Taphozous Longimanus Research Articles

Leptospira infection in bats in Vietnam

Bats from three provinces in Vietnam (Lai Chau, Son La, and Dong Thap) were examined for the presence of pathogenic Leptospira or specific antibodies using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Tissue specimens from 298 bats belonging to 11 species were analyzed using a real-time PCR assay specific for leptospires of pathogenic species. Leptospiral DNA was identified in 40 bats from following species: Rousettus amplexicaudatus (5/9; 55.5 %), Rousettus leschenaultii (17/42; 40.4 %), Myotis hasseltii (8/25; 32 %), Taphozous longimanus (3/12; 25 %), and Eonycteris spelaea (7/32; 21.9 %). Based on secY phylogeny, sequences from M. hasseltii bore a strong resemblance to L. borgpetersenii. Sequences from other species revealed unique lineages: one of them resembled Leptospira sp., previously identified in Rousettus madagascariensis (Madagascar) and Rousettus aegyptiacus (South Africa); the second lineage showed close relation to L. kirshneri; and the third held an intermediary position between L. noguchii and L. interrogans. Through ELISA, anti-Leptospira antibodies were found in 83 of 306 bats, with the highest seroprevalence observed in R. leschenaultii (44/48; 91.6 %), R. amplexicaudatus (6/8; 75 %), and E. spelaea (19/25; 76 %). 66 of these ELISA-positive samples were tested using MAT; 41 of them were confirmed in MAT as positive. The predominant serogroups in our study were Tarassovi and Mini.

Bats in the Maldives: a review of historical data and first record of a vagrant Long-winged Tomb Bat (Emballonuridae: Taphozous longimanus)

The Maldives is a country made up entirely of coral atolls with very limited terrestrial habitat diversity and only one known resident bat species: the Maldivian Flying Fox, Pteropus medius ariel. Here we report the first confirmed record of any insectivorous bat from the Maldives: a single bat that flew on board a boat off Raa Atoll in the north of Maldives on 13 February 2019. Wind trajectory analysis suggests that it had flown from Kerala, south India. From photos and morphometric estimates, we could identify it as a Long-winged Tomb Bat Taphozous longimanus. Reports of Flying Foxes from the Maldives (P. medius ariel and P. hypomelanus maris) are also reviewed. The former is widespread and common, while the latter is known only from a single disputed and now apparently missing specimen.

Diversity and Distribution of Bats in Triyuga and Chaudandi Municipality, Udayapur, Nepal

Eastern Nepal is rich in bats diversity, 34 species of bats have been recorded from 11 eastern districts and three districts remain till now. Even most of the districts surveyed including Udayapur have been focused only at some sites. Most of the area in the previously surveyed district has yet to be conducted. There is a lack of public awareness of the importance and values of bats. Many people have a negative attitude towards bats and there exist some prevailing threats to bats in Nepal. Study area includes 17 sites Churia range and Inner-Terai of Udayapur district. Roost survey and mist netting were conducted during six days of 2015 and 2016. In total four species of bats were recorded. 14 individuals of bats were captured from the roosts by gloved hands. However, bat could not be captured in mist nets. Previously, bat surveys were conducted at Katari in Udayapur District. Pipistrellus sp. from 12 sites, Cynopterus sphinx from three sites, Megaderma lyra from two sites Taphozous longimanus was recorded from one site. Similar, most of the people had no idea on the importance and value of bats. No direct threats on bats were observed in the study area during the survey.

Histoarchitectural changes of Adrenal gland in Emballonurid male bat, Taphozous longimanus (Hardwicke) during the reproductive cycle

Taphozous longimanus has two adrenal glands, one on each side, situated retroperitoneally occupying an antero-mesial position abutting against the ipsilateral kidney. The left adrenal gland is pyramidal and the right adrenal gland is oval in shape. The diameter of the left adrenal gland is always higher than that of the right adrenal gland during different periods of reproductive activity. Each gland is duplex organ consisting of cortex and medulla. Cortex is divided into two zones which are poorly differentiated from each other. An outer zone is zona glomerulosa, and inner zone is zona fasciculata. The zona glomerulosa of left and right adrenal gland during the breeding period are larger than that of zona glomerulosa of left and right adrenal gland during the pre-breeding period respectively. The diameter of zona fasciculata of left and right adrenal gland during the breeding period is smaller than that of zona fasciculata of left and right adrenal gland of the pre-breeding period. There is no clear histological difference between medulla of right adrenal gland to that of left adrenal gland during the breeding period but the diameter of zona glomerulosa and medulla during the breeding period is larger than that of the pre-breeding period.

