JOURNAL OF BAT RESEARCH & CONSERVATION 17

Paul Smith, María Belén Barreto, Gersey Vargas, Matthew Owen, Heidi Amarilla-Stevens, Manuel Ruedi, Francisco Rojas, Robert D. Owen

Abstract: The authors reviewed unpublished specimens of Paraguayan Chiroptera and document 34 new departmental records for 23 species in 15 genera (three photographic and 155 specimen records) belonging to the families Noctilionidae, Molossidae, Phyllostomidae and Vespertilionidae. An updated distributional table of Paraguayan bats by department is provided. We encourage future researchers with the means to review other collections holding Paraguayan specimens to do so and further expand our understanding of Paraguayan bat distribution.

Santiago Perea, Emily Ferrall, Katrina Morris, Pete Pattavina, Nicholas Sharp, Maggie Hunt, Laci Pattavina, Nikole Castleberry, Steven Castleberry

Abstract: BioBlitzes, rapid field studies conducted by a collaborative team of scientists and conservation professionals in specific geographic areas, offer an opportunity to enhance research capabilities, foster partnerships, and provide learning opportunities for scientists, conservation professionals, and non-professional volunteers. Since  the detection of white-nose syndrome (WNS) in North America, populations of cave-dwelling bats have declined significantly. However, most studies documenting declines have occurred in the core of the WNS-affected area in the eastern United States. To examine changes in capture rates along the periphery of the WNS-affected region, we examined captures from Bat Blitz events (i.e., a subset of a BioBlitz focused exclusively on bats) in northern Alabama and Georgia, USA, before (n = 2; 2008, 2010) and after (n = 2; 2022, 2023) WNS detection. Pre-WNS detection, we captured 676 bats from 11 species, contrasting with post-WNS, where only 283 bats from seven species were captured. Our results show significant declines in captures of the federally endangered northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) and the proposed endangered tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus), with decreases of 99,4% and 87,7%, respectively. While other common species showed no significant changes, eastern red bat capture rates declined by 35,4%, and captures of big brown and evening bats increased by 8,0% and 15,0%, respectively. In addition, we observed decreases of > 99% for most myotis species. Overall, our results support documented declines observed for WNS-affected species in northern regions, emphasizing the urgent need for conservation measures for northern long-eared and tricolored bats. Furthermore, we highlight the value of BioBlitz events to conduct surveys at broad spatial and temporal scales efficiently.

José Antonio Garrido-García

Abstract: The relationship between bats and caves is fundamental to understanding the composition of their fossil record. However, the difficulty of obtaining quantitative data on the current use of shelters by bats has limited its analysis. In this study, quantitative information on the current use of shelters simultaneusly with the presence of different bat species are analyzed for the first time considering the Iberian Quaternary fossil record. The results show that the death of animals in caves while they used them as shelter is the main source of remains for the fossil record and that, roughly, the level of use that each species makes of the caves corresponds to their abundance in this fossil record. However, this relationship is complex because the troglophily is subject to numerous autoecological biases and other biases derived from the interrelationship between species and the impact of the changing ecological conditions that have characterized the Quaternary. In addition, the biases derived from the methodology for studying of the sites play a relevant role, altering our perception of the phenomenon. Therefore, this first approach to the problem must be refined through deeper analyzes based on the joint work of actualist biologists and paleobiologists within a multidisciplinary context in which we use all the advances obtained on the biology of Chiroptera in recent decades.

Resumen: La relación entre los murciélagos y las cuevas es fundamental para entender la composición de su registro fósil. Sin embargo, la dificultad de obtener datos cuantitativos sobre el uso actual de los refugios por parte de los murciélagos ha limitado su análisis. En este estudio se analiza conjuntamente por primera vez información cuantitativa sobre el uso actual de refugios y la presencia de las distintas especies de murciélagos en el registro fósil del Cuaternario ibérico. Los resultados muestran que la muerte de animales en las cavidades es la principal fuente de restos para el registro fósil y que, en gran medida, el nivel de uso que hace cada especie de las cavidades se corresponde con su abundancia en este registro fósil. Sin embargo, esta relación es compleja debido a que la troglofília está sujeta a numerosos sesgos autoecológicos y derivados de interrelación entre especies y del impacto de los condicionantes ecológicos cambiantes que han caracterizado al Cuaternario. Y también tienen un papel relevante los sesgos derivados de la metodología de estudio de los yacimientos, que alteran la percepción que podemos obtener del fenómeno. Por ello, esta primera aproximación al problema debe refinarse mediante análisis más profundos basados en el trabajo conjunto de biólogos actualistas y paleobiólogos dentro de un contexto multidisciplinar en el que usemos todos los avances obtenidos sobre la biología de Chiroptera en las últimas décadas.

Donald F. McAlpine, Karen J.Vanderwolf, Christine Fehlner-Gardiner, Scott McBurney, Darrian Washinger

Abstract: Based on public reporting (mainly incidents of bats in homes and bats submitted for rabies testing and health monitoring), the number of reports of the Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus) in New Brunswick (Canada) has increased significantly over the past three decades. Prior to 1990 this species was rarely encountered in the province. From 2000 to 2013 the number of Big Brown Bat reports remained low but regular, including during the emergence of the white-nose syndrome (WNS) epidemic and subsequent endemicity of the disease in New Brunswick. From 2014-2020 numbers of Big Brown Bats reported have risen markedly. The Big Brown Bat is now the bat species most frequently encountered by the public in New Brunswick, although the species remains rare in Nova Scotia and is as yet unrecorded on Prince Edward Island. Establishment and initial increase of the Big Brown Bat in New Brunswick pre-dates the introduction of WNS to North America. Recent increases may be a continuation of a trend related to climate warming that was underway prior to WNSinduced declines in bat species in eastern Canada. However, we cannot discount a role for disease-mediated competitive release in the current surge in reports of the Big Brown Bat in New Brunswick. We also document aspects of the natural history of the Big Brown Bat in the Maritimes, including maternity roosts, autumn swarming behaviour, and first reported over-wintering by multiple Big Brown Bats in underground hibernacula in the region. While the probability of being bitten by a rabid bat in Canada is exceedingly low, the increasing abundance of the Big Brown Bat in New Brunswick and its association with human dwellings throughout the year may warrant increased public education and surveillance for rabies. However, given the continuing persecution of bats, any such educational campaign must be coupled with a strong message emphasizing the importance of bat conservation.