Publications

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first detection of leishmania infantum in common urban bats pipistrellus pipistrellus in europe.leishmania infantum is a protozoan causing leishmaniasis in humans and in dogs, among other animals, which is an endemic disease in the mediterranean basin. in recent years, the role of wildlife as a possible reservoir of the disease was analyzed and several species of carnivores were reported to have the highest infection rates, with foxes and wolves being the more widely studied species; the role of rabbits and hares as reservoirs of leishmaniasis has also been described. in addition, several ...202032593861
comparing acoustic and radar deterrence methods as mitigation measures to reduce human-bat impacts and conservation conflicts.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 me ...202032053663
usutu virus epizootic in belgium in 2017 and 2018: evidence of virus endemization and ongoing introduction events.wildlife surveillance allowed the monitoring of the zoonotic mosquito-borne usutu virus (usuv) in birds and bats (pipistrellus pipistrellus) in southern belgium in 2017 and 2018. usuv-rna was detected in 69 birds (of 253) from 15 species, among which 7 species had not previously been reported to be susceptible to the infection. similarly, 2 bats (of 10) were detected positive by reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (rt-qpcr). usuv-associated lesions were mainly found in e ...202031479400
habitat associations of bats in an agricultural landscape: linear features versus open habitats.1. bats are important components of agricultural ecosystems. however, little is known about the extent to which bats use linear features when foraging and commuting in agricultural settings, when compared to the interior of fields. 2. as part of a large-scale citizen science project, bat detectors were placed in the centre of agricultural fields (arable and pasture) and along linear features (intensively managed hedgerows, sympathetically managed hedgerows and treelines). 3. our results show tha ...202033053844
estimating population density of insectivorous bats based on stationary acoustic detectors: a case study.automated recording units are commonly used by consultants to assess environmental impacts and to monitor animal populations. although estimating population density of bats using stationary acoustic detectors is key for evaluating environmental impacts, estimating densities from call activity data is only possible through recently developed numerical methods, as the recognition of calling individuals is impossible.we tested the applicability of generalized random encounter models (grems) for det ...202032076503
traffic noise playback reduces the activity and feeding behaviour of free-living bats.increasing levels of road noise are creating new anthropogenic soundscapes that may affect wildlife globally. bats, which form about a third of all mammal species, are sensitive bioindicators, and may be particularly vulnerable because of their dependency on echolocation. here we present the first controlled field experiment with free-living bats. using a before-after-control-impact phantom road experimental design, we examine the impacts of traffic noise on their activity and feeding behaviour. ...202032320902
high frequency social calls indicate food source defense in foraging common pipistrelle bats.social calls have the function to coordinate the behavior of animals. in the presence of conspecifics foraging common pipistrelle bats (p. pipistrellus) emitted, in addition to typical echolocation signals, two types of social calls: complex social calls and an as-of-yet undescribed, short, frequency-modulated call type with high terminal frequency, which we term "high frequency social call". by recording the flight and acoustic behavior of free flying pairs of foraging p. pipistrellus with an a ...202032238828
investigating cat predation as the cause of bat wing tears using forensic dna analysis.cat predation upon bat species has been reported to have significant effects on bat populations in both rural and urban areas. the majority of research in this area has focussed on observational data from bat rehabilitators documenting injuries, and cat owners, when domestic cats present prey. however, this has the potential to underestimate the number of bats killed or injured by cats. here, we use forensic dna analysis techniques to analyze swabs taken from injured bats in the united kingdom, ...202032788986
serological survey of lyssaviruses in polish bats in the frame of passive rabies surveillance using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.background: bats are known to host a number of nonpathogenic viruses, as well as highly pathogenic viruses causing fatal diseases like rabies. serological surveys as part of active and passive bat rabies surveillance mainly use seroneutralization assays, demonstrating the presence of lyssavirus-specific antibodies in a variety of european bats, particularly against european bat lyssaviruses type 1 (eblv-1). here, we present the first serological survey in european bats of this kind during which ...202032121200
genome sequence of an aichivirus detected in a common pipistrelle bat (pipistrellus pipistrellus).the family picornaviridae includes important human and animal pathogens that are associated with a wide range of diseases and, in some cases, have zoonotic potential. during epidemiological surveillance of bats, we identified, by next-generation sequencing (ngs) techniques, the presence of picornavirus rna in a common pipistrelle bat (pipistrellus pipistrellus). by coupling ngs, primer-walking strategies, and sequence-independent protocols to obtain the sequences of the 5' and 3' termini, we rec ...202032056001
rickettsiae in the common pipistrelle pipistrellus pipistrellus (chiroptera: vespertilionidae) and the bat soft tick argas vespertilionis (ixodida: argasidae).increasing molecular evidence supports that bats and/or their ectoparasites may harbor vector-borne bacteria, such as bartonellae and borreliae. however, the simultaneous occurrence of rickettsiae in bats and bat ticks has been poorly studied.202031918751
habitat usage of daubenton's bat (myotis daubentonii), common pipistrelle (pipistrellus pipistrellus), and soprano pipistrelle (pipistrellus pygmaeus) in a north wales upland river catchment.distributions of daubenton's bat (myotis daubentonii), common pipistrelle, (pipistrellus pipistrellus), and soprano pipistrelle (pipistrellus pygmaeus) were investigated along and altitudinal gradient of the lledr river, conwy, north wales, and presence assessed in relation to the water surface condition, presence/absence of bank-side trees, and elevation. ultrasound recordings of bats made on timed transects in summer 1999 were used to quantify habitat usage. all species significantly preferred ...201931031948
full genome characterization of two novel alpha-coronavirus species from italian bats.coronaviruses (covs) have been detected worldwide in several bat species, which are considered the main reservoir. the attention to the high diversity of covs hosted by bats has increased during the last decade due to the high number of human infections caused by two zoonotic beta-covs, sars-cov and mers-cov, that cause several respiratory diseases. among coronaviruses, two alpha-cov strains (hucov-229e and hucov-nl63) cause mild respiratory disease that can change to severe disease in children, ...201930447246
