JOURNAL OF BAT RESEARCH & CONSERVATION 17

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.

Supplementary Materials

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.

Supplementary Materials