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Linee guida per il monitoraggio dei Chirotteri: indicazioni metodologiche per lo studio e la conservazione dei pipistrelli in Italia
Abstract and Figures
La collana "Quaderni di Conservazione della Natura" nasce dalla collaborazione in-staurata tra il Ministero dell'Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio, Direzione per la Protezione della Natura e l'Istituto Naziona-le per la Fauna Selvatica "A. Ghigi". Scopo della collana è quello di divulgare le strategie di tutela e gestione del patrimo-nio faunistico nazionale elaborate dal Mini-stero con il contributo scientifico e tecnico dell'I.N.F.S. I temi trattati spaziano da quelli di carat-tere generale, che seguono un approccio multidisciplinare ed il più possibile olistico, a quelli dedicati a problemi specifici di ge-stione o alla conservazione di singole specie. This publication series, specifically focused on conservation problems of Italian wildlife, is the result of a co-operation between the Nature Protection Service of the Italian Ministry of Environment Territorial Protection and the National Wildlife Institute "A. Ghigi". Aim of the series is to promote a wide circulation of the strategies for the wildlife preservation and management worked up by the Ministry of Environment and Territorial Protection with the scientific and technical support of the National Wildlife Institute. The issues covered by this series range from general aspects, based on a multidisciplinary and holistic approach, to management and conservation problems at specific level.
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... This species can occur in several different habitats located in a wide range of altitudes, from sea level up to 1800 m a.s.l. (Agnelli et al. 2004;Toffoli 2007). It has been reported in mixed, coniferous, and broadleaved deciduous forests. ...
... M. brandtii mostly forages in woodlands, within aquatic habitats, along forest edges, as well as following tree lines and hedgerows (Agnelli et al. 2004;Kyheröinen et al. 2019). Foraging areas are usually between 1.5 and 10 km away from the roost. ...
... Although M. brandtii is not currently classified as a long-distance migratory species, traveling movements of up to 300 km have been recorded (Agnelli et al. 2004). Due to this, this species is more likely being classified as sedentary. ...
... This species can occur in several different habitats located in a wide range of altitudes, from sea level up to 1800 m a.s.l. (Agnelli et al. 2004;Toffoli 2007). It has been reported in mixed, coniferous, and broadleaved deciduous forests. ...
... M. brandtii mostly forages in woodlands, within aquatic habitats, along forest edges, as well as following tree lines and hedgerows (Agnelli et al. 2004;Kyheröinen et al. 2019). Foraging areas are usually between 1.5 and 10 km away from the roost. ...
... Although M. brandtii is not currently classified as a long-distance migratory species, traveling movements of up to 300 km have been recorded (Agnelli et al. 2004). Due to this, this species is more likely being classified as sedentary. ...
... For this reason, the list of strictly protected species (Annex II) by the "Berne Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats" (1979) includes all Microchiroptera, with the exception of Pipistrellus pipistrellus. The species referable to the Italian territory are currently 35 [1]. They belong to the Italian fauna virtually all European species divided into three families: Rhinolophidae, Vespertilionidae, and Molossidae. ...
... To these is added the family Miniopteridae, recently considered as distinct from that of the Vespertilionids [2]. All Italian Chiroptera feed on Arthropods and are nocturnal even if several species come out of shelters in the presence of light [1]. The diet of Myotis capaccinii also includes aquatic larvae of Diptera and fish fry [1]. ...
... All Italian Chiroptera feed on Arthropods and are nocturnal even if several species come out of shelters in the presence of light [1]. The diet of Myotis capaccinii also includes aquatic larvae of Diptera and fish fry [1]. ...
Background:
The study of bats is of significant interest from a systematic, zoogeographic, ecological, and physiological point of view. The aim of this study is to investigate the culturable aerobic enteric, conjunctival, and oral bacterial flora of bats to determine their physiological microbiome and to investigate the possible occurrence of pathogenic bacteria.
Methods:
Five hundred and sixty-seven samples were collected from 189 individuals of four species of troglophile bats (Myotis myotis, Myotis capaccinii, Miniopterus schreibersii, and Rhinolophus hipposideros) living in Sicilian and Calabrian territory (Italy). All samples were tested for Gram-negative bacteria; conjunctival and oral swabs were also submitted to bacteriological examination for Gram-positive bacteria.
