Bats of Lithuania: distribution, status and protection

The Lithuanian bat fauna includes 14 species. Myotis daubentoni, Pipistrellus nathusii, Plecotus auritus and Eptesicus serotinus are the most abundant and widespread species, although recently P. auritus has disappeared from some hibernacula. There are still abundant populations of Myotis nattereri, Myotis brandti and Barbastella barbastellus in hibernacula, while their status in summer is unknown. Myotis dasycneme is probably very rare and endangered. The status of Myotis mystacinus and Nyctalus leisleri is not clear, but they are most likely very rare because very few specimens have been found. So far little is known about status of Nyctalus noctula, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Eptesicus nilssoni and Vespertilio murinus because these species are common only during autumn bat migration along the Baltic Sea coast. Two other species, Myotis bechsteini and Rhinolophus hipposideros, have been rejected from the list of bats of Lithuania, because old references to records of these species were not reliable. From what is currently known it seems that: (i) the northern limits of distribution of B. barbastellus and E. serotinus reach the middle of Lithuania between 55°N and 56°N, which may also be the southern limit of abundance of E. nilssoni; (ii) the wintering site with the largest numbers of bats in Lithuania is the vaults of Kaunas fortress, where every year eight species are found hibernating in numbers estimated as follows: M. daubentoni 400–500, M. nattereri 200–300, M. brandti 80–100, B.barbastellus 200–300, P. auritus 40–60, M. dasycneme 15–20 and a few E. serotinus and E. nilssoni. In Lithuania nine bat species have been protected by law since 1991, as species included in the Red Data Book. Also 11 bat reserves have been designated in Kaunas fortress to protect the most important hibernation sites in Lithuania.     

Lactate Dehydrogenase Isozymes in the Tissues of Hibernating Bats (Chiroptera)

A comparative electrophoretic assay of lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27) isozymes has been carried out in the homogenates of the tissues of cardiac and skeletal muscles, liver, kidneys and lungs of five species of hibernating bats of the order Chiroptera: the northern bat Eptesicus nilssonii Keyserling and Blasius, the brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus L., Brandt’s bat Myotis brandtii Eversmann, Daubenton’s bat Myotis daubentonii Kuhl, and the whiskered bat Myotis mystacinus Kuhl, which live in Karelia near the northern border of their distribution area. High contents of aerobic lactate dehydrogenase 1 and lactate dehydrogenase 2 isozymes have been detected in the skeletal muscle of the studied bats. The lactate dehydrogenase isozyme spectra of the tissues of kidneys and skeletal muscles from the smaller representatives of bats (the whiskered and Brandt’s bats) contained the highest content of H subunits among the studied species. In contrast, the predominance of M subunits has been revealed in the lactate dehydrogenase isozyme spectra of the kidneys of the northern and the brown long-eared bats. The discovered interspecies differences are discussed in the context of the adaptation of bats to hibernation.     

Distribution of chigger mites (Acari: Trombiculidae) over hosts,parasitopes, collection localities,and seasons in northern Iran

We studied the distribution of chigger mite species over mammal hosts, attachment sites on the host body, habitats, and seasons in Iran. The study was based on 2155 specimens of 36 chigger species collected from 10 species of Muridae, Cricetidae, and Soricidae across six provinces of northern Iran. A high level of mixed infestation by chiggers was recorded—76% of hosts parasitized by chiggers were infested by more than one (2–8) species. Statistically significant differences in the preference for anterior and posterior parts of the host body were found. Three species—Neotrombicula lubrica, N. delijani, and Cheladonta firdousii—preferred the posterior part of the host body; 12 species were characterized by the occurrence in the anterior part and differed from one another by the frequency of presence in the posterior part. One species, Hirsutiella alpina, was found only in the anterior part of the host body (inside the ears of rodents). The most diverse chigger fauna was on the fringe of Golestan National Park (species richness?=?21, Shannon–Wiener index?=?2.823). The chigger fauna of the high-mountain localities on the Alborz Range was the least diverse (species richness?=?16, Shannon–Wiener index?=?2.439). The seasonal aspect of activity was evident for Neotrombicula elegans, which exposed the autumn–winter period of the occurrence on hosts, and N. vernalis, with the winter-spring peak of abundance.