a comparison of the mitochondrial proteome and lipidome in the mouse and long-lived pipistrelle bats.it is accepted that smaller mammals with higher metabolic rates have shorter lifespans. the very few species that do not follow these rules can give insights into interesting differences. the recorded maximum lifespans of bats are exceptional - over 40 years, compared with the laboratory mouse of 4 years. we investigated the differences in the biochemical composition of mitochondria between bat and mouse species. we used proteomics and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with hi ...201930892277
wing membrane and fur samples as reliable biological matrices to measure bioaccumulation of metals and metalloids in bats.there is a growing conservation concern about the possible consequences of environmental contamination in the health of bat communities. most studies on the effects of contaminants in bats have been focused on organic contaminants, and the consequences of bat exposure to metals and metalloids remain largely unknown. the aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of external biological matrices (fur and wing membrane) for the assessment of exposure and bioaccumulation of metals in bats. th ...201931310870
surveillance for adenoviruses in bats in italy.adenoviruses are important pathogens of humans and animals. bats have been recognized as potential reservoirs of novel viruses, with some viruses being regarded as a possible zoonotic threat to humans. in this study, we report the detection and analysis of adenoviruses from different bat species in northern italy. upon sequence and phylogenetic analysis, based on a short diagnostic fragment of the highly-conserved dna polymerase gene, we identified potential novel candidate adenovirus species, i ...201931174292
species-specific colocalization of middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus attachment and entry receptors.middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus (mers-cov) uses the s1b domain of its spike protein to bind to dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (dpp4), its functional receptor, and its s1a domain to bind to sialic acids. the tissue localization of dpp4 in humans, bats, camelids, pigs, and rabbits generally correlates with mers-cov tropism, highlighting the role of dpp4 in virus pathogenesis and transmission. however, mers-cov s1a does not indiscriminately bind to all α2,3-sialic acids, and the species-specif ...201931167913
characterizing wing tears in common pipistrelles (pipistrellus pipistrellus): investigating tear distribution, wing strength, and possible causes.bats have large, thin wings that are particularly susceptible to tearing. anatomical specializations, such as fiber reinforcement, strengthen the wing and increase its resistance to puncture, and an extensive vasculature system across the wing also promotes healing. we investigated whether tear positioning is associated with anatomy in common pipistrelles (pipistrellus pipistrellus). wing anatomy was described using histological techniques, imaging, and material testing. tear information, includ ...201931379390
tillage and herbicide reduction mitigate the gap between conventional and organic farming effects on foraging activity of insectivorous bats.the increased use of pesticides and tillage intensification is known to negatively affect biodiversity. changes in these agricultural practices such as herbicide and tillage reduction have variable effects among taxa, especially at the top of the trophic network including insectivorous bats. very few studies compared the effects of agricultural practices on such taxa, and overall, only as a comparison of conventional versus organic farming without accurately accounting for underlying practices, ...201829435227
babesia vesperuginis in common pipistrelle ( pipistrellus pipistrellus) and the bat soft tick argas vespertilionis in republic of china.babesia vesperuginis was molecularly detected in 10% (5/48) of common pipistrelle bats ( pipistrellus pipistrellus) in shihezi city, northwestern china. interestingly, four bat ticks ( argas vespertilionis), from babesia dna-positive common pipistrelle bats, were also positive for b. vesperuginis. our findings extend the geographic range of the common pipistrelle bat as a reservoir of b. vesperuginis in asia.201829377752
body size information in large-scale acoustic bat databases.citizen monitoring programs using acoustic data have been useful for detecting population and community patterns. however, they have rarely been used to study broad scale patterns of species traits. we assessed the potential of acoustic data to detect broad scale patterns in body size. we compared geographical patterns in body size with acoustic signals in the bat species pipistrellus pipistrellus. given the correlation between body size and acoustic characteristics, we expected to see similar r ...201830155347
effects of dimming light-emitting diode street lights on light-opportunistic and light-averse bats in suburban habitats.emerging lighting technologies provide opportunities for reducing carbon footprints, and for biodiversity conservation. in addition to installing light-emitting diode street lights, many local authorities are also dimming street lights. this might benefit light-averse bat species by creating dark refuges for these bats to forage and commute in human-dominated habitats. we conducted a field experiment to determine how light intensity affects the activity of the light-opportunistic pipistrellus pi ...201830110419
detection of tick-borne bacteria and babesia with zoonotic potential in argas (carios) vespertilionis (latreille, 1802) ticks from british bats.ticks host a wide range of zoonotic pathogens and are a significant source of diseases that affect humans and livestock. however, little is known about the pathogens associated with bat ticks. we have collected ectoparasites from bat carcasses over a seven year period. nucleic acids (dna and rna) were extracted from 296 ticks removed from bats and the species designation was confirmed in all ticks as argas (carios) vespertilionis. a subset of these samples (n = 120) were tested for the presence ...201829382871
bartonella dna in heart tissues of bats in central and eastern europe and a review of phylogenetic relations of bat-associated bartonellae.bats are among the most widely distributed mammals worldwide and can represent hosts or reservoirs for a number of different pathogens. bartonella spp. are opportunistic bacterial pathogens, which are transmitted by a large variety of arthropods. the aim of this study was to investigate the presence and host-associations of these gram-negative bacteria in heart tissues of bats collected in four different countries from eastern and central europe and to analyze their phylogenetic relationship wit ...201830157912
mitigating the negative impacts of tall wind turbines on bats: vertical activity profiles and relationships to wind speed.wind turbines represent a source of hazard for bats, especially through collision with rotor blades. with increasing technical development, tall turbines (rotor-swept zone 50-150 m above ground level) are becoming widespread, yet we lack quantitative information about species active at these heights, which impedes proposing targeted mitigation recommendations for bat-friendly turbine operation. we investigated vertical activity profiles of a bat assemblage, and their relationships to wind speed, ...201829561851
