The demographic history of the New Zealand short-tailed bat Mystacina tuberculata inferred from modified control region sequences

Short-tailed bats Mystacina tuberculata were widespread throughout the forest that dominated prehuman New Zealand, but extensive deforestation has restricted them to scattered populations in forest fragments. In a previous study, the species' intraspecific phylogeny was investigated using multiple mitochondrial gene sequences. Six phylogroups were identified with estimated divergences of 0.93-0.68 Ma. In the current study, the phylogeographical structure and demographic history of the phylogroups were investigated using control region sequences modified by removing homoplasic sites. Phylogeographical structure in the North Island was generally consistent with an isolation-by-distance dispersal model. Coalescent-based analyses (i.e. mismatch distributions, skyline plots, lineage dispersal analysis and nested clade analysis) indicated that the three phylogroups found in central and southern North Island expanded before the last glacial maximum, presumably during interstadials when Nothofagus forest was most extensive. Genetic structure within a central North Island hybrid zone was consistent with range expansion from separate refugia following reforestation after catastrophic volcanic eruptions. Phylogeographical structure in the South Island was consistent with southern populations originating during rapid southward range expansion from refugia in northern South Island following postglacial reforestation of the South Island 10-9 kya.     

The food habits of a Malagasy Giant: Hipposideros commersoni (E. Geoffroy, 1813)

Hipposideros commersoni is a large microchiropteran bat endemic to Madagascar. We analysed fragments of its prey from faeces and from underneath feeding perches to describe its diet from four sites. Diet was similar across sites and Coleoptera was the main prey item by percentage volume (75%), followed by Hemiptera (13%). Carabidae and Scarabidae were the most frequent coleopterans found in the diet. Direct observations (n = 3) were made of bats flying short distances from perches along forest trails to prey on Cicadidae ( c. 20 mm in length) located on tree trunks. There were differences in the composition of faecal samples collected form netted bats and pellets collected under feeding perches, with the latter consisting of more Blattoptera (Blattellidae 'cockroaches'). Hipposideros commersoni appears to have a unique foraging behaviour and diet among Malagasy microchiropterans and its preference for certain Coleoptera and other large invertebrates may account for reported seasonal variation in body fattening and activity.     

Roosting and Foraging Behavior of Two Neotropical Gleaning Bats,Tonatia silvicola and Trachops cirrhosus (Phyllostomidae)1

We studied roosting and foraging behavior of two Neotropical gleaning bats, ?Orbigny's round-eared bat, Tonatia silvicola, and the fringe-lipped bat, Trachops cirrhosus (Phyllostomidae). Techniques included radio-tracking in a tropical lowland forest in Panama and analysis of data from long-term studies in Panama and Venezuela. Day roosts of T. silvicola were in arboreal termite nests. T. cirrhosus roosted in a hollow tree. T. silvicola emerged late (ca 60 min after sunset), and foraged close to the roosts (maximum distance 200–500 m). T. cirrhosus emerged early (ca 30 min after local sunset), and foraged farther from its roost (>1.5 km). Both bats used small foraging areas (3–12 ha) in tall, open forest. They foraged in continuous flight (maximum 27–36 min) or in short sally flights (<1 minute) from perches (“hang-and-wait” strategy). The small foraging areas of these bats and their sedentary foraging mode most likely make them vulnerable to habitat fragmentation.     

Camping in a Different Tree: Results of Molecular Systematic Studies of Bats Using DNA–DNA Hybridization

We examined taxa from 13 of the 17 chiropteran families, using single-copy DNA hybridization. Five taxa that either represented points of controversy in systematics or were members of problematic families were included in the experiment. The resulting data were used to build phylogenetic trees of 14 and 19 taxa, and by combining this study's data with those from two previous studies, a supertree of 36 taxa was constructed. The trees based on the three different matrices are compared and contrasted, and a phylogenetic hypothesis supporting the association of the rhinolophoid and the pteropodid groups of bats is presented. On the basis of this study, we conclude that the phylogenetically correct placement of the family Nycteridae is in a clade that does not include their putative relatives, the Rhinolophoidea. Our results suggest that the Emballonuridae, while a monophyletic group, are well embedded within the Yangochiroptera, and do not comprise the sister taxon to all other microbats. This study supports earlier DNA-hybridization results with respect to the placement of Mystacinidae within the Noctilionoidea, replicating those earlier findings. Finally, we determine that Miniopterus may well warrant recognition as a family distinct from the Vespertilionidae in which it is usually placed.     