     

Winter mortality rates of bats inhabiting man-made shelters (northern Poland)

Non-predator and non-accidental mortality rates of bats inside the city of Toruń's fortification system (northern Poland) were studied over winter periods from 1995 to 2000. The bats were counted and dead bats collected at 1-month intervals from October to April. In total, thirty four dead bats were found. The percentage of dead individuals of the surveyed bats was low:Myotis daubentonii (0.6%),M. nattereri (0.4%),Plecotus auritus (0.4%),M. myotis (0.1%), and zero forBarbastella barbastellus. There was no clear difference in the species ratio of the observed and dead bats. The percentage of the dead to surveyed bats was lower in November (0.07%) and December (0.07%), and higher in September (3.3%) and April (1.3%). Temperature explained 84% of variation of the differences in mortality rates. Observations suggest that non-predator and non-accidental mortality inside the fortifications was extremely low and non-linearly correlated with the ambient temperature measured outside the fortifications.     

Spatial Structure of the community of bats (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) hibernating in artificial caves of Samarskaya Luka

Specific features of the spatial distribution and localization of bats have been studied during their hibernation in artificial caves of Samarskaya Luka. The proportion of cave area occupied by bats varies from 70 to 93% in large caves (>60000 m²), decreasing to 50% in medium-sized caves (10000–60000 m²) and to less than 30% in small caves (<10000 m²). Approximately 9% of bats choose sites near cave openings, up to 25% prefer central parts, but most bats (about 66%) concentrate in the deepest parts of caves. Among wintering species, higher rates of occurrence and shelter occupancy are characteristic of Plecotus auritus, Myotis daubentonii, and M. mystacinus, whereas M. dasycneme and M. brandtii show the highest degree of aggregation. The optimal temperature range for the wintering of all bat species is 2–4°C. Myotis brandtii, Eptesicus nilssonii, and M. daubentonii prefer to hibernate in open spaces of cave ceilings; M. mystacinus, E. serotinus, and Pl. auritus usually occupy the middle and upper parts of walls; while M. dasycneme and M. nattereri occur mainly in hollows on ceilings.     

The bat fauna hibernating in the caves of the Polish Tatra Mountains, and its long-term changes

We monitored bats hibernating in the Tatra Mountains during winters between 1997 and 2012. The Tatras are Central Europe’s second-highest massif after the Alps. Our winter censuses identified 14 species of bats hibernating in caves of the Polish Tatras. The most characteristic features of these winter bat assemblages were the dominance of Myotis mystacinus and high numbers of Eptesicus nilssonii. During the monitoring period, we noted qualitative and quantitative changes in the hibernating bat fauna. Two thermophilous species not recorded earlier and absent during the entire Holocene appeared: Rhinolophus hipposideros and Myotis emarginatus. The abundance of M. mystacinus, M. daubentonii, E. nilssonii and Plecotus auritus increased. We found no such changes in the abundance of M. myotis or M. nattereri. The Tatra Mountains are a key region for the occurrence of bats of the mystacinus group (particularly M. mystacinus sensu stricto) in Europe, and for E. nilssonii an important region in Central Europe.     

Chromosomal homologies of the genera Vespertilio,Plecotus and Barbastella (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

Q-banding (and partly G-banding) patterns of chromosomes were studied in three species of vespertilionid bats: Vespertilio murinus, Plecotus auritus and Barbastella barbastellus. The chromosomes of these species were identified and compared on the basis of the G-band diagram of Bickham (Cytologia 44, 1979) for the genus Myotis. The additional metacentric chromosomes which Vespertilio shows as compared to Myotis, differ in arm arrangements from those found in Plecotus and Barbastella. Banding patterns of P. auritus and B. barbastellus are nearly identical. It is remarkable that the smallest metacentric chromosome of P. auritus differs clearly in its banding pattern from that of the American P. townsendi. The significance of the results obtained for the systematic position of these species is discussed.     