Results:
Four hundred thirteen Gram-negative strains were isolated. Of these, 377 belonged to 17 different genera of the family Enterobacteriaceae and 30 to five other families. One hundred eighty-three Gram-positive strains were isolated. Of these, 73 belonged to the Staphylococcaceae family, 72 to the Bacillaceae family and 36 to four other families. Besides some potentially pathogenic strains, several bacterial species have been found that are common to all the bat species studied. These could perhaps play a physiological or nutritional role.
Conclusion:
A great variety of bacterial species were identified in the cultivable microbiota of southern-Italian troglophile bats, including several potentially pathogenic strains and numerous putatively symbiotic species.
... Le femmine tendono a formare colonie riproduttive di 10-100 individui cui possono aggregarsi anche maschi giovani. § Stato di Conservazione e minacce La Lista Rossa dell'IUCN lo colloca in categoria LC (rischio minimo:Taylor, 2016), tuttavia negli ultimi 60 anni si è registrato un regresso in diverse zone dell'areale, Italia compresa(Agnelli et al., 2004). La specie risente dei biocidi utilizzati in agricoltura e della perdita dei rifugi a causa di chiusure di cavità o ristrutturazioni di edifici. ...
... Le femmine tendono a formare grandi colonie riproduttive di centinaia di individui cui possono unirsi alcuni maschi. § Stato di Conservazione e minacce La Lista Rossa dell'IUCN lo colloca in categoria LC (rischio minimo: Piraccini, 2016A), tuttavia negli ultimi 60 anni si è registrato un regresso in diverse zone dell'areale con estinzioni locali, Italia compresa(Agnelli et al., 2004). La specie risente dei biocidi utilizzati in agricoltura e della perdita dei rifugi a causa di chiusure di cavità o ristrutturazioni di edifici. ...
... Può formare colonie miste con altre specie. § Stato di Conservazione e minacce La Lista Rossa dell'IUCN lo colloca in categoria NT (quasi minacciata: Juste & Alcaldé, 2016), tuttavia negli ultimi decenni si è registrato un regresso in diverse zone dell'areale con estinzioni locali, Italia compresa(Agnelli et al., 2004). La specie risente dei biocidi utilizzati in agricoltura, della deforestazione e della perdita dei rifugi a causa di chiusure di cavità. ...
Il crescente interesse per le materie ambientali e la necessità di gestione delle risorse naturali ha determinato, negli ultimi anni, un incremento degli sforzi di ricerca dedicati soprattutto alle specie più emblematiche, quelle più minacciate di estinzione e quelle di maggiore interesse conservazionistico e/o venatorio. Tra le specie ricorrenti in queste categorie vi sono i Mammiferi, la cui biologia ed ecologia sono state oggetto di ricerca mirata e di opportuni approfondimenti. L’Ente Parco Nazionale dell’Alta Murgia (PNAM), dal 2004, ha investito ingenti risorse, anche umane, per descrivere le comunità di Mammiferi distribuite nel territorio del Parco. Ai Progetti di studio del cinghiale e del lupo, condotti continuativamente sin
dalla nascita dell’area protetta, sono stati aggiunti, negli ultimi anni, alcuni specifici su mesocarnivori e chirotteri. L’applicazione di tecniche di raccolta dati standardizzate e trasversali hanno permesso di archiviare un’importante mole di dati di presenza che consente, oggi, di descrivere al meglio lo status di alcune specie di mammiferi nel PNAM. Partendo da questi dati e integrandoli agli obiettivi del Progetto “Allupo”, finanziato da Fondazione con il Sud e dal PNAM, è stato possibile redigere il volume “I Mammiferi del Parco Nazionale dell’Alta Murgia – Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia, Carnivora, Cetartiodactyla” con l’ambizioso obiettivo di riportare tutte le
informazioni ad oggi disponibili su questi taxa. Il volume è opera di diversi autori che, in base alle loro competenze, hanno lavorato
negli anni nei diversi ambiti di progetto condotti dall’Ente Parco. Nonostante gli sforzi per uniformare i testi e le schede, in relazione alla differente specializzazione degli autori, il volume apparirà certamente disomogeneo nello stile e nell’ordine in cui sono trattati i diversi argomenti. Nel volume sono riportare tutte le specie rinvenute nell’area Parco e appartenenti agli ordini Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia, Carnivora, Cetartiodactyla, con l’eccezione dell’ordine dei Rodentia che annovera altre specie presenti nel Parco, qui non trattate.
