Search

Bats are natural hosts of a wide variety of viruses, including adenoviruses. European bats are known to carry mastadenoviruses categorized as species B (widespread in European Vespertilionidae bats) and whose taxonomy has not been clarified. We examined fecal samples from Vespertilionidae bats (five species) captured in central Russia and found that 2/12 (16%) were positive for mastadenoviruses. The partial genome of the mastadenovirus was assembled from Pipistrellus nathusii, representing the bat adenovirus species B. The complete genome (37,915 nt) of a novel mastadenovirus was assembled from Nyctalus noctula and named BatAdV/MOW15-Nn19/Quixote. Comparative studies showed significant divergence of the Quixote genome sequence from European bat mastadenoviruses, while the only known virus showing low similarity was the isolate WA3301 from an Australian bat, and together they formed a subclade that separated from other BatAdVs. Phylogenetic and comparative analysis of the protein-coding genes provided evidence that Quixote is related to a novel species within the genus Mastadenovirus, provisionally named "K" (as the next available letter for the species). Phylogenetic analyses revealed that some earlier viruses from Western European bats, for which only partial DNA polymerase genes are known, are most likely members of the tentatively named species "K". Thus, at least two species of mastadenovirus are circulating in bats throughout Europe, from western to eastern areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding how animals meet their daily energy requirements is critical in our rapidly changing world. Small organisms with high metabolic rates can conserve stored energy when food availability is low or increase energy intake when energetic requirements are high, but how they balance this in the wild remains largely unknown. Using miniaturized heart rate transmitters, we continuously quantified energy expenditure, torpor use and foraging behaviour of free-ranging male bats (Nyctalus noctula) in spring and summer. In spring, bats used torpor extensively, characterized by lowered heart rates and consequently low energy expenditures. In contrast, in summer, bats consistently avoided torpor, even though they could have used this low-energy mode. As a consequence, daytime heart rates in summer were three times as high compared with the heart rates in spring. Daily energy use increased by 42% during summer, despite lower thermogenesis costs at higher ambient temperatures. Likely, as a consequence, bats nearly doubled their foraging duration. Overall, our results indicate that summer torpor avoidance, beneficial for sperm production and self-maintenance, comes with a high energetic cost. The ability to identify and monitor such vulnerable energetic life-history stages is particularly important to predict how species will deal with increasing temperatures and changes in their resource landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hibernating bats potentially risk cold-induced cell damage. However, the cells of hibernating bats have previously been shown to be able to cope with sub-zero temperatures, either alone or due to glucose cryoprotection. The aim of our study was to determine the survival rate of bat-derived cells in vitro after 24 h at -20 °C in a medium supplemented with urea at concentrations ranging from 0 to 320 mM or with a urea-glucose combination. Urea showed limited cryoprotective potential, with cell survival rates not exceeding 3% at urea concentrations of 20 to 40 mM, which corresponds to reported levels for blood urea in bats. Higher urea concentrations tended to be toxic rather than protective. Importantly, urea appeared to relieve delayed-onset cell death after cell rewarming, and also improved the cryoprotective effect of glucose up to three-fold. Thus, supplementation of cell cultures with a cryoprotectant mix containing urea could increase cell survival rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diurnal flight activity in otherwise strictly nocturnal bats has typically been linked to random disturbance from day roosts, an urgent need to balance food shortage caused by adverse weather during nighttime, or the absence of diurnal predators. However, migration may be another reason why bats fly during daylight, at least in some areas. Using community-science data collection, we obtained more than 500 records of over 15,000 bats displaying diurnal flight activity, suggesting that it is relatively common in Central Europe. The vast majority of sightings were of common noctules (Nyctalus noctula), with most records concentrated in spring and autumn. The seasonal dynamics of diurnal flights exactly coincided with migratory periods, and directional movements in autumn—when diurnal activity was most frequent and included highest numbers of observed bats—suggest that the behavior may ultimately be linked to migration ecology. The highest frequency of diurnal flights in autumn coincided with highest body mass in the studied territory, thereby refuting the hypothesis of early roost emergence due to poor body condition or decreased predation risk related to increased maneuverability. A shift from strictly nocturnal to partly diurnal activity may balance increased energetic demands imposed by migration, which is temporally synchronized with periods of cold nights when prey density is limited. Common noctule diurnal activity during the migratory period may be beneficial as they can acquire energy by foraging on daily abundant prey while saving nighttime for long endurance flights—alternatively, they may forage on the way to their migratory destination, thereby saving time. Predation risk from diurnal predators may be significantly decreased by choosing high flight altitudes, as observed particularly during autumn. We suggest that observations on the geographic distribution of diurnally flying noctules may help identify migration corridors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: External tags, such as transmitters and loggers, are often used to study bat movements. However, physiological and behavioural effects on bats carrying tags have rarely been investigated, and recommendations on the maximum acceptable tag mass are rather based on rules of thumb than on rigorous scientific assessment. