Distribution of cave-dwelling bats and conservation status of underground habitats in the Istanbul area

Populations of cave-dwelling bat species were investigated in the transitory region between the Eastern Thrace and the Western Pontus. Data were collected during 30 surveys in 13 underground sites, 10 of which had not been surveyed previously by bat researchers, between March 1999 and March 2000. Approximately 20 000 bats representing eight species were recorded. Grouping the sites according to their ecological resemblance, by means of cluster and correspondence analyses, yielded different results for the summer and winter data. In summer, there was a partial separation of the sites by their location in biogeographic regions. In winter, no regional grouping was observed. It was concluded that in the transitory region, species distribution does not differ considerably between the Eastern Thracian and Western Pontic ecosystems. In addition, a conservation scoring system is proposed for those sites investigated, their status is evaluated, and the most important local roosts are identified.     

Human fine body hair enhances ectoparasite detection

Although we are relatively naked in comparison with other primates, the human body is covered in a layer of fine hair (vellus and terminal hair) at a relatively high follicular density. There are relatively few explanations for the evolutionary maintenance of this type of human hair. Here, we experimentally test the hypothesis that human fine body hair plays a defensive function against ectoparasites (bed bugs). Our results show that fine body hair enhances the detection of ectoparasites through the combined effects of (i) increasing the parasite's search time and (ii) enhancing its detection.     

Discovering the Brazilian bat fauna: a task for two centuries?

• 1 Brazil is the second most bat species‐rich country in the world, but the available information on the occurrence and distribution of bat species in Brazil is still heterogeneous and fragmented.
• 2 We review the occurrence and distribution of bat species in Brazil, analyse the spatial performance of inventories conducted to date and identify knowledge gaps. We also identify the main factors contributing to the recent increase in the knowledge of the Brazilian bat fauna, and make suggestions for maintaining this momentum into the near future.
• 3 We plotted record coordinates on a map, grouped them in 0.5 degrees of latitude × 0.5 degrees of longitude grid cells, and analysed records for each of the five terrestrial biomes in Brazil, and for the 1439 priority polygons for the conservation of Brazilian biodiversity.
• 4 We identified 5502 formal bat records in Brazil, indicating that less than 10% of the country is minimally surveyed, and that for nearly 60% of Brazil there is not a single record of bat species. Record coverage varies from 79% in the Atlantic Forest to 24% in Amazonia, but none of the Brazilian biomes is well surveyed for bats. Bat species have been recorded in only 15% of the priority areas for Brazilian biodiversity conservation.
• 5 If the current rate of recording bats in empty grid cells (10% every 4 years) was maintained, it would take 33 years for all cells to have a single record. If the current rate of recording ≥20 species in a grid cell (0.8% per year) was maintained, it would take 200 years for the bat fauna of Brazil to be minimally surveyed. Alarmingly, most of the data‐poor areas are at the expansion frontiers of the agro‐business, near the surrounding deforestation fronts.
• 6 We make recommendations for scientific research on bats in Brazil, to ensure the conservation of this ecologically important taxon.

     

A bat (Chiroptera) survey of Mora rainforest in Trinidad's Victoria-Mayaro Forest Reserve

The bat fauna of the Mora excelsa-dominated rainforest in the Victoria-Mayaro Forest Reserve (VMFR) in south-east Trinidad was assessed over a six-week period. Trapping effort totaled 271 mist net hours and caught 143 bats of 22 species at a rate of one bat every two net-hours. Simpsons diversity index (1/D) was 1.28 for primary Mora forest and extrapolation using Chaos' estimator, a non-parametric method, estimated the total number of species as 39. Phyllostomid bats of the subfamilies Phyllostominae and Stenodermatinae were well represented, and frugivores predominated in number, accounting for 77% of all captures in primary forest. The most abundant bat, the ground-storey frugivore, Carollia perspicillata, accounted for 43% of all captures in primary forest and, in contrast to most bats, was also abundant on man-made paths through the forest. Four species not previously recorded from the reserve, Tonatia bidens, Trachops cirrhosus, a Myotis sp., and the rare Phylloderma stenops, were captured, bringing the total number of bats species known from the reserve to 35. Thus, over half (52%) of Trinidad's 67 bat species occur in this one forest reserve, making it a high priority area for effective protection and management.     

