Trait-dependent tolerance of bats to urbanization: a global meta-analysis

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 285(1885), P. 20181222 - 20181222

Published: Aug. 22, 2018

Urbanization is a severe threat to global biodiversity, often leading taxonomic and functional homogenization. However, current urban ecology research has focused mostly on birds plants, limiting our ability make generalizations about the drivers of biodiversity globally. To address this gap, we conducted meta-analysis 87 studies, including 180 bat species (Chiroptera) from areas in Asia, Australia, Europe, North South America. We aimed (i) understand importance traits phylogeny driving changes assemblages, (ii) assess capacity for predicting which types are most sensitive urbanization. Our results indicate that species-specific explain differences intensity habitat use. Urban tolerance mainly occurred within open edge space foraging trawling as well bats with flexible roosting strategies. In addition, across bioregions independent phylogeny, correlated higher aspect ratio, trait enabling fast flight but less agile manoeuvres during aerial food acquisition. Predictive success varied between bioregions, 43 83%. analysis demonstrates local extinction non-random, trait-based predictable, allowing landscape managers tailor conservation actions particular species.

Language: Английский

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Bats as prey of diurnal birds: a global perspective

Mammal Review, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 46(3), P. 160 - 174

Published: Jan. 20, 2016

Abstract Predation is an important selective pressure that can influence prey species in numerous ways. Predator–prey relationships are, however, poorly understood taxa not typically associated with these interactions; this especially the case when bats ( C hiroptera) are prey. The main aim here to review and synthesise global information on predation of by birds (Accipitriformes Falconiformes) other diurnal bird groups. We compiled data incidences birds, through extensive multilingual study bibliographic Internet‐based sources. Scientific papers were found mainly via Thomson Reuters (Web Science Zoological Record) Scopus databases, Google Scholar, Books. Additional Internet searches trip reports, images videos carried Google, Images, Flickr, YouTube. In total, more than 1500 cases being attacked predatory obtained. Reports documented from every continent (except A ntarctica) 109 countries, thus distributed globally between 70° N 43° S . Overall, we evidence for 143 raptors 107 spp. Falconiformes 36 spp.) 94 non‐raptor 28 families. At least 124 50 bat taken as species, respectively. Attacks be present majority extant raptor lineages. also occasionally recorded. Furthermore, families featured These results strongly suggest may act a major factor affecting scarcity daytime activity driver evolution nocturnality.

Language: Английский

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Bats in urban areas of Brazil: roosts, food resources and parasites in disturbed environments

Urban Ecosystems, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 20(4), P. 953 - 969

Published: Dec. 27, 2016

Language: Английский

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Nest-site competition and killing by invasive parakeets cause the decline of a threatened bat population

Royal Society Open Science, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 5(5), P. 172477 - 172477

Published: May 1, 2018

The identification of effects invasive species is challenging owing to their multifaceted impacts on native biota. Negative are most often reflected in individual fitness rather than population dynamics and less expected low-biodiversity habitats, such as urban environments. We report the long-term rose-ringed parakeets largest known a threatened bat species, greater noctule, located an park. Both share preferences for same tree cavities breeding. While number parakeet nests increased by factor 20 14 years, trees occupied noctules declined 81%. Parakeets previously used noctules, spatial analyses showed that tried avoid close parakeets. were highly aggressive towards trying occupy cavities, resulting noctule death. This led dramatic decline, but also unusual aggregation trees, probably disrupting complex social behaviour this species. These results indicate strong impact through site displacement killing competitors, highlight need research identify unexpected would otherwise be overlooked.

Language: Английский

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Bat conservation and zoonotic disease risk: a research agenda to prevent misguided persecution in the aftermath of COVID‐19

Animal Conservation, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 24(3), P. 303 - 307