the recently discovered bokeloh bat lyssavirus: insights into its genetic heterogeneity and spatial distribution in europe and the population genetics of its primary host.in 2010, a novel lyssavirus named bokeloh bat lyssavirus (bblv) was isolated from a natterer's bat (myotis nattereri) in germany. two further viruses were isolated in the same country and in france in recent years, all from the same bat species and all found in moribund or dead bats. here we report the description and the full-length genome sequence of five additional bblv isolates from germany (n=4) and france (n=1). interestingly, all of them were isolated from the natterer's bat, except one f ...201729029727
tissue distribution of the mers-coronavirus receptor in bats.middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus (mers-cov) has been shown to infect both humans and dromedary camels using dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (dpp4) as its receptor. the distribution of dpp4 in the respiratory tract tissues of humans and camels reflects mers-cov tropism. apart from dromedary camels, insectivorous bats are suggested as another natural reservoir for mers-like-covs. in order to gain insight on the tropism of these viruses in bats, we studied the dpp4 distribution in the respirator ...201728446791
no evidence for spectral jamming avoidance in echolocation behavior of foraging pipistrelle bats.frequency shifts in signals of bats flying near conspecifics have been interpreted as a spectral jamming avoidance response (jar). however, several prerequisites supporting a jar hypothesis have not been controlled for in previous studies. we recorded flight and echolocation behavior of foraging pipistrellus pipistrellus while flying alone and with a conspecific and tested whether frequency changes were due to a spectral jar with an increased frequency difference, or whether changes could be exp ...201627502900
fur: a non-invasive approach to monitor metal exposure in bats.this paper presents a novel assessment of the use of fur as a non-invasive proxy to biomonitor metal contamination in insectivorous bats. concentrations of metals (cadmium, copper, lead and zinc) were measured using icp-ms in tissues (kidneys, liver, stomach and stomach content, bones and fur) obtained from 193 pipistrellus pipistrellus/pygmaeus bats. the bats were collected across a gradient of metal pollution in england and wales. the utility of small samples of fur as an indicator of metal ex ...201626774302
bats in a mediterranean mountainous landscape: does wind farm repowering induce changes at assemblage and species level?we reported data on flying bat assemblages in a mediterranean mountain landscape of central italy on a 5-year time span (2005-2010) where a wind farm repowering has been carried out (from 2009, 17 three-blade turbines substituted an a priori set of one-blade turbines). in 4 yearly based surveys, we calculated a set of univariate metrics at species and assemblage level and also performing a diversity/dominance analysis (k-dominance plots) to evaluate temporal changes. nine species of bats were pr ...201626952112
[taxonomy of the sokuluk virus (sokv) (flaviviridae, flavivirus, entebbe bat virus group) isolated from bats (vespertilio pipistrellus schreber, 1774), ticks (argasidae koch, 1844), and birds in kyrgyzstan].complete genome sequencing of the sokuluk virus (sokv) isolated in kyrgyzstan from bats vespertilio pipistrellus and their obligatory parasites--argasidae koch, 1844, ticks was carried out. sokv was classified as attributed to the flaviviridae family, flavivirus genus. the maximum homology (71% for nucleotide and 79% for amino acid sequences) was detected with respect to the entebbe bat virus (entv). entv and sokv form a group joining to the yellow fever virus (yfv) within the limits of the mosq ...201625065143
habitat use of migratory bats killed during autumn at wind turbines.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 noct ...201627411249
habitat preferences of soprano pipistrelle pipistrellus pygmaeus (leach, 1825) and common pipistrelle pipistrellus pipistrellus (schreber, 1774) in two different woodlands in north east scotland.alek rachwald, tim bradford, zbigniew borowski, and paul a. racey (2016) the habitat preferences of the soprano pipistrelle pipistrellus pygmaeus and the common pipistrelle pipistrellus pipistrellus living in sympatry, were investigated in north east scotland, using bat detector transects. bat flight, foraging and social activity in natural birch woodland was compared with that in managed non-native coniferous woodland. each area consists of riparian habitat, meadow-forest ecotone and dense fore ...201631966167
histological and histochemical analysis of the gastrointestinal tract of the common pipistrelle bat (pipistrellus pipistrellus).bats have a very high mass-specific energy demand due to small size and active flight. european bat species are mostly insectivorous and the morphology of the gastrointestinal tract should be adapted accordingly. this study investigated the general anatomy by histology and the function by analysing carbohydrate distribution in particular of the mucus of the gi tract of the insectivorous bat pipistrellus pipistrellus. the gi tracts of three individuals were dissected, fixed in formaldehyde, and e ...201526150154
predicting species distributions using record centre data: multi-scale modelling of habitat suitability for bat roosts.conservation increasingly operates at the landscape scale. for this to be effective, we need landscape scale information on species distributions and the environmental factors that underpin them. species records are becoming increasingly available via data centres and online portals, but they are often patchy and biased. we demonstrate how such data can yield useful habitat suitability models, using bat roost records as an example. we analysed the effects of environmental variables at eight spat ...201526053548
trace metal concentrations in hairs of three bat species from an urbanized area in germany.metal-contaminated soils and sediments are widespread in urbanized areas due to atmospheric deposition close to emission sources. these metals are bio-available for organisms, e.g., insects, and accumulate in food chains of insectivorous mammals. especially bats, which live in urban regions and ingest large amounts of food relative to their body mass, are at risk of being poisoned due to the accumulation of trace metals. to determine species-specific trace metal contents in bats from urban envir ...201525968272
novel cryptosporidium bat genotypes iii and iv in bats from the usa and czech republic.bats from the families rhinolophidae (n = 90) and vespertilionidae (n = 191) in the usa and czech republic were screened for the presence of cryptosporidium by microscopic and molecular analysis of faecal samples collected from rectum of dissected animals and from the ground beneath roosting sites. cryptosporidium oocysts were not detected in any of the 281 faecal specimens examined using the aniline-carbol-methyl violet staining method. nested pcr amplification, sequencing and phylogenetic anal ...201526255170
