Patterns of activity and fatality of migratory bats at a wind energy facility in Alberta,Canada

Studying migratory behavior of bats is challenging. Thus, most information regarding their migratory behavior is anecdotal. Recently, however, fatalities of migratory bats at some wind energy facilities across North America have provided the opportunity and impetus to study bat migration at fine spatial and temporal scales. Using acoustic monitoring and carcass searches, we examined temporal and spatial variation in activity levels and fatality rates of bats at a wind energy facility in southern Alberta, Canada. Our goals were to better understand the influence of weather variables and turbine location on the activity and fatality of hoary bats (Lasiurus cinereus) and silver-haired bats (Lasionycteris noctivagans), and to use that understanding to predict variation in fatality rates at wind energy facilities and recommend measures to reduce fatalities. Overall activity of migratory bats and of silver-haired bats increased in low wind speeds and warm ambient temperatures, and was reduced when the wind was from the North or Northeast, whereas hoary bat activity increased with falling barometric pressure. Fatalities of migratory bats in general increased with increased activity of migratory bats, increased moon illumination, and falling barometric pressure and were influenced by the interaction between barometric pressure change and activity. Fatalities of silver-haired bats increased with increased activity, moon illumination, and winds from the south-east. Hoary bat fatalities increased with falling barometric pressure. Our results indicate that both the activity and fatality of migratory bats are affected by weather variables, but that species differ in their responses to environmental conditions. Spatially, fatalities were not influenced by the position of turbines within a turbine row, but were influenced by the location of turbines within the facility. Our findings have implications for our understanding of bat migration and efforts to reduce fatalities at wind energy facilities. To maximize the reduction of bat fatalities, operators of wind energy facilities could incorporate migratory bats' response to environmental variables, such as barometric pressure and fraction of moon illuminated, into their existing mitigation strategies. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.     

Forest bolsters bird abundance,pest control and coffee yield

Efforts to maximise crop yields are fuelling agricultural intensification, exacerbating the biodiversity crisis. Low‐intensity agricultural practices, however, may not sacrifice yields if they support biodiversity‐driven ecosystem services. We quantified the value native predators provide to farmers by consuming coffee's most damaging insect pest, the coffee berry borer beetle (Hypothenemus hampei). Our experiments in Costa Rica showed birds reduced infestation by ~ 50%, bats played a marginal role, and farmland forest cover increased pest removal. We identified borer‐consuming bird species by assaying faeces for borer DNA and found higher borer‐predator abundances on more forested plantations. Our coarse estimate is that forest patches doubled pest control over 230 km² by providing habitat for ~ 55 000 borer‐consuming birds. These pest‐control services prevented US$75–US$310 ha‐year⁻¹ in damage, a benefit per plantation on par with the average annual income of a Costa Rican citizen. Retaining forest and accounting for pest control demonstrates a win–win for biodiversity and coffee farmers.     

Description of a new bat species of the tribe Scotonycterini (Chiroptera,Pteropodidae) from southwestern Cameroon

The tribe Scotonycterini is currently composed of three fruit bat species of the family Pteropodidae (Mammalia, Chiroptera) characterized by white fur patches on the head, specifically around the nose and behind the eyes: Scotonycteris zenkeri, S. ophiodon and Casinycteris argynnis. Herein a new species is described, Casinycteris campomaanensis sp. nov., based on female specimen collected in 2007 near the village Nkoélon-Mvini close to the Campo-Ma’an National Park, southwestern Cameroon. It is readily distinguished from the three other species of Scotonycterini by its body size and craniodental characteristics. Molecular analyses based on the complete mitochondrial cytochrome b gene indicate that the new species is the sister-group to C. argynnis and that the holotype of S. ophiodon is more closely related to Casinycteris than to S. zenkeri, rendering the genus Scotonycteris paraphyletic. Based on these results, morphological characters within the tribe Scotonycterini were reassessed and a new classification is proposed, in which the new species and S. ophiodon are placed in the genus Casinycteris.     

Notes on New Zealand mammals 9: Long‐tailed bat (Chalinolobus tuberculatus) chased by morepork (Ninox novaeseelandiae)

Blood smears from 43 species of bird, mainly from the South Island of New Zealand, were examined for haematozoon parasites. An undescribed species of Leucocytozoon was discovered in the Fiordland crested penguin, Eudyptes pachyrhynchus. It is assigned the name Leucocytozoon tawaki, and the gametocytes are described. Preliminary observations of its development in Austrosimulium austra‐lense, A. dumbletoni, and A. ungulatum are discussed, and the ookinete, oocyst, and sporozoite stages within these hosts are briefly described.     

