Context Seasonal migration and movements of bats have important implications for their conservation. The southern bent-winged bat (Miniopterus orianae bassanii), a critically endangered cave-dwelling taxon in Australia, has been described as undertaking regional-scale migration between maternity and non-breeding caves. Aims To describe the seasonal cycle of movements by the southern bent-winged bat, including migration and congregation events of different sex- and age-classes in the population. Methods We tagged a total of 2966 southern bent-winged bats with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags. Antennas were used to detect bats in flight at a major maternity cave and a key non-breeding cave in south-east South Australia, from January 2016 to August 2019. We used capture–resight histories to visualise population patterns and model the daily encounter probability for each sex- and age-class at the respective roost sites. Key results Bats congregated at the maternity cave for most of the year, with different seasonal patterns among sex- and age-classes. Seasonal movements were associated with behaviour over winter months: most of the population dispersed from the maternity cave from May and a staged return occurred among population classes from July through September. A previously undescribed movement occurred in adult females and juveniles each year: these classes left the maternity cave in late summer, when juveniles became independent, and returned in early mid-autumn, later undertaking winter dispersal. Complex underlying movements of individuals occurred throughout the year, with individuals able to fly 72 km between roosting caves in just a few hours. Conclusions Seasonal movements are a key aspect of the life history of this taxon. The newly reported movement of adult females and juveniles conforms to the maternal guidance hypothesis, whereby mothers guide their young to suitable non-breeding caves and hibernation sites. In addition to seasonal movements, some individuals moved 72 km between caves multiple times over short time periods, including on successive nights. This 72-km overnight flight distance more than doubles the previous distance used to inform management buffer zones. Extended congregation of bats at the maternity cave highlights resource limitation in the surrounding area as a potential threat to this population. Implications The dynamic nature of the population has implications for the management of emerging risks, including mortality at windfarms and potential rapid spread of the exotic white-nose syndrome.
This is the first study which evaluated the influence of cave size and presence of bat guano in ant visitation in Brazilian caves. We provide a list of the ants associated with 27 caves in northeastern Brazil, an area situated in the transition between Cerrado (Brazilian savanna) and Amazon Domain. The study was conducted between January and August 2010. We recorded 24 ant species inserted into 12 genera, 10 tribes, and six subfamilies. The size of the cave and the presence of guano did not influence the richness of ants, and most of the caves had single species. Camponotus atriceps was the species with the larger distribution, being collected in five caves. In addition, we discuss geographic distribution of records and possible ecological roles of ants in cave environments.
Despite being a fundamental source of biodiversity, several highly diverse taxa of aquatic invertebrates, including Platyhelminthes, remain still poorly known and poorly considered in protection programs. This is the case especially of several invertebrate species that inhabit groundwater. In this environment, invertebrates play significant roles that are strictly connected to the usefulness of these systems for human survival. The groundwater biodiversity of continental Italy is largely unknown and its importance neglected in national and regional legislation. One of the most poorly studied group of the Italian groundwater fauna are planarians. Most of the known species are endemic of small single karst areas or a single cave, with their distribution being never investigated after the original description. The aims of this study are to provide an update conservation status assessment of cave-dwelling planarians known from Italian Alps and Apennines. In particular, we want to analyze the major threats for their survival and the factors determining the possibility to contact and observe these important invertebrates for the subterranean systems. From October 2016 to September 2017, we explored the known localities of nine taxa and a relevant number of surrounding caves. Our results suggest that most of the cave-dwelling planarians species of continental Italy are threatened by water pollution and habitat destruction; moreover, our research underlines that there is a large conservation issue dealing with stenoendemic planarians that may involve other cave-dwelling invertebrates with narrow ranges. Generally, the underground habitat of most species appears to be deeply compromised and changed since species description.
Despite being a fundamental source of biodiversity, several highly diverse taxa of aquatic invertebrates, including Platyhelminthes, remain still poorly known and poorly considered in protection programs. This is the case especially of several invertebrate species that inhabit groundwater. In this environment, invertebrates play significant roles that are strictly connected to the usefulness of these systems for human survival. The groundwater biodiversity of continental Italy is largely unknown and its importance neglected in national and regional legislation. One of the most poorly studied group of the Italian groundwater fauna are planarians. Most of the known species are endemic of small single karst areas or a single cave, with their distribution being never investigated after the original description. The aims of this study are to provide an update conservation status assessment of cave-dwelling planarians known from Italian Alps and Apennines. In particular, we want to analyze the major threats for their survival and the factors determining the possibility to contact and observe these important invertebrates for the subterranean systems. From October 2016 to September 2017, we explored the known localities of nine taxa and a relevant number of surrounding caves. Our results suggest that most of the cave-dwelling planarians species of continental Italy are threatened by water pollution and habitat destruction; moreover, our research underlines that there is a large conservation issue dealing with stenoendemic planarians that may involve other cave-dwelling invertebrates with narrow ranges. Generally, the underground habitat of most species appears to be deeply compromised and changed since species description.
Abstract While some species thrive in urban areas, many are absent from such environments. Those that are successful often have high behavioural flexibility that allows them to exploit new niches in a human-modified landscape. Northern myotis (Myotis septentrionalis) is an endangered bat species rarely identified in urban areas, though it is unclear whether this is due to absence or difficulties in surveying. We investigated the ecology of a population of northern myotis within Canada's largest conurbation, including reproductive status, roosting preference, and movements. Using capture surveys, we confirmed the presence of reproductive females and healthy juveniles over two seasons. Using radio telemetry and acoustic surveys, we identified a cluster of tree roosts in the centre of the forest, and foraging areas concentrated around waterways within the bounds of the forest. These observations suggest the roosting and movement ecology of this population is similar to that observed for this species in rural environments, despite the urban surroundings. Our results suggest that northern myotis is not a synurbic species but can occur within urbanized environments when suitable habitat is available. We suggest that large forest patches with mature, interior forest cover are likely to be an important resource for northern myotis, and they will be vulnerable to the loss or fragmentation of these features in rapidly urbanizing landscapes. These findings are highly relevant to the ecology and preservation of northern myotis and present a case for greater consideration of this species in urban forests.
Temperature and humidity were recorded from roost sites used by nine species of cave bats in northern Australia. The 10 sites containing R. aurantius exhibited the narrowest range of roost conditions of any species, this species having a strong preference for hot and humid roosts (28-32�C and 85-100% RH). R. aurantius colony sizes ranged from 20 to 25 000, and varied seasonally, almost all colonies abandoning their cave roosts during the wet season. Colony size was strongly related to mean minimum monthly temperature and rainfall, populations being greatest during the coolest and driest period of the year. Other sympatric species also exhibited preferences for specific roost conditions, indicating interspecific partitioning of roost resources. Species that utilised a broad range of roost humidity occupied a larger geographic range than those with more specific requirements.
