Radio-tracking bats: a short review with examples of a study in Italy (original) (raw)
Related papers
Radio-tracking reveals that lesser horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus hipposideros) forage in woodland
Journal of Zoology, 2002
Over the past 50 years European populations of the lesser horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hipposideros have severely declined, probably because of the loss of foraging habitat. To date, studies of the foraging behaviour of this species have been limited as its low mass (4±8 g) precluded the use of radio-telemetry because commercially available radio-transmitters exceeded 10% of its body mass. In this study, radiotransmitters weighing < 0.35 g were built. These increased the body mass of the animals from 4.5% to 8.1%, with no demonstrable adverse effect on their¯ight behaviour. The habitat selection of eight female lesser horseshoe bats was studied in Monmouthshire, U.K. The bats had foraging ranges between 12 and 53 ha (100% kernel). Although one bat foraged 4.2 km from the roost, for 50% of the time tracked bats were recorded within 600 m of the nursery roost. The estimated density within 200 m of the roost was 5.8 foraging bats/ha. This decreased to 0.01 bats/ha at 1200 m. Compositional analysis revealed that this species used woodlands, predominately broadleaf, more than any other habitat. In addition, the bats foraged in areas of high habitat diversity. Conservation management of this species should concentrate on such areas within 2.5 km of the nursery roost.
Radio‐tracking reveals that lesser horseshoe bats ( Rhinolophus hipposideros ) forage in woodland
Journal of Zoology, 2002
Over the past 50 years European populations of the lesser horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hipposideros have severely declined, probably because of the loss of foraging habitat. To date, studies of the foraging behaviour of this species have been limited as its low mass (4±8 g) precluded the use of radio-telemetry because commercially available radio-transmitters exceeded 10% of its body mass. In this study, radiotransmitters weighing < 0.35 g were built. These increased the body mass of the animals from 4.5% to 8.1%, with no demonstrable adverse effect on their¯ight behaviour. The habitat selection of eight female lesser horseshoe bats was studied in Monmouthshire, U.K. The bats had foraging ranges between 12 and 53 ha (100% kernel). Although one bat foraged 4.2 km from the roost, for 50% of the time tracked bats were recorded within 600 m of the nursery roost. The estimated density within 200 m of the roost was 5.8 foraging bats/ha. This decreased to 0.01 bats/ha at 1200 m. Compositional analysis revealed that this species used woodlands, predominately broadleaf, more than any other habitat. In addition, the bats foraged in areas of high habitat diversity. Conservation management of this species should concentrate on such areas within 2.5 km of the nursery roost.
Biological Conservation, 2002
We studied habitat selection by Rhinolophus euryale in a rural area of southern Italy in 1998-2000 by radio-tracking. Two comparisons were carried out, one between habitat occurrence within individual home ranges and within the study area, the other between time spent in each foraging habitat and habitat occurrence within the home range. The first analysis showed that olive groves and conifer plantations were, respectively, the most and the least important habitats. The second analysis highlighted the importance of woodland for R. euryale, while urban sites, open areas and conifer plantations were avoided. We recommend that clearing of continuous, large areas of woodland for tree harvesting should be avoided. Conifers should not be used for reforestation. Urbanisation should be limited in the areas of greatest importance for the species, and linear landscape elements such as tree lines and hedgerows should be maintained. #
Habitat Preferences of Bats in a Rural Area of Sicily Determined by Acoustic Surveys
Hystrix-italian Journal of Mammalogy, 2009
The bat fauna of a 60 km 2 wide area representing the typical rural landscape of inland Sicily and including the small "Rocche di Entella" karstic plateau (Natural Reserve and SAC) was surveyed between May 2006 and September 2007. Sampling was carried out at 95 sites, distributed proportionally in six main habitats. Bat calls were timeexpanded with a D980 bat detector and then identified to species level by a Discriminant Function Analysis. We recorded 305 bat passes and identified 96.4% of recorded calls. Moon phase, cloud cover and their interaction did not affect total bat activity, nor did the sampling period. Aquatic and riparian habitats were preferred, whilst Eucalyptus plantations and vineyards were avoided. At species level, all bats selected the former habitats, except H. savii, and avoided field crops, except Myotis sp. Thermo-Mediterranean shrub formations showed the highest species richness, whereas vineyards had the lowest. Our study emphasizes the value of riparian habitats and low-intensity farming for bat conservation.
