Chiroblog

Evolutionary convergence (4) : molecules into !

27 April 2013

A fourth episode adds to this series dedicated to evolutionary convergences. In previous episodes, we have seen that convergence is parallel acquisitions of similar structures in different lineages but subject to equivalent environmental conditions. We have seen examples of convergence ecomorphological (ecology + morphology) as in bats fisherwomen, the Myotis and in nectar bats of the family Phyllostomidae. Even more impressive, convergence may exist molecular level ! This was discovered American and Chinese researchers in Cetaceans (specifically in toothed whales or Odontoceti) and Microchiroptera *, that use ultrasound the mechanismecholocation (= biosonar) to lead and drive. The gene encoding the prestine, protein used to hearing and sound amplification, in these animals shows a very similar molecular mechanism (He et al. 2008 & 2010, Jones 2010, Liu et al. 2010).

So, Examples of convergence are increasing in the literature and further work in this area still promises many discoveries equally interesting about the evolution of life.

Yann for Chiroblog

Microchiroptera * : Two sub-orders were conventionally accepted : the Microchiroptera (small relative size and capable of echolocation) and Megachiroptera (large relative ; Dobson 1875). Recently, the order was recut into two new sub-orders to break the paraphyletic Microchiroptera : the Yinpterochiroptera and Yangochiroptera (Teeling et al. 2002 ; Teeling et al. 2005).

References :

Jones, G. (2010). Molecular evolution: gene convergence in echolocating mammals. Current biology : CB, 20(2), R62–4. two:10