alphacoronaviruses detected in french bats are phylogeographically linked to coronaviruses of european bats.bats are a reservoir for a diverse range of viruses, including coronaviruses (covs). to determine the presence of covs in french bats, fecal samples were collected between july and august of 2014 from four bat species in seven different locations around the city of bourges in france. we present for the first time the presence of alpha-covs in french pipistrellus pipistrellus bat species with an estimated prevalence of 4.2%. based on the analysis of a fragment of the rna-dependent rna polymerase ...201526633467
the ecological impact of city lighting scenarios: exploring gap crossing thresholds for urban bats.as the global population urbanizes, dramatic changes are expected in city lighting and the urban form, which may threaten the functioning of urban ecosystems and the services they deliver. however, little is known about the ecological impact of lighting in different urban contexts. movement is an important ecological process that can be disrupted by artificial lighting. we explored the impact of lighting on gap crossing for pipistrellus pipistrellus, a species of bat (chiroptera) common within u ...201525644403
the impacts of new street light technologies: experimentally testing the effects on bats of changing from low-pressure sodium to white metal halide.artificial light at night is a major feature of anthropogenic global change and is increasingly recognized as affecting biodiversity, often negatively. on a global scale, newer technology white lights are replacing orange sodium lights to reduce energy waste. in 2009, cornwall county council (uk) commenced replacement of existing low-pressure sodium (lps) high intensity discharge (hid) street lights with new phillips cosmopolis white ceramic metal halide street lights to reduce energy wastage. t ...201525780239
correlative 3d-imaging of pipistrellus penis micromorphology: validating quantitative microct images with undecalcified serial ground section histomorphology.detailed knowledge of histomorphology is a prerequisite for the understanding of function, variation, and development. in bats, as in other mammals, penis and baculum morphology are important in species discrimination and phylogenetic studies. in this study, nondestructive 3d-microtomographic (microct, µct) images of bacula and iodine-stained penes of pipistrellus pipistrellus were correlated with light microscopic images from undecalcified surface-stained ground sections of three of these penes ...201525703625
is part-night lighting an effective measure to limit the impacts of artificial lighting on bats?as light pollution is currently considered to be a major threat to biodiversity, different lighting management options are being explored to mitigate the impact of artificial lighting on wildlife. although part-night lighting schemes have been adopted by many local authorities across europe to reduce the carbon footprint and save energy, their effects on biodiversity are unknown. through a paired, in situ experiment, we compared the activity levels of 8 bat species under unlit, part-night, and f ...201526179558
barriers and benefits: implications of artificial night-lighting for the distribution of common bats in britain and ireland.artificial lighting is a particular problem for animals active at night. approximately 69% of mammal species are nocturnal, and one-third of these are bats. due to their extensive movements-both on a nightly basis to exploit ephemeral food supplies, and during migration between roosts-bats have an unusually high probability of encountering artificial light in the landscape. this paper reviews the impacts of lighting on bats and their prey, exploring the direct and indirect consequences of lighti ...201525780236
testing hypotheses of bat baculum function with 3d models derived from microct.the baculum (os penis) has been extensively studied as a taxon-specific character in bats and other mammals but its mechanical function is still unclear. there is a wide consensus in the literature that the baculum is probably a sexually selected character. using a novel approach combining postmortem manipulation and three-dimensional (3d) imaging, we tested two functional hypotheses in the common noctule bat nyctalus noctula, the common pipistrelle pipistrellus pipistrellus, and nathusius' pipi ...201525655647
enhanced passive bat rabies surveillance in indigenous bat species from germany--a retrospective study.in germany, rabies in bats is a notifiable zoonotic disease, which is caused by european bat lyssaviruses type 1 and 2 (eblv-1 and 2), and the recently discovered new lyssavirus species bokeloh bat lyssavirus (bblv). as the understanding of bat rabies in insectivorous bat species is limited, in addition to routine bat rabies diagnosis, an enhanced passive surveillance study, i.e. the retrospective investigation of dead bats that had not been tested for rabies, was initiated in 1998 to study the ...201424784117
no evidence of coronavirus infection by reverse transcriptase-pcr in bats in belgium.no coronavirus was detected by pcr in lung and intestine samples of 100 bats, mostly common pipistrelles (pipistrellus pipistrellus), collected dead between 2008 and 2013 for rabies surveillance in belgium. the negative results contrast with the high prevalence of coronaviruses detected in fecal pellets from live-captured bats in some european countries.201425098304
seroprevalence dynamics of european bat lyssavirus type 1 in a multispecies bat colony.we report an active surveillance study of the occurrence of specific antibodies to european bat lyssavirus type 1 (eblv-1) in bat species, scarcely studied hitherto, that share the same refuge. from 2004 to 2012, 406 sera were obtained from nine bat species. blood samples were subjected to a modified fluorescent antibody virus neutralization test to determine the antibody titer. eblv-1-neutralizing antibodies were detected in six of the nine species analyzed (pipistrellus pipistrellus, p. kuhlii ...201425192547
toxoplasma gondii: prevalence in species and genotypes of british bats (pipistrellus pipistrellus and p. pygmaeus).few studies have investigated toxoplasma gondii infections in bat populations and none have reported its presence in protected british bat species. using a collection of dead/euthanased bats collected from lancashire, uk, two species of bats (pipistrellus pipistrellus and pipistrellus pygmaeus) were tested using a highly sensitive sag1-pcr method specific for detection of t. gondii dna (n=77; 71 p. pipistrellus and 6 p. pygmaeus). whilst some potential bias may exist in the sampling strategy, an ...201424560770
novel dicistrovirus from bat guano.a novel dicistrovirus (strain nb-1/2011/hun, kj802403) genome was detected from guano collected from an insectivorous bat (species pipistrellus pipistrellus) in hungary, using viral metagenomics. the complete genome of nb-1 is 9136 nt in length, excluding the poly(a) tail. nb-1 has a genome organization typical of a dicistrovirus with multiple 3b(vpg) and a cripavirus-like intergenic region (igr)-ires. nb-1 shares only 41 % average amino acid sequence identity with capsid proteins of himetobi p ...201425168044
molecular detection of histoplasma capsulatum in the lung of a free-ranging common noctule (nyctalus noctula) from france using the hcp100 gene.histoplasma capsulatum is a dimorphic fungus that is widely distributed in the tropical or subtropical areas of the world and infects several mammalian hosts, mainly bats. infective propagules grow in bat and bird droppings. a specific molecular marker, a highly sensitive fragment of a co-activator protein-coding gene (hcp100), was used to detect h. capsulatum in lung samples of wild and captive bats from france using a nested polymerase chain reaction. to determine whether bats in france are po ...201323505698
