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The eastern bent-wing bat (Miniopterus orianae oceanensis) is a small (11–20 g, mean 14 g) insectivorous bat with a distribution that extends along the eastern seaboard of mainland Australia. It is primarily a cave-dwelling species, particularly for breeding females who form large maternity colonies at just a few locations throughout its range. Seasonal population changes at one of the three large New South Wales maternity colonies (Church Cave) were studied from December to March every year for 12 years when adult females were resident at a maternity site. Five key periods were identified: (1) adult arrival, (2) adult peak, (3) juvenile independence, (4) adult–juvenile peak, and (5) autumn migration. The average duration of the adult peak period was 38 days and usually commenced around late December or early January. This is the critical period in which to estimate the female adult population. All other periods lasted ~14 days. Understanding the timing of these different periods is important in estimating various population parameters. The timing of migration is also important with respect to windfarm construction and impact assessments of turbine strike to migrating bats. Four separate variables were investigated to describe the timing of autumn migration from Church Cave; moon illumination, minimum nightly temperatures, barometric pressure, and timing of adult arrival. The timing of adult arrival was the only model that was significant in explaining the onset of migration. This generally occurs 83–87 nights after the commencement of arrival of female adult bent-wing bats at Church Cave in early to mid December. Seasonal population changes of Miniopterus orianae oceanensis at one of the three large New South Wales maternity colonies (Church Cave) were studied from December to March every year for 12 years when adult females were resident at a maternity site. Five key periods were identified: (1) adult arrival, (2) adult peak, (3) juvenile independence, (4) adult-juvenile peak, and (5) autumn migration. The average duration of the adult peak period was 38 days. All other periods lasted ~14 days. Photo by Alex Pike (DPIE). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Australia, there are at least 50 000 derelict mines, many of which provide habitat for cave-roosting bats. Grating of derelict mines, be it horizontal (adits) or vertical (shafts) drives, is commonly undertaken to prevent human access, though longer-term responses of bats are largely unknown. We assessed the long-term (2–20 years) effects of grating on bats by documenting trends in emergence activity and bat abundance at grated and ungrated derelict mines and quantified behavioural responses of bats in autumn and winter. Emergence activity was dominated by the eastern horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus megaphyllus) with limited activity of other less manoeuvrable species. Both emergence activity and minimum colony size at horizontal adits were 8–9 times greater than at vertical shafts, with bats observed emerging from only 2 of 13 shafts. Emergence activity and minimum colony size were 7–10 times greater at adits with 'bat friendly' grating (horizontal bars with spacing >125 mm) than at other treatments (ungrated adits and adits with standard grating). In winter, there were 4–11 times more aborted exit attempts per bat at adits with 'bat friendly' grating compared with other treatments, which corresponded to greater emergence activity. Emergence activity and minimum colony size were not related to spacing between bars or time since grating, indicating rapid habituation by R. megaphyllus. However, circling at grates continued for many years and bentwing bats (Miniopterus spp.) made little use of these sites. Bat-friendly grates appear to be an effective management option for R. megaphyllus , but alternatives need to be trialled for other species. Derelict mines can provide habitat for cave-roosting bats but are often grated to prevent human access, with little known about the long-term responses of bats. We assessed the long-term effects of grating on bats and found that although there was rapid habituation to grated mines, altered flight behaviour was present decades after grating and there was little use of these sites by threatened species. This suggests that alternative management of derelict mines is required to conserve threatened bat roosting habitat. Photo by Leroy Gonsalves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hoary bats (Lasiurus cinereus) and silver-haired bats (Lasionycteris noctivagans) are species of conservation concern because of the documented annual mortality that occurs at wind energy facilities. Several recent studies have predicted continental-scale declines of hoary bat populations due to interactions with wind turbines. We predicted a decrease in captures at a summer site over 20 years where researchers have captured bats using generally consistent methods. We developed a hierarchical Bayesian model to estimate the relative change in the expected number of captures while controlling for time of year, temperature, and netting effort. We found no decrease in the number of captures for either species. We suggest that the lack of decrease observed at our study site may be a result of compensatory immigration, despite potential broader-scale population declines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wind energy development causes bat fatalities. Despite emphasis on understanding and reducing these impacts, few data are available for the southwest region of the United States and northern Mexico. We monitored bat fatalities for a full year (March 2017–March 2018) at a wind energy facility in south Texas near the United States–Mexico border. We established search plots of 100-m radius at eight randomly selected turbines (of 255) and searched the roads and pads at an additional 92 turbines. We conducted weekly searches from spring through fall and bimonthly during winter. We used GenEst (Gen eralized Mortality Est imator) to estimate bat fatalities corrected for searcher efficiency, carcass removal, and density-weighted proportion of area searched. We found 205 bats during standardized searches, the majority of which were Brazilian free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis , 76%). The corrected fatality estimates were 16 bats/megawatt/year (95% confidence interval [ CI ]: 12 – 30 bats/megawatt/year) across all species. Species composition at our site is similar to that of northern Mexico, an area of expanding wind energy development with no published studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low winter temperatures are a major driver of hibernation and migration in temperate North American bats. Hibernation and migration in turn affect bat mortality via white-nose syndrome and collisions with wind turbines. To describe winter bat acoustic activity across a wide temperature gradient and to understand species-specific responses to low temperatures, we recorded nightly acoustic activity of bats at 15 sites across the state of North Carolina, United States, from December through February 2016 – 2018. Bat acoustic activity was recorded at all sites during both winters. Nightly probability of bat acoustic presence regressed positively on ambient temperature. Nightly probability of presence in Lasionycteris noctivagans (silver-haired bat) and Eptesicus fuscus (big brown bat) regressed negatively on wind speed. The mean probability of presence within the same winter condition was highest for L. noctivagans , followed by E. fuscus , Perimyotis subflavus (tricolored bat), and Lasiurus cinereus (hoary bat). Differences in species' mean body weight and roosting preference explained part of the variation of the species-specific probability