Echolocation calls of some bats of Gujarat, India

Abstract Bats play an important role by providing ecosystem services including pollination, seed dispersal, forest regeneration and insect pest control and also serve as bio-indicators. In the present study, we present an acoustic guide to the calls of nine species of bats from Gujarat belonging to families Rhinopomatidae (Rhinopoma hardwickii, Rhinopoma microphyllum), Emballonuridae (Taphozous melanopogon, Taphozous longimanus and Taphozous nudiventris), Rhinolophidaea (Rhinolophus lepidus), Hipposideridae (Hipposideros galeritus) and Vespertilionidae (Scotophilus heathii, Pipistrellus ceylonicus). Discriminant function analysis was used to classify the bat calls to the species level using leave-one-out cross validation. Analysis was carried out separately for constant frequency (CF) calls and frequency-modulated (FM) calls. Bats echolocating with CF calls were classified with 100% success, while in the case of FM calls, the calls were classified with 66.7% accuracy. In species-rich communities, care should be taken while using echolocation calls to identify bats producing FM calls. More such call libraries of bats from other parts of India are needed for non-invasive documentation of chiropteran fauna in different biogeographic zones.

Thyroid activity of Emballonurid male bat, Taphozous longimanus (Hardwicke) during reproductive period

Thyroid gland in bat, Taphozous longimanus consists of two lateral lobes on the either side of trachea and are connected by isthmus. During the pre-breeding period large and medium sized follicles are predominant and small sized follicles are few while during the breeding period small and medium sized follicles are much more and large sized follicles are a few. Thyroid gland is composed of two different kinds of parenchymal cells, follicular epithelial cells and parafollicular cells (‘C’ cells or Calcitonin secreting cells or basal granular cell). ‘A’ type of follicular cells is lined by tall columnar epithelial cells which are highly secretory in nature, ‘B’ type of follicular cells is lined by low columnar epithelial cells and are secretory in nature while ‘C’ type of follicular cells is lined by low cuboidal epithelial cells. Parafollicular cells during the breeding period are more in number and larger in size than the pre-breeding period. During the breeding period, weight of thyroid gland, the mean diameter of follicles, colloid and height of epithelial cells of small, medium and large sized follicles are more, but not significantly different from that of the pre-breeding period.

Identification of Tom Bat Species (Taphozous Longimanus Hardwicke, 1825) in the Field Based on their Morphological Characteristics

Identification of Tom Bat Species (Taphozous Longimanus Hardwicke, 1825) in the Field Based on their Morphological Characteristics

Mating Behavior and Habitat Preference of Taphozous longimanus (Chiroptera) in Bangladesh

This study explains matting behavior and nesting preference of Taphozous longimanus. The mean copulation duration (x) was 6.17 minutes and mean copulation interval (x) was 10.50 minutes. T. longimanus always found to live in close association of 5 to 16 individuals. The species were found to roost in unused loft, room and crack on wall where light does not reach. Total seven houses were marked as roosting place all of which were more than 20 years old in same village.

Evidence of Saccolaimus saccolaimus (Chiroptera) roosting in a building in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a critical area for global biodiversity conservation but rapid land–use changes endanger much of its fauna. Though understudied and under–estimated, bats are a critical component of Sri Lanka’s diversity. Comprising nearly one third of the overall terrestrial mammals of Sri Lanka, bats provide vital ecological and economic services. Sri Lanka has 30 species of bats that belong to 15 genera and seven families. Emballonuridae (Sheath– tailed bats) are widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. In Sri Lanka, there are three species of Emballonurids, Saccolaimus saccolaimus (Temminck, 1838), Taphozous longimanus Hardwicke, 1825 and Taphozous melanopogan Temminck, 1845. Phillips (1980) indicates that Saccolaimus saccolaimus, the Naked–rumped Pouched Bat was once common throughout the lowlands of both dry and the wet zones in Sri Lanka but less common in the highlands. However, now this species is considered to be extremely rare and was not recorded in an extensive five year survey conducted by Yapa & Ratnasooriya (2006) and has been missing from the Sri Lankan bat inventory for 75 years. It was re–discovered in 2011 at an estate in Kurunegala, Wayamba Province roosting in a hollow of a coconut tree. The previous record of this species is from Cheddikulam in 1936.

