Thermoregulation by captive and free-ranging Egyptian rousette bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) in South Africa

Barclay, Robert M. R.; Jacobs, David S.; Harding, Craig Thomas; McKechnie, Andrew E.; McCulloch, Stewart D.; Markotter, Wanda; Pawęska, Janusz T.; Brigham, R. Mark

doi:10.1093/jmammal/gyw234

Cited by 17 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Small pteropodids (body weight 16–18 g) in tropical and subtropical climate with warm ambient temperatures can also undergo daily torpor especially when the food source is scarce (Coburn & Geiser, ; Geiser & Stawski, ; Kelm & Von Helversen, ; McNab & Bonaccorso, ; Stawski, Willis, & Geiser, ). C. titthaecheilus and R. leschenaultii were medium size pteropodids and the observations done of this two genus showed that they did not undergo daily torpor (Barclay et al, ; McNab & Bonaccorso, ). Meanwhile, P. vampyrus is a large size pteropodid which is always at positive energy state; therefore, it does not require torpor (McNab & Bonaccorso, ); and instead, they fulfil their energy by foraging food all the time (Hengjan et al, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

The spleen morphophysiology of fruit bats

Hanadhita

Rahma

Prawira

et al. 2019

Anat Histol Embryol

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Spleen is one of the important lymphoid organs with wide variations of morphological and physiological functions according to species. Morphology and function of the spleen in bats, which are hosts to several viral strains without exhibiting clinical symptoms, remain to be fully elucidated. This study aims to examine the spleen morphology of fruit bats associated with their physiological functions. Spleen histological observations were performed in three fruit bats species: Cynopterus titthaecheilus (n = 9), Rousettus leschenaultii (n = 3) and Pteropus vampyrus (n = 3). The spleens of these fruit bats were surrounded by a thin capsule. Red pulp consisted of splenic cord and wide vascular space filled with blood. Ellipsoids in all three studied species were found numerously and adjacent to one another forming macrophages aggregates. White pulp consisted of periarteriolar lymphoid sheaths (PALS), lymphoid follicles and marginal zone. The lymphoid follicle contained a germinal centre and a tingible body macrophage that might reflect an active immune system. The marginal zone was prominent and well developed. This study reports some differences in spleen structure of fruit bats compared to other bat species previously reported and discusses possible physiological implications of the spleen based on its morphology. K E Y W O R D S flying foxes, histology, immunology, morphology, physiology, viral reservoir

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

The spleen morphophysiology of fruit bats

Hanadhita

Rahma

Prawira

et al. 2019

Anat Histol Embryol

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show abstract

“…Skin temperature was found to be a reliable proxy of body temperature, as the values measured pre-challenge are known to fit healthy normal fruit bats 41 . Body temperature elevation in response to an immune challenge is observed across bat species, as it is in other mammals, although Melhado et al 31 point out this only occurs in bats challenged during the resting phase [25][26][27]29 , and not for bats challenged during the active phase 28,31 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Sick Bats Stay Home Alone: Social distancing during the acute phase response in Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus)

Moreno

Weinberg

Harten

et al. 2020

Preprint

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AbstractAlong with its many advantages, social roosting imposes a major risk of pathogen transmission. How social animals, and especially free-ranging mammals, reduce this risk is poorly documented. We used lipopolysaccharide injection to imitate bacterial sickness in both a captive and a free-ranging colony of an extremely social mammal – the Egyptian fruit bat. We monitored behavioral and physiological responses using an arsenal of methods, including on-board GPS and acceleration, video, temperature and weight measurements, and blood samples. Sick-like bats exhibited an increased immune response, as well as classical illness symptoms including fever, weight loss, anorexia, and lethargy. Notably, they also isolated themselves from the group by leaving the social cluster and avoiding contact. Free-ranging individuals ceased foraging outdoors for at least two nights. Together, these sickness behaviors demonstrate a strong, integrative immune response which protects both individuals and their group members from transmission of pathogens.

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“…Skin temperature was found to be a reliable proxy of body temperature, as the values measured prechallenge are known to fit normal healthy fruit bats. 47 Body temperature elevation in response to an immune challenge is observed across bat species, as it is in other mammals, although Melhado et al 34 point out this only occurs in bats challenged during the resting phase, [28][29][30]32 and not for bats challenged during the active phase. 31,34 We challenged bats in both active and resting phases, although we did not have a large enough sample to compare between the two.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sick bats stay home alone: fruit bats practice social distancing when faced with an immunological challenge

Moreno

Weinberg

Harten

et al. 2021

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

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Along with its many advantages, social roosting imposes a major risk of pathogen transmission. How social animals reduce this risk is poorly documented. We used lipopolysaccharide challenge to imitate bacterial infection in both a captive and a free-living colony of an extremely social, long-lived mammal-the Egyptian fruit bat. We monitored behavioral and physiological responses using an arsenal of methods, including onboard GPS to track foraging, acceleration sensors to monitor movement, infrared video to record social behavior, and blood samples to measure immune markers. Sick-like (immune-challenged) bats exhibited an increased immune response, as well as classic illness symptoms, including fever, weight loss, anorexia, and lethargy. Notably, the bats also exhibited behaviors that would reduce pathogen transfer. They perched alone and appeared to voluntarily isolate themselves from the group by leaving the social cluster, which is extremely atypical for this species. The sick-like individuals in the open colony ceased foraging outdoors for at least two nights, thus reducing transmission to neighboring colonies. Together, these sickness behaviors demonstrate a strong, integrative immune response that promotes recovery of infected individuals while reducing pathogen transmission inside and outside the roost, including spillover events to other species, such as humans.

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Thermoregulation by captive and free-ranging Egyptian rousette bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) in South Africa

Cited by 17 publications

References 35 publications

The spleen morphophysiology of fruit bats

The spleen morphophysiology of fruit bats

Sick Bats Stay Home Alone: Social distancing during the acute phase response in Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus)

Sick bats stay home alone: fruit bats practice social distancing when faced with an immunological challenge

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