Climate is changing, are European bats too? A multispecies analysis of trends in body size
Ecology and Evolution,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
14(2)
Published: Feb. 1, 2024
Abstract
Animal
size,
a
trait
sensitive
to
spatial
and
temporal
variables,
is
key
element
in
ecological
evolutionary
dynamics.
In
the
context
of
climate
change,
there
evidence
that
some
bat
species
are
increasing
their
body
size
via
phenotypic
responses
higher
temperatures
at
maternity
roosts.
To
test
generality
this
response,
we
conducted
>20‐year
study
examining
changes
15
Italy,
analysing
data
from
4393
individual
bats
captured
since
1995.
addition
effect,
considered
potential
influence
sexual
dimorphism
and,
where
relevant,
included
latitude
altitude
as
drivers
change.
Contrary
initial
predictions
widespread
increase
our
findings
challenge
assumption,
revealing
nuanced
interplay
factors
contributing
complexity
Specifically,
only
three
(
Myotis
daubentonii
,
Nyctalus
leisleri
Pipistrellus
pygmaeus
)
out
exhibited
discernible
over
studied
period,
prompting
reassessment
reliable
indicators
change
based
on
alterations
size.
Our
investigation
into
influencing
highlighted
significance
temperature‐related
with
emerging
crucial
drivers.
cases,
mirrored
patterns
consistent
Bergmann's
rule,
larger
recorded
progressively
latitudes
Plecotus
auritus
mystacinus
Miniopterus
schreibersii
or
altitudes
kuhlii
).
We
also
observed
clear
effect
most
species,
females
consistently
than
males.
The
time
suggests
occurrence
plasticity,
raising
questions
about
long‐term
selective
pressures
individuals.
unresolved
question
whether
reflect
microevolutionary
processes
plastic
adds
further
understanding
space.
Language: Английский
In‐situ responses of temperate‐zone bats to climate change
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: March 20, 2025
There
is
growing
evidence
that
human-induced
climate
change
poses
a
major
threat
to
bats.
As
progresses,
we
can
only
hope
mitigate
its
negative
effects
on
bat
populations
by
gaining
more
comprehensive
understanding
of
the
complex
interactions
all
factors
involved.
Drawing
recent
evidence,
largely
from
long-term
field
studies
individually
marked
bats,
discuss
multiple
impacts-positive
and
negative-of
temperate
heterothermic
bats
their
responses
in
situ.
For
example,
there
increasing
warmer
summers
milder
winters
are
leading
changes
seasonal
phenology
which
turn
may
lead
species-specific
demography,
morphology,
physiology,
food
availability,
roost
use.
We
also
highlight
open
research
questions
change.
This
includes
better
data
population
trends
underlying
direct
indirect
climate-related
causes
for
mortality
reproductive
success.
In
order
assess
impacts
information
needed
about
relative
importance
phenotypic
plasticity
evolutionary
adaptation
Language: Английский
The effects of climate on bat morphology across space and time
Ecography,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: April 4, 2025
According
to
Bergmann's
and
Allen's
rules,
climate
change
may
drive
morphological
shifts
in
species,
affecting
body
size
appendage
length.
These
rules
predict
that
species
colder
climates
tend
be
larger
have
shorter
appendages
improve
thermoregulation.
Bats
are
thought
sensitive
therefore
expected
respond
climatic
changes
across
space
time.
We
conducted
a
phylogenetic
meta‐analysis
on
>
27
000
forearm
length
(FAL)
mass
(BM)
measurements
from
20
sedentary
European
bat
examine
patterns.
assessed
the
relationships
between
environmental
variables
(winter
summer
temperatures,
precipitation)
geographic
locations,
also
analysed
temporal
trends
size.
found
sex‐specific
of
bats
response
temperature
precipitation
patterns
space,
but
no
clear
due
high
interspecific
variability.
Across
Europe,
male
FAL
decreased
with
increasing
winter
BM
increased
greater
precipitation.
In
contrast,
both
female
temperatures.
Our
data
can
confirm
rule
for
males
females,
while
females'
variations
related
precipitation,
suggesting
potential
link
resource
availability.
is
confirmed
only
relation
temperature,
females
decrease
proportionally
maintaining
constant
allometric
relationship
incompatible
rule.
This
study
provides
new
insights
into
sex
species‐dependent
It
highlights
how
variation
reflects
adaptations
patterns,
thus
providing
species‐level
responses
Europe.
Language: Английский
The dynamics of cave roost use by bats in the central Himalayas of Nepal: implications for conservation
Journal of Zoology,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: April 18, 2025
Abstract
The
seasonal
use
of
caves
by
bats
can
be
attributed
to
physiologically
demanding
activities
like
mating
and
reproduction
in
spring
torpor
winter.
Cave
use,
however,
varies
within
across
species
depend
on
the
physical
microclimatic
conditions
caves.
Understanding
current
patterns
predictors
cave
is
therefore
crucial
develop
a
reference
for
assessing
response
future
changes
climatic
conditions.
We
quantified
diversity
abundance
41
that
varied
structure
temperature
(mid‐winter,
late‐winter
early‐spring)
an
elevational
(400–2700
m
above
sea
level)
gradient
central
Himalayas.
Richness
bat
exhibited
variation,
with
more
individuals
present
during
early‐spring
(
n
=
15)
compared
mid‐winter
9).
Species
richness
declined
linearly
elevation
but
remained
relatively
similar
until
900
msl
then
early‐spring.
such
as
Hipposideros
armiger
(20.14
±
1.60°C
17.97
0.88°C
mid‐winter),
Rhinolophus
affinis
(19.98
1.76°C
16.18
3.09°C
mid‐winter)
cf.
pusillus
(19.55
1.64°C
15.43
2.87°C
preferred
warmer
microclimates
mid‐winter.
season‐
species‐specific
we
report
here
suggests
even
minor
fluctuations
temperatures
could
potentially
alter
composition
communities
inside
Prioritization
assessment
based
vulnerability
index
indicates
different
must
protected
their
specific
usage
they
support
at
various
times.
Overall,
highlight
importance
studying
cave‐dwelling
climate‐vulnerable
areas
Himalayas
where
high
help
understand
predict
responses
animals
climate
change.
Language: Английский