Ultrastructural features of the Fallopian tube epithelium of bat, Taphozous longimanus (Hardwicke)

The epithelium of the Fallopian tube of Taphozous longimanus consists of two types of cells, ciliated and nonciliated secretory cells. The ciliated cells of tubal epithelium possess motile cilia (kinocilia) that emerge through the luminal membrane. The cytoplasm of the ciliated cells contains large lipid complex, abundance of polyribosomes, well developed Golgi apparatus, tubular ER and large number of mitochondria. The presence of fibrous granules, basal bodies, and ciliary buds indicates the process of ciliogenesis in the Fallopian tube. The nonciliated secretory cells of ampulla show balloon-like bulges which contain secretory granules. These cells were characterized by well developed rough endoplasmic reticulum, numerous polyribosomes and secretory granules of varied size, shape, and density. The secretory blebs were seen releasing into the lumen containing cell organelles. However, in some secretory blebs nucleus along with cell organelles were observed. The nonciliated secretory cells of isthmus show blunt cytoplasmic projection. Organelles such as mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum and secretory granules were seen in the cytoplasm. The presence of numerous mitochondria, a well developed Golgi apparatus and rough endoplasmic reticulum in both the ampulla and the isthmus indicates that tubal epithelium was responsible for the synthesis of protein secretion.

The Fine Structure of the Adrenal Gland of the Indian SheathTailed Bat, Taphozous longimanus (Hardwicke)

The Indian sheath-tailed bat, Taphozous longimanus at Nagpur (Maharashtra State) shows continuous asynchronous breeding, exhibiting aseasonal polyoestry. The adrenal gland of Taphozous is made up of the steroidogenic and chromaffin cells. The ultrastructural features of the glomerulosa cells during estrus are inconspicuous Golgi complex mitochondria with vesicular cristae, a few lipid droplets and smooth endoplasmic reticulum with vesicular cisternae. Numerous mitochondria, smooth endoplasmic reticulum in the form of interconnected vesicles scattered throughout the cytoplasm and large numbers of lipid droplets are the characteristics of the cells of zona fasciculata. Adrenal gland of pregnant female shows striking differences in ultrastrctural features than those observed in the adrenal gland of non-pregnant female. During pregnancy, the cells of zona glomerulosa are hypertrophied and synthetically very active than that observed during estrus. The cells of zona fasciculata show mitochondria with tubular and lamellar cristae. There is an increase in GolgiSER area during pregnancy as compare to estrus. Lipid droplets are more than those observed in the cells of zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculata of estrus adrenal. The close association of lipid droplets with smooth endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria suggests the active biosynthesis of steroid hormones. Adrenal medulla consists of two types of cells depending on the presence of secretory granules. Nor-epinephrine cells are predominant in the medulla of pregnant bat while epinephrine cells are predominant in the medulla of estrus bat. Keywordsbat, adrenal cortex, medulla, ultrastructure, reproductive cycle.

Secretory Processes in Follicular Cells of the Thyroid Gland of the Indian Sheath-tailed Bat, Taphozous longimanus (Hardwicke): A Ultrastructural Study

The aim of present study was to compare the ultrastructural changes in thyroid gland during different phases of the reproductive cycle of Taphozous longimanus. Thyroid gland shows marked seasonal variation in weight, quantity of colloid and follicular epithelial height and ultrastructural characteristics. During estrus, the thyroid gland is composed of small and medium follicles. The follicular cells contain mitochondria with lamellar cristae, well developed rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex and large number of dense bodies. During early and mid-pregnancy, thyroid gland composed mostly of small follicles. The characteristics of the follicular cells are the well developed rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus and numerous dense granules. Colloid droplets are observed in the cytoplasm. These findings are associated with a high rate of thyroid activity. Towards the end of pregnancy, the large follicles are noticed in the thyroid gland in addition to medium sized follicles. The follicular cells of large follicles contain inconspicuous Golgi apparatus, a few mitochondria and rudimentary rough endoplasmic reticulum, suggesting a low rate of thyroid activity. During lactation, the thyroid gland as in estrus is composed of medium to small sized follicles. The ultrastructural features of thyroid follicular cells indicate that these cells are synthetically very active.