Published: Aug. 31, 2020

COVID-19 has spread around the globe, with massive impacts on global human health, national economies and conservation activities. In timely editorial about in maelstrom of COVID-19, Evans et al. (2020) urged community to collaborate other relevant sectors society search for solutions challenges posed by current pandemic, as well future zoonotic outbreaks. Considering association bats (Zhou al., 2020), bat conservationists will undoubtedly be key actors this dialogue, thus an action plan how best adjust new reality, alongside a transdisciplinary research agenda, are clear priorities. spite widespread recognition that bat-associated spill-over events largely rooted activities (Brierley 2016), often presented culprits viral spill-over, real-world repercussions efforts (López-Baucells, Rocha & Fernández-Llamazares, 2018). With one-third world's >1400 species classified threatened or data deficient IUCN Red List (Frick, Kingston Flanders, 2019), even few misguided actions can have long-lasting viability fragile populations. As such, avoiding public vendetta due unwarranted negative associations between zoonoses become pressing need since emergence (MacFarlane Rocha, 2020). Bats play critical roles natural human-modified ecosystems, providing numerous services contribute well-being, such suppression agricultural pests, consumption pathogen-carrying arthropods, pollination seed dispersal ecologically-, culturally- economically important plants (Kunz 2011; Russo, Bosso Ancillotto, Yet, although evidence bat-mediated continues accumulate, so too does highlighting links virulent pathogens (Schneeberger Voigt, 2016). The recently established phylogenetic link SARS-CoV-2, causal agent its most similar known coronavirus relatives (Bat CoV RaTG13 RmYN02), found wild horseshoe Rhinolophus spp. further reinforced disease risk. Worryingly, reports COVID-related backlash against emerging from world, including testimonies actual intended killings Peru, India, Australia Indonesia (see Durán, 2020; Goyal, Lentini Tsang, accounts Rwandan authorities blasting colony straw-coloured fruit Eidolon helvum (classified Near Threatened List) water high-pressure fire hose (P.W. Webala, pers. comm.). Even stakeholders who stand gain concerns resulting misleading media statements assumptions linking all SARS-CoV-2 transmission COVID-19. Malaysia, example, some sellers durian, culturally crop throughout Southeast Asia is pollinated (Aziz 2017), declined associate their businesses bat-related outreach, fearing anti-bat might affect them (S.A. Aziz, Increasing awareness risks associated wildlife curtail legal illegal trade animals (Evans thereby potentially reducing hunting pressure species. while communicating real health hunting, trading eating needed change risky behaviours, fear-inducing messages induce animosity towards group, compromising This list not exhaustive, but our view, it represents high-priority collaborative areas warrant development if we better articulate part valued increasingly risk-averse society. pandemic already closer collaboration researchers, practitioners, environmental and, importantly, communicators social 'influencers'. Bat-associated driven habitat degradation, ecological offer opportunity win-win outcomes both people (Phelps 2019; Sokolow 2019). impact at large effects conservation, perceptions, likely particularly acute. world where humans connected, must work together understand frame risks. Only doing able provide comprehensive unbiased understanding coexistence bats, safeguarding long-term persistence diverse group many life-enhancing provides. RR was supported ARDITI – Madeira's Regional Agency Development Research, Technology Innovation Fellowship (M1420-09-5369-FSE-000002), CEB Miller Postdoctoral NIH Grant # R01-AI129822-01, AJP ARC DECRA (DE190100710), KJO US Defense Threat Reduction Award (HDTRA11710064), RKP NSF (DEB-1716698 DARPA D18AC00031) ECT Irish Research Council Laureate Award.

Language: Английский

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Do We Need to Use Bats as Bioindicators?

Biology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 10(8), P. 693 - 693

Published: July 21, 2021

Bats show responses to anthropogenic stressors linked changes in other ecosystem components such as insects, and K-selected mammals, exhibit fast population declines. This speciose, widespread mammal group shows an impressive trophic diversity provides key services. For these reasons, bats might act suitable bioindicators many environmental contexts. However, few studies have explicitly tested this potential, some cases, stating that are useful more closely resembles a slogan support conservation than well-grounded piece of scientific evidence. Here, we review the available information highlight limitations arise using bioindicators. Based on limited number available, use is highly promising warrants further investigation specific contexts river quality, urbanisation, farming practices, forestry, bioaccumulation, climate change. Whether may also serve surrogate taxa remains controversial yet interesting matter. Some include taxonomical issues, sampling problems, difficulties associating with stressors, geographically biased or delayed responses. Overall, urge community test bat selected types develop research networks explore geographic consistency The high cost equipment (ultrasound detectors) being greatly reduced by technological advances, legal obligation monitor populations already existing countries those EU offers important opportunity accomplish two objectives (conservation bioindication) one action.