of presence. Our results can be used to predict bat acoustic presence for these species across the southeastern United States in winter, and better understand the potential threats to bats such as white-nose syndrome and wind turbine interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During winter hibernation, bats may become active for a variety of reasons. Such winter activity occurs at or near hibernacula, but the degree to which this activity represents long-distance travel across a wider landscape largely is unstudied. We documented patterns in landscape-wide winter activity across a west-central Indiana study site, providing some new insights into winter flight activity. We deployed acoustic recording devices in areas without any known hibernacula, each night from December through March over three consecutive winters. Twilight temperatures (1 h post-sunset) ranged from −23°C to 21°C across three winters. We recorded 4,392 call files and attributed 89% to a phonic group based on characteristic frequencies. Flight activity was recorded at all stations and during all winter months. Nightly activity mainly was a function of the temperature on that night. We recorded low-phonic bats (most likely big brown bats, Eptesicus fuscus) down to −4°C, but most activity occurred when twilight temperatures were > 0°C. Mid-phonic bat activity (most likely eastern red bats, Lasiurus borealis) occurred when temperatures were > 0°C, with most activity occurring when temperatures were > 5°C. Wind speeds > 6 m/s tended to suppress activity. The duration of inactive periods during cold spells had no effect on activity during subsequent warm nights, indicating no increasing drive for activity following long periods of inactivity. Most activity occurred within a few hours of sunset, regardless of temperature. Little pre-sunset activity was recorded in low-phonic bats, but mid-phonic bats sometimes were active in the hour before sunset. Our results suggest widespread and potentially long-distance travel by bats across our study area during warm periods, but the impetus behind this activity remains unclear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Migrant cave‐dwelling insectivores that rely on specific caves for maternity and hibernation, like the Natal long‐fingered bats Miniopterus natalensis in South Africa, may be at particular risk of population decline in an urbanising world. As a step towards the conservation of caves and cave‐dwelling bats in South Africa, this study aimed to (i) broadly identify the number of caves used by bats (any species) and specifically M. natalensis, throughout South Africa, (ii) investigate the number of maternity and hibernacula roosts currently known for M. natalensis, (iii) assess the number of caves located in formal protected areas, (iv) determine potential migration paths/corridors between hibernacula and maternity sites and (v) evaluate the potential threats (like onshore wind facilities) along potential migratory routes. A meta‐analysis of scientific literature and websites was conducted to identify caves throughout South Africa and locations of maternity and hibernacula roosts for M. natalensis. Roosts were assessed to determine whether (i) they were located in protected areas, (ii) they were used for eco‐tourism and (iii) the distance to primary roads and onshore wind energy facilities. Next, likely migratory paths were modelled between maternity and hibernacula sites using least‐cost path analysis and the threats along potential routes were investigated. A total of 92 caves were identified, 50 were reported to contain bats. M. natalensis were recorded in 37 caves, and of those, only 9% are currently located inside protected areas. A total of 12 least‐cost paths were modelled, and various paths intersected potential threat risk elements. Our analysis provides the first description of the potential migration corridors for M. natalensis in South Africa, as well as the current conservation status of bat‐inhabited caves. For a developing country set to experience increased urbanisation pressures, this study highlights the need for conservation measures for South African caves and the dependent bats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate, an important dimension within the classical Hutchinsonian niche concept, represents abiotic variables that influence species distributions. As dispersal allows species to move and colonize new regions with distinct climates, the role of dispersal traits in determining the occupation of particular climatic conditions is hypothesized to be important in climatic niche determination. I test this hypothesis by investigating the effects of interspecific variation in bat dispersal abilities due to wing morphology on species climatic niches. For 74 phyllostomid bat species, I collected their niche positions (i.e. mean value of occupied climatic conditions) along the climatic space as defined by phylogenetic principal components, as well as wing variables related to flight performance and aerodynamics. To test how wing variables are related to species positions along climatic niche axes, I used a framework of phylogenetic regressions and model selection by information theory. I found that wing morphology has an important and positive influence on bat species niche positions in the climatic space. Species with increased relative wing loading have better flight performance which likely allowed them to overcome geographical barriers to dispersal in order to colonize areas with distinct climatic regimes, thus influencing their climatic niche configurations. My results reconcile the morphological role bat wings have on local habitat use with their effects on dispersal and their importance in shaping climatic niches at broad scales. Overall, my findings reinforce the roles of dispersal and complementary life‐history traits in determining species climatic niches. These results imply that traits linked to tracking suitable habitats may be important for adapting to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mauritius (centred around 20° 20' S; 57° 34' E; area 1,865 km SP 2 sp ; 828 m maximum elevation) is a 7.8-million-year old volcanic island with moist-to-wet tropical climate, located around 900 km east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. A Mauritius flying fox slowly approached the water surface, within 50 m from our position, and after several attempts clumsily succeeded in dipping its lower belly part into the water and immediately licked its wet fur before flying towards the mainland (Figure 1). Furthermore, invasive long-tailed macaques population ( I Macaca fascicularis i ) increased markedly in the last dozen of years and the species is known to consume large numbers of native fruits, thereby depleting fruit resources otherwise available for I P. niger i (Laurance & Peres, 2006). Despite fruit availability, dipping behaviour by I Pteropus niger i might help obtain nutrients that is scarce in consumed fruits. [Extracted from the article]