In tal senso si auspica il completamento dell’opera con un secondo volume riguardante Rodentia e Eulipotyphla.
Dopo un inquadramento dell’area Parco, ciascuna specie è stata trattata singolarmente con una scheda che include, nell’ordine riportato:
– Nome Scientifico
– Tassonomia e Descrizione
– Distribuzione e Habitat
– Ecologia e Comportamento
– Stato di Conservazione e minacce
– Presenza e Stato di Conservazione nel PNAM.
Per alcune specie, inoltre, sono state realizzate mappe di idoneità ambientale che forniscono una sintesi delle relazioni che intercorrono tra ambiente e popolazioni animali.
È doveroso, infine, ringraziare i colleghi e gli amici che, negli anni, con passione e dovizia, direttamente e indirettamente, hanno collaborato alla redazione del volume, attraverso una proficua collaborazione, il confronto e l’arricchimento.
... Durante i monitoraggi è stato utilizzato un dispositivo in grado di abbassare la frequenza dell'emissione ultrasonora, denominato bat detector, in modo da renderla udibile per l'orecchio umano, convertendola cioè in un intervallo di frequenza compreso tra 20 Hz e 20 kHz. L'efficacia del bat detector nel rivelare la presenza di chirotteri dipende dalla sensibilità del dispositivo, dall'intensità del segnale, dalla struttura dell'habitat in cui si effettua il rilevamento, nonché dalla distanza tra sorgente sonora e ricevitore e dalle loro posizioni relative (Agnelli et al. 2004). Alcune specie, come Plecotus spp. ...
... I chirotteri del genere Plecotus producono infatti segnali ultrasonori particolarmente deboli e perciò difficilmente percepibili, sia da parte dei Lepidotteri timpanati di cui spesso si nutrono, sia da parte del ricercatore che utilizzi un bat detector. Analogamente, i Rinolofidi emettono segnali ultrasonori assai direzionali e di frequenza elevata (le alte frequenze subiscono forte attenuazione atmosferica) e perciò non sono facilmente rilevabili, soprattutto a una certa distanza (Agnelli et al. 2004 invece molto variabile con un picco di 61 contatti/ ora per l'area di Brebbia e un minimo di 17,5 contatti/ora per l'area di Sesto Calende. La differenza nel numero di contatti registrati può essere dovuta alla differenza di habitat che caratterizza le diverse aree (Università dell'Insubria 2014). ...
... In particolare, si assiste ad un aumento dell'ampiezza di banda della frequenza del segnale, ad una riduzione della durata e ad un innalzamento delle frequenze iniziale, centrale, finale e di massima energia. Spesso, in tali circostanze vengono soppressi caratteri che risulterebbero altrimenti diagnostici(Agnelli et al. 2004). Eptesicus serotinus / Nyctalus leisleri Nelle diverse aree i taxa contattati non si differenziano di molto. ...
The book presents the results of the LIFE Project "TIB - Trans Insubria Bionet" that includes interventions of defragmentation of terrestrial ecological corridors, including wildlife underpasses.
... N˚: 13040, 26/03/2014). All the main procedural guidelines (Agnelli et al., 2004) were used during animal handling to minimise stress. Some of the fieldwork material and instruments were supplied by Prof. Teeling's lab at University College of Dublin. ...
Despite bats representing one fifth of all mammals, little is known about the ecology and the population status for many species belonging to this order. This is often a consequence of our poor knowledge of population densities and demographic parameters, bats being typically elusive subjects for ecological studies. Capture-mark-recapture provide important demographic and ecological data to fill up this information gap. In this study, we monitored and gathered data over five years from a reproductive roost of Kuhl’s pipistrelle (Pipistrellus kuhlii Kuhl, 1817) located in
a Natura 2000 site in north-west Italy. One-hundred-thirty-three individuals were captured and demographic parameters collected, including the annual survival probability for both young and adults, the recapture rates for different sex and
age cohorts and the adult population size trend. The influence of environmental variables on the population was also assessed, highlighting the relevant impact of winter temperatures and spring rainfalls on individual survival ability.