菊头蝠耳廓方位对障碍回避能力的影响

实验在24只鲁氏菊头蝠(Rhinolophus rouxi)中进行。使用障碍回避测定法,观察了蝙蝠耳廓方位对其回避障碍能力的影响。发现动物耳廓呈自然状态时,回避障碍成功率最高,平均为86.64±8.29%。当将一侧耳廓向头部后方翻转后,其障碍回避的成功率降为71.37±6.59%,平均下降了15.27%。差异非常显著。当将双侧耳廓同时翻向头部后方,动物回避障碍能力进一步下降。较改变单侧耳廓方位的回避障碍成功率又平均下降11.08%,差异显著。实验结果提示,食虫蝙蝠的耳廓方位,在其回声定位中起着重要作用。文中还从听觉神经生理学方面,对论了耳廓方位影响回声定位行为的可能机理。     

Changes in milk composition during lactation in three species of insectivorous bats

Changes in milk composition are described for three species of free-ranging insectivorous bats (Myotis lucifugus, M. velifer, and Tadarida brasiliensis) from early to mid (peak) lactation. Dry matter and energy concentrations in milk increased from early to mid-lactation. In M. lucifugus and T. brasiliensis, but not M. velifer, these increases were due largely to a rise in fat concentration, since protein and carbohydrate remained relatively constant. Energy content of milk (kJ·g^-1) for each species from early through mid-lactation was related to dry matter (DM) as follows: M. lucifugus (y=0.31 DM-0.32, r ²=0.68), M. velifer (y=0.48 DM-5.08, r ²=0.99), and T. brasiliensis (y=0.37 DM-1.51, r ²=0.61). Comparison of the effect of sampling method on milk composition of T. brasiliensis indicated that fat, dry matter, and energy concentrations increased significantly from pre-dawn to prenoon samples. Relatively high fat and low water levels in T. brasiliensis milk may reflect the limited access that lactating females have to free water, as well as need to minimize mass of stored milk during long foraging trips. Conversely, lower fat concentrations and higher water levels in milk in M. lucifugus and M. velifer may relate to the propensity for colonies of these two species to roost and forage near bodies of water. In addition, differences in milk fat concentrations observed among the three species may correlate to daily suckling schedules. Females of T. brasiliensis, for example, roost apart from and suckle their young on a regular daily schedule, whereas both species of Myotis roost with their pups and appear to suckle them on demand.Abbreviations bm body mass - DM dry matter - T _a air temperature     

Morphology and Homology of the Chiropteran Calcar, with Comments on the Phylogenetic Relationships of Archaeopteropus

Most researchers have considered the calcar to be a unique and homologous structure within Chiroptera (e.g., the presence of this structure and its associated musculature has been cited as a synapomorphy supporting bat monophyly). However, we report that significant morphological variation exists between Microchiroptera and Megachiroptera. In microchiropterans, a calcified or cartilaginous element articulates directly with the calcaneal tuberosity of the ankle and projects into the uropatagium. In megachiropterans, a cartilaginous structure projects from the tendon of the gastrocnemius muscle into the uropatagium and has no articulation with the calcaneal tuberosity. Considerable variation also exists in the musculature associated with these structures. Phylogenetic interpretation of hindlimb morphology of extant and fossil taxa indicates that the calcar may not be homologous in all bats. We suggest retention of the term calcar for the microchiropteran structure and propose a new term, uropatagial spur, for the megachiropteran structure. The fossil bat Archaeopteropus transiens (Oligocene) has long been presumed to be a megachiropteran; however, this form has a microchiropteran-type calcar. Reconsideration of morphological evidence from this and previous studies indicates that Archaeopteropus is not a megachiropteran but, rather, a basal member of the microchiropteran lineage.