Enhanced Passive Bat Rabies Surveillance in Indigenous Bat Species from Germany - A Retrospective Study

In Germany, rabies in bats is a notifiable zoonotic disease, which is caused by European bat lyssaviruses type 1 and 2 (EBLV-1 and 2), and the recently discovered new lyssavirus species Bokeloh bat lyssavirus (BBLV). As the understanding of bat rabies in insectivorous bat species is limited, in addition to routine bat rabies diagnosis, an enhanced passive surveillance study, i.e. the retrospective investigation of dead bats that had not been tested for rabies, was initiated in 1998 to study the distribution, abundance and epidemiology of lyssavirus infections in bats from Germany. A total number of 5478 individuals representing 21 bat species within two families were included in this study. The Noctule bat (Nyctalus noctula) and the Common pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) represented the most specimens submitted. Of all investigated bats, 1.17% tested positive for lyssaviruses using the fluorescent antibody test (FAT). The vast majority of positive cases was identified as EBLV-1, predominately associated with the Serotine bat (Eptesicus serotinus). However, rabies cases in other species, i.e. Nathusius'' pipistrelle bat (Pipistrellus nathusii), P. pipistrellus and Brown long-eared bat (Plecotus auritus) were also characterized as EBLV-1. In contrast, EBLV-2 was isolated from three Daubenton''s bats (Myotis daubentonii). These three cases contribute significantly to the understanding of EBLV-2 infections in Germany as only one case had been reported prior to this study. This enhanced passive surveillance indicated that besides known reservoir species, further bat species are affected by lyssavirus infections. Given the increasing diversity of lyssaviruses and bats as reservoir host species worldwide, lyssavirus positive specimens, i.e. both bat and virus need to be confirmed by molecular techniques.     

BOOK REVIEW

Echolocation calls of four species of insectivorous bats of central Chile were recorded and characterized to determine vocal signatures that allow their identification in the field. Pulses of Tadarida brasiliensis were characterized by the highest duration and the lowest values for all frequencies, which do not overlap those of the remaining species. Tadarida emits narrowband, shallow frequency-modulated search calls. All three vespertilionid species studied (Histiotus montanus, Lasiurus varius and Myotis chiloensis) showed similar echolocation design to one another, consisting of a downward frequency modulation at the beginning of the signal followed by a narrowband quasi-constant frequency component; however, their calls differ by their spectral characteristics. Discriminant function analysis of six acoustic parameters (duration, initial frequency, slope frequency modulation, peak frequency, minimal and maximal frequencies) gave an overall classification of 87.4%, suggesting species could be correctly classified based on echolocation calls. Call duration and minimal frequency were the variables most important for species identification.     

Parasite-host associations and life cycles of spring-living water mites (Hydrachnidia, Acari) from Luxembourg

Larval water mites are parasites of various insect species. The main aim of the present study was to analyse the host range of spring dwelling water mites. The investigation focuses on seven spring sites in Luxembourg. Some 24 water mite species were recorded either from the benthos or as parasites attached to flying insects captured in emergence traps. For 20 mite species 35 host species from four Nematocera (Diptera) families were recorded. About 80% of the host species and over 90% of the host individuals were Chironomidae, the others were Limoniidae, Dixidae and Simuliidae. For all water mite species recorded we present the observed host spectrum and/or potential hosts as well as the intensity of parasitism and the phenology of the mites. For 10 mite species the hosts were previously unknown. For another ten species the known host spectrum can be confirmed and extended. The host spectrum ranged from one host species (e.g. for Sperchon insignis) to at least 10 host species (for Sperchon thienemanni, Ljania bipapillata), but the effective host range could not be definitively estimated due to the lack of corresponding data. The hypothesised host preference of the water mites, of which most are strictly confined to spring habitats, for similarly spring-preferring hosts could not be proven. The mean intensity of parasitism was highest for Thyas palustris (10.8 larvae/host) and lowest for Sperchon insignis and Hygrobates norvegicus (1.2 larvae per host for each). The hydryphantid mite Thyas palustris occurred at maximal intensity (41 larvae per host) and the two abdominal parasites Ljania bipapillata and Arrenurus fontinalis showed higher mean intensities than the thoracic parasites did. Larval water mites parasitising chironomids did not exhibit a preference for host sex. The phenology of the larval mite species was varied, some species were only present in samples early in the year and others exclusively in the summer. Another species showed two peaks of occurrence, springtime/early summer and late summer/autumn. In conclusion, the water mite larvae in the studied springs showed differences in host spectra and phenology but there are no clear evidences in both for host partitioning. Maybe, the relative low species diversity of water mites in individual springs and the low inter-specific competition for suitable hosts in combination with the high host abundances and species richness makes springs such favourable habitats for the mites.     