Notably, our study provides for the first time an estimation of the survival rate of adult females of Kuhl’s pipistrelle, a crucial information for future design of studies related to this species’ ecology and for informing conservation efforts.
... These caves are now the subject of extensive research and periodic monitoring of different aspects, including palaeontology, species abundance, and conservation related (Kotsakis & Petronio, 1981;Ragonese & Contoli 1996;Agnelli et al., 2004;Lanza 2012;Spena et al., 2013;Audra et al., 2019). The latest research by Fichera et al. (2021) rigorously described the current bat distribution across 31 different caves located in Mt. ...
Insular bat communities are a preeminent conservation taxon due to their ecological role and intriguing and unique species composition. Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean. However, research on Sicilian bats is still scattered, with substantial information being overlooked. Here we present a systematic review of all available bibliographic information from 1810 to 2022, including grey literature, archives, and peer-reviewed publications. The analyses of bibliographic sources permitted us to evaluate the status of research on bats using the Bat Research Efficiency (BRE) and Species-Research Effort Allocation (SREA) metrics. A total of 81 documents were obtained. Since 1955, an average of 1.2 contributions have been issued per year. Over half of the documents are in Italian. The studies are primarily conducted in north-western (40%) and south-eastern (28%) Sicily, mainly in the provinces of Palermo and Siracusa. Most of the contributions concern “Species records” (61%) and “Ecology” (21%). There were 28 species reported, but a significant bias exists towards Myotis myotis, Miniopterus schreibersii, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, Myotis capaccinii, and Rhinolophus euryale. Around 31.5% of the studies focused on threatened species, while 68.5% concentrated on non-threatened species, with an overall preference for cave-dwelling species. Yet, SREA analysis demonstrates a lack of research efforts for all species. We encourage the use of a multidisciplinary approach towards under-studied species while covering geographical gaps and increasing public awareness of the functional role of bats in natural ecosystems.
... In Great Britain, numerical decreases have been documented in the early 60s and 80s, while current populations seem stable. In Italy the species was probably abundant in the last century (Gulino & Dal Piaz, 1939), but surveys (Agnelli et al., 2004). The population is in decline due to the loss of foraging habitats, due to the intensifi cation of agriculture and the use of pesticides, as well as to the reduction of adequate refuge sites. ...
Caves play an important role in bat ecology, offering natural roosting and wintering sites. In the reproductive period, bats need to fi nd an effective foraging environment away from the cave entrance, but only few studies have considered the use of foraging habitats in the immediate proximity of the caves. We provide a list of 18 bat species and 5 bat acoustic groups observed in a system of 81 caves in NW Italy. Winter censuses carried out during 17 years showed an increase of the Greater Horseshoe bat, a species of conservation concern. In the summer period this rare species was also observed
foraging in nearby areas. Recording of bat calls in the summer period was performed both at cave entrances and in three foraging habitats present in the area surrounding the cave (woods, agricultural mosaic with artifi cial light, dark mosaic). Light mosaics and woods showed the highest foraging activity (160.3 and 72.0 pass/hour), while woods and cave entrances were accessed by the largest number of bat species. Our survey improves the inventory of bat species in a poorly sampled area, and we recommend a reduced tourism access, thereby promoting preservation of bats.
... For this reason, the list of strictly protected species (Annex II) by the "Berne Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats" (1979) includes all Microchiroptera, with the exception of Pipistrellus pipistrellus. The species referable to the Italian territory are currently 35 (Agnelli et al. 2004). They belong to the Italian fauna virtually all European species divided into three families: ...
