The foraging behaviour and ecology of animal-eating bats

Fenton, M. Brock

doi:10.1139/z90-061

Cited by 358 publications

(317 citation statements)

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“…Habitat characteristics and foraging strategy constrain echolocation and flight performance of bats and specific echolocation parameters and wing characteristics are associated to each habitat and feeding strategy (5,11,13). Carnivorous bats that use a combination of ground͞foliage gleaning and a perched hunting strategy show typical wing morphology (relative wing loading Ͻ 36, and aspect ratio Ͻ 6.3) corresponding to low speed and highly maneuverable flights in cluttered habitats (6).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bat predation on nocturnally migrating birds

Ibáñez

Juste

García-Mudarra

et al. 2001

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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Bat predation on birds is a very rare phenomenon in nature. Most documented reports of bird-eating bats refer to tropical bats that occasionally capture resting birds. Millions of small birds concentrate and cross over the world's temperate regions during migration, mainly at night, but no nocturnal predators are known to benefit from this enormous food resource. An analysis of 14,000 fecal pellets of the greater noctule bat (Nyctalus lasiopterus) reveals that this species captures and eats large numbers of migrating passerines, making it the only bat species so far known that regularly preys on birds. The echolocation characteristics and wing morphology of this species strongly suggest that it captures birds in flight.A ctivity patterns in birds and bats differ considerably, and ecological and behavioral interactions between the two groups are rare (1). Millions of Palaearctic birds fly seasonally across the Mediterranean, mainly at night, north and south between summer and winter quarters (2). During their migrating journeys, birds concentrate and stop over in large numbers in the Mediterranean region. Only two diurnal birds of prey (Falco eleonorae and Falco concolor) show specific adaptations to feed on migrating birds in this area (3,4). Surprisingly, no nocturnal predators are known to prey on migrating birds. At least a few bat species would be expected to exploit this food resource, as the order exhibits a remarkably wide range of lifestyles and foraging strategies, as well as a high diversity of echolocation calls (5) and flight behaviors. However, predation on birds has been reported from only three or four of the dozen known carnivorous bat species (6, 7), these being mainly large tropical bats that occasionally capture resting birds by using a gleaning foraging strategy. Bats have never been known to chase birds in flight. The first report of bird predation by a bat in temperate regions was of the greater noctule (Nyctalus lasiopterus) (8), one of the rarest and least known mammals in Europe. We here report the regular occurrence of bird predation by this species, based on the analysis of fecal pellets. The echolocation capabilities and wing morphology of the greater noctule adapt it to chase and capture of birds in flight. Materials and MethodsWe examined over 14,000 fecal pellets of N. lasiopterus collected in two ways. First, fecal pellets were collected between August 1998 and October 2000 from 170 individual N. lasiopterus netted over water courses mainly in a mountainous area of La Rioja (northern Spain; 100 bats) and as they returned to their treeroosts in a city-park in Seville (Andalusia, southern Spain; 70 bats). The bats were individually kept in cloth bags until the next evening and thereafter sexed, weighed, measured, and released at the site of capture. Only ten bats yielded no feces and a total of 2,347 pellets was collected. Second, samples of fecal pellets were collected every 10 days from May to October 1999 under a maternity colony of around 80 N. lasiopterus that roost under three...

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bat predation on nocturnally migrating birds

Ibáñez

Juste

García-Mudarra

et al. 2001

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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“…These patterns were consistent with a previous study of habitat use by long-tailed bats at Walker Creek, c. 15 km to the south of the Knobs Flat study area. There, longtailed bats roosted within forest but immediately Insectivorous bat communities are often made up of many morphologically similar species (Saunders & Barclay 1992) and sympatric species show considerable overlap in their use of foraging space and food resources (Fenton 1990). However, some elements of bat faunas typical of forests appear to be missing in New Zealand.…”

Section: Comparison Between Lesser Short-tailed and Long-tailed Batsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat use and nocturnal activity of lesser short‐tailed bats(Mystacina tuberculata)in comparison with long‐tailed bats(Chalinolobus tuberculatus)in temperate rainforest

