.