The study of bats has a significant interest from a systematic, zoogeographic, ecological and physiological point of view, but their possible role as potential carriers of pathogenic bacteria is little explored and very little research has been carried out on the European continent. The aim of this study is to investigate the culturable aerobic enteric, conjunctival and oral bacterial flora of bats living in southern Italy to determine the physiological bacterial microflora and to investigate the possible occurrence of pathogenic bacteria. Five hundred and sixty-seven samples were collected from 189 individuals of 4 species of bats ( Myotis myotis, Myotis capaccinii, Miniopterus schreibersii and Rhinolophus hipposideros ). The sampling was carried out in six areas of the territory of Sicily and Calabria (southern Italy). All samples were examined for Gram negative bacteria; conjunctival and oral swabs were also submitted to bacteriological examination for Gram positive bacteria. Four hundred thirteen Gram negative strains were isolated. Of these, 377 belonged to 17 different genera of the Enterobacteriaceae Group and 30 to 5 other Families. One hundred eighty three Gram positive strains were isolated. Of these, 73 belonged to Staphylococcaceae Family, 72 to Bacillaceae Family and 36 to 4 other Families. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that some of these genera have been isolated from bats. The results confirmed that bats play an important role in the ecology and circulation of potentially pathogenic bacteria not only for wild species but also for domestic animals and for humans.
Barclay (1999) criticized the qualitative approach for acoustic identification of species of bats (O'Farrell et al., 1999) on the basis of intraspecific variation due to geography, habitat, and species-assemblage factors. However, variations described to date represent minor variations in specific parameters of call structure and, with experience, present no difficulty in discriminating among species. Certain species, under certain circumstances, emit calls that may be confused with other species. These calls represent a small percentage of the total repertoire. Experience reveals these cases, and such calls should be judged unidentifiable. Barclay was concerned about a qualitative approach but stated that quantification has shown variation sufficient to negate the ability to identify species. The qualitative approach avoids this problem because it is not sensitive to minor quantitative differences.
Bat researchers currently use a variety of techniques that transform echolocation calls into audible frequencies and allow the spectral content of a signal to be viewed and analyzed. All techniques have limitations and an understanding of how each works and the effect on the signal being analyzed are vital for correct interpretation. The 3 most commonly used techniques for transforming frequencies of a call are heterodyne, frequency division, and time expansion. Three techniques for viewing spectral content of a signal are zero-crossing, Fourier analysis, and instantaneous frequency analysis. It is important for bat researchers to be familiar with the advantages and disadvantages of each technique.
Presumably, reproductive female bats are more constrained by thermoregulatory and energy needs than are males and nonreproductive females. Constraints imposed on reproductive females may limit their geographic distribution relative to other bats. Such constraints likely increase with latitude and elevation. Males of 11 bat species that inhabit the Black Hills were captured more frequently than females, and reproductive females typically were en-countered at low-elevational sites. To investigate the relationship between female distri-bution and elevation, we fitted a logistic regression model to evaluate the probability of reproductive-female capture as a function of elevation. Mist-net data from 1,197 captures of 7 species revealed that 75% of all captures were males. We found a significant inverse relationship between elevation and relative abundance of reproductive females. Relative abundance of reproductive females decreased as elevation increased. Reproductive females may be constrained from roosting and foraging in high-elevational habitats that impose thermoregulatory costs and decrease foraging efficiency. Failure to account for sex differ-ences in distributional patterns along elevational gradients may significantly bias estimates of population size. Sex differences in the warm-season dis-tribution of insectivorous bats likely reflect differential energetic and roosting needs, on which climate may have a major influence (Barclay 1991; Thomas 1988). Dwyer (1971) predicted that bats in northern lati-tudes, that aggregate in low-temperature caves during winter, move to warmer roosts during summer in conjunction with a lati-tudinal change in cave temperatures. Move-ment of females from cold hibernacula to warm maternity areas is thought to be a general pattern among Myotis in temperate regions (Hill and Smith 1984). However, little information exists on the ubiquity of this pattern between sexes of insectivorous bats.
We experimentally showed that Daubenton's bat (Myotis daubentonii), a Palearctic vespertilionid species hunting for insects floating on or flying close to water surfaces, can take a small fish for prey if the fish penetrates a smooth water surface. The bat in our experiments was able to lift small fish and other big prey items out of the water by using its large feet. The bat readily fed on the fish we offered.