狐蝠科3种蝙蝠舌长度及结构比较

为探讨旧大陆食果和食蜜蝙蝠的食性类型不同是否造成其取食器官舌长度及结构的差异,本研究以2种食果蝙蝠犬蝠(Cynopterus sphinx)和棕果蝠(Rousettus leschenaultii)以及1种食蜜蝙蝠长舌果蝠(Eonycteris spelaea)为研究对象,比较了这3个物种间舌的差异.犬蝠、棕果蝠和长舌果蝠伸入直径为2 cm试管的最大舌长度L1(包括伸入试管的吻部和吻部以外的舌长)分别为(29.19±0.52)mm、(35.05±0.82) mm、(49.34±1.64) mm;伸出吻端外部的舌长L3分别为(16.25±0.53)mm、(19.25±0.79) mm、(31.88 ± 1.56) mm;与体重转换后的最大舌长度,即转换L1分别为(8.57±0.17) mm/g1/3、(7.90 ±0.27) mm/g1/3、(12.41 ±0.40) mm/g1/3;与体重转换后的伸出吻端外部的舌长,即转换L3分别为(4.77±0.16) mm/g1/3、(4.34±0.22) mm/g1/3、(8.01 ±0.38) mm/g1/3;与体重转换后的解剖舌长分别为(5.56 ±0.16) mm/g1/3、(5.35 ±0.14) mm/g1/3、(6.65±0.38)mm/g1/3.此5个参数种间比较均差异显著,食蜜类的长舌果蝠的5个参数均显著长于食果类犬蝠和棕果蝠的相应参数.通过比较3种蝙蝠的舌结构发现,长舌果蝠的舌尖尖细且具有毛刷状丝状乳头结构,舌面及两侧凹槽较多;犬蝠和棕果蝠的舌尖钝圆,舌面乳头和凹槽较少而平缓.本文结果表明,旧大陆食蜜蝙蝠与食果蝙蝠在舌长度和舌结构上存在明显差异,可能与捕食行为的差异有关.     

Social Learning of a Novel Foraging Task by Big Brown Bats (Eptesicus fuscus)

Acquiring information via observation of others can be an efficient way to respond to changing situations or learn skills, particularly for inexperienced individuals. Many bat species are gregarious, yet few studies have investigated their capacity for learning from conspecifics. We tested whether big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) can learn a novel foraging task by interacting with knowledgeable conspecifics. In experimental trials 11 na?ve bats (7 juveniles, 4 adults) interacted freely with trained bats that were capturing tethered mealworms, while in control trials 11 na?ve bats (7 juveniles, 4 adults) flew with untrained bats. Na?ve bats were then assessed for their ability to capture tethered mealworms. While no bat in the control group learned the task, a significant number of experimental bats, including juveniles with little or no experience foraging, showed evidence of learning. Eighty-two per cent of experimental bats and 27% of control bats directed feeding buzzes (echolocation calls associated with prey capture) at the mealworm. Furthermore, seven experimental bats (64%) showed evidence of learning by attacking and/or capturing the mealworm, while no bat in the control group attacked or captured the prey. Analyses of high-speed stereo video recordings revealed increased interaction with demonstrators among bats attacking or capturing the mealworm. At the time they displayed evidence of learning, bats flew closer together during feeding buzzes than during other portions of trials. Our results demonstrate that social interaction with experienced bats, and listening to feeding buzzes in particular, may play an integral role in development of foraging skills in bats.     

Investigating cat predation as the cause of bat wing tears using forensic DNA analysis

Cat predation upon bat species has been reported to have significant effects on bat populations in both rural and urban areas. The majority of research in this area has focussed on observational data from bat rehabilitators documenting injuries, and cat owners, when domestic cats present prey. However, this has the potential to underestimate the number of bats killed or injured by cats. Here, we use forensic DNA analysis techniques to analyze swabs taken from injured bats in the United Kingdom, mainly including Pipistrellus pipistrellus (40 out of 72 specimens). Using quantitative PCR, cat DNA was found in two‐thirds of samples submitted by bat rehabilitators. Of these samples, short tandem repeat analysis produced partial DNA profiles for approximately one‐third of samples, which could be used to link predation events to individual cats. The use of genetic analysis can complement observational data and potentially provide additional information to give a more accurate estimation of cat predation.     

Bat species diversity and distribution in three vegetation communities of Meru National Park, Kenya

Diversity and distribution of bats was determined in four vegetation types in and around Meru National Park, Kenya between September 2000 and February 2001. Bat‐habitat studies were based on plant species dominance, cover and farming activities. Bats were captured using standard mist nets (18 m long × 2 m high) erected on poles averaging 3 m. Vegetation was broadly grouped as Acacia or Combretum wooded grassland, or Acacia–Commiphora bushland and studied using the Braun‐Blanquet method. Analysis of floristic similarity showed five vegetation species assemblages in the three broad categories. Four hundred and ninety‐five bats representing eleven genera in seven families were recorded. These were Epomophorus labiatus, E. wahlbergi, Cardioderma cor, Lavia frons, Myotis welwitschii, Scotoecus hirundo, S. leucogaster, Pipistrellus kuhlii, Mops condylurus, Chaerephon bemmeleni, Mormopterus sp., Hipposideros caffer, H. commersoni, Nycteris arge and Rhinolophus landeri. This was the first record of N. arge, M. welwitschii, C. bemmeleni and a Mormopterus species in eastern Kenya. The Combretum community was most equitable (E = 0.51) with nine bat species records, while farming areas had only four. The low species richness and increased dominance of a few generalist species on farms may be indicative of different levels of disturbance.