Human perturbation of natural systems is accelerating the emergence of infectious diseases, mandating integration of disease and ecological research. Bats have been associated with recent zoonoses, but our bibliometric analysis of coauthor relationships identified a separation of bat ecologists and infectious disease researchers with few cross-disciplinary relationships. Of 5,645 papers, true interdisciplinary collaborations occurred primarily in research focused on White Nose Syndrome (WNS). This finding is important because it illustrates how research with outcomes favoring both bat conservation and disease mitigation promotes domain integration and network connectivity. We advocate for increased engagement between ecology and infectious researchers to address such common causes and suggest that efforts focus on leveraging existing activities, building interdisciplinary projects, and networking individuals and networks to integrate domains and coordinate resources. We provide specific opportunities for pursuing these strategies through the Bat One Health Research Network (BOHRN). Limited collaboration between bat ecologists and disease researchers has precluded integrative research on disease emergence. These historical silos are now challenged by the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, which threatens both human and bat health. This Perspective article maintains that interdisciplinary research can be accelerated when disparate domains address common, foundational causes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population monitoring and research are essential for conserving wildlife, but these activities may directly impact the populations under study. These activities are often restricted to minimize disturbance, and impacts must be weighed against knowledge gained. However, few studies have quantified the effects of research or census‐related visitation frequency on populations, and low visitation rates have been hypothesized to have little effect. Hibernating bats have been hypothesized to be especially sensitive to visitation because they have limited energetic stores to survive winter, and disturbance may partly deplete these stores. We examined the effect of site visitation frequency on population growth rates of three species of hibernating bats, little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus), Indiana bats (Myotis sodalis) and tri‐colored bats (Perimyotis subflavus), both before and after detection of the disease white‐nose syndrome. We found no evidence that more frequent visits decreased population growth rates for any of these species. Estimated coefficients were either the opposite sign as hypothesized (population growth rates increased with visitation frequency) or were very small (difference in population growth rates 0.067% [SE 2.5%]–1.8% [SE 9.8%]) relative to spatial and temporal variation (5.9–32%). In contrast, white‐nose syndrome impacts on population growth rates were easily detected and well‐characterized statistically (effect sizes 4.4–8.0; severe population declines occurred in the second and third years after pathogen detection) indicating that we had sufficient power to detect effects. These results indicate that visitation frequency (for M. sodalis: annual vs. semi‐annual counts; for M. lucifugus and P. subflavus: 1–3 three research visits per year) had undetectable impacts on bat population growth rates both with and without the additional stress of an emerging infectious disease. Knowledge gained from censuses and research may outweigh disturbance due to human visitation if it can be used to understand and conserve the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional pathogen surveillance methods for white-nose syndrome (WNS), the most serious threat to hibernating North American bats, focus on fungal presence where large congregations of hibernating bats occur. However, in the western USA, WNS-susceptible bat species rarely assemble in large numbers and known winter roosts are uncommon features. WNS increases arousal frequency and activity of infected bats during hibernation. Our objective was to explore the effectiveness of acoustic monitoring as a surveillance tool for WNS. We propose a non-invasive approach to model pre-WNS baseline activity rates for comparison with future acoustic data after WNS is suspected to occur. We investigated relationships among bat activity, ambient temperatures, and season prior to presence of WNS across forested sites of Montana, USA where WNS was not known to occur. We used acoustic monitors to collect bat activity and ambient temperature data year-round on 41 sites, 2011–2019. We detected a diverse bat community across managed (n = 4) and unmanaged (n = 37) forest sites and recorded over 5.37 million passes from bats, including 13 identified species. Bats were active year-round, but positive associations between average of the nightly temperatures by month and bat activity were strongest in spring and fall. From these data, we developed site-specific prediction models for bat activity to account for seasonal and annual temperature variation prior to known occurrence of WNS. These prediction models can be used to monitor changes in bat activity that may signal potential presence of WNS, such as greater than expected activity in winter, or less than expected activity during summer. We propose this model-based method for future monitoring efforts that could be used to trigger targeted sampling of individual bats or hibernacula for WNS, in areas where traditional disease surveillance approaches are logistically difficult to implement or because of human-wildlife transmission concerns from COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work investigates the dynamical weighted deployment of mobile fog computing devices to support a mobile edge computing environment, in which each edge device is associated with a weight to reflect its importance based on the application. Since edge devices are mobile and could be switched off, it is challenging to dynamically optimize the deployment to adapt to dynamic change. This work further models the problem mathematically and solves it by a bat-inspired algorithm (BA), which searches the optimal solutions by simulating the food-searching behavior of bats via echolocation. Furthermore, three local search methods designed specifically for this problem are integrated into the BA, and a dynamic local search selection mechanism is proposed to adjust the probabilities of choosing the three local search methods iteratively in the BA main loop. Simulation results show outperformance of the proposed BA over the BA without local search and the previous approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This text explores the cosmopolitical dimension of capitalism in Northwest Argentina. During the sugarcane harvest, the devil (the non-human owner of the whites) must feed on human workers to start up the agro-industrial production of the Ledesma Company. This more-than-human extractivism will accelerate the intervention of demonic entities (demon bats or a blue jaguar) that will devour the human species at the dawn of the end of this world. The article is part of a long term ethnographic study conducted with Guaranis -and local non-Guarani people- from Jujuy, between 2015 and 2019. It follows the thread of the conversations held with Jacinto Pïkïtü Aceri, a Guarani thinker, who led me from extractivism to the rebellion of objects and the end of this humanity. The predation of the devil contains profound reflections about otherness and the destiny of humanity; in the indigenous worlds, inhabited by multiple people, the non-humanity of some of them - like the devil, dehumanized businessmen, and mythical demons - does not place them outside the cosmopolitical negotiations. Beyond metaphorical evocations or symbolic appropriation of capitalist exploitation, the predation of the devil and the socio-cosmological consequences of extractivism are as real, evident and verifiable in native terms, as the material dimension of capitalism. In keeping with contemporary Amerindian anthropology, to take seriously the non-human dimension of extractivism indicates the pluralization of politics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Roosts provide bats with place for daytime sheltering, protection from weather and predators, mating, and social interaction. Movements between multiple roosts are often necessary, either due to limited roost life, changes in roost conditions or demands at different times of the year. Information transfer is an important contributor to day‐roosting behaviour and