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive three-step assessment of the potential physiological and behavioural effects of tagging bats, using common noctules Nyctalus noctula as a model. First, we examined seasonal changes in body mass. Second, we predicted and then measured potential changes in flight metabolic rate in a wind tunnel. Third, we conducted a meta-analysis of published data to assess effects of different tag masses on the weight and behaviour of bats. Results: Individual body mass of common noctules varied seasonally by 7.0 ± 2.6 g (range: 0.5–11.5 g). Aerodynamic theory predicted a 26% increase in flight metabolic rate for a common noctule equipped with a 3.8 g tag, equating to 14% of body mass. In a wind tunnel experiment, we could not confirm the predicted increase for tagged bats. Our meta-analysis revealed a weak correlation between tag mass and emergence time and flight duration in wild bats. Interestingly, relative tag mass (3–19% of bat body mass) was not related to body mass loss, but bats lost more body mass the longer tags were attached. Notably, relatively heavy bats lost more mass than conspecifics with a more average body mass index. Conclusion: Because heavy tags (> 3 g) were generally used for shorter periods of time than lighter tags (~ 1 g), the long-term effects of heavy tags on bats cannot be assessed at this time. Furthermore, the effects of disturbance and resource distribution in the landscape cannot be separated from those of tagging. We recommend that tags weighing 5–10% of a bat's mass should only be applied for a few days. For longer studies, tags weighing less than 5% of a bat's body mass should be used. To avoid adverse effects on bats, researchers should target individuals with average, rather than peak, body mass indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The materials on the distribution of Nyctalus noctula in Rostov Region are given. On the basis of this, the northern border of its winter habitat and the seasonal characteristics of the stay are specified. The presented findings of this species in the south and extreme east of the region, which were made in the summer and in the off season showed that this territory was used both during the migrRegionation period and as summer habitats. In the scientific literature, the expansion of the winter range of this species over the past decades has been noted. Findings of wintering animals in high-rise buildings of cities are considered as confirming facts of expansion. However, the issue regarding the expansion of wintering boundaries remains ambiguous because all these detections are made in the climatic "risk zone." The results of modeling of the probabilistic area of winter habitats of N. noctula in conditions of natural shelters (hollows of trees) showed that, over the past 70 years, there have been no changes in the boundaries and its northern limits do not correspond to those that were previously indicated. In the east of the European range of this species, the northern boundary of the natural wintering area passes through Rostov Region and ends to the east at the latitude of the city of Astrakhan. The most important bioclimatic factors that determine wintering within such a territory are the average temperature of the driest and the average temperature of the coldest quarters of the year and the minimum temperature of the coldest month. In the regions to the north of this area owing to the severity of winters, the overwintering of animals in natural shelters is unlikely. On the basis of the results obtained, the total wintering area of N. noctula is divided into two zones. The first zone is the territory where wintering is massive and possible in poorly protected natural shelters; the second zone is a territory with a climatic "risk zone," where only a very small part of population of the species remains, and the spaces protected from external factors in multistory buildings of settlements serve as shelters. Findings of wintering colonies of noctules in the second zone that are located far outside the natural wintering area can obviously be considered as an invasive process, which in migratory bats has an adaptive character and is associated with the development of urbanized landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bats are natural hosts of a wide variety of viruses, including adenoviruses. European bats are known to carry mastadenoviruses categorized as species B (widespread in European Vespertilionidae bats) and whose taxonomy has not been clarified. We examined fecal samples from Vespertilionidae bats (five species) captured in central Russia and found that 2/12 (16%) were positive for mastadenoviruses. The partial genome of the mastadenovirus was assembled from Pipistrellus nathusii, representing the bat adenovirus species B. The complete genome (37,915 nt) of a novel mastadenovirus was assembled from Nyctalus noctula and named BatAdV/MOW15-Nn19/Quixote. Comparative studies showed significant divergence of the Quixote genome sequence from European bat mastadenoviruses, while the only known virus showing low similarity was the isolate WA3301 from an Australian bat, and together they formed a subclade that separated from other BatAdVs. Phylogenetic and comparative analysis of the protein-coding genes provided evidence that Quixote is related to a novel species within the genus Mastadenovirus, provisionally named “K” (as the next available letter for the species). Phylogenetic analyses revealed that some earlier viruses from Western European bats, for which only partial DNA polymerase genes are known, are most likely members of the tentatively named species “K”. Thus, at least two species of mastadenovirus are circulating in bats throughout Europe, from western to eastern areas.

Bats are of high conservational status in most European countries. All bats are under legal protection in Ukraine and included in the national Red Data Book. However, bats remain one of the least studied groups of mammals in Ukraine. Their cryptic lifestyle limits the possibilities of direct observations and, as a result, data on bat distribution are incomplete. Wildlife rehabilitation centres accumulate a plethora of records of wild animals and those data may significantly contribute to knowledge on the species range, phenology and habitat preferences.This paper presents the data accumulated from over a decade of work by the Ukrainian Bat Rehabilitation Center (formerly The Bat Rehabilitation Center of Feldman Ecopark), the premier organisation engaged in the rescue and rehabilitation of bats across Ukraine. In addition to in-person data collected by Ukrainian Bat Rehabilitation Center staff, the Center also accepts observations of bat encounters from citizens. The Center’s dataset boasts over 20,000 distinct observations, which are the subject of this paper.This dataset, spanning 2011-2022, contains a total of 20,948 records of bat findings, 19,024 of which consist of records directly identified by UBRC team members. The remaining 1924 observations were provided by citizens through helpline. Data on 16 species and one subspecies have been collected. The highest number of records belongs to Nyctalus noctula (n = 15889), followed by Eptesicus serotinus (n = 2017) and Pipistrellus kuhlii lepidus (n = 2001). Less than 10% of these records have been previously published; the rest are presented in this paper for the first time. The dataset is particularly rich in information on bats in human settlements and is (to the best of the authors’ knowledge) the largest dataset on bats within human-modified landscapes ever collected from the territory of Eastern Europe. The entire dataset is available through the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF).