Sexual segregation occurs in bats within fragmented remnant woodlands in an agricultural landscape

Species‐specific responses to landscape configuration and landscape composition have been studied extensively. However, little work has been done to compare intraspecific differences in habitat preferences. Bats have potential as good bioindicator taxa in woodland habitats. Therefore, studying sex differences in responses to woodland and the wider landscape can allow us to gain insight into the relative importance of these habitats for both bats and other taxa. In this study, we aimed to test the predictions that (i) habitat type and connectivity will influence the probability of recording female bats in woodlands and (ii) sex differences in response to habitat type and connectivity will be species‐specific. Bat capture data was collected in 206 woodlands over 3 years in England. The probability of detecting females relative to males was modeled in response to a range of woodland characteristics and landscape metrics for six bat species. We recorded sex differences in responses to landscape features in three species. We found a higher probability of capturing female Myotis nattereri in woodlands that were surrounded by a higher proportion of improved grasslands, whereas female Myotis mystacinus were less likely to be recorded in woodlands surrounded by semi‐natural vegetation. Female Plecotus auritus were more likely to be recorded in isolated woodlands with less connectivity to other woodlands and where agriculture dominated the surrounding landscape. Our findings indicate that sexual segregation occurs across several UK bat species in response to landscape connectivity and composition. Sexual segregation in response to landscape characteristics in bats should therefore be an important consideration in the management of fragmented agricultural landscapes.     

Foraging habitats of bats in southern Finland

We determined the foraging habitats of the northern batEptesicus nilssonii (Keyserling et Blasius, 1839), Brandt’s batMyotis brandtii (Eversmann, 1845), whiskered batMyotis mystacinus (Kuhl, 1819), Daubenton’s batMyotis daubentonii (Kuhl, 1819) and brown long-eared batPlecotus auritus (Linnaeus, 1758) in southern Finland. Among these species, we compared the diversities of foraging habitats, linear feature preference and the bats’ tendencies to forage simultaneously.Eptesicus nilssonii was the most opportunistic, foraging in a wide range of habitats.Myotis daubentonii (94%) foraged mainly on water habitats, whileM. brandtii/mystacinus (89%) andP. auritus (66%) foraged mainly in forest habitats. The diversities of foraging habitats used byE. nilssonii andP. auritus were higher than those ofM. brandtii/mystacinus andM. daubentonii. Both E.nilssonii andP. auritus foraged mostly alone or in small numbers, whileM. brandtii/mystacinus tended to gather in large numbers to forage in the same habitat. Half ofE. nilssonii and 46% ofM. daubentonii foraged over linear features, while other species did not use linear features to such an extent. Management and conservation of foraging habitats are needed especially forM. brandtii/mystacinus andM. daubentonii, which are more specialized thanE. nilssonii and P. auritus.     

Bats (Chiroptera, Mammalia) from Middle Miocene karstic fissure fillings of Petersbuch near Eichstätt, Southern Franconian Alb (Bavaria)

The bats from the karstic fissure fill sites Petersbuch 6, 10, 18, 31, 35 and 48 include 14 species, four of which are new. All samples are numerically dominated by rhinolophids, especially by Rhinolophus delphinensis. The rich samples from Petersbuch 6-18 are striking in their high species diversity (seven species each). Myotis bavaricus nov. sp. is characterised by a series of plesiomorphous characters, while Myotis reductus nov. sp. is more derived. A special trait of Submyotodon petersbuchensis nov. gen. nov. sp. is the coexistence of nyctalodont and (sub-) myotodont molars in one dentary. Miniopterus rummeli nov. sp. is characterised by its large size, a high coronoid process and its widely spaced lower premolars. Composition and origin of the chiropteran faunas are discussed. They are interpreted as an accumulation of bats that perished in the cave or rock crevice and to a negligible extent as remains of owl pellets. The stratigraphic correlation of the faunas, based on rodents, is late Middle Miocene (MN 7/8). This study is based on several thousand specimens.     