typically exhibits non‐random social assortment dynamics. Some individuals appear to explore and share roost discoveries more often than others, though it remains unclear whether associations are stronger between close relatives than less related individuals. In the present study, network analysis, in combination with genetic and spatial data, was used to explore the roosting behaviour of Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) within an isolated deme. Our results showed that the roosts had distinct core–periphery structure. The core of the winter roost network was represented by only two roosts, while in spring, the season of food scarcity, the core was represented by multiple roosts, suggesting their potential role as centres, where information about roosts and foraging sites is exchanged. We found no relationship between relatedness and roost sharing over two seasons. These results provide strong support that Egyptian fruit bats do not roost preferentially with relatives, in contrast to many animal populations where individuals preferentially associate with kin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The small body size of bats contributes to their inconspicuousness, particularly when combined with cryptic coloration (e.g., the proboscis bat). In the classification chapter, recent changes in the evolutionary history of bats are clearly presented speaking to the impact of genetic data on our perception of bats - the old Megachiroptera and Microchiroptera versus the new Yinpterochiroptera and Yangochiroptera. A summary table identifies living bat families, providing an easy guide to one aspect of bat diversity. [Extracted from the article]

As practitioners of mitigation and conservation of bats, we think use of artificial bat roosts contribute to bat conservation and should be encouraged. Problems with boxes identified by Reed and O'Keefe also exist with natural roosts, and they are more readily studied and managed with artificial than natural roosts. Use of boxes also provides an opportunity for citizen science, but more importantly engenders citizen conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Former bat hunters have three times threatened to resume hunting in violation of the conservation lease, but, with pressure from their village peers and verbal persuasion by NGO staff, have not done so. Bushmeat, hunting, motivations, community-based conservation Keywords: bushmeat; community-based conservation; hunting; motivations EN bushmeat community-based conservation hunting motivations 1 3 3 12/03/21 20211201 NES 211201 Flying foxes are vital in ecological and economic systems but also exceptionally vulnerable to extinction (Fujita & Tuttle, 1991; Vincenot et al., 2017), with hunting for bushmeat one of the most critical threats (Mildenstein et al., 2016). [Extracted from the article]

To develop mitigation measures for the protection of bats in close proximity to onshore wind turbines, new detection techniques covering large-scale environments and techniques, which are able to track individuals are required. Radar based observations, successfully applied in ornithological studies, offer a promising potential, but come with challenges regarding the comparability of measurements and noise interference (ground clutter) from objects within detection range. This paper presents improvements of a commercially available inexpensive pulse radar for 3D spatial detection of bat-sized objects in onshore wind parks. A new analytical spatial detection volume model is presented incorporating calibrated radar data and landscape parameters such as clutter. Computer simulation programs to process the analytical spatial detection volume model were developed. For model calibration, the minimum signal power of the radar was experimentally determined with the radar cross section (RCS) of an artificial bat (similar to Nyctalus noctula), resulting in a maximum detection range of 800 m and a corresponding RCS of 12.7 cm². Additionally, the spatial volume for radar detection was optimized with a clutter shielding fence (CSF). Adjusting the volume model by incorporating a theoretical model of the CSF, an extension of the detection volume by a factor of 2.5 was achieved, while the total volume of a 105° horizontal angular radar image section yields 0.0105 km³. Extrapolation and comparison with state-of-the-art acoustic bat detection result in a 270 times larger volume, confirming the large-scale detection capabilities of the pulse radar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV) is a fatal rabies‐like disease spread to humans from bats. All people who report bat bites or scratches in Queensland are considered potentially exposed to ABLV and are followed up and treated to prevent ABLV. Preventing members of the public intentionally interacting with bats will reduce the number of potential exposures to ABLV. In order to target public health messaging, this study examines the epidemiology of potential ABLV exposures in Metro North Hospital and Health Service (HHS), a region of Queensland that encompasses metro and rural areas in the south‐east of the state. People who intentionally handled bats during the study period were more likely to be adult (93%), male (60%), scratched (51%) by a megabat (72%) and been potentially exposed while rescuing the bat when it was trapped or injured (72%). The number of potential exposures reported in Queensland has increased since 2013; the same year, a Queensland child died of ABLV. Seasonally, exposures are more common during bat breeding and nursing periods when bats are more active (summer to autumn). Although there were more notifications in a band stretching north from the inner city to northern metro suburbs, notification rates were higher in large rural statistical areas in the north of the HHS. These data will be used to develop geographically targeted ABLV prevention messaging for the general public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the genetic history and population status of Hawaiian hoary bats (Lasiurus semotus), the most isolated bats on Earth, and their relationship to northern hoary bats (Lasiurus cinereus), through whole-genome analysis of single-nucleotide polymorphisms mapped to a de novo-assembled reference genome. Profiles of genomic diversity and divergence indicate that Hawaiian hoary bats are distinct from northern hoary bats, and form a monophyletic group, indicating a single ancestral colonization event 1.34 Ma, followed by substantial divergence between islands beginning 0.51 Ma. Phylogenetic analysis indicates Maui is central to the radiation across the archipelago, with the southward expansion to Hawai'i and westward to O'ahu and Kaua'i. Because this endangered species is of conservation concern, a clearer understanding of the population genetic structure of this bat in the Hawaiian Islands is of timely importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The eastern red bat (Lasiurus borealis) is widely considered to be in decline, inspiring interest in identifying important habitats for conservation in the eastern United States. Unfortunately, knowledge of important day-roosting habitats is lacking for much of the species' range. We examined patterns of day-roost selection by male and female eastern red bats at two study sites in southeastern Ohio, U. S. A, to help fill this information gap. We radio-tagged 28 male and 25 female bats during the summers of 2016–2019 and located 53 male and 74 female roosts. Day-roost selection differed between sexes and study areas. In a mostly even-aged forest with significant historical disturbance, we found males and females roosting in trees located at higher elevations, with no clear selection based on tree or stand characteristics. Specifically, males selected trees with larger diameters located