Contaminant exposure as an additional stressor to bats affected by white-nose syndrome: current evidence and knowledge gaps

Cable, Ashleigh B.; Willcox, Emma V.; Leppanen, Christy

doi:10.1007/s10646-021-02475-6

Cited by 11 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 114 publications

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“…Anthropogenic alteration of landscapes and habitats are one of the primary contributors to habitat fragmentation and biodiversity decline (Fahrig, 2003; Dirzo et al ., 2014; Haddad et al ., 2015). More specifically, the development of roads can directly impact bats and other wildlife by impeding movement between essential habitat and resources, act as a direct source of mortality, and increase disturbance via artificial light, chemical, physical, and noise pollution (Baker and Harris, 2007; Markovchick-Nicholls et al ., 2008; Stone et al ., 2009; Berthinussen and Altringham, 2012 b ; Scolozzi and Geneletti, 2012; Francis and Barber, 2013; Russo and Ancillotto, 2015; Barré et al ., 2021; Cable et al ., 2022). Therefore, understanding the temporal and interspecific variation and seasonal use of bridges are critical components to include when designing effective, long-term monitoring and conservation programs (Ferrara and Leberg, 2005).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wildlife Use of Anthropogenic Structures: A Comprehensive Review of Bridge Use by Bats

Detweiler,

Bernard

2023

Acta Chiropterologica

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wildlife Use of Anthropogenic Structures: A Comprehensive Review of Bridge Use by Bats

Detweiler,

Bernard

2023

Acta Chiropterologica

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“…Bat exposure to pesticides has been shown to negatively affect bat fat reserves through increases in metabolic respiration that accelerates fat consumption, reducing fat reserves of starving bats needed for winter survival [ 61 ]. As pesticide-contaminated fats are consumed, pesticides are remobilized, causing neurotoxic effects (by organophosphates carbamates) that may contribute to increased mortality [ 62 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Pesticide bioaccumulation within body fats have the potential to affect immune response, enzyme activity, reproduction, and contribute to detrimental effects and increased disease-associated mortality [ 62 ]. Some reports have recorded sublethal effects of organophosphates in mammals include interference in normal behavior, oxidative stress, abnormal metabolic and endocrine changes, and reduction in the effectiveness of immune system functions and body thermoregulation [ 61 , 63 , 64 , 65 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biomarker Metabolites Discriminate between Physiological States of Field, Cave and White-nose Syndrome Diseased Bats

Doty

Wilson

Forse

et al. 2022

Sensors

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Analysis of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions using electronic-nose (e-nose) devices has shown promise for early detection of white-nose syndrome (WNS) in bats. Tricolored bats, Perimyotis subflavus, from three separate sampling groups defined by environmental conditions, levels of physical activity, and WNS-disease status were captured temporarily for collection of VOC emissions to determine relationships between these combinations of factors and physiological states, Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd)-infection status, and metabolic conditions. Physiologically active (non-torpid) healthy individuals were captured outside of caves in Arkansas and Louisiana. In addition, healthy and WNS-diseased torpid bats were sampled within caves in Arkansas. Whole-body VOC emissions from bats were collected using portable air-collection and sampling-chamber devices in tandem. Electronic aroma-detection data using three-dimensional Principal Component Analysis provided strong evidence that the three groups of bats had significantly different e-nose aroma signatures, indicative of different VOC profiles. This was confirmed by differences in peak numbers, peak areas, and tentative chemical identities indicated by chromatograms from dual-column GC-analyses. The numbers and quantities of VOCs present in whole-body emissions from physiologically active healthy field bats were significantly greater than those of torpid healthy and diseased cave bats. Specific VOCs were identified as chemical biomarkers of healthy and diseased states, environmental conditions (outside and inside of caves), and levels of physiological activity. These results suggest that GC/E-nose dual-technologies based on VOC-detection and analyses of physiological states, provide noninvasive alternative means for early assessments of Pd-infection, WNS-disease status, and other physiological states.

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“…Attracting bats to urban landscapes could also elevate risks for predation, competition, chemical exposure, and conflict with humans (Russo & Ancillotto, 2015). Bats drawn to agricultural fields may be more likely to bioaccumulate pesticides from arthropod prey or pollutants from contaminated water sources (e.g., Gerell & Gerell Lundberg, 1993), which could lead to cancer, micronucleation, decreased fecundity, endocrine disruption, immunosuppression, impaired thermoregulation and echolocation, and higher mortality rates (Bayat et al., 2014; Cable et al., 2022; Sandoval‐Herrera et al., 2021). Compounding the many risks previously mentioned (i.e., temperature, ectoparasites, predation), artificial roosts on low‐quality landscapes could be exceedingly dangerous to bats.…”

Section: Possible Suboptimal Traits Of Artificial Roostsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving the science and practice of using artificial roosts for bats

Crawford,

O'Keefe

2023

Conservation Biology

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Worldwide, artificial bat roosts (e.g., bat boxes, bark mimics, bat condos) are routinely deployed for conservation, mitigation, and community engagement. However, scant attention has been paid to developing best practices for the use of artificial roosts as conservation tools. While bats readily occupy artificial roosts, occupancy and abundance data are misleading indicators of habitat quality. Lacking information on bat behavior, health, and fitness in artificial roosts, we cannot adequately validate their conservation efficacy. In this essay, we describe the proximal and ultimate factors, such as evolutionarily reliable cues, that may prompt bats to preferentially use and show fidelity to suboptimal artificial roosts even when high‐quality alternatives are available. Possible negative health and fitness consequences for artificial roost inhabitants include exposure to unstable and extreme microclimates in poorly designed roosts, and vulnerability to larger numbers of ectoparasites in longer‐lasting artificial roosts that house larger bat colonies than natural roosts. Bats using artificial roosts may have lower survival rates if predators have easy access to roosts placed in conspicuous locations. Bats may be lured into occupying low‐quality habitats if attractive artificial roosts are deployed on polluted urban and agricultural landscapes. To advance the science behind artificial bat roosts, we present testable research hypotheses and suggestions to improve the quality of artificial roosts for bats and decrease risks to occupants. Because continued loss of natural roosts may increase reliance on alternatives like artificial roosts, it is imperative that we improve this conservation practice.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

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Contaminant exposure as an additional stressor to bats affected by white-nose syndrome: current evidence and knowledge gaps

Cited by 11 publications

References 114 publications

Wildlife Use of Anthropogenic Structures: A Comprehensive Review of Bridge Use by Bats

Wildlife Use of Anthropogenic Structures: A Comprehensive Review of Bridge Use by Bats

Biomarker Metabolites Discriminate between Physiological States of Field, Cave and White-nose Syndrome Diseased Bats

Improving the science and practice of using artificial roosts for bats

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