Seasonal variation in use of winter roosts by five bat species in south-east Finland

We studied seasonal variation in the use of winter roosts by five bat species (Eptesicus nilssonii, Myotis brandtii/mystacinus, Myotis daubentonii and Plecotus auritus) in south-east Finland during the winters of 2003/2004 and 2004/2005. At the beginning of the bat hibernation season all species used higher temperatures and humidity than by the season’s end. Hibernacula were at their coldest in mid-hibernation season and became warmer towards the end of the season. However, no species hibernated in warmer locations at the end of the season than in mid-season. Results suggest that bats tend to use different strategies throughout the hibernation season, minimizing the cost of hibernation early in the season by hibernating in warmer locations and minimizing energy expenditure later in the season by hibernating in colder locations. M. brandtii/mystacinus were found in locations with stable temperature and humidity, moving to increasingly stable conditions (chambers, crevices, clusters, ceiling) towards spring. All other species hibernated in more variable microclimates throughout the hibernation season.     

Redescription of the larva,and description of the nymphal and adult stages of Ornithodoros peruvianus Kohls,Clifford & Jones, 1969 (Acari: Argasidae)

The soft tick Ornithodoros peruvianus Kohls, Clifford & Jones, 1969 was described as a parasite of bats in Peru upon the examination of engorged larvae only. Recently, larvae of this tick species were reported on bats from northern Chile. However, the adult and nymphal stages of O. peruvianus have remained undescribed. This study aimed to redescribe the larva of O. peruvianus based on unfed specimens, and to describe nymphs, the male and the female of this species. Ticks were collected on the walls inside three caves in northern Chile. Two females laid eggs in the laboratory. Part of the unfed larvae was separated for morphological and morphometrical analyses, and the remaining specimens were fed upon laboratory mice in order to obtain subsequent nymphal and adult stages. The first nymphal stage (N1) moulted either to male or to a second nymphal stage (N2) without feeding. Obtained N2 moulted either to male or female after one meal. PCR amplification of tick mitochondrial 16S rRNA of specimens from the three caves revealed almost identical sequences. The unfed larva of O. peruvianus has an elongated idiosoma, and fringed setae cover the ventral surfaces of coxae, palps and tarsi. Nymph 1 has a thin integument covered by incipient mammillae and barely noticeable dorsal disks; it lacks cheeks and possesses few short setae on the basis capitulum. Nymph 2 has a pair of small cheeks and resembles adult stages in its tegumentary traits and capitulum. Adult stages exhibit developed cheeks (larger in females) without the capacity to completely cover the capitulum. Very small and low mammillae cover the surface of the dorsal idiosoma in adults. As this feature also occurs in other bat-associated soft ticks, regardless of their phylogenetic relatedness, small mammillae in bat soft ticks are suggestive of convergent evolution.

     

Seasonal habitat selection and temporal activity patterns determine the structure of bat assemblages in Dhana Biosphere Reserve,Jordan (Mammalia: Chiroptera)

We measured species richness, diversity, and diel activity patterns of insectivorous bats at four sites within Dhana Biosphere Reserve. A total of seven species belonging to five families at varying species compositions were recorded. Four to six species were present at these sites and total diversity ranged between 0.32 at Ain Lahtha and 0.65 at Al Khararah. Overall frequency of passes was highest at Shaq Kalbeh. The Common Pipistrelle, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, was the most prevalent at three sites, followed by the Arabian Horseshoe Bat, Rhinolophus clivosus, and Botta’s Serotine, Eptesicus bottae. Natterer’s Bat, Myotis nattereri, and the European Free-tailed Bat, Tadarida teniotis, occurred at low abundance. The Lesser Horseshoe Bat, Rhinolophus hipposideros, occurred at a higher abundance within Finan site (arid site at lower altitude), whereas the Egyptian Mouse-tailed Bat, Rhinopoma cystops, was restricted to Finan. The overall mean number of bat passes was not significantly different between sites. Average seasonal species diversity was low during winter (none at Ain Lahtha and Shaq Kalbeh) and highest during summer (0.68 at Al Kharrarah). Seasonal activity patterns for each site in terms of frequencies of bat passes on an hourly basis are given.     

Geographic variation in South American populations of Myotis nigricans () (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae), with the description of two new species

The genus Myotis (Vespertilionidae, Myotinae) comprises a diverse group of small to large-sized vespertilionid bats that present a worldwide distribution. Twelve South American species are currently recognized. In this paper we evaluate the morphological and morphometric variation observed in South American populations of the most widespread species, Myotis nigricans. Against this background, two forms can be morphologically distinguished from M. nigricans and other known South American species. We describe these new species, documenting their diagnostic external and cranial characters by comparing them to other sympatric and cryptic species of South American Myotis. In addition, we provide an emended diagnosis of Myotis nigricans.