at lower, cooler elevations than females, which selected smaller diameter trees found at higher, warmer elevations. However, in a forest with less historical disturbance and more structural diversity, we found sexes differed in how they selected from available habitats. These data show that heterogeneity in environmental conditions can lead to different patterns in selection, even between sites located within a small geographic area. They also show that eastern red bats sexually segregate on the local landscape in the presence of diverse forest conditions but may not do so in the absence of such diversity. We recommend managing forests to maintain structural diversity across an elevational gradient to provide male and female eastern red bats with suitable day-roosting habitat in southeast Ohio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few North American studies have quantified differences in bat community composition between summer and winter. In southerly regions, especially the coastal plain of the Gulf of Mexico, winters are mild and experience only short periods of freezing weather annually. In regions such as this, there may be a substantive community of bats that are active in the winter. We examined seasonality of the bat community in the Kisatchie National Forest of Louisiana. We mist-netted bats for 130 nights during winter and 51 nights during summer and caught 200 and 190 bats, respectively, from 10 different species. Corynorhinus rafinesquii (Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat), Lasiurus borealis (Eastern Red Bat), and Lasionycteris noctivagans (Silver-haired Bat) were more frequently captured in winter, all other species were captured more frequently in summer. Significant differences existed between summer and winter in species richness and abundance of bats, but not for Shannon's diversity index. Across the entire year and in winter, more bats were caught on nights with higher temperature than on nights with lower temperatures. Although there was much temporal variation in species composition, we found a substantial bat community that is active in the winter in the Kisatchie National Forest of Louisiana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report 4 occurrences of Lasiurus cinereus (Hoary Bat) on the island of Newfoundland, Canada, based on over 50,000 full-spectrum recordings of echolocation calls made at 94 sites, in Gros Morne National Park, between 2013 and 2019. Our detections of few vocalizations by Hoary Bats over multiple years and locations support prior observations that this species is an infrequent vagrant in western Newfoundland and likely not a summer resident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the last century, survey efforts for mammals in Honduras have been few and most distributional and conservation assessments of bats have been based on historical records. Taxonomy of many records has changed. Moreover, a number of supposed Honduran occurrences are based on records from bordering countries without confirmation by a Honduran voucher. Therefore, the list of bats of Honduras lacks precision. Here, we update the number of species in the country, including taxonomic changes not reflected in recent works and new records based on museum specimens. The known number of species for Honduras is 113 with seven expected (Cormura brevirostris, Lampronycteris brachyotis, Mesophylla macconnelli, Molossus coibensis, M. pretiosus, Thyroptera discifera and Trinycteris nicefori), based on records in adjoining countries. We provide a new record for Honduras of Natalus lanatus. We confirm the presence of Cynomops greenhalli and Diaemus youngii and clarify the taxonomic status of Artibeus intermedius, Chiroderma gorgasi, Eumops ferox, Gardnerycteris keenani, Lasiurus frantzii, Myotis pilosatibialis, Molossus and Pteronotus species, and Tonatia bakeri. We recommend a reassessment of the conservation status of the bats of Honduras considering recent changes and that a number of species (e.g. Choeronycteris mexicana) have not been observed since their reports in historical records. This requires an update of the taxonomic identification keys for Honduras. The updated checklist below demonstrates the high biodiversity of Honduran bats but is also an example of how poorly many groups have been studied since they were first recorded in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bats are an ecologically and taxonomically diverse group accounting for roughly a fifth of mammalian diversity worldwide. Many of the threats bats face (e.g., habitat loss, bushmeat hunting, and climate change) reflect the conservation challenges of our era. However, compared to other mammals and birds, we know significantly less about the population status of most bat species, which makes prioritizing and planning conservation actions challenging. Over a third of bat species assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) are considered threatened or data deficient, and well over half of the species have unknown or decreasing population trends. That equals 988 species, or 80% of bats assessed by IUCN, needing conservation or research attention. Delivering conservation to bat species will require sustained efforts to assess population status and trends and address data deficiencies. Successful bat conservation must integrate research and conservation to identify stressors and their solutions and to test the efficacy of actions to stabilize or increase populations. Global and regional networks that connect researchers, conservation practitioners, and local stakeholders to share knowledge, build capacity, and prioritize and coordinate research and conservation efforts, are vital to ensuring sustainable bat populations worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Behavior Adjustment Term (BAT) has been employed in Brazilian law as a reparation tool for environmental damage. Although it is a fast mechanism for the attribution of environmental civil accountability, it is highly relevant to analyze whether BAT complies with the prevention of new environmental disasters. A research based on the Environmental Disaster Law investigates the preventive function of BAT in environmental disasters using as parameter the terms employed in the cases of dam rupture in Minas Gerais in 2015 and 2019. The preventive function and environmental reparation are underscored through environmental civil accountability. The role of BAT is analyzed with regard to the reparation of environmental damage and the (in)sufficient preventive feature of the tool to avoid the occurrence of other disasters [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural intensification and homogenization of land use are known to have a negative impact on biodiversity. Bat activity was monitored in five land use types that included paddy fields, field crops, forests, settlements, and water bodies from November 2015 to October 2016 in central Thailand. We recorded 37,610 one-minute intervals with bat calls and 623 feeding buzzes that represented 16 bat species. Bat foraging activity was dominated by open space and edge species. Bat activity was significantly higher over water bodies but was not correlated with insect biomass. There was a significantly higher bat activity index (two-fold) in the hot-dry season than at other times, especially over water bodies. This pattern was obvious in Myotis siligorensis, Taphozous melanopogon, and Chaerephon plicatus. High feeding activity during the hot-dry season could reflect higher nutrient and water demand of lactating females. Maintaining water bodies and forest patches in farmland is important for bat conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nest boxes are often used to provide supplementary roosts for cavity-dependent wildlife, but little is known about if they