Ninety-three papers on home-range analysis using radio-tracking data were reviewed; these papers were found in a literature search of 18 of the major journals likely to include such papers, published in the 5-year period to the end of 1988. The review showed that even 25 years after the first radio-tracking studies, in the majority of papers there was still insufficient attention given to accurate and sufficient data collection, and to using appropriate and sophisticated analytical techniques to assess home-range size and configuration. This paper is designed to help people undertaking a radio-tracking study to avoid some of the most common pitfalls. It is based on some of the problems we have experienced studying several species of larger mammals. We use our collective experience to produce a guide on how to plan a radio-tracking study, to highlight some of the potential problems in designing the study and collecting the data, and to identify some of the difficulties that may be encountered during the analytical stages. The advantages and disadvantages of the most frequently used methods of home-range analysis are discussed and methods for determining the minimum number of radio-fixes and techniques for adjusting inadequate sample sizes are described, as are the problems that may be caused by autocorrelated data.
1. Bat foraging activity was quantified by using a broad-band acoustic method on transects in 10 land use types in south-west England. From multivariate analysis of parameters of bat echolocation calls, 83% of bat passes could be identified to species level with quantified degrees of certainty. The remaining 17% could be identified to species group. 2. Total bat activity was positively correlated with air temperature, and once adjusted for temperature, was significantly higher over rivers and lakes than over other land use types. 3. Bats that use frequency-modulated echolocation calls (mainly Myotis spp., but some Plecotus auritus) were recorded in nine of 10 land use types, but never in villages. Rivers and lakes supported high levels of activity of these species. Bats classified as 45 kHz and 55 kHz phonic types of Pipistrellus pipistrellus had different habitat requirements; 45 kHz P. pipistrellus fed in many habitats, while 55 kHz P. pipistrellus fed mainly over rivers and lakes. Bats classified as Nyctalus noctula, Nyctalus leisleri and Eptesicus serotinus were most active in open habitats and over rivers and lakes. 4. Total bat activity was equally high in woodland interiors and along woodland edges, but bats were relatively more active in sheltered sections of transects than in exposed sections. 5. Plans for land management should take into account the habitat needs of bats. For most bat species in Britain, rivers and lakes are of primary importance. Management plans should aim to maintain physical diversity and features used by insects in freshwater habitats, woodlands and pasture.
Female brown long-eared bats Plecotus auritus nurse their own young selectively. Choice experiments suggested that females recognized infants by using both olfactory and acoustic cues. Infant isolation calls (i-calls) showed individual variation, and vocal signatures allowed the females to recognize and suckle their own pup. As the pups grew, the i-calls increased in frequency and decreased in duration, and the i-calls appeared to change into orientation cries. Mothers were able to recognize recent calls of their own babies in preference to older calls. Echolocation sounds were distinguishable statistically between lactating females, and the behaviour of the babies during choice experiments suggested that in this species a mutual acoustic recognition occurs. The growth and development of wing shape in P. auritus are described.
An analysis of 59 droppings of the greater noctule Nyctalus lasiopterus, collected either during direct handling of the bat or from the bat-boxes used as shelters in the Pian di Novello Natural Reserve (Tuscany, Italy), has shown that it is a partial carnivore. The content of the samples, collected in October and November of 1995 and in September and October of 1996 and 1997, consisted mainly of bird feathers identified as those of the robin Erithacus rubecula and the blue tit Parus caeruleus. The presence of feathers during the 3 consecutive years of the study period confirms that the diet of the greater noctule in this area is not based exclusively on arthropods as was previously suggested.
The sensitivity of bat species to stochastic disturbance was investigated by exploiting the natural experiment provided by Hurricane Georges, which struck the island of Puerto Rico (Caribbean) in September 1998. Six forest habitats and three cave roost sites sampled for bats prior to the hurricane were sampled in the same way after the hurricane. Populations showed significant declines in abundance and species richness across all forest habitats sampled. Species' sensitivity to disturbance were not equal: larger species were significantly more affected by disturbance than smaller species, once the effects of phylogenetic non-independence were removed. There was some evidence that frugivorous and nectarivorous species are more affected by hurricane disturbance than insectivorous species. These findings have important implications for maintaining viable populations of species in areas that experience a high degree of environmental fluctuation.