Changes in serum leptin, insulin, androstenedione and luteinizing hormone during ovarian cycle in the bat,Taphozous longimanus

Detailed reproductive pattern and associated endocrine characteristics have been documented in only a few species of order Chiroptera. The aim of the present study was to examine the changes in body weight, serum insulin, leptin, androstenedione and luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations during annual ovarian cycle in the sheath-tailed bat, Taphozous longimanus. Bats were sampled over three years. Leptin, a satiety hormone produced primarily by adipose tissue, provides information to feeding center of the brain about nutritional status, fat mass, appetite and energy expenditure. The circulating concentration of leptin begins to increase from October and attains a peak in December. The peak serum leptin concentration coincides with body weight in November before winter dormancy in December. The serum leptin levels dissociate from body weight during December. The other peaks of serum leptin levels coincide with late stages of the two successive pregnancies. The serum insulin concentration begins to increase from September and attains a peak during December. The insulin concentration remains low from January to August. The circulating androstenedione concentration begins to increase in October, reaching a peak in December. This increase in androstenedione concentration correlated with the period of heavy accumulation of abdominal fat and increase in body weight. There was a sharp decline in androstenedione concentration and body weight in January. The serum LH shows peaks, in November, coinciding with the peaked body weight, the other peaks in January and May, coinciding with ovulation for the two successive pregnancies. The high leptin and insulin levels might be responsible for the maintenance of reproductive response and gonadal function during adverse environmental condition in the winter, while high androstenedione, and associated body weight along with LH might be responsible for maintaining basal gonadal function. We conclude that high leptin, androstenedione and insulin serve, as signal for the reproductive functions in that sufficient body fat are available to meet the caloric demands and maintain normal function during adverse winter conditions.

Ultrastructural Organization of the Corpus Luteum of the Indian Emballonurid Bat, Taphozous longimanus (Hardwicke)

The paper describes the ultrastructural organization of the corpus luteum of the emballonurid bat, Taphozous longimanus (Hardwicke). This bat is continuously asychronous breeder, exhibiting aseasonal polyoestry. During the early part of gestation, the luteal cells are compactly arranged with clearly demarcated boundaries, and show only moderate hypertrophy. Ultrastructural study of luteal cells during early pregnancy reveals the presence of irregularly shaped euchromatic nucleus, rod-shaped mitochondria with tubular or vesicular cristae, numerous lipid droplets and profiles of smooth/agranular endoplasmic reticulum in the form of short tubules or vesicles. The close association of mitochondria with lipid droplets and agranular endoplasmic reticulum in the luteal cells suggests that these cells are actively involved in steroidogenesis. During mid-pregnancy, the luteal cells are hypertrophied and are highly vacuolated. Large number of hypertrophied mitochondria, increased profiles of tubular cisternae of smooth endoplasmic reticulum and abundant lipid droplets in the cytoplasm of luteal cells during mid-pregnancy indicate an increase in the steroidogenic activity.

Seasonal changes in thyroid activity in the female sheath-tailed bat, Taphozous longimanus (Chiroptera: Emballonuridae).

The present study was designed to investigate changes in thyroid activity during the reproductive cycle in Taphozous longimanus. Thyroid gland showed marked seasonal variation in weight and secretory activity. It was inactive in quiescence and early to mid-winter dormancy and active during recrudescence and breeding period during late winter dormancy. The serum 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) concentrations showed significant variation and closely coincided with thyroid activity. The T3 and T4 concentrations were higher in recrudescence, late winter dormancy and minimum in quiescence and initial stages of first pregnancy. The body weight (r = 0.56), ovary weight (r = 0.73), and thyroid weight (r = 0.70) showed correlation with each other and with T3 and T4 concentrations. The correlation between body weight, thyroid weight and T3 and T4 concentrations in non-pregnant bats was higher when compared with pregnant bats. The T3 and T4 levels remained low during the initial stages of development in first pregnancy when compared with the initial stages of second pregnancy. The scant food supply and low levels of T3 and T4 and low temperature during initial stages of first pregnancy might be responsible for differential rate of fetal development in two successive pregnancies in T. longimanus.

Seasonal changes in circulating steroid concentration and their correlation with the ovarian activity in the female Indian sheath-tailed bat, Taphozous longimanus.