scanning behavior in echolocating common pipistrelle bats (pipistrellus pipistrellus).echolocating bats construct an auditory world sequentially by analyzing successive pulse-echo pairs. many other mammals rely upon a visual world, acquired by sequential foveal fixations connected by visual gaze saccades. we investigated the scanning behavior of bats and compared it to visual scanning. we assumed that each pulse-echo pair evaluation corresponds to a foveal fixation and that sonar beam movements between pulses can be seen as acoustic gaze saccades. we used a two-dimensional 16 mic ...201323580164
dipeptidyl peptidase 4 is a functional receptor for the emerging human coronavirus-emc.most human coronaviruses cause mild upper respiratory tract disease but may be associated with more severe pulmonary disease in immunocompromised individuals. however, sars coronavirus caused severe lower respiratory disease with nearly 10% mortality and evidence of systemic spread. recently, another coronavirus (human coronavirus-erasmus medical center (hcov-emc)) was identified in patients with severe and sometimes lethal lower respiratory tract infection. viral genome analysis revealed close ...201323486063
insectivorous bats digest chitin in the stomach using acidic mammalian chitinase.the gastrointestinal tract of animals is adapted to their primary source of food to optimize resource use and energy intake. temperate bat species mainly feed on arthropods. these contain the energy-rich carbohydrate chitin, which is indigestible for the endogenous enzymes of a typical mammalian gastrointestinal tract. however, the gastrointestinal tract of bat species should be adapted to their diet and be able to digest chitin. we hypothesized that (i) european vespertilionid bat species have ...201324019876
bats at risk? bat activity and insecticide residue analysis of food items in an apple orchard.although bats are reported as being threatened by pesticides, they are currently not considered in european union pesticide risk assessments. the reason for that contradiction is probably related to the scarcity of information on bat activity in pesticide-treated fields and the pesticide residues on their food items. the authors recorded bat activity and measured pesticide residues on bat-specific food items following applications of two insecticides in an apple orchard. high activity levels of ...201222505289
habitat composition and connectivity predicts bat presence and activity at foraging sites in a large uk conurbation.urbanization is characterized by high levels of sealed land-cover, and small, geometrically complex, fragmented land-use patches. the extent and density of urbanized land-use is increasing, with implications for habitat quality, connectivity and city ecology. little is known about densification thresholds for urban ecosystem function, and the response of mammals, nocturnal and cryptic taxa are poorly studied in this respect. bats (chiroptera) are sensitive to changing urban form at a species, gu ...201222428015
genomic characterization of a newly discovered coronavirus associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome in humans.a novel human coronavirus (hcov-emc/2012) was isolated from a man with acute pneumonia and renal failure in june 2012. this report describes the complete genome sequence, genome organization, and expression strategy of hcov-emc/2012 and its relation with known coronaviruses. the genome contains 30,119 nucleotides and contains at least 10 predicted open reading frames, 9 of which are predicted to be expressed from a nested set of seven subgenomic mrnas. phylogenetic analysis of the replicase gene ...201223170002
[demonstration of nycteribia kolenati (diptera, nycteribiidae) in west germany and west berlin].19 records of n. kolenatii from 10 different localities are given. the bat species myotis daubentoni, m. mystacinus, pipistrellus pipistrellus and nyctalus noctula were found as hosts.20123425966
gastrointestinal helminths of pipistrelle bats (pipistrellus pipistrellus/pipistrellus pygmaeus) (chiroptera: vespertilionidae) of england.although bats are one of the most successful and diverse of mammalian orders, studies that focus upon bat endoparasites are limited. to further knowledge of bat parasitology, pipistrelle bats (pipistrellus pipistrellus and p. pygmaeus) were acquired from across the greater manchester and lancashire region of england and examined for gastrointestinal helminths using morphological and molecular analyses. sixty-eight of 90 adult/juvenile bats (76% prevalence) were infected with at least 1 species o ...201222217158
between-species jamming avoidance in pipistrelles?past studies have reported that bats modify the spectral-temporal features of their vocalizations to avoid interference from the vocalizations of conspecifics (jamming avoidance). we tested for within, and between-species jamming avoidance in two sympatrically occurring species of vespertilionid bats, pipistrellus pipistrellus and pipistrellus nathusii. in both species the peak frequencies of the narrowband frequency component from samples of bats flying with conspecifics varied more than those ...201120938777
thermal energetics and torpor in the common pipistrelle bat, pipistrellus pipistrellus (vespertilionidae: mammalia).rate of metabolism and body temperature were studied between -6°c and 38°c in the common pipistrelle bat pipistrellus pipistrellus (vespertilionidae), a european species lying close to the lower end of the mammalian size range (body mass 4.9±0.8g, n=28). individuals maintained only occasionally a normothermic body temperature averaging 35.4±1.1°c (n=4) and often showed torpor during metabolic runs. the thermoneutral zone was found above 33°c, and basal rate of metabolism averaged 7.6±0.8ml o(2)h ...201121736950
seasonal and geographical distribution of cave-dwelling bats in romania: implications for conservation.caves offer bats refuges for hibernation, breeding and other social events. their quality is important for species distribution. the role of cave microclimate as well as other environmental factors influencing the distribution of cave-dwelling species, is poorly known. we tested the significance of cave variables (length, temperature, elevation, occurrence of water) and geographical location for the presence of bats during hibernation and the breeding season in five regions in romania. to detect ...201132313439
mechanisms of radiation in a bat group from the genus pipistrellus inferred by phylogeography, demography and population genetics.here, we present a study of the pipistrellus pipistrellus species complex, a highly diversified bat group with a radiation centre in the mediterranean biodiversity hotspot. the study sample comprised 583 animals from 118 localities representatively covering the bats' range in the western palearctic. we used fast-evolving markers (the mitochondrial d-loop sequence and 11 nuclear microsatellites) to describe the phylogeography, demography and population structure of this model taxon and address de ...201021054608
