The Critical Importance of Old World Fruit Bats for Healthy Ecosystems and Economies

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 9

Published: April 6, 2021

Despite extensive documentation of the ecological and economic importance Old World fruit bats (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) many threats they face from humans, negative attitudes towards pteropodids have persisted, fuelled by perceptions as being pests undesirable neighbours. Such long-term negativity is now further exacerbated more recent disease-related concerns, particularly associated with current COVID-19 pandemic. There remains an urgent need to investigate highlight positive beneficial aspects across World. While previous reviews summarised these extensively, numerous new studies conducted over last 36 years provided valuable data insights which warrant updated review. Here we synthesise research on pteropodid-plant interactions, comprising diet, roles, ecosystem services, during 1985-2020. We uncovered a total 311 covering 75 out known 201 pteropodid species (37%), in 47 countries. The majority documented diet (52% all studies; 67 species), followed foraging movement (49%; 50 fewer directly investigating roles played seed dispersal (24%; 41 pollination (14%; 19 conflict growers (12%; 11 species). Pteropodids were recorded feeding 1072 plant 493 genera 148 families, fruits parts consumed, flowers/nectar/pollen, leaves, other miscellaneous parts. Sixteen been confirmed act pollinators for 21 species, 29 dispersers species. Anthropogenic disrupting bat-plant interactions include hunting, direct persecution, habitat loss/disturbance, invasive climate change, leading ecosystem-level repercussions. identify notable gaps important priorities support conservation action pteropodids.

Language: Английский

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Japanese Encephalitis Virus: The Emergence of Genotype IV in Australia and Its Potential Endemicity

Viruses, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 14(11), P. 2480 - 2480

Published: Nov. 9, 2022

A fatal case of Japanese encephalitis (JE) occurred in northern Australia early 2021. Sequence studies showed that the virus belonged to genotype IV (GIV), a previously believed be restricted Indonesian archipelago. This was first locally acquired (JEV) GIV occur outside Indonesia, and second confirmed human caused by virus. closely related JEV strain subsequently widespread outbreak eastern 2022 detected fetal death abnormalities commercial piggeries. Forty-two cases also with seven fatalities. has been major mainland Australia, geographically largest virgin soil recorded for JEV. provides an opportunity discuss document factors involved virus’ spread its ecology novel ecological milieu which other flaviviruses, including members JE serological complex, occur. The probable vertebrate hosts mosquito vectors are discussed respect possible endemicity need develop One Health approach improved surveillance methods rapidly detect future activity across large geographical area containing sparse population. Understanding environment is relevant threat may pose receptive geographic areas, such as west coast United States, southern Europe or Africa.

Language: Английский

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Extreme mobility of the world’s largest flying mammals creates key challenges for management and conservation

BMC Biology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 18(1)

Published: Aug. 20, 2020

Abstract Background Effective conservation management of highly mobile species depends upon detailed knowledge movements individuals across their range; yet, data are rarely available at appropriate spatiotemporal scales. Flying-foxes ( Pteropus spp.) large bats that forage by night on floral resources and rest day in arboreal roosts may contain colonies many thousands individuals. They the largest mammals capable powered flight, mobile, which makes them key seed pollen dispersers forest ecosystems. However, mobility also facilitates transmission zoonotic diseases brings conflict with humans, so they require a precarious balancing concerns throughout Old World range. Here, we analyze Australia-wide 201 satellite-tracked individuals, providing unprecedented detail inter-roost three flying-fox species: alecto , P . poliocephalus scapulatus jurisdictions over up to 5 years. Results Individuals were estimated travel long distances annually among network 755 1427–1887 km; 2268–2564 3782–6073 km), but little uniformity directions travel. This indicates populations composed extremely move nomadically species-specific rates. all exhibited very low fidelity locally, resulting high daily colony turnover rates 11.9 ± 1.3%; 17.5 36.4 6.5%). form nodes vast continental dynamic “staging posts” through far wide ranges. Conclusions The extreme reported here demonstrates extent ecological linkages nomadic flying-foxes provide Australia’s contemporary fragmented landscape, profound implications for ecosystem services dynamics populations. In addition, means impacts from local actions can readily reverberate ranges; therefore, need be assessed reference elsewhere hence national coordination. These findings underscore sound understanding animal movement support evidence-based, transboundary policy, tailored unique ecologies species.

Language: Английский

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Emergence of epidemic diseases: zoonoses and other origins

Faculty Reviews, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 11

Published: Jan. 18, 2022

Infectious diseases emerge via many routes and may need to overcome stepwise bottlenecks burgeon into epidemics pandemics. About 60% of human infections have animal origins, whereas 40% either co-evolved with humans or emerged from non-zoonotic environmental sources. Although the dynamic interaction between wildlife, domestic animals, is important for surveillance zoonotic potential, exotic origins tend be overemphasized since zoonoses come anthropophilic wild species (for example, rats bats). We examine equivocal evidence whether appearance novel accelerating relate technological developments risk disease outbreaks. Then we briefly compare selected epidemics, ancient modern, Plague Athens COVID-19.

