Bats in the Anthropocene

Voigt, Christian C.; Kingston, Tigga

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-25220-9_1

Cited by 113 publications

(117 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Bats are the second largest order of mammals (Voigt & Kingston, 2016), and the Phyllostomidae are the most diverse family among Neotropical bats (Kalko, 1998). The phyllostomids cover various types of trophic interactions; they are a key group in seed dispersal (Giannini & Kalko, 2004), in pollination and predation, and controlling a wide variety of prey (Kunz & Fenton, 2003).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Activity patterns of frugivorous phyllostomid bats in an urban fragment in southwest Amazonia, Brazil

Verde

Silva

Calouro

2018

Iheringia, Sér. Zool.

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mentioning

confidence: 99%

Activity patterns of frugivorous phyllostomid bats in an urban fragment in southwest Amazonia, Brazil

Verde

Silva

Calouro

2018

Iheringia, Sér. Zool.

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“…Our study clearly reveals that scientists consider that environmental modifications by humans—direct, such as deforestation and intensive agriculture, or indirect, such as climate change—are the major factors causing worldwide decline in bat population [25, 26]. This clearly highlights the human role on a worldwide scale and emphasises the need for ecosystem protection in conservation programmes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 76%

Bats and Academics: How Do Scientists Perceive Their Object of Study?

Boëte

Morand

2016

PLoS ONE

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Bats are associated with conflicting perceptions among humans, ranging from affection to disgust. If these attitudes can be associated with various factors among the general public (e.g. social norms, lack of knowledge), it is also important to understand the attitude of scientists who study bats. Such reflexive information on the researchers community itself could indeed help designing adequate mixed communication tools aimed at protecting bats and their ecosystems, as well as humans living in their vicinity that could be exposed to their pathogens. Thus, we conducted an online survey targeting researchers who spend a part of their research activity studying bats. Our aim was to determine (1) how they perceive their object of study, (2) how they perceive the representation of bats in the media and by the general population, (3) how they protect themselves against pathogen infections during their research practices, and (4) their perceptions of the causes underlying the decline in bat populations worldwide. From the 587 completed responses (response rate of 28%) having a worldwide distribution, the heterogeneity of the scientists’ perception of their own object of study was highlighted. In the majority of cases, this depended on the type of research they conducted (i.e. laboratory versus field studies) as well as their research speciality. Our study revealed a high level of personal protection equipment being utilised against pathogens during scientific practices, although the role bats play as reservoirs for a number of emerging pathogens remains poorly known. Our results also disclosed the unanimity among specialists in attributing a direct role for humans in the global decline of bat populations, mainly via environmental change, deforestation, and agriculture intensification. Overall, the present study suggests the need for better communication regarding bats and their biology, their role within the scientific community, as well as in the general public population. As a consequence, increased knowledge regarding scientists’ perceptions of bats should improve the role scientists play in influencing the perception of bats by the general public.

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“…The application of population genetics to such issues of conservation biology has been especially important for endangered species that are difficult to monitor with ecological methods, such as bats. Indeed, bats are very sensitive to climate change and human activities (Jones, Jacobs, Kunz, Willig, & Racey, 2009; Voigt & Kingston, 2016). Almost one quarter of bat species in the world are considered to be Threatened and another quarter as Near Threatened (Mickleburgh, Hutson, & Racey, 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating population genetics to define conservation units from the core to the edge ofRhinolophus ferrumequinumwestern range

Tournayre

Pons

Leuchtmann

et al. 2019

Preprint

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The greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) is among the most widespread bat species in Europe but it has experienced severe declines, especially in Northern Europe. This species is listed Near Threatened in the European IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals and it is considered to be highly sensitive to human activities and particularly to habitat fragmentation. Therefore, understanding the population boundaries and demographic history of populations of this species is of primary importance to assess relevant conservation strategies. In this study, we used 17 microsatellite markers to assess the genetic diversity, the genetic structure and the demographic history of R. ferrumequinum colonies in the Western European part of its distribution. We found high levels of genetic diversity and large population size on the European mainland and lower estimates in England and Northern France. Analyses of clustering and isolation by distance showed a barrier effect of the Channel and potentially of the Mediterranean Sea on R. ferrumequinum bat dispersal. Conversely, we could not reveal any gene flow disruption from both sides of the Western Pyrenees. These results provide important information to improve the delineation of R. ferrumequinum management units in its western range. We suggest that a large management unit corresponding to the European mainland population must be considered. Particular attention should be given to mating territories as they seem to play a key role in maintaining the high levels of genetic mixing between colonies. Smaller management units corresponding to English and Northern France colonies must also be implemented. These insular or peripheral colonies could be at higher risk of extinction in a near future.

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Bats in the Anthropocene

Cited by 113 publications

References 27 publications

Activity patterns of frugivorous phyllostomid bats in an urban fragment in southwest Amazonia, Brazil

Activity patterns of frugivorous phyllostomid bats in an urban fragment in southwest Amazonia, Brazil

Bats and Academics: How Do Scientists Perceive Their Object of Study?

Integrating population genetics to define conservation units from the core to the edge ofRhinolophus ferrumequinumwestern range

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