wind turbines and bat mortality: doppler shift profiles and ultrasonic bat-like pulse reflection from moving turbine blades.bat mortality resulting from actual or near-collision with operational wind turbine rotors is a phenomenon that is widespread but not well understood. because bats rely on information contained in high-frequency echoes to determine the nature and movement of a target, it is important to consider how ultrasonic pulses similar to those used by bats for echolocation may be interacting with operational turbine rotor blades. by assessing the characteristics of reflected ultrasonic echoes, moving turb ...201020968394
great tits search for, capture, kill and eat hibernating bats.ecological pressure paired with opportunism can lead to surprising innovations in animal behaviour. here, we report predation of great tits (parus major) on hibernating pipistrelle bats (pipistrellus pipistrellus) at a hungarian cave. over two winters, we directly observed 18 predation events. the tits specifically and systematically searched for and killed bats for food. a substantial decrease in predation on bats after experimental provisioning of food to the tits further supports the hypothes ...201019740892
circulation of group 2 coronaviruses in a bat species common to urban areas in western europe.fecal samples of 211 bats representing 13 different bat species from 31 locations in the netherlands were analyzed for the presence of coronaviruses (cov) using a genus-wide reverse transcription (rt)-polymerase chain reaction. covs are known for their high potential for interspecies transmission, including zoonotic transmission with bats as reservoir hosts. for the first time, a group 2 cov was found in a bat, pipistrellus pipistrellus, in europe. this is of particular interest for public healt ...201020055576
heavy metals and metallothionein in vespertilionid bats foraging over aquatic habitats in the czech republic.there has been growing interest in the study and conservation of bats throughout the world. declines in their absolute numbers in recent decades are due, in part, to the fact that insectivorous bats may bioaccumulate toxic pollutants. the purpose of the present study was to quantify heavy metal concentrations in kidney, liver, and pectoral muscle samples in relation to metallothionein (mt) levels. in total, 106 bats belonging to 11 european species (i.e., myotis myotis, myotis daubentonii, myoti ...201020821471
new adenovirus in bats, germany.we tested 55 deceased vespertilionid bats of 12 species from southern germany for virus infections. a new adenovirus was isolated from tissue samples of 2 pipistrellus pipistrellus bats, which represents the only chiropteran virus isolate found in europe besides lyssavirus (rabies virus). evidence was found for adenovirus transmission between bats.200919961700
flight and echolocation behaviour of three vespertilionid bat species while commuting on flyways.this study compares the flight and echolocation behaviour of three vespertilionid bat species while they commute on flyways. we measured the bats' spatial position relative to vertical background contours and relative to the ground while recording their echolocation behaviour. in myotis daubentonii, we found a significant influence of spatial context on the position and dimensions of flyways as well as on echolocation behaviour. in gap situations, flyways tended to be narrower and located closer ...200717885759
geographic profiling and animal foraging.geographic profiling was originally developed as a statistical tool for use in criminal cases, particularly those involving serial killers and rapists. it is designed to help police forces prioritize lists of suspects by using the location of crime scenes to identify the areas in which the criminal is most likely to live. two important concepts are the buffer zone (criminals are less likely to commit crimes in the immediate vicinity of their home) and distance decay (criminals commit fewer crime ...200616263134
frequency modulation patterns in the echolocation signals of two vespertilionid bats.in this study we measure and classify frequency modulation patterns in echolocation signals of two species of bats. by using the derivative of an exponential model fitted to pulses emitted by pipistrellus pipistrellus and myotis myotis, we show that the modulation functions differ fundamentally between the two species and also vary within each species. this variation makes it unlikely that pulse design and the concomitant modulation pattern can be explained by a single common principle as previo ...200515568143
molecular architecture of pipistrellus pipistrellus/pipistrellus pygmaeus complex (chiroptera: vespertilionidae): further cryptic species and mediterranean origin of the divergence.previous genetic analyses have demonstrated that two phonic types of one of the most common european bats, the common pipistrelle, belong to distinct species, although they are almost identical morphologically (45 khz pipistrellus pipistrellus and 55 khz pipistrellus pygmaeus). to reconstruct the history of the species complex and explain the codistribution of both forms in europe and the mediterranean, we performed phylogenetic analysis based on a 402-bp portion of the cytochrome b gene. partic ...200415288073
pericentric satellite dna sequences in pipistrellus pipistrellus (vespertilionidae; chiroptera).this paper reports the molecular and cytogenetic characterization of a hindiii family of satellite dna in the bat species pipistrellus pipistrellus. this satellite is organized in tandem repeats of 418 bp monomer units, and represents approximately 3% of the whole genome. the consensus sequence from five cloned monomer units has an a-t content of 62.20%. we have found differences in the ladder pattern of bands between two populations of the same species. these differences are probably because of ...200312939623
ultrastructural aspects of the follicular cells of the pars tuberalis in bats related to the seasonal cycle.the topography and structure of the follicular cells and the follicular cavity of the hypophyseal pars tuberalis (pt) were studied in adult hibernating bats (pipistrellus pipistrellus and rhinolophus ferrumequinum) of both sexes, during the annual seasonal cycle and the reproductive cycle. the follicular cells were found to be organized around a central cavity. they showed a polyhedral shape and apical microvilli protruding into central cavities. during hibernation, the follicular cells showed a ...200312845712
composition and structure of helminth communities in two populations of pipistrellus pipistrellus (chiroptera: vespertilionidae) from spain.the community composition and structure of helminths of pipistrellus pipistrellus (schreber, 1774) from two widely separated spanish localities, el saler (n = 42) and the san pedro pothole (n = 34), were determined and compared. five species of trematodes, plagiorchis (plagiorchis) sp., lecithodendrium (lecithodendrium) linstowi dollfus, 1931, prosthodendrium (prosthodendrium) sp., pycnoporus heteroporus (dujardin, 1845) and parabascus semisquamosus (braun, 1900), and one species of cestode, hym ...200111437129
moth hearing in response to bat echolocation calls manipulated independently in time and frequency.we measured the auditory responses of the noctuid moth noctua pronuba to bat echolocation calls which were manipulated independently in time and frequency. such manipulations are important in understanding how insect hearing influences the evolution of echolocation call characteristics. we manipulated the calls of three bat species (rhinolophus hipposideros, myotis nattereri and pipistrellus pipistrellus) that use different echolocation call features by doubling their duration or reducing their ...200011467425
