High genetic variation, low differentiation, and Pleistocene expansions of the migratory and endangered long-nosed tequila bat, Leptonycteris nivalis, inferred using both maternal and paternal genetic markers

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 20(1), P. e0316530 - e0316530

Published: Jan. 9, 2025

Tequila bats (genus Leptonycteris ) have gained attention for their critical role in pollinating different plant species, especially Agave spp. and columnar cacti. nivalis is the largest nectar-feeding bat Americas, females exhibit migratory behavior during breeding season. Due to its relatively small seemingly declining population sizes, this species protected by government agencies United States Mexico. We conducted genetics phylogeographic analyses elucidate genetic structure demographic history of using two mitochondrial markers a Y chromosome-associated gene, describe both maternal paternal lineages. estimated high haplotypic diversity measures ( Dloop —Hd = 0.775; Cyt-b 0.937; DBY -Hd 0.946). found that geographic differentiation very low, there connectivity among localities. The divergence time between L . yerbabuenae , other genus Mexico, aligns with previous estimates (6.91–9.43 mya). A expansion was detected approximately at 600 ka—700 ka (thousands years ago). historical changes observed appear be associated environmental shifts Pleistocene, which likely impacted distribution range plants these feed on, such as species.

Language: Английский

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First Detection of Alphacoronavirus in Bats from the World’s Largest Wetland, the Pantanal, Brazil

Pathogens, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 14(1), P. 58 - 58

Published: Jan. 11, 2025

Coronaviruses (CoV) infect a wide variety of hosts, causing epidemics in humans, birds, and mammals over the years. Bats (order Chiroptera) are one natural hosts Coronaviridae family. They represent 40% total number mammal species Pantanal, biodiversity hotspot South America. Given recent SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, we investigated presence CoV bats captured Brazilian Pantanal. Oral rectal swabs collected 2021 from 419 were analyzed using Pancoronavirus-nested PCR targeting RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase (RdRp) gene. Orthocoronavirinae was detected 16.7% (70/419) bats; nine samples sequenced, confirming that Carollia perspicillata (4), Phyllostomus hastatus (2), Desmodus rotundus (1), Molossus rufus Myotis cf. nigricans (1) buildings formally used by humans infected Alphacoronavirus genera. This is first description As they reservoirs CoVs, constant monitoring important to comprehend epidemiology emerging viruses, especially Pantanal biome.

Language: Английский

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Contrasting Seasonal Distribution Patterns of Two Boreal Aerial Hawking Bat Species in Finland

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Climate change poses significant consequences for temperate bat species, potentially altering their distribution ranges and generating novel interactions among species sharing similar ecological niches. Recent observations suggest range expansion in the Palearctic aerial hawking bat, Pipistrellus nathusii, prompting an investigation into its interaction with Eptesicus nilssonii, a northern overlapping previous many characteristics. This study examines spatiotemporal variations between two boreal to form evidence-based background onto which future research on, e.g., resource competition, can be built. A comprehensive community science project engaged over 470 participants from 45 high schools collect acoustic data on echolocation calls across Finland, Europe, during summers of 2019-2020. Our modelling approach reveals distinct patterns each species. In early summer, E. nilssonii activity is concentrated southern region, whereas by late are distributed our area, though predominantly south. pattern suggests that could exhibit post-breeding vagrant behaviour, observation only recently evidenced bats. Conversely, P. nathusii remains notably low throughout season, along south coast both seasons, making it challenging fully model distribution. Despite initial expectations overlap given foraging behaviour habitat preferences, limited coastal association competitive nilssonii. These findings contribute understanding spatial ecology amid changing environmental conditions, emphasising necessity ongoing monitoring ascertain long-term implications shifting distributions.