influence faunal community composition. Long-term monitoring of bat boxes in south-eastern Australia indicated that their use was dominated by one generalist species (Chalinolobus gouldii), causing concern that installing bat boxes could cause a shift toward less diverse bat communities. To test this, we conducted a large-scale before-after control-impact experiment at 18 sites, over five years. Sites were either: (1) those with existing bat boxes, (2) those where boxes were added during the study, or (3) controls without boxes. We used echolocation call data from 9035 bat detector nights to compare community composition, diversity, and species' relative activity between the sites. Chalinolobus gouldii continued to dominate the use of existing boxes, but we found little difference in community composition between sites based on the presence, absence, or addition of boxes. Our study is the first to explore the influence installing artificial hollows has on localized faunal assemblages over spatio-temporal scales relevant to management. We conclude that there is cause for optimism that bat boxes might not have perverse outcomes on local community composition in the short- to medium-term, as we had feared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined college students' learner orientation (grade vs. learning) and their willingness to comply with instructor use of prosocial and antisocial behavior alteration techniques! messages (BATs/BAMs). Specifically, the relationships between students' willingness to comply with instructor BATs/BAMs and their learning and grade orientations were examined. Results indicated that grade oriented students and students who were low or high in both grade and learning orientation were more willing to comply with antisocial BATs/BAMs, while learning oriented students were more willing to comply with prosocial BATs/BAMs. Instructors should adapt their persuasive strategies based on their students' learner orientations to increase student compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rabies is caused by infection with a lyssavirus. Bat rabies is of concern for both public health and bat conservation. The current method for lyssavirus prevalence studies in bat populations is by oral swabbing, which is invasive for the bats, dangerous for handlers, time‐consuming and expensive. In many situations, such sampling is not feasible, and hence, our understanding of epidemiology of bat rabies is limited. Faeces are usually easy to collect from bat colonies without disturbing the bats and thus could be a practical and feasible material for lyssavirus prevalence studies. To further explore this idea, we performed virological analysis on faecal pellets and oral swabs of seven serotine bats (Eptesicus serotinus) that were positive for European bat 1 lyssavirus in the brain. We also performed immunohistochemical and virological analyses on digestive tract samples of these bats to determine potential sources of lyssavirus in the faeces. We found that lyssavirus detection by RT‐qPCR was nearly as sensitive in faecal pellets (6/7 bats positive, 86%) as in oral swabs (7/7 bats positive, 100%). The likely source of lyssavirus in the faeces was virus excreted into the oral cavity from the salivary glands (5/6 bats positive by immunohistochemistry and RT‐qPCR) or tongue (3/4 bats positive by immunohistochemistry) and swallowed with saliva. Virus could not be isolated from any of the seven faecal pellets, suggesting the lyssavirus detected in faeces is not infectious. Lyssavirus detection in the majority of faecal pellets of infected bats shows that this novel material should be further explored for lyssavirus prevalence studies in bats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Where humans and wildlife co-exist, mitigation is often needed to alleviate potential conflicts and impacts. Deterrence methods can be used to reduce impacts of human structures or activities on wildlife, or to resolve conservation conflicts in areas where animals may be regarded as a nuisance or pose a health hazard. Here we test two methods (acoustic and radar) that have shown potential for deterring bats away from areas where they forage and/or roost. Using both infrared video and acoustic methods for counting bat passes, we show that ultrasonic speakers were effective as bat deterrents at foraging sites, but radar was not. Ultrasonic deterrents decreased overall bat activity (filmed on infrared cameras) by ~80% when deployed alone and in combination with radar. However, radar alone had no effect on bat activity when video or acoustic data were analysed using generalised linear mixed effect models. Feeding buzzes of all species were reduced by 79% and 69% in the ultrasound only treatment when compared to the control and radar treatments, but only the ultrasound treatment was significant in post-hoc tests. Species responded differently to the ultrasound treatments and we recorded a deterrent effect on both Pipistrellus pipistrellus (~40–80% reduction in activity) and P. pygmaeus (~30–60% reduction), but not on Myotis species. However, only the ultrasound and radar treatment was significant (when compared to control and radar) in post-hoc tests for P. pipistrellus. Deterrent treatment was marginally non-significant for P. pygmaeus, but the ultrasound only treatment was significant when compared to radar in post-hoc tests. We therefore suggest that acoustic, but not radar methods are explored further as deterrents for bats. The use of acoustic deterrence should always be assessed on a case-by-case basis, with a focus on bat conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We provide a comparison of bat activity levels recorded during long-term acoustic monitoring through 188 microphones at pre-construction wind energy facility (WEF) sites in 12 South African ecoregions, and discuss the implications of the results for wind energy development. We summed all bat passes and detector hours over microphones, sites and years for each month, and fitted a negative binomial regression model with total bat passes as the response and ecoregion as the predictor. Overall, there was a significant effect of ecoregion on the number of bat passes per detector hour recorded near ground level, and in the turbine rotor sweep. Pairwise comparisons revealed that the sites in Maputaland coastal forests and woodlands, and KwaZulu-Natal-Cape coastal forests, were most distinct due to exceptionally high levels of recorded activity. As such, we strongly advise against WEF development in these ecoregions. In lowland fynbos and renosterveld, Limpopo lowveld, and Albany thickets, where intermediate to high bat activity was recorded, we recommend that the conditions of WEF-authorizations must include rigorous bat impact mitigation measures. For operational WEFs, our results provided valuable benchmark information for devising bat fatality thresholds that reflect the variation in bat activity across South Africa's diverse landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When biodiversity conservation of noncharismatic species is a priority, local people perception and value attributed to species are of vital importance. The big colony of bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) in the Escaba dam located at the Yungas forest is an emblematic case for the conservation of bats in Argentina. The objective of this study was to evaluate the perception and attitude about the bats of the people living around the Escaba dam in order to redirect conservation efforts and education plans. Semistructured surveys and participant observation were used to survey the information; and generalized linear models to analyze the data. The local inhabitants do not recognize the diversity of bat species and mention only bloodsucking and insectivorous bats. The