influence of torpor on milk protein composition and secretion in lactating bats.in the pipistrelle bat (pipistrellus pipistrellus), the metabolic load of lactation is not met to any significant extent by increased food intake or mobilization of body reserves, and aerial foraging accounts for most of the animal's energy expenditure even during lactation. energy conservation must, therefore, play a critical role in maintaining lactation. the principal mechanism for energy conservation appears to be the bat's ability to enter torpor, but this may itself interrupt milk synthesi ...199910368932
effect of roost size on the emergence behaviour of pipistrelle bats.we refined established methods for examining the temporal organization of behavioural events and applied them to the study of bats emerging from roost sites. previous studies have shown that as roosting numbers of bats increase, temporal patterning (clustering) in their emergence behaviour, as measured by chi(2)or g statistics, also increases. expressing the extent of temporal clustering using chi(2)or g, however, confounds two effects. the statistic may increase because clustering increases. ho ...199910512652
intraspecific responses to distress calls of the pipistrelle bat, pipistrellus pipistrellusresponses of the vespertilionid bat pipistrellus pipistrellus to five recently caught conspecifics confined to a wire-mesh cage, at distances of 50 and 5 m from their roosts, were recorded on 12 separate evenings at three roosts during pregnancy and lactation. when bats were confined 50 m from their roost, an almost 20-fold increase in the number of bats that passed across an open site around the cage was recorded and the strength of response (number of bat passes) increased with time. when the ...19989514675
roost selection in the pipistrelle bat, pipistrellus pipistrellus (chiroptera: vespertilionidae), in northeast scotland.availability of suitable roost sites may limit bat distribution and abundance. we compared nine internal and 26 external features of 21 known roost buildings with those of 17 random buildings in northeast scotland, u.k. (57 degreesn) to assess whether pipistrelle bats, pipistrellus pipistrellus (55-khz phonotype) are selective in their use of roosts. bats did not select roosts with specific structural attributes. compared with random buildings, roosts were closer to a tree over 10 m tall and had ...19989790702
can skull morphology be used to predict ecological relationships between bat species? a test using two cryptic species of pipistrelle.can ecological relationships between bat species be predicted largely on the basis of morphology? this question was addressed by investigating skull morphology of two cryptic species of the pipistrelle bat. since 45 pipistrellus pipistrellus apparently eats larger prey than 55 p. pipistrellus, we predicted that it would have a larger overall skull size, a larger dentary apparatus, and a larger gape. to test these predictions, variables were measured from skulls of the two cryptic species, and co ...19979404031
season related ultrastructural features of the parotid, submandibular and von ebner's glands in hibernating bats.the parotid, submandibular and the von ebner's salivary glands of hibernating insectivorous bats (pipistrellus pipistrellus, rhinolophus f. e. and eptesicus serotinus) were studied by transmission electron microscopy and by histochemical methods during various seasons of the year. we report the seasonal ultrastructural changes that occur in the cytoplasmic organelles and the secretory granules of the serous and mucous cells and in the intercalated and striated ducts of the major glands. it previ ...19968874091
[the fine structure of the gustatory cells of the circumvallate, foliate and fungiform papillae in hibernating bats].the cells of vallate, foliate and fungiform papillae were studied in insectivore hibernating bats (pipistrellus pipistrellus and rhinolophus ferrumequinum) in the various epochs of the year in order to show cell types the seasonal changes. on the basis of the ultrastructural aspects and the relationships with nerve endings, besides the few basal cells, three types of sensorial cells can be identified: dark type i cells, light type ii cells and light type iii cells. all gustatory cells, long and ...199610021731
renal coccidiosis with cystic tubular dilatation in four bats.renal coccidiosis was diagnosed in four bats of different species (pipistrellus pipistrellus, myotis mystacinus, m. nattereri, and nyctalus noctula). multiple white and partly indented foci up to 2 mm in diameter were visible on the renal surface. histologically, the foci appeared as cystic dilated tubules with proliferated epithelium. asexual and sexual coccidian stages were seen in the epithelial cells, and the extremely distended tubular lumina were filled with schizonts, free zoites, microga ...19968817846
generalised aa-amyloidosis in a bat (pipistrellus pipistrellus).generalized amyloidosis was found to be the cause of death in a female adult insectivorous pipistrelle bat (pipistrellus pipistrellus) after chronic wound inflammation. large amounts of amyloid were detected in liver, spleen, kidneys, stomach, intestine, lymphatic tissues, and endocrine and salivary glands. congo red staining and green birefringence identified amyloid; the congo red staining was sensitive to potassium permanganate oxidation. the amyloid was further classified immunohistochemical ...19968817841
a comparison of the toxicity to laboratory mice and pipistrelle bats pipistrellus pipistrellus of exposure to remedially-treated timber.many species of bats roost in roof spaces and can come into contact with pesticides used to treat roof timbers against rot. as part of a study to develop a test with laboratory mice which could be used to predict the likely toxicity of pesticides to bats, the toxic effects on pipistrelle bats pipistrellus pipistrellus and laboratory mice (cflp outbred-strain) of exposure to dieldrin-treated timber were compared. dose (amount of dieldrin applied to the wood surface) - response (mortality) studies ...199621781714
ultrastructural and morphometric features of nodal and impulse-conducting cardiac myocytes of the bat pipistrellus pipistrellus.cells of the impulse-generating and conducting tissues of the insect-eating bat pipistrellus pipistrellus were studied and evaluated using ultrastructural morphometry. sinoatrial node cells are smaller than working atrial cells and measure about 6.5 microm in diameter. their mitochondira and myofibril content constitute 23% and 19% of cytoplasmic volume, respectively. corresponding values for working atrial cells are 23% and 52%. atrioventricular node cells are 4.2 microm in diameter and contain ...199511322301
bioaccumulation of selected organochlorines in bats and tits: influence of chemistry and biology.we analyzed six organochlorine compounds (hcb, lindane, p,p'-dde, pcb # 138, #153, and # 180) from populations of the european great tit (parus major) and from five species of bats (pipistrellus pipistrellus, nyctalus noctula, plecotus auritus, plecotus austriacus, myotis myotis). a weak positive correlation between kow (n-octanol /water partition coefficient) and bioaccumulation (measured as residue values) was found within each species. however, the ratio of the concentrations in bats compared ...199524234684