Guidelines to Surveillance and Monitoring Methods for European Bats
2014
UNEP promotes environmentally sound practices globally and in its own activities. This publication is printed on chlorine-free, FSCcertified, 60% recycled paper, using environmentally friendly practices. Our distribution policy aims to reduce UNEP's carbon footprint.
Journal of Mammalogy, 2008
We studied the effect of habitat type and prey availability on the foraging decisions of the Mediterranean horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus euryale), a species specialized for cluttered environments. We modeled seasonal habitat selection using radiotelemetry in relation to prey availability in a heterogeneous landscape, determined seasonal diet and prey selection, and used geographic information system data to characterize the landscape surrounding 10 breeding colonies in order to assess the radiotracking results at the population level. Although R. euryale typically has been associated with woodland, our results suggest that the existence of edge habitat, created by semicluttered structures such as hedgerows and woodland edges, was a significant factor in the choice of foraging areas by these bats. Edge habitat was associated with meadows and pastures, creating a landscape highly suited to moths, the preferred prey of R. euryale. In the study area, however, moths were evenly distributed among habitat types; therefore, distribution of moths cannot explain the preference of these bats for semicluttered habitats. The results of our study are consistent with the presumed origin of R. euryale in an edgerich ecosystem (i.e., the savannahs of northern Africa) and establish a new paradigm for how this species uses habitat. This new paradigm, which might also apply to other members of the genus in Europe, should prompt reconsideration of the presumed habitat requirements for this species, and should be incorporated into the conservation policies for the Mediterranean horseshoe bat.
Summer foraging habitats of bats in a Mediterranean region of the Iberian Peninsula
Acta Chiropterologica, 2007
Preservation of foraging habitats is a fundamental approach to bat conservation. Yet, knowledge on the primary foraging sites of Mediterranean bats remains scarce, particularly during the summer when the availability of prey can be limiting. This study was designed to determine in which habitats bats forage in Southern Portugal, during this potentially stressful period. During the summers of 1994 and 1995, bat foraging activity was monitored in representative habitat types using an ultra-sound detector. The number of feeding-buzzes and batpasses were counted and species identified through the analysis of recorded echolocation calls. None of the recorded species restricted its foraging activity to a single habitat type, but water sites were preferred by most bats. Tadarida teniotis was an exception to this habitat use. Further analysis confirmed that riparian habitats when surrounded by autochthonous broad-leaved forests seem to provide optimal foraging areas for bats during summer. Opposite, water sites within habitats resulting from intensive agriculture or forestry, provide very poor foraging areas. The typical Mediterranean landscape of Iberia, dominated by oak-woodlands and with numerous, scattered and well vegetated water sites, seems to grant optimal foraging habitat for bats during summer. However, this landscape is itself at risk. Current production demands are causing substantial land-use changes and, despite some European programmes on the preservation of Mediterranean oak woodlands and their biodiversity, the furtherance of this landscape is at stake. The preservation of traditional management strategies of oak-woodlands and associated water sites should be strongly encouraged.
Long term trends of hibernating bats in North-Western Italy
Biologia, 2020
Several species of bats have faced strong population declines in Europe during the last century. However, an increase in some bat populations has been recently found in some parts of western Europe. We monitored wintering bats in the underground caves of northwestern Italy (Piedmont, Valle d'Aosta and Liguria regions), with the aim of estimating long-term population variations. Over 28 years (from 1992 to 2019), 52 hibernation sites were monitored where 14 species of bats were present. Altogether, 97% of individuals belonged to Rhinolophus euryale, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, Rhinolophus hipposideros, Barbastella barbastellus, Myotis emarginatus, and to the large Myotis group (Myotis myotis/blythii). We found a positive population trend for these six most common species with an average annual increase ranging between 3.5% (R. ferrumequinum) and 15.0% (B. barbastellus), which is in congruence with what has occurred in central and western Europe in the last 20 years. The species R. hipposideros showed a significant increase during the first 10 years, followed by a stable trend thereafter.