Heterothermic insectivorous bats are supposed to experience differential adverse effects of insecticidal pollutants depending on their seasonal and/or daily variation of metabolic and detoxification rates. Here, we investigated effects of imidacloprid, cypermethrin and fipronil on Nyctalus noctula bat-derived hepatocytes through cytotoxicity, cell inhibition and death at different concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, 100, 1000 μg/ml), exposure times (10, 24, 48 hrs), incubation temperatures simulating hibernation (8 °C), daily torpor (20 °C), normothermy (37 °C) and active flight (40 °C), and cytochrome P450 addition. Toxic effects were significantly influenced by temperature (p < 0.05), with strong cytotoxicity after 10 hour exposure to fipronil or cypermethrin at 37 and 40 °C, cell replication inhibition (all insecticides at 8 °C) and cellular stimulation, with slight culture proliferation after 48 hours (all insecticides at 40 °C). Replacing protected chiropterans with cell cultures is a way to assess and extrapolate risks of insecticides for bats. • Insecticides are hepatocytotoxic for bats at temperatures of normothermy and flight. • Insecticides inhibit bat hepatocyte replication at hibernation temperature. • Insecticides stimulate compensatory hepatocyte proliferation at higher temperatures. • Cytochrome P450 increases toxic impact of imidacloprid and fipronil in bats. • Cytochrome P450 reduces toxic impact of cypermethrin in bat hepatocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Torpor is characterized by an extreme reduction in metabolism and a common energy-saving strategy of heterothermic animals. Torpor is often associated with cold temperatures, but in the last decades, more diverse and flexible forms of torpor have been described. For example, tropical bat species maintain a low metabolism and heart rate at high ambient and body temperatures. We investigated whether bats (Nyctalus noctula) from the cooler temperate European regions also show this form of torpor with metabolic inhibition at high body temperatures, and whether this would be as pronounced in reproductive as in non-reproductive bats. We simultaneously measured metabolic rate, heart rate, and skin temperature in non-reproductive and pregnant females at a range of ambient temperatures. We found that they can decouple metabolic rate and heart rate from body temperature: they maintained an extremely low metabolism and heart rate when exposed to ambient temperatures changing from 0 to 32.5 °C, irrespective of reproductive status. When we simulated natural temperature conditions, all non-reproductive bats used torpor throughout the experiment. Pregnant bats used variable strategies from torpor, to maintaining normothermy, or a combination of both. Even a short torpor bout during the day saved up to 33% of the bats' total energy expenditure. Especially at higher temperatures, heart rate was a much better predictor of metabolic rate than skin temperature. We suggest that the capability to flexibly save energy across a range of ambient temperatures within and between reproductive states may be an important ability of these bats and possibly other temperate-zone heterotherms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ring-necked parakeet Psittacula krameri (Aves: Psittaciformes) is a widely distributed species of Asian and African origin, which occurs with over 40 alien populations in the rest of the world. Most established populations of this species are showing a clear trend of territorial expansion and numerical growth. Recent reviews highlighted that one of the main impacts by alien ring-necked parakeets is the competition with threatened bat species using trunk cavities as roosts. In Italy, the only known reproductive population of Nyctalus bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) occurs in an urban area in the central part of the country, surrounded by increasing and expanding populations of ring-necked parakeets. In this work, we updated the population status of both ring-necked and Alexandrine parakeets and breeding noctule bats in the region. Then, we ran a species distribution model using Maxent software to analyze the environmental suitability of the region for the ring-necked parakeet and a connectivity model using Circuitscape software to predict the possibility of its expansion in the area occupied by breeding noctule bats. We recorded a high number of individual parakeets and breeding colonies, together with a remarkable noctule population decline, from about 400 to about 120 individuals, in the last 20 years, possibly due to urban green management practices. Although some ring-necked parakeets have already been observed in the study area, there is no evidence of reproduction in the surroundings of the noctule colony. However, our model showed a high environmental suitability for the ring-necked parakeet in the area occupied by breeding noctules. As well, the connectivity model showed the potential for a direct flow of individuals from the main urban centers to the area used by noctule bats. The arrival of alien parakeets to the area occupied by the bat breeding colony should be tightly monitored by surveying the suitable areas for this bird, as well as the identified ecological corridors. Early detection of new invasions, together with a sustainable urban green management practice, may prevent the extinction of the southernmost breeding colony of the common noctule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bats are known reservoirs of various emerging pathogens, and have recently been found to host a novel hantavirus, named Brno loanvirus (BRNV), from the Mammantavirinae subfamily (family Hantaviridae , order Bunyavirales). Here we report BRNV detection in bats from the urban area of Brno, Czech Republic in March 2022. Specifically, we uncovered a high prevalence of BRNV (8.8%, 5/57) among hibernating bats (Nyctalus noctula) in urban area, which poses a risk of human exposure. The positive bats included adult females (3/9 positive), a juvenile female (1/32 positive), and an adult male (1/6 positive). All 10 juvenile males were negative. We used RT-qPCR to quantify the BRNV RNA levels in various bat organs, which yielded positive results for viral RNA in organs, including the kidneys, heart, spleen, brain, liver, lung, and gut, and in body cavity fluid. Among all