浙江发现无尾蹄蝠及其3D头骨图像重建

2019年11月23日,在浙江省丽水市莲都区白云山森林公园1废弃矿洞内（28°29′51″N,119°54′34″E,海拔306 m）采集到蝙蝠标本1号。此蝙蝠主要特征为,前臂长35.4 mm;耳壳半透明,呈圆形漏斗;无尾,股间膜内凹呈“∧”形;背毛基部黑褐色,毛尖赤褐色;翼膜黑褐色。基于形态及分子数据（Cyt b）鉴定为无尾蹄蝠（Coelops frithii）,为浙江省兽类分布新记录种。本研究应用CT扫描和计算机辅助三维图像重建技术,在保证标本完整性的前提下,对其头骨进行CT扫描与三维（3D）图像复原,高清显示了其头部骨骼形态,该技术的应用,是在小型兽类骨骼形态学研究与描述上的有益探索和尝试。     

柯氏长耳蝠中国再发现

2022年7月在中国内蒙古自治区的一个矿洞中;用雾网捕获8只(2只雌性;6只雄性)长耳蝠。体型中等;属长耳蝠属体型最大的物种之一;面部裸露;耳大;耳郭和翼膜均为浅棕色微透明状;耳屏较耳郭色浅;背毛棕黄色;腹毛浅灰色至白色。其头骨前额区以及颅顶部有明显的凹陷;具大听泡;齿式为:2.1.2.3/3.1.3.3=36;上颌外门齿和第一前臼齿微小;下颌第二前臼齿略小于下颌第一前臼齿。上述特征与柯氏长耳蝠(Plecotus kozlovi)的特征一致。通过线粒体细胞色素b (Cyt b)基因序列的遗传差异和系统发育分析;支持基于形态学的鉴定。本研究为柯氏长耳蝠在中国的野外活体采集记录和再发现;证实该种现存于中国;丰富了中国翼手目物种记录。     

甘肃省卓尼县发现宽耳犬吻蝠

2020年10月17日,在甘肃省卓尼县（103°30′37″ E,34°35′00″ N,海拔2 540 m）用手网采集到1只雌性蝙蝠;该个体前臂长59.98 mm;两耳宽大,耳缘具毛,双耳前缘基部在额顶相联;吻部突出,上唇肥厚有褶皱;尾从尾膜后缘伸出一半;足掌具明显可见肉垫;各脚趾缘具有白色硬毛;背毛呈土褐色,毛基苍白色。头骨狭长,颅全长24.05 mm;颧弓平直;上门齿与上犬齿大,下门齿小,齿式为1.1.2.3/3.1.2.3 = 32。以上形态特征均与宽耳犬吻蝠（Tadarida insignis）相符;基于细胞色素b基因（Cyt b）系统发育学证据也支持上述结果,故将此标本鉴定为宽耳犬吻蝠。此为该种在甘肃省翼手目分布新记录。     

Reproductive seasonality and the effect of the GnRH agonist deslorelin as a contraceptive in captive male Black Flying-foxes (Pteropus alecto)

Effective contraception would enhance genetic management of captive Pteropus species, which typically breed well in captivity. Male reproductive seasonality was monitored (15-mo interval) in captive P. alecto (6 controls and 5 treated with 4.7 mg deslorelin). In untreated males, there were seasonal changes in testicular volume, body weight and testosterone secretion; testicular volume and body weight peaked in February and March, respectively, whereas testosterone concentration remained >5 ng/ml before rising (P < 0.001) to 24.9 ± 3.6 ng/ml (mean ± SEM) in April. However, there was no corresponding change in sperm quality, and seminal vesicle gland (SVG) secretions remained present in ejaculates. In treated males, testosterone concentration had an initial ‘flare’ response (mean ± SEM peak: 19.95 ± 3.27 ng/ml) before declining (P < 0.001) by 32 d to basal levels, where it remained. In these males, there was reduced sperm motility after 1 mo (P < 0.001) and the absence of SVG secretions after 4 mo. However, aspermic ejaculates were first recorded 5 mo post-treatment. At 10 mo after treatment, spermatogenesis was still disrupted, when membrane-intact, but non-motile sperm were present in two individuals. Motile sperm were first recovered from one of these males 13 mo after deslorelin treatment. We concluded that captive P. alecto males: (a) had seasonal reproductive changes in testicular volume, body weight and testosterone secretion; (b) produced motile, membrane-intact sperm and SVG secretions throughout the year; and (c) had a rapid decline in testosterone concentration and consequent suppression of testicular function for at least 5 mo following deslorelin administration.     

海南岛发现长舌果蝠

2019年7月于海南岛儋州市石花水洞网捕到1只蝙蝠,形态特征、头骨特征及线粒体Cyt b基因序列鉴定证实其为长舌果蝠(Eonycteris spelaea),该物种为海南岛蝙蝠分布新记录种。其主要鉴别特征为:中等体型,前臂长69.6 mm;第二指无爪;有一短尾,尾长12.9 mm,明显突出于股膜之后;肛腺发达;头骨较大,头骨和吻部相对较长,颅全长35.2 mm,吻长11.4 mm。本文报道了海南岛长舌果蝠的外部形态、头骨特征以及基于Cyt b基因序列的系统发育树结果,并与该物种已报道的数据进行了比较。