Language: Английский

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Conserving bats and their foraging habitats

Elsevier eBooks, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 305 - 325

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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Advances in understanding bat infection dynamics across biological scales

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 291(2018)

Published: March 6, 2024

Over the past two decades, research on bat-associated microbes such as viruses, bacteria and fungi has dramatically increased. Here, we synthesize themes from a conference symposium focused advances in of bats their microbes, including physiological, immunological, ecological epidemiological that improved our understanding bat infection dynamics at multiple biological scales. We first present metrics for measuring individual responses to challenges associated with using these metrics. next discuss within populations same species, before introducing complexities arise multi-species communities bats, humans and/or livestock. Finally, outline critical gaps opportunities future interdisciplinary work topics involving microbes.

Language: Английский

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Drone‐based thermal remote sensing provides an effective new tool for monitoring the abundance of roosting fruit bats

Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 7(3), P. 461 - 474

Published: April 9, 2021

Abstract Accurate and precise monitoring of species abundance is essential for determining population trends responses to environmental change. However, traditional survey methods can be unreliable labour‐intensive, which complicates the effective conservation management many threatened species. We developed a method using drone‐acquired thermal orthomosaics monitor grey‐headed flying‐foxes ( Pteropus poliocephalus ) within tree roosts, an IUCN Red Listed bat. assessed accuracy precision this new evaluated performance four semi‐automated counting in orthomosaics, including machine learning Computer Vision (CV) methods. found high concordance between number manually counted imagery true single roost trees, as obtained from direct on‐ground observation. This indicated that observed accurately reflected flying‐foxes. In addition, whole sites, was highly repeatable same‐day drone surveys human counters, indicating produced estimates independent identity/experience counters. Finally, concordant with counts derived CV learning‐enabled classification techniques. accurate measures colony semi‐automatically, thus greatly reducing amount effort involved obtaining estimates. Our valuable reliably individuals flying‐fox roosts will aid globally group flying‐mammals, well other homeothermic arboreal‐roosting

Language: Английский

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Characterization of beta-lactam-resistant Escherichia coli from Australian fruit bats indicates anthropogenic origins

Microbial Genomics, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 7(5)

Published: May 5, 2021

Antimicrobial-resistant

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Using Night-Time Drone-Acquired Thermal Imagery to Monitor Flying-Fox Productivity—A Proof of Concept

Remote Sensing, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(3), P. 518 - 518

Published: Feb. 3, 2025

Accurate and precise monitoring of species abundance is essential for determining population trends responses to environmental change. Species, such as bats, that have slow life histories, characterized by extended lifespans low reproductive rates, are particularly vulnerable changes, stochastic events, human activities. An accurate assessment productivity can improve parameters modelling provide insights into species’ capacity recover from perturbations, yet data on output often lacking. Recently, advances in drone technology allowed the development a drone-based thermal remote sensing technique accurately precisely count numbers flying-foxes (Pteropus spp.) their tree roosts. Here, we extend method use drone-borne camera flown at night number flying-fox pups left alone roost whilst mothers out foraging. We show this an effective estimating per-colony basis, standardized fashion, relatively cost. When combined with day-time flight used estimate adults colony, also female performance, which important assessments health. These estimates be related changes local food availability weather conditions (including extreme heat events) enable us determine, first time, impacts disturbances site-specific management actions trajectories.

Language: Английский

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Flight behaviour and short-distance homing by nomadic grey-headed flying-foxes: a pilot study

Movement Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: March 25, 2025

The ability to navigate is crucial the survival of many flying animals. Though relatively much less known about navigational abilities bats versus birds, recent progress has been made in understanding cave roosting bats, but little those arboreal flying-foxes, despite their extreme mobility. We use extremely high spatiotemporal resolution GPS tracking examine flight behaviour 11 grey-headed flying-foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus) displaced 16.8 km from roost. examined metrics resulting high-resolution traces understand whether animals were aware location with respect roost capture. 7 tracked capture—as part a separate, concurrent study—to aid this comparison. Ten individuals detected at capture within four days release, all roosted for least one night away Six returned 'home' next day, and ≥ further night. Prior return 'home', on average flew 2.7 times stopped 1.7 more than reference or that had already 'home'. This indicates expended effort each non-displaced individuals. suggests these attempting rather choosing not due lack motivation home. Flight segments higher, straight, likely be oriented. ended point an individual previously visited faster, straighter end visited. Our findings suggest approximately half where they after whereas other took orient themselves. While our results are consistent previous work suggesting non-echolocating may large-scale map based vision, sensory manipulations would needed confirm this.

Language: Английский

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