tested organs, the liver showed the highest levels of viral RNA in 4 out of 5 animals examined (average Ct value of 20.8 ± 7.4). • Bats harbor various pathogens, including the novel hantavirus, Brno loanvirus (BRNV). • Our study identifies a high prevalence of BRNV among hibernating Nyctalus noctula bats. • RT-qPCR analysis reveals detectable levels of BRNV RNA in multiple bat organs. • The liver exhibits the highest viral RNA levels among all tested organs. • These findings underscore the potential risk of human exposure to BRNV in urban environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to pollutants is considered one of the potential reasons of population declines in bats. In the context of previous studies, we managed to create and keep a wide collection of cell lines from European bat species. Liver cells were chosen for testing, as they represent the preferred model for toxicological studies. Bats are protected, cell lines replacing experimental animals thus represent a unique opportunity to examine effects of pollutants which animals are exposed to in their environments. Moreover, cell incubation temperature variation may simulate physiological states of heterothermic bats. Liver cell lines were cultivated to the required cell number. Exposure to five different concentrations of permethrin (PM) and imidacloprid (IMI) were used to determine cytotoxic effects of these pesticides on Nyctalus noctula-derived liver cells cultivated at 37 °C and 8 °C for 24 h. An assay based on the measurement of activity of lactate dehydrogenase released from damaged cells was used for quantitating cytotoxicity. Cytotoxicity of IMI ranged from 0% to 47% and from 56% to 67% at 37 °C and 8 °C, respectively. Cytotoxicity of PM ranged from 36% to 56% and from 43% to 88% at 37 °C and 8 °C, respectively. Permethrin was tested on the cells at an order of magnitude lower concentrations; even so, higher degree of cytotoxicity was recorded. Imidacloprid was more toxic to bat liver cells at a hibernation temperature than at body temperature of 37 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bat skin mites from the closely-related Demodecidae and Psorergatidae families occur synhospitally, populating the same host species and perhaps neighboring microhabitats. However, data on their occurrence and parasitism are fragmentary and dispersed. Thus far, 27 Demodecidae and 18 Psorergatidae species have been described, but the coexistence of mites from both families was only demonstrated in six species of bats. This article presents a description of Demodex pusillus sp. nov. from Nyctalus noctula, including a new host record (first observation of demodecid mites in Nyctalus) and a new record concerning the occurrence of Psorergatoides kerivoluae in Plecotus auritus. It also includes an updated global checklist of the occurrence of Demodecidae and Psorergatidae in Chiroptera, including data on their records/distribution and location in their hosts. In both studied families, the mites exhibit preferences, and even topographic specificity, colonizing different microhabitats in the host, including the eye region (e.g., Meibomian glands of the eyes, corneal surface and eyelid vault), wing membranes and hairy skin on the body. Such colonization of separate microhabitats enables different species to co-occur within the same host, while the total number of parasites determines the level of parasite load, with higher levels being associated with the incidence of disease symptoms. It is worth mentioning that Demodex pusillus sp. nov. is the smallest known representative of the Demodecidae family and one of the smallest animals (70–80 micrometers in length).

As urbanization and intense forestry management are increasing, natural bat roosting opportunities, e.g. tree cavities, are constantly declining. A common management practice, especially in urban environments, is the installation of bat boxes. We assessed (1) abundance trends inside artificial bat boxes of the noctule bat (Nyctalus noctula) over 11 years in Neu-Ulm, Germany, and identified (2) parameters affecting the occupation rate. Further, we compared (3) abundance of noctule bats in bat boxes between areas with large availability of natural roosts (forests) and urban areas with primarily artificial roosting structures (parks). Our results revealed a severe decline of noctule bats over 11 years. Further, our results indicate that bat boxes cannot fully replace natural tree cavities. Nonetheless, they support roost availability in areas already altered and providing only low amounts of natural bat roosts. The findings of our study have important implications for the conservation of bats in urbanized landscapes and underline the importance of old and intact forests for local biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Animals change their habitat use in response to spatio-temporal fluctuation of resources. Some resources may vary periodically according to the moonphase. Yet it is poorly documented how animals, particularly nocturnal mammals, adjust their use of space in response to the moonphase. Here, we asked if an obligate nocturnal mammal, the aerial-hawking common noctule bat (Nyctalus noctula), adjusts its 3-dimensional flight behaviour and habitat use to the lunar period. Using miniaturized GPS loggers, we recorded 3-dimensional flight tracks of N. noctula and related these to a canopy height model derived from aerial laser scans to investigate whether bats adjust forest strata use to moonlight intensities. Results Noctules frequently foraged above the canopy of coniferous forest at low moonlight intensities, but switched to using open grasslands and arable fields in nights with high moonlight intensities. During the few occasions when noctules used the forest during moonlit nights, they mostly restricted their use of space to flying below the canopy level. The median overall flight altitude of N. noctula equalled 13 ± 16 m but reached up to 71 m above ground (97.5% quantile). Conclusions Our findings argue against general lunar phobic behaviour of aerial-hawking bats. We suggest that the preferred use of open fields around full moon may be a strategy of noctules to increase the success of hunting airborne insects at night. Specifically, the adjustment in use of space may allow bats to hunt for insects that emerge and disperse over open fields during bright moonlight.

