Extreme temperature event and mass mortality of insectivorous bats.

Authors :: Pruvot M
Cappelle J
Furey N
Hul V
Heng HS
Duong V
Dussart P
Horwood P
Source :: European journal of wildlife research [Eur J Wildl Res] 2019; Vol. 65 (3), pp. 41. Date of Electronic Publication: 2019 Apr 29.
Publication Year :: 2019
Abstract: A mass mortality event involving Chaerephon plicatus and Taphozous theobaldi bats occurred during a heat wave in April 2016 in Cambodia. This was investigated to clarify the causes of the die-off and assess the risk to public health. Field evidences, clinical signs, and gross pathology findings were consistent with a heat stress hypothesis. However, the detection of a novel bat paramyxovirus raises questions about its role as a contributing factor or a coincidental finding. Systematic documentation of bat die-offs related to extreme weather events is necessary to improve understanding of the effect of changing weather patterns on bat populations and the ecosystem services they provide.<br />Competing Interests: Conflict of interestThe authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.<br /> (© Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2019.)