A preliminary survey of cave-dwelling bats in a regional natural park of central Italy
2007
The present work was carried out in the Gola della Rossa and Frasassi Natural Park (central Italy) between May 2004 and December 2006. Eleven species of bats were found and five colonies were identified and monitored in four different caves. Two neighbouring reproductive colonies of Schreiber's bat (Miniopterus schreibersii) and of greater and lesser mouse-eared bats (Myotis myotis/blythii) were found in the same cave (Grotta della Beata Vergine di Frasassi); a nursery colony of the Mediterranean horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus euryale) was found in another cave (Grotta del Fiume). The Schreiber's bat colony, hosting up to 11,280 adult individuals, appears to be amongst the largest ones so far recorded in central Italy.
Guidance on the conservation and management of critical feeding areas and commuting routes for bats
2019
Cover photo: Foraging Myotis daubentonii. © Jens Rydell UNEP promotes environmentally sound practices globally and in its own activities. This publication is printed on 100 % recycled paper, using environmentally friendly practices. Our distribution policy aims to reduce UNEP's carbon footprint. Conservation and management of feeding areas and commuting routes Key recommendations How to protect important feeding habitats? 4.1. Forest management practices 4.2. Water bodies, wetlands, river valleys 4.3. Bats in the agricultural landscape 4.4. Urban areas, parks 4.5. Linear elements and routes to roosts 4.6. Strategic legal tools 4.7. Summary of actions favouring and harming bats 5 Successful cases of habitat management for bats Case Study 1. Habitat management for the Greater Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset Case Study 2. Habitat Enhancement for the Greater Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) in Dorset Case Study 3. Habitat enhancement for the Barbastelle bat (Barbastella barbastellus) in the West Weald (UK) Case Study 4. The Greater Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) in Upper Palatinate (Germany): optimization of habitats and public awareness (LIFE11 NAT/DE/000346) 6 Guidance on habitat management for European bat species Rousettus aegyptiacus (Egyptian fruit bat) Rhinolophus hipposideros (Lesser Horseshoe Bat) Rhinolophus blasii (Blasius's Horseshoe Bat) Rhinolophus euryale (Mediterranean Horseshoe Bat) Contents 4 EUROBATS Publication Series No. EUROBATS Publication Series No. 9 Rhinolophus mehelyi (Mehely's Horseshoe Bat) Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (Greater Horseshoe Bat) Myotis alcathoe (Alcathoe Whiskered Bat) Myotis brandtii (Brandt's Bat) Myotis mystacinus (Whiskered Bat) Myotis capaccinii (Long-fingered Bat) Myotis dasycneme (Pond Bat) Myotis daubentonii (Daubenton's Bat) Myotis emarginatus (Geoffroy's Bat) Myotis bechsteinii (Bechstein's Bat) Myotis nattereri (Natterer's Bat) Myotis blythii (Lesser Mouse-eared Bat) Myotis myotis (Greater Mouse-eared Bat) Myotis punicus (Maghrebian Mouse-eared Bat) Nyctalus lasiopterus (Greater Noctule) Nyctalus leisleri (Leisler's Bat) Nyctalus noctula (Common Noctule) Pipistrellus hanaki (Hanak's Pipistrelle) Pipistrellus kuhlii (Kuhl's pipistrelle) Pipistrellus nathusii (Nathusius's Pipistrelle) Pipistrellus pipistrellus (Common Pipistrelle) Pipistrellus pygmaeus (Soprano Pipistrelle) Hypsugo savii (Savi's Pipistrelle) Eptesicus isabellinus (Isabelline Serotine) Eptesicus nilssonii (Northern Bat) Eptesicus serotinus (Common Serotine) Vespertilio murinus (Parti-colored Bat) Miniopterus schreibersii (Schreiber's Bent-winged Bat) Tadarida teniotis (European Free-tailed Bat) Plecotus auritus (Brown Long-eared Bat) Plecotus austriacus (Grey Long-eared Bat) Plecotus macrobullaris (Alpine Long-eared Bat) Barbastella barbastellus (Western Barbastelle) Otonycteris hemprichii