Sites of mass wintering of the common noctule Nyctalus noctula were found in a small town (Nowy Sącz - ca. 83 thousand inhabitants) in south-eastern Poland. Bats hibernated in attics of five-storey buildings in a housing estate. In total, 905 individuals were found in attics surveyed on 20 November 2014 and 230 individuals in two nearby attics surveyed on 10 February 2015. Much more bats of this species, probably several thousands, hibernated in the whole housing estate, which counted 65 similar buildings. During the reproduction period, common noctules occupied attics less frequently (up to 48 individuals in one building). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In anthropogenic landscapes, aerial insectivores are often confronted with variable habitat complexity, which may influence the distribution of prey. Yet, high mobility may allow aerial insectivores to adjust their foraging strategy to different prey distributions. We investigated whether aerial‐hunting common noctules Nyctalus noctula adjust their foraging strategy to landscapes with different habitat complexity and assumingly different prey distribution. We hypothesized that the movement behaviour of hunting common noctules and changes of movement behaviour in reaction towards conspecifics would depend on whether they hunt in a structurally poor cropland dominated landscape or a structurally rich forest dominated landscape. We tracked flight paths of common noctules in northeastern Germany using GPS loggers equipped with an ultrasonic microphone that recorded foraging events and presence of conspecifics. Above cropland, common noctules hunted mainly during bouts of highly tortuous and area restricted movements (ARM). Bats switched from straight flight to ARM after encountering conspecifics. In the forested landscape, common noctules hunted both during ARM and during straight flights. The onset of ARM did not correlate with the presence of conspecifics. Common noctules showed a lower feeding rate and encountered more conspecifics above the forested than above the cropland dominated landscape. We conjecture that prey distribution above cropland was patchy and unpredictable, thus making eavesdropping on hunting conspecifics crucial for bats during search for prey patches. In contrast, small scale structural diversity of the forested landscape possibly led to a more homogeneous prey distribution at the landscape scale, thus enabling bats to find sufficient food independent of conspecific presence. This suggests that predators depending on ephemeral prey can increase their foraging success in structurally poor landscapes by using social information provided by conspecifics. Hence, a minimum population density might be obligatory to enable successful foraging in simplified landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Eastern Europe, wind energy production is currently promoted as an important source of renewable energy, yet in most cases without appropriate consideration of the negative impacts wind turbines (WT) may have on protected species such as bats. Here, we present first data on fatality rates, fatality factors and the likely origin of bats killed by WT in the Dobrogea region (Romania), located in a major migratory corridor for wildlife in Eastern Europe. Over a 4-year period, we found a total of 166 bat carcasses from 10 species, mostly representing migratory species such as Pipistrellus nathusii and Nyctalus noctula. Most fatalities at WT occurred in July and August. We documented 15 cases of barotrauma and 34 cases of blunt-force trauma in carcasses found below WT. After adjusting for carcass removals and variations in searcher efficiency, we estimated for the 4-year study period a total of 2394 bat casualties at the studied WT facility consisting of 20 units, resulting in a mean fatality rate of 30 bats/WT/year, or 14.2 bats/MW/year. By implementing a curtailment measure at wind speeds below 6.5 m/s, we reduced fatality rates by 78%. Isoscape origin models based on hydrogen stable isotope ratios in fur keratin revealed that the majority of N. noctula that were killed by WT or captured nearby in mist nets originated from distant areas in the North (Ukraine, Belarus, Russia). The estimated high fatalitjegangy rates of bats at WT in this area have far-reaching consequences, particularly for populations of migratory bats, if no appropriate mitigation schemes are practised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preserving species within protected areas (PAs) does not guarantee adequate levels of protection if not coupled with conservation of functional connectivity for a target species. We propose an analytical framework to assess the effectiveness of PAs in preserving habitat and functional connectivity for mobile vertebrates. We implemented it in central Italy by using as a case study a bat species (common noctule, Nyctalus noctula) to: (i) determine suitable areas by means of Species Distribution Models (SDMs); (ii) identify potential commuting corridors through a functional connectivity analysis; (iii) develop a new tool to rank corridors according to their functional irreplaceability; (iv) implement a gap analysis on both suitable areas and functional corridors; and (v) propose management recommendations for the conservation of N. noctula. The SDM output and a set of proxies of commuting routes were used to build a resistance layer for the connectivity analysis. The resulting functional corridors were ranked according to their isolation (distance to other corridors and to suitable areas) to obtain an irreplaceability index, with isolated corridors scoring high values. The PA effectiveness assessed by overlapping the PA map with the SDM and the ranked functional corridors highlighted that PAs cover just a small portion of suitable sites (20.3%) and functional corridors for the species (20.8%). The irreplaceability index allowed us to identify those areas inside and outside the PAs that critical for persistence of the species in question require immediate protection regimes. The approach we present could be easily extended to other taxa and offers sound insight on how to promote the conservation at landscape scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The common noctule is considered a typical species of migratory bats in the forest-steppe of northeastern Ukraine. In the last few years, the species has shown a tendency to expand its wintering range. Wintering common noctules were recorded throughout Ukraine, including neighbouring with the current record regions. The first record of the species during winter in the territory of Sumy region is noted. The finding of an individual (young male) of the common noctule in the basement of a multi-storey building in Sumy city on 10 January 2017 is described. The present record expands the boundaries of the currently recognized wintering range of the species to 150 km northward and 200 km eastward from other known winter record localities of the species.