[experimental lyssavirus infection in chiropters].insectivorous bats, pipistrellus pipistrellus in the active stage and hibernation were inoculated with bat unclassified lyssavirus aravan and lyssavirus serotypes 1 and 4. the influence of hibernation on the duration of the incubation period and the distribution of viruses in extraneural tissues was demonstrated. clinical symptoms of the diseases caused by different strains are described.19948160441
organochlorine residues in spanish common pipistrelle bats (pipistrellus pipistrellus). 19948123983
morphological study by scanning electron microscopy of the lingual papillae in the common european bat (pipistrellus pipistrellus).there are many accounts of the tongues of mammals observed with scanning electron microscopy (sem), but apparently only one article about the tongue of the chiroptera. in the present study the tongue surface (after removing extracellular material) of the european common bat (pipistrellus pipstrellus) was examined. the tongue is covered with papillae and has an elevation between its medial and posterior half. there are three types of papillae: filiform, fungiform and circumvallate, and the filifo ...19937690226
bimodal echolocation in pipistrelle bats: are cryptic species present?the pipistrelle bat pipistrellus pipistrellus is the most widespread in europe, and is often the most abundant bat species in northern and central europe. p. pipistrellus has traditionally been considered as one species throughout europe. here we show that: (i) the echolocation calls of pipistrelles fall into two distinct frequency bands in britain, with frequencies containing most energy averaging 46 khz and 55 khz; (ii) roosts consist of bats which use only one form of echolocation; (iii) smal ...19938096079
[structure and seasonal aspects of the bat gallbladder].the gallbladder of the insectivorous hibernating bats (pipistrellus pipistrellus et rhinolophus ferrumequinum) in fullness, shows a fundus, a corpus and a neck. its wall is formed by three layers: mucous membrane, with simple columnar epithelium on a thin basal lamina, beneath which is a "lamina propria" of connective tissue with blood and lymphatic vessels; lamina muscularis, constituted by three of four parallel bundles of smooth muscle cells, arranged in circular pattern; serous membrane of l ...19937941908
comparative ultrastructural morphometric analysis of atrial specific granules in the bat, mouse, and rat.size, incidence, and volume density of atrial specific granules (asg) in right atrial cells from five animals each of the rat (average weight 210 g), mouse (average weight 28 g), fruit-eating bat megaloglossus woermanni (bmw; average weight 35 g), and the insect-eating bat pipistrellus pipistrellus (bpp; average weight 6 g) have been compared via ultrastructural morphometry. in all three parameters of granule measurement, significantly higher figures were obtained in the rodents than in the bats ...19938417631
effect of stage of lactation and milk accumulation on mammary cell differentiation in lactating bats.mammary cell differentiation was measured in lactating pipistrelle bats (pipistrellus pipistrellus) by assay of key enzyme activities, and by determination of protein and lactose synthesis rates in short-term tissue cultures. by these criteria, mammary cell differentiation did not change significantly with stage of lactation, but depended on the extent to which the gland was filled with milk. key enzyme activities and in vitro synthesis rates were significantly higher in glands suckled immediate ...19921489545
oxygen consumption and evaporation during parturition in a vespertilionid bat (pipistrellus pipistrellus).oxygen consumption and evaporation were measured in a single pregnant pipistrelle bat during labour and parturition of twins, using an open-flow respirometry system. during 233 min of measurements, three distinct phases were noted, which we suggest represent prelabour, labour and grooming or suckling the young. on the basis of this hypothesis, during labour and parturition, oxygen consumption was a maximum of 8.9% of daily energy expenditure, evaporation was 2.7% of daily water turnover, and tot ...19921593549
arrhythmic breathing in torpid pipistrelle bats, pipistrellus pipistrellus.the arrhythmic breathing pattern of torpid female pipistrelle bats (pipistrellus pipistrellus) was monitored using doppler radar. a total of 98 h of radar measurements were made on 11 individuals over 17 experiments, during which time 974 apneic intervals were monitored, over ambient temperatures (ta, degrees c) ranging from -1 to 14 degrees c, and body masses ranging from 4.6 to 7.4 g. as ta declined, a greater proportion of all breaths occurred in discrete breathing bouts. apneic intervals len ...19911947458
immunological identification of uncoupling protein in interscapular "brown" adipose tissue of suckling and adult pipistrelle bats (pipistrellus pipistrellus).1. interscapular adipose tissue of suckling and adult pipistrelle bats was examined for the presence of the 32,000 mr "uncoupling protein" diagnostic of brown adipose tissue. 2. following separation by sds-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, mitochondrial proteins were blotted onto nitrocellulose and probed for uncoupling protein with an anti-(ground squirrel uncoupling protein) serum. 3. immunoreactivity consistent with the presence of uncoupling protein was found in all samples of adipose tiss ...19911764910
helminth parasites in some spanish bats.nineteen bats of the species rhinolophus ferrumequinum, r. hipposideros, myotis myotis, m. nattereri, pipistrellus pipistrellus, barbastella barbastellus, eptesicus serotinus and plecotus auritus captured in n. w. spain in 1983-85 were found to contain the following helminth parasites: mesotretes peregrinus (found in 4 host species and making up 31% of all helminths); plagiorchis vespertilionis (10.5%, in 2 host species); strongylacantha glycirrhiza, molinostrongylus alatus, molineidae gen. sp., ...19911822047
morphometric study of ventricular myocardial cells in the bat (pipistrellus pipistrellus), hamster (mesocricetus auratus) and wistar rat.a comparative morphometric study of ventricular myocardial cells of the west african insect-eating the pipistrellus pipistrellus, the hamster and the rat revealed significant differences in volume fractions of mitochondria myofibrils, lipid bodies and t tubules. in the cells of the bat, mitochondria constitute 35% of cytoplasmic volume compared with 29 and 30% in the hamster and rat, respectively. notably, crista density is much higher in the bat cells (3.58 x 10(5) cm-1) than in those of the ha ...19911746237
oxygen-binding properties of bat hemoglobins.the functional properties of hemolysates from the bats rhinolophus ferrumequinum, miniopterus schreibersi and pipistrellus pipistrellus were studied at 25 degrees c and 37 degrees c over the ph range 7.0-7.4. the concentrations of 2,3-dpg and their effect on hemoglobin o2 affinity were also studied under the same conditions. at ph 7.4 and 37 degrees c hemoglobin o2 affinity was higher than in similarly-sized non-flying, normothermic mammals. the bohr effect values in the three bat species were s ...19911713490
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