The relationship between ovarian activity and circulating steroid concentration was studied in the female sheath-tailed bat, Taphozous longimanus. T. longimanus breeds twice in rapid succession during the year at Varanasi, India. Ovarian recrudescence was observed during September, and antral follicles were first observed during the month of October. Circulating androstenedione concentration showed an increase beginning in October, reaching a peak in December. This increase in androstenedione concentration correlated with the period of heavy accumulation of adipose tissue and increase in body mass. Antral follicles grow slowly during the period of high circulating androstenedione concentration from October to December. There was a sharp decline in androstenedione concentration during January. Simultaneously with the decline in androstenedione concentration, a sharp increase in size of the antral follicle and circulating estradiol concentration was noticed. Soon thereafter, one of the follicles ruptures, followed by fertilization and the commencement of the first pregnancy. During the second pregnancy, antral follicles first appeared during late pregnancy in March in the contralateral ovary that lacked the corpus luteum. One follicle developed rapidly and quickly attained a preovulatory stage in April. This is reflected in a sharp increase in estradiol concentration during this period. Ovulation was observed immediately following the first pregnancy in May. During this period, androstenedione concentration remained low. The results of the present study suggest that high androstenedione concentration during October to December (winter dormancy) may be responsible for slow follicular development and delays ovulation in T. longimanus. It is further hypothesized that the geographical variation in reproductive pattern of T. longimanus could be due to variation in the duration of fat storage and associated changes in the androstenedione concentration.

Seasonal changes in circulating testosterone and androstenedione concentration and their correlation with the anomalous reproductive pattern in the male Indian sheath‐tailed bat, Taphozous longimanus

The relationship between reproductive organs, circulating testosterone, and androstenedione concentration in the male sheath-tailed bat, Taphozous longimanus, was studied. The masses of testis, accessory sex gland (prostate, ampullary), and epididymides showed three peaks, one each in October, January, and April. Monthly changes in testosterone also peaked during October, January, and April and closely coincided with the peak spermatogenesis. Serum androstenedione concentration peaked during November and January. Testosterone showed a strong correlation with masses of testis and accessory sex glands, while androstenedione showed strong correlation with the body mass. Different threshold levels of testosterone may be required to trigger spermatogenesis, secretory activity of accessory sex glands and mating in Taphozous longimanus and may be responsible for reproductive asynchrony in this species. Higher circulating concentrations of testosterone and androstenedione throughout the year in this species, as compared with other mammalian species, may be responsible for prolonged retention of sperm in the epididymides. J. Exp. Zool. 287:54–61, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Seasonal changes in circulating testosterone and androstenedione concentration and their correlation with the anomalous reproductive pattern in the male Indian sheath-tailed bat,Taphozous longimanus

The relationship between reproductive organs, circulating testosterone, and androstenedione concentration in the male sheath-tailed bat, Taphozous longimanus, was studied. The masses of testis, accessory sex gland (prostate, ampullary), and epididymides showed three peaks, one each in October, January, and April. Monthly changes in testosterone also peaked during October, January, and April and closely coincided with the peak spermatogenesis. Serum androstenedione concentration peaked during November and January. Testosterone showed a strong correlation with masses of testis and accessory sex glands, while androstenedione showed strong correlation with the body mass. Different threshold levels of testosterone may be required to trigger spermatogenesis, secretory activity of accessory sex glands and mating in Taphozous longimanus and may be responsible for reproductive asynchrony in this species. Higher circulating concentrations of testosterone and androstenedione throughout the year in this species, as compared with other mammalian species, may be responsible for prolonged retention of sperm in the epididymides.

Gruczoł szyjny u nietoperza Taphozous longimanus

The morphology, histology and histochemistry of the gular gland of the Indian sheath-tailed bat, Taphozous longimanus Hardwicke, 1823, are described. A gular gland which is presented only in the male is a flattened, pear-shaped structure laying below the skin on the ventral side of neck.

Rozmnażanie Taphozous longimanus

The Indian sheath-tailed bat, Taphozous longimanus Hardwicke 1823 (Familly Emballonuridae) exhibits a clearly defined breeding season at Varanasi (25°N), India. The female breeds twice during the year in quick succession. The first pregnancy commences in mid-January and terminates in late April to mid-May. Within a short period after parturition the female copulates and experiences the second pregnancy which terminates in August.