Mammals fuel hibernation by oxidizing saturated and unsaturated fatty acids from triacylglycerols in adipocytes, yet the relative importance of these two categories as an oxidative fuel may change during hibernation. We studied the selective use of fatty acids as an oxidative fuel in noctule bats (Nyctalus noctula). Prehibernating noctule bats that were fed 13C-enriched linoleic acid (LA) showed 12 times higher tracer oxidation rates compared with conspecifics fed 13C-enriched palmitic acid (PA). After this experiment, we supplemented the diet of bats with the same fatty acids on five subsequent days to enrich their fat depots with the respective tracer. We then compared the excess 13C enrichment (excess atom percentage, APE) in breath of bats for torpor and arousal events during early and late hibernation.We observed higher APE values in breath of bats fed 13C-enriched LA than in bats fed 13Cenriched PA for both states (torpor and arousal), and also for both periods. Thus, hibernating bats selectively oxidized endogenous LA instead of PA, probably because of faster transportation rates of polyunsaturated fatty acids compared with saturated fatty acids. We did not observe changes in APE values in the breath of torpid animals between early and late hibernation. Skin temperature of torpid animals increased by 0.7°C between early and late hibernation in bats fed PA, whereas it decreased by -0.8°C in bats fed LA, highlighting that endogenous LA may fulfil two functions when available in excess: serving as an oxidative fuel and supporting cell membrane functionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents information about the year-round phenology of bats of temperate zones in a city area for the first time. In total, 967 individuals of 5 bat species (Nyctalus noctula [87.5%], Eptesicus serotinus [10.6%], Pipistrellus kuhlii [0.8%], Vespertilio murinus [0.9%], and Plecotus auritus [0.1%]) were recorded during 2013 in Kharkiv. The population structures of temperate bat species are complex; segregation of sex and age groups varies spatially and seasonally. Most of the bats (88%) were collected during the hibernation period (January-March and November-December) and the autumn invasion (August-mid-September). The breeding period saw a lower number of bats collected, making up 0.5% of records (May-July). The degree of tolerance to urbanization is species-specific. The bats were found indoors (68.6%), between window frames (26.6%), outdoors (2.8%), in basements (1.05%), and on balconies (0.95%). Bats of temperate latitudes inhabit big cities in significantly increasing numbers in winter, spring, and autumn. They avoid urban areas in both the breeding period and the period of fat-store accumulation before hibernation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hantaviruses are emerging RNA viruses that cause human diseases predominantly in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Besides rodents, insectivores and bats serve as hantavirus reservoirs. We report the detection and genome characterization of a novel bat-borne hantavirus isolated from insectivorous common noctule bat. The newfound virus was tentatively named as Brno virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temporal and spatial activity of bats is species specific and shaped by many factors such as energy requirements, climate conditions and food distribution. Pregnancy and lactation are the most energy-demanding periods throughout the female life cycle. During these periods, females have to optimize their activity patterns to maximize foraging success; however, they simultaneously need to take care of their young. In addition, daily and seasonal fluctuations of insect availability strongly affect bat foraging activity. If females, which are under strong energy constraints, belong to closely related species, they may potentially suffer from competition. One of the mechanisms that allows them to avoid competition is temporal and spatial niche partitioning. Noctule and Leisler's bats are closely related forest-dwelling species whose diet is similar and consists mainly of ephemeral insects. The aim of our study was to test if they exhibit similar patterns in relation to the time and duration of their nocturnal activity. In Białowieża Forest, we demonstrated that female nocturnal activity of both noctule and Leisler's bats was shaped mostly by reproductive period and ambient temperature. We did not observe significant differences in the activity patterns of the two noctule species, which suggests that physiological constraints connected with reproduction and environmental conditions affect these species in a similar way and outweigh the competition between species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many countries are investing heavily in wind power generation, 1 triggering a high demand for suitable land. As a result, wind energy facilities are increasingly being installed in forests, 2,3 despite the fact that forests are crucial for the protection of terrestrial biodiversity. 4 This green-green dilemma is particularly evident for bats, as most species at risk of colliding with wind turbines roost in trees. 2 With some of these species reported to be declining, 5,6,7,8 we see an urgent need to understand how bats respond to wind turbines in forested areas, especially in Europe where all bat species are legally protected. We used miniaturized global positioning system (GPS) units to study how European common noctule bats (Nyctalus noctula), a species that is highly vulnerable at turbines, 9 respond to wind turbines in forests. Data from 60 tagged common noctules yielded a total of 8,129 positions, of which 2.3% were recorded at distances <100 m from the nearest turbine. Bats were particularly active at turbines <500 m near roosts, which may require such turbines to be shut down more frequently at times of high bat activity to reduce collision risk. Beyond roosts, bats avoided turbines over several kilometers, supporting earlier findings on habitat loss for forest-associated bats. 10 This habitat loss should be compensated by developing parts of the forest as refugia for bats. Our study highlights that it can be particularly challenging to generate wind energy in forested areas in an ecologically sustainable manner with minimal impact on forests and the wildlife that inhabit them. [Display omitted] • In forests, bats were more often present at wind turbines (WTs) near roosts • Beyond roosts, bats avoided WTs, but individual responses varied • Placing WTs near roosts may increase the casualty risk and the need for curtailments • Habitat loss due to WT operation must be compensated Using high-resolution GPS tracking from common noctules in Germany, Reusch et al. reveal that bats were most active at wind turbines (WTs) in forests when WTs were placed close to daytime roosts, yet that bats avoided WTs over several km distances beyond roosts, indicating that WTs at forest sites may lead to high numbers of casualties and habitat loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The