results show a positive trend in perception and attitude, influenced by the recognition of the role of bats as insect controllers and a feeling of identity generated by the colony. The perception becomes more positive as age advances and in those who reached the secondary level of education. New ways of measuring perception and attitude are presented, such as describing the forms of bat exclusion. All this must be considered in the development of the management plan, which should consider the possible local use of guano as a fertilizer, sustainable tourism and educational actions aiming at differentiating the species (i.e. this is not a hematophagous bat colony), the role of the colony at controlling possible diseases and the ecosystem services associated with these species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semi‐arid and arid landscapes (dry‐lands) cover 41% of the Earth's land surface over five continents. These areas are home to 55% of mammal species. Bats have the second highest species richness among mammals, and, although many species are adapted to arid conditions, they are particularly sensitive in these habitats and require conservation priority.Information on bats in arid and semi‐arid landscapes is scattered, patchy and focused on small‐scale studies; therefore, we undertook a systematic review using the PRISMA protocol to identify the current knowledge status, detect knowledge gaps and propose future research priorities.We analysed 346 published articles and evaluated 40 topics within five topic categories (taxa studied, methodologies used, biology, ecology and conservation). The most commonly studied topic categories were ecology and biology. However, we found a gap in the topic category conservation (including topics such as conservation status and roost conservation). Our network analysis of topics within the categories showed that most ecology papers were focused on distribution, species richness and habitat use.When we analysed keywords, we found that phylogeny, taxonomy and distribution demonstrated relatively high presence. Moreover, comparison of the percentage of studies conducted in dry‐lands and the percentage of land surface area covered by dry‐lands in the continents revealed that dry‐lands in Africa and Australia were especially under‐represented. Our review shows that knowledge of bats in semi‐arid and arid landscapes is biased towards new records of the distribution of species, as well as covering systematic/taxonomic and morphological aspects of bat biology.We suggest that research on conservation measures and guidelines to protect the bat species found in semi‐arid and arid landscapes should be prioritised, together with the sharing of knowledge with local practitioners and the development of citizen science programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bat diversity and activity have been documented to change with elevation and to be correlated with temperature variation, especially in temperate regions. Acoustic elevational studies of insectivorous bat fauna in tropical mountains are scarce. Here, we investigated diversity, general and species-specific activity patterns of aerial insectivorous bats along an elevational gradient in Costa Rica and tested the hypothesis that on tropical wet mountains species richness of insectivorous bats follows a decreasing pattern with elevation. We expected a peak of species diversity and activity at lower elevations and higher temperatures and no major differences between months. With simultaneous acoustic monitoring on five elevations, we recorded 11 984 bat passes during approximately 550 recording hours and identified 15 species, two genera and one sonotype at the family level. We found the highest diversity and activity of bats at mid-elevations, besides elevational, temporal and species-specific differences that were partially explained by temperature. The fact that in our transect humidity does not change with elevation may explain observed differences from the expected patterns. Climate change in Monteverde could be one of the factors resulting in elevational movements of bats to mid-elevations, probably affecting the availability of food resources, and thus the foraging activity of aerial insectivorous bats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bat survey in the Greek part of the Prespa basin in 2018-2020 confirmed, despite the limited methods used, its extraordinary importance for bat diversity. The study documented the presence of 22 bat forms (20 species) by acoustic surveys and a favourable status of some roosts including several nursery colonies. Three of the recorded species are here reported for the first time, Eptesicus nilssonii (the first record for Greece), Nyctalus lasiopterus, and Barbastella barbastellus, however, confirmation by a capture or direct observation of an individual is still needed. The collected data showed that bats do not avoid the urbanized parts of the study area and underlined the importance of old houses, churches, and ruins providing suitable roosting and foraging opportunities. The measurements of light pollution in villages revealed a high amount of light diffusion caused by the used type of shieldless luminaires. Heat maps of light intensity revealed a slightly higher bat activity in almost all villages in 2020, upon the situation in 2018. Bat passes were recorded not only in the peripheries of the highest illumination zones but also inside them, although some of the bat passes may belong to bats flying enough in the dark above the light levels of the installed lamps. The study provides application of mitigation actions for the Municipality of Prespa with the main aim to reduce the current level of the ALAN (Artificial Light At Night). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bat boxes are frequently used as conservation and habitat-offset measures, yet their effectiveness is equivocal, particularly in Australia. Boxes used in Australia are largely voluminous-type boxes with Chalinolobus gouldii (Gould's wattled bat) frequently dominating their use. We tested multichambered boxes comprising fissure-type cavities made from either plywood (~20 000 cm3) or woodcement (~7400 cm3). We investigated whether occupancy was influenced by box colour (white boxes facing morning sun versus black boxes facing afternoon sun), box material/size, chamber width (15 mm versus 20 mm) and box host (tree versus pole). Boxes were monitored over 1.8 years. Overall, 245 bat observations were recorded. Boxes were frequently used (15% of 1088 box checks) by Nyctophilus geoffroyi (lesser long-eared bat), a species uncommonly reported to use boxes, which used 50 of the 64 boxes (78%), including for maternity roosting (n = 6). In comparison, C. gouldii was rarely detected (1% of box checks). Two other species were also found in boxes at low frequencies. Modelling showed a preference by N. geoffroyi for black boxes, the larger plywood box and boxes installed on poles. Fissure-type boxes appear to meet the roost requirements of N. geoffroyi but not that of C. gouldii , the species principally detected in voluminous-type boxes and postulated to gain a competitive advantage. The black woodcement box was the second most frequently used design, demonstrating that this long-lasting box material can be a suitable alternative to the less durable plywood material. Given that just one species commonly used boxes, there is a need for further research on box designs. The frequent use of bat boxes as conservation and habitat-offset tools has outpaced the research required to implement bat box programs effectively. We tested narrow-chambered boxes. These boxes were attractive for Nyctophilus geoffroyi (lesser long-eared bat) but not for Chalinalobus gouldii (Gould's wattled bat), a species postulated to gain a competitive