Language: Английский

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Going out for dinner—The consumption of agriculture pests by bats in urban areas

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 16(10), P. e0258066 - e0258066

Published: Oct. 21, 2021

Insectivorous bats provide ecosystem services in agricultural and urban landscapes by consuming arthropods that are considered pests. Bat species inhabiting cities expected to consume insects associated with areas, such as mosquitoes, flying termites, moths, beetles. We captured insectivorous the Federal District of Brazil used fecal DNA metabarcoding investigate arthropod consumed five bat living colonies city buildings, ascertained whether their predation was related services. These were found 83 morphospecies among these 41 identified species, most which propose may roost areas forage nearby fields using ability fly over long distances. also calculated value pest suppression service bats. By a conservative estimation, save US$ 94 per hectare cornfields, accounting for an annual savings 390.6 million harvest Brazil. Our study confirms that, regardless roosting location, essential providing cities, extensive impacts on crops elsewhere, addition significant use pesticides.

Language: Английский

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To improve or not to improve? The dilemma of “bat-friendly” farmland potentially becoming an ecological trap

Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 375, P. 109215 - 109215

Published: July 30, 2024

Conventional agriculture occupies a substantial portion of Earth's terrestrial surface and adversely affects biodiversity through pesticide spread, mechanisation, loss spatial temporal heterogeneity farmed landscapes. Consequently, conventional has become primary target many restoration projects operating at various scales, from habitat to landscape. While these efforts aim increase farmland promote the delivery associated ecosystem services, unintended consequences may arise when important threats are not mitigated. For instance, animals be led make maladaptive choices, lured attractive sites with poor quality (ecological traps), resulting in adverse effects on individual fitness demography. We focus our review European as case study because its extensive presence continent particularly articulated legal framework regulating within Union. Europe's policy is dual-faced: one promotes development regardless management practices, while other advocates for protection measures that sometimes lack strong supporting evidence or overlook critical aspects. Insectivorous bats contribute significantly service insectivory agricultural landscapes, consuming large numbers pest arthropods. However, restoring habitats farmland, potential outcomes must considered, if actions accompanied by mitigation key threats. These include persistent widespread use pesticides, road networks, siting wind turbines opportunistic predators, especially domestic cats. argue installing bat boxes enhancing landscape features, such increasing connectivity diversity, potentially trap yet unsuitable environments environmental highly valued populations, it crucial avoid neglecting factors could have opposite effect, turning 'improved' into sink. Research urgently needed understand inform policymakers.

Language: Английский

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Relating forest structural characteristics to bat and bird diversity in the Italian Alps

Forest Ecology and Management, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 554, P. 121673 - 121673

Published: Jan. 21, 2024

The global decline of biodiversity has affected European forests, involving many tree species and forest-dwelling threatened animals. An integrated approach linking forest structure multi-taxon diversity is increasingly needed to maintain the multifunctionality ecosystems. We investigated relationship between structure, deadwood elements, canopy attributes, tree-related microhabitats on bat bird communities in north-eastern Italian Alps. collected bats, data 40 plots encompassing types. To assess different contributions each attribute variables we performed a two-step statistical analysis using generalised linear models, including taxonomical functional indices as response variables. Our findings reveal that bats birds respond differently variation structural characteristics. Specifically, richness was higher forests with both standing lying volume. Shannon index for community high volumes coarse stumps. Moreover, mature trees, gaps, heterogeneous diameter distribution fostered presence generalist birds, while abundance not significant these two taxa. This study demonstrates optimal habitat conditions Alpine are multifaceted. Promoting distinctive elements within stands complex through adaptations management interventions would enhance conservation biodiversity.

Language: Английский

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Air Pollution likely reduces hemoglobin levels in urban fruit-bats

iScience, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 28(3), P. 111997 - 111997

Published: Feb. 17, 2025

Air pollution is one of the world's most substantial environmental problems. more severe in urban environments. Besides humans, other animals also inhabit cities. Despite significant impact air on health, there limited research its effects wildlife general and specifically bats, which are common Egyptian fruit bats dwell both rural We assessed exposure to particulate matter (PM)2.5 compared it blood hemoglobin (HGB) levels bat populations roosting at different degrees urbanization. found a negative correlation between PM2.5 HGB levels. Bats that roost forage highly urban-polluted areas exhibited low This first attempt examine effect urbanization-related revealing might detrimentally affect bats' health long run.

Language: Английский

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