killing of large numbers of migratory bats at wind turbines is a pressing conservation problem. Even though avoidance and mitigation measures could benefit from a better knowledge of the species' migratory habits, we lack basic information about what habitats and corridors bats use during migration. We studied the isotopic niche dimensions of three bat species that are frequently killed at wind turbines in Germany: non-migratory Pipistrellus pipistrellus, mid-distance migratory Nyctalus noctula, and long-distance migratory Pipistrellus nathusii. We measured stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios (δ13C, δ15N) in five tissues that differed in isotopic retention time (fur, wing membrane tissue, muscle, liver, blood) to shed light on the species-specific habitat use during the autumn migration period using standard ellipse areas ( SEAc). Further, we used stable isotope ratios of non-exchangeable hydrogen (δ2 HK) in fur keratin to assess the breeding origin of bats. We inferred from isotopic composition (δ13C, δ15N) of fur keratin that isotopic niche dimensions of P. nathusii was distinct from that of N. noctula and P. pipistrellus, probably because P. nathusii was using more aquatic habitats than the other two species. Isoscape origin models supported that traveled distances before dying at wind turbines was largest for P. nathusii, intermediate for N. noctula, and shortest for P. pipistrellus. Isotopic niche dimensions calculated for each sample type separately reflected the species' migratory behavior. Pipistrellus pipistrellus and N. noctula showed similar isotopic niche breadth across all tissue types, whereas SEAc values of P. nathusii increased in tissues with slow turnaround time. Isotopic data suggested that P. nathusii consistently used aquatic habitats throughout the autumn period, whereas N. noctula showed a stronger association with terrestrial habitats during autumn compared to the pre-migration period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analysis of the data on the distribution range of the chiropterans in Siberia (personal communications, museum collections, and published data) shows a considerable eastward shift of the boundary of the common noctule ( Nyctalus noctula Schreber, 1775) to the Yenisei River. The possible influence of population waves and climate changes on the distribution of this species is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primeval forests with their large heterogeneity with regard to composition of tree species, age of trees or canopy coverage are excellent locations for studying various animals, especially bats. In Slovakia, where primeval forests comprise just 0.48% of total forest area any coherent knowledge about basic composition of bat species is lacking. To contribute to knowledge about the occurrence of bat species in Slovakia's natural (primeval or old grown) forests, this study presents a first summary overview of bat species composition with regard to vertical utilization of their foraging habitat. We collected data in the Western Carpathian (Kremnické vrchy Mts) in old-grown primeval beech forest (>200 years) using the passive automatic bat-detector. The device was set up to the tree trunk in 5, 10 and 15 meters above the ground. Altogether was recorded 72 minutes (n = 22,544 bat calls, 311 records in average per night). The total of 10 bat species was determined. The number of recording varied according to height. Number of Myotis-group calls did significantly differ in individual recording heights but only between 5 and 15 meters, however such differences were absent in the case of non-Myotis group calls, as well as in both types' calls merged together. Calls of Myotis-group were the most abundant whereas they represented 96.5% from all determined calls at 5 m above ground, but only 22.7% at height of 15 meters. The family Rhinolophidae (CF; frequency > 80 kHz) was not recorded. Only a small percentages of fast hawking species Nyctalus noctula and Nyctalus leisleri (≤1%) was recorded. In general, the results are in accordance with similar studies dealing with activity of bats in forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activity of bats at an old wind park four km off the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea was monitored during 50 nights from August to October 2013, using an automatic bat detector (Pettersson D500-X) mounted on one of the turbines. Single individuals or pairs of common noctules Nyctalus noctula were recorded on five occasions only (26 and 27 August), all in calm weather and when little or no rotor movement occurred. Since such conditions were unusual (five of 50 nights of observation) the visits by the bats were unlikely to be chance events (migrating bats passing the turbine), but more likely involved bats attracted to the turbines. However, no feeding buzzes were recorded and the bats never stayed near the turbine more than one minute. The turbines studied are lit by 250 W white lights and this could have been the reason why bats visited the turbines, because such lights potentially attract insects. The bats could not have been attracted to the turbines by any factor related of the movement of the rotor or the generator, such as Doppler-effects, noise, heat or electric fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stable isotope ratios, especially of carbon ( δC) and nitrogen ( δN), are often used to make predictions of an animal's diet. Next to the isotope ratios of the studied animal and its diet, two factors are important for the interpretation of stable isotope data: the discrimination factor and the turnover rate. Both parameters are species- and tissue-specific but sparsely reported, especially for insectivorous bats. We determined the diet-tissue discrimination factors ( ΔC and ΔN) for the insectivorous common noctule bat ( Nyctalus noctula) in hairs and wing membranes. No sex-related differences in discrimination of C and N could be detected, but wing membranes were significantly less enriched in C (4.0 ± 0.6 ‰) than hairs (5.9 ± 1.3 ‰). However, tissues were not significantly different in ΔN ( ΔN 3.7 ± 0.6 ‰ and ΔN 3.4 ± 0.6 ‰). Furthermore, we compared δN and δC of wing membranes and hairs from individuals feeding on a mealworm diet for 7 weeks (♀♀ and ♂♂) and for an average of 124 weeks (range 27-298; ♀♀ and ♂♂). As for ♀♀ and ♂♂, no molting occurred after the dietary switch; we assumed that hairs still reflect the isotopic signature of their natural diet. The metabolically more active wing membranes, however, should have incorporated, at least partly, the isotopic signature of the mealworms. Values of δN and δC indicate that a dietary switch after 7 weeks is reflected in wing membranes but not in hair. This provides further evidence that the turnover rate of wing membranes of insectivorous bats is only a few weeks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Astroviruses are a major cause of gastroenteritis in humans and animals. Recently, novel groups of astroviruses were identified in apparently healthy