O’Donnell¹,

Christie²,

Simpson³

2006

New Zealand Journal of Zoology

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Habitat use and nocturnal activity patterns of the threatened lesser short-tailed bat (Mystacina tuberculata) were sampled during late spring and early summer using automatic bat detector units in temperate beech (Nothofagus) rainforest in Fiordland, New Zealand. Detector units recorded the number of bats passing per hour as an index of activity. Habitat use patterns were compared with longtailed bats (Chalinolobus tuberculatus) sampled concurrently. Activity levels in lesser short-tailed bats varied significantly among five habitat types and amongst hours of the night. Of the total activity recorded, most passes (82.6% of n = 657 bat passes) were in red beech forest >200 m from the forest edge; 13.7% were in silver beech within 100 m of forest edges, 2.6% were along roads through forest, 0.9% were on the forest-grassland edge, and 0.2% were in the open grassland. Lesser short-tailed bats were active throughout the night but especially at dawn and dusk. There was no correlation between levels of activity by lesser short-tailed bats and overnight minimum or dusk temperatures. Patterns of habitat use and activity in long-tailed bats were significantly different from those of lesser short-tailed bats. Z06009; Online publication date 19 April 2006 Received 20 December 2005; accepted 3 April 2006Of the total activity recorded, most (56.0% of n = 2929 bat passes) was along forest-grassland edges; 15.7% of passes were in open grassland, 13.1% were along roads through forest, 11.0% were in silver beech forest within 100 m of forest edges, and 4.2% within red beech forest. The implications of these findings for conservation and for improving survey techniques are discussed. For example, lack of use of open and edge habitats by lesser short-tailed bats suggests they would not adapt to highly fragmented and cleared forest habitats. The two species of New Zealand bat used available habitats differently while inhabiting the same sites. Therefore, a range of habitats, including forest interior, forest edges and grasslands, are required to sustain both species within reserves and management areas. Surveys for lesser short-tailed bats should focus on mature forest stands >200 m into the forest to maximise the chance of encountering this species, whereas surveys for long-tailed bats would best focus on forest edges.

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“…Bats are known to have an important ecological role in nature as biological controllers, pollinators, and predators (FENTON 1990). However, little is known about the ecology of most bat species (their diet, reproduction, and distribution).…”

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confidence: 99%

Bats (Mammalia, Chiroptera) in the Ponta Grossa region, Campos Gerais, Paraná, Brazil

Zanon

Reis

2007

Rev. Bras. Zool.

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ABSTRACT. The diet, reproduction and activity time of bat species found in Ponta Grossa county, Campos Gerais region, were studied. Collections were conducted in four forest fragments, during 272 hours, on 48 m 2 of nets and roosting sites; the total capture effort was 1.52.10 3 h.m 2 . Eight species (247 individuals) were registered: Artibeus lituratus (Olfers, 1818), Sturnira lilium (E. Geoffroy, 1810), Desmodus rotundus (E. Geoffroy, 1810) (Phyllostomidae); Tadarida brasiliensis (Desmarest, 1819), Eumops auripendulus (Shaw, 1800) (Molossidae); Eptesicus brasiliensis (Shaw, 1800), Myotis nigricans (Schinz, 1821), and Histiotus velatus (I. Geoffroy, 1824) (Vespertilionidae). The Phyllostomidae family was the most frequently captured. Solanaceae, Moraceae, Piperaceae, and Rosaceae were found in the diet of frugivores; six orders of insects and the class Arachnida were found in the diets of insectivores. Pregnant females were found in September and October and lactating ones in November and December. The collection peak was reached in the second hour-and-a-half. Preservation of the regional forested and altered areas is required for survival of the local chiropterofauna.

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The foraging behaviour and ecology of animal-eating bats

Cited by 358 publications

References 61 publications

Bat predation on nocturnally migrating birds

Bat predation on nocturnally migrating birds

Habitat use and nocturnal activity of lesser short‐tailed bats(Mystacina tuberculata)in comparison with long‐tailed bats(Chalinolobus tuberculatus)in temperate rainforest

Bats (Mammalia, Chiroptera) in the Ponta Grossa region, Campos Gerais, Paraná, Brazil

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