advantage where voluminous-type boxes are installed. N. geoffroyi showed a preference for warm boxes and the plywood box. Given that just one species commonly used the tested boxes, there is a need for further research on box designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urbanization has resulted in the loss of natural habitat for many bat species, often placing bats in close proximity to humans. Bats are generally perceived as agricultural and medical pests, despite providing ecosystem services including seed dispersal and pollination. Understanding public perceptions and knowledge of bats as well as responses to bats is necessary for developing suitable educational programs to support bat conservation. Here we examined the urban communities' knowledge of bats and how they perceive and respond to bats in Peninsular Malaysia. A questionnaire survey of 340 respondents revealed that women generally had better knowledge of bats compared with men. Respondents with tertiary education and knowledge of the ecological roles of bats tended to support the conservation of bats. In addition, there was low demand for bat meat in this region. Family-based educational programs could help to improve the perception of bats among women and increase knowledge of bats among men. Educational programs highlighting the biology and ecology of bats should be conducted at primary and secondary schools to raise awareness of bats among children who could share this knowledge of bats with their family members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Australia's 81 bat species play vital ecological and economic roles via suppression of insect pests and maintenance of native forests through pollination and seed dispersal. Bats also host a wide diversity of coronaviruses globally, including several viral species that are closely related to SARS-CoV-2 and other emergent human respiratory coronaviruses. Although there are hundreds of studies of bat coronaviruses globally, there are only three studies of bat coronaviruses in Australian bat species, and no systematic studies of drivers of shedding. These limited studies have identified two betacoronaviruses and seven alphacoronaviruses, but less than half of Australian species are included in these studies and further research is therefore needed. There is no current evidence of spillover of coronaviruses from bats to humans in Australia, either directly or indirectly via intermediate hosts. The limited available data are inadequate to determine whether this lack of evidence indicates that spillover does not occur or occurs but is undetected. Conversely, multiple international agencies have flagged the potential transmission of human coronaviruses (including SARS CoV-2) from humans to bats, and the consequent threat to bat conservation and human health. Australia has a long history of bat research across a broad range of ecological and associated disciplines, as well as expertise in viral spillover from bats. This strong foundation is an ideal platform for developing integrative approaches to understanding bat health and sustainable protection of human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aim to summarise what is known about torpor use and patterns in Australian and New Zealand (ANZ) bats from temperate, tropical/subtropical and arid/semiarid regions and to identify whether and how they differ. ANZ bats comprise ~90 species from 10 families. Members of at least nine of these are known to use torpor, but detailed knowledge is currently restricted to the pteropodids, molossids, mystacinids, and vespertilionids. In temperate areas, several species can hibernate (use a sequence of multiday torpor bouts) in trees or caves mostly during winter and continue to use short bouts of torpor for the rest of the year, including while reproducing. Subtropical vespertilionids also use multiday torpor in winter and brief bouts of torpor in summer, which permit a reduction in foraging, probably in part to avoid predators. Like temperate-zone vespertilionids they show little or no seasonal change in thermal energetics during torpor, and observed changes in torpor patterns in the wild appear largely due to temperature effects. In contrast, subtropical blossom-bats (pteropodids) exhibit more pronounced daily torpor in summer than winter related to nectar availability, and this involves a seasonal change in physiology. Even in tropical areas, vespertilionids express short bouts of torpor lasting ~5 h in winter; summer data are not available. In the arid zone, molossids and vespertilionids use torpor throughout the year, including during desert heat waves. Given the same thermal conditions, torpor bouts in desert bats are longer in summer than in winter, probably to minimise water loss. Thus, torpor in ANZ bats is used by members of all or most families over the entire region, its regional and seasonal expression is often not pronounced or as expected, and it plays a key role in energy and water balance and other crucial biological functions that enhance longterm survival by individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fire is notably becoming more intense, frequent and widespread due to climate change. In northern Australia, inappropriate fire regimes have been implicated in mammal declines, yet nothing is known about how different aspects of fire regimes affect bats in this region. This study aimed to determine how fire intensity, associated with seasonality, affects insectivorous bats on a local scale. An experimental M BACI approach was used on five site replicates across Cape York Peninsula, where ultrasonic detectors were used to determine the activity of insectivorous bats in response to low intensity burns (LIBs) and high intensity burns (HIBs) on a local scale. Total bat activity increased due to LIBs, but showed no response to HIBs. Activity of edge-open guild bats also increased due to LIBs but decreased in response to HIBs. Activity of open guild bats was unaffected by LIBs, but exhibited a strong positive response to HIBs. Activity of closed guild bats showed no response to fire, or fire intensity. Responses were likely derived from changes in habitat structure and prey availability. Given that each bat guild responded differently to each fire intensity, this lends support to the 'pyrodiversity begets biodiversity' concept, which is currently the basis for many fire management practices for conservation in northern Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bat boxes are often used as a conservation tool in human-disturbed landscapes across Australia; however, to assess their effectiveness we need to understand the factors influencing their occupancy by insectivorous bats. We investigated roost selection by Gould's wattled bat (Chalinolobus gouldii) using 76 bat boxes, comprising six designs, across three sites in suburban Melbourne, Australia. We conducted monthly surveys for a year and recorded the physical characteristics of each box. Five species of bats were recorded but Gould's wattled bats dominated box occupancy year-round at all three sites. Group sizes ranged from 1 to 58 individuals, with maternity colonies forming over summer. There was little consistency in the use of selection criteria by Gould's wattled bats when choosing a bat box as a day roost, with considerable variability across sites and seasons, highlighting the flexibility in roost site selection by this widespread, adaptable species. Our findings show that bat boxes can be an effective tool for providing supplementary roosts for Gould's wattled bats in urbanised landscapes. However, little is known about the impact on the whole bat community, especially disturbance-sensitive taxa, of artificially increasing roosting resources for common species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]