insectivorous bats. We report the detection of diverse novel astrovirus sequences in nine different European bat species: Eptesicus serotinus, Hypsugo savii, Myotis emarginatus, M. mystacinus, Nyctalus noctula, Pipistrellus nathusii or P. pygmaeus, P. pipistrellus, Vespertilio murinus, and Rhinolophus hipposideros. In six bat species, astrovirus sequences were detected for the first time. One astrovirus strain detected in R. hipposideros clustered phylogenetically with Chinese astrovirus strains originating from bats of the families Rhinolophidae and Hipposideridae. All other Czech astrovirus sequences from vesper bats formed, together with one Hungarian sequence, a separate monophyletic lineage within the bat astrovirus group. These findings provide new insights into the molecular epidemiology, ecology, and prevalence of astroviruses in European bat populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Before 1990, mass wintering of the noctule bat ( Nyctalus noctula) in Ukraine was known from the Ukrainian Transcarpathia and the south of the country. For the rest of Ukraine, as for other regions of Europe to the north and the northeast, the species was considered a migratory one. Today, the noctule bat is known in winter for 23 (of 25) administrative provinces of Ukraine, and winter colonies have been recorded in most of them. In Ukraine, N. noctula is a seasonal epilithic species, which hibernates mostly in multi-storey buildings serving as cliff-like structures. The retrospective analysis of bat data from Ukraine and adjacent countries shows that new records refer to the expansion of the species' winter range, which occurred during the last decades. The border of the winter range of N. noctula in Eastern Europe now lies at least 500-600 km northward than previously assumed. The analysis of the air temperature datasets demonstrates that warming of winters cannot be the only factor determining this process. Mass appearance of high buildings and roosts associated with them is thought to be an important condition driving the expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vor den Toren der Schleswig-Holsteinischen Landeshauptstadt Kiel wird im Zuge der Verbreiterung der Oststrecke des Nord-Ostsee-Kanals der Neubau einer über 241 m spannenden kombinierten Straßen- und Eisenbahnbrücke in Stahlbauweise als Ersatz für die 1894 errichtete erste Hochbrücke Levensau vorbereitet. Außergewöhnliche Berücksichtigung bei der Planungsvorbereitung gilt der weitgehenden Aufrechterhaltung des Schienen- und Schiffsverkehr auf und unterhalb des bestehenden Bauwerkes sowie dem zu garantierenden Erhalt eines sich in den Bestandswiderlagern befindenden EU-kartierten Fledermauswinterquartiers. Neben den Randbedingungen aus Verkehrsführung und Artenschutz ist für die Planung die Berücksichtigung der genehmigungsrelevanten Belange des angrenzenden allgemeinen Wohngebietes von besonderem Interesse. Die Ergebnisse der komplexen Grundlagenermittlungen und der nach EU-weit ausgeschriebenem Ingenieur- und Architektenwettbewerb vergebenen Planungsleistungen sollen hier vorgestellt werden. Design and construction in existing contexts: Replacement of the first High Bridge Levensau. Not far from Kiel, the capital city of Schleswig-Holstein, the first Levensau High Bridge (Hochbruecke Levensau) built in 1894, is being replaced by a combined rail and road steel bridge with a span of over 241 m. During construction special attention was paid to the maintenance of railway traffic and shipping and to the preservation of a winter hibernation site for bats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analysed the sex and age composition of a large colony of Nyctalus noctula (605 specimens), wintering in Kyiv, Ukraine. Age was identified in 113 individuals using the method of counting growth layer groups in dentine. Males contained ca. 70 % both in the colony and in the sample of animals with the estimated ages. Males and females of all ages were in good body condition. There were bats from 0+ to 7+ years old in the sample. In males, 0+ age class was represented by 38 %; 1+ class, by 20 % of individuals. In females, 0+ and 1+ year old individuals were found in similar numbers: 29 % and 32 % correspondingly. The observed sex ratio and proportions of males and females across age classes cannot be explained only by demography. The data are interpreted in terms of migratory behaviour and mating strategy of the species: the unusual female age structure is possibly due to age-specific preferences in wintering habitat selection and search for potential mating partners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the occurrence and timing of migratory bat activity across the Baltic Sea and south-eastern North Sea coasts and islands based on ultrasonic monitoring projects in 2007-2009. The study involved three species, Nathusius' pipistrelle Pipistrellus nathusii, soprano pipistrelle P. pygmaeus, and common noctule Nyctalus noctula. It notes that spring activity was observed mostly in May, while autumn migration was observed throughout August and September.

The article presents a study on bat activity based on distance to hedgerows in a German agricultural landscape for effective landscape planning like wind energy development, to avoid human-wildlife conflicts. Bat activity was recorded at different distances from hedges during spring and summer. It finds similar overall activity for all bat species between seasons, with the highest activity recorded near the hedges, noting variation in species-specific spatial activity patterns between seasons.

Many European migratory bat species hibernate in large hollow trees, a decreasing resource in present day silviculture. Here, we report on the importance of man-made hibernacula to support trans-boundary populations of noctule bats ( Nyctalus noctula), a species that performs seasonal long distance movements throughout Europe. In winter, we surveyed nine bat roosts (eight artificial and one natural) in Germany and collected small tufts of fur from a total of 608 individuals. We then measured the stable isotope ratios of the non-exchangeable hydrogen in fur keratin and estimated the origin of migrants using a refined isoscape origin model that included information on expected flight distances and migration directions. According to the stable isotope signature, 78 % of hibernating bats originated from local populations. The remaining 22 % of hibernacula occupants originated from distant populations, mostly from places in northern or eastern countries such as Sweden, Poland and Baltic countries. Our results confirm that many noctule bats cross one or several political borders during migration. Data on the breeding origin of hibernating noctule bats also suggest that artificial roosts may not only be important for local but also for distant populations. Protection of natural and artificial hibernacula in managed forests may support the trans-boundary populations of migratory bats when hollow trees are scarce in managed forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]