Language: Английский

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Winter is (not) coming: Acoustic monitoring and temperature variation across important bat hibernacula

Biodiversity Data Journal, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13

Published: Jan. 24, 2025

Little is known about the winter bat activity in Bulgaria, which poses challenges monitoring potential deviations their behaviour as a consequence of warming climate. Using passive acoustic monitoring, we investigated some Europe's largest hibernacula. Our findings reveal cave and species-specific patterns. Activity was observed throughout each month survey, with distinct peaks on specific days. At one high-elevation site, restricted to single night, while highest overall occurred at elevation site (1325 m). The most active species Myotiscapaccinii (Bonaparte, 1837). While bats were mostly right after sunset following usual circadian rhythm, daytime also observed, including emergence temperatures low -8°C. sites sufficient data, external temperature emerged significant positive predictor activity, higher associated increased activity. data suggest that rarely forage near roost entrances. variability levels between study highlights need for high-resolution, site-specific rather than broad generalisations.

Language: Английский

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Winter Activity of Bats in a Peri-Urban Forest: How Do Climatic Conditions Matter?

Acta Chiropterologica, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 26(2)

Published: Feb. 12, 2025

Language: Английский

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Are bats tracking climate change? Long-term monitoring reveals phenology shifts and population trends of forest bats

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 969, P. 178995 - 178995

Published: Feb. 27, 2025

Language: Английский

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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

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Variations of Environmental Niche Breadth, Range Sizes and Geographic Exclusion With Bat Species Richness

Journal of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 24, 2025

ABSTRACT Aim More species‐rich communities are often assumed to contain more specialist species with narrower niches and smaller ranges. Stronger interspecific competition in is thought be a key mechanism explaining these patterns. Yet, the relationship between richness specialisation has so far only been studied for few taxa, characterising effects of on distributions challenging. Here, we assess broad‐scale relationships niche breadth, range sizes geographic exclusion along gradients bats. Location Eastern Mediterranean, Western Asia, Central Asia. Taxon Bats (Chiroptera). Methods Based novel integrated distribution modelling approach that combines occurrence information expert maps, assessed how environmental breadth varied richness. In addition, by contrasting species' potential realised areas where pairs overlap, derived indicators understand affecting limits gradients. Results Main Conclusions We found nonlinear association richness, most specialised occurring species‐poor regions peaking at intermediate Despite positive level, predicted bat declined continuously patterns were linked filling less their overlaps when overlapping specialised. Our findings suggest small better explained number interacting than or stronger individual species. broadly, show approaches can shed new light interplay community structure, caution against generalising across taxa geographies.

Language: Английский

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How individual variation shapes ecological niches in two Pipistrellus bat species

Communications Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 8(1)

Published: March 27, 2025

Niche partitioning is a crucial mechanism explaining species coexistence and biodiversity; however, the role of individual variation less understood. As global changes reshuffle communities, understanding mechanisms vital. In this study, we use two co-occurring, morphologically similar bat species, Nathusius' pipistrelle (Pipistrellus nathusii) range-expanding Kuhl's (P. kuhlii), as models. We examine their niche across habitats time, considering variations by analysing spatio-temporal habitat selection 58 radio-tracked individuals. For resource assessment, metabarcoding guano samples. Our results show that in both exceeded species-level differences. exhibits greater between-individual variation, while shows stronger within-individual probably facilitating its expansion. This study emphasises significance investigating animal partitioning. It suggests contribution range expansion reshaping communities under change. A comprehensive analysis between reveals weak differences, but strong within

Language: Английский

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Changes in community composition and functional diversity of European bats under climate change

Conservation Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 1, 2025

Abstract Climate change is predicted to drive geographical range shifts that will result in changes species diversity and functional composition have potential repercussions for ecosystem functioning. However, the effect of these on (FD) remains unclear, especially mammals, specifically bats. We used distribution models a comprehensive ecological morphometrical trait database estimate how projected future climate land‐use could influence distribution, composition, FD European bat community. Future assemblages were undergo substantial geographic structure. Range suitability decreased substantially southern Europe increased northern latitudes. Our findings highlight FD, which has implications function resilience at continental scale. It important incorporate conservation strategies. These efforts should target with key traits be lost areas expected experience losses FD. Conservation strategies include habitat roost protection, enhancing landscape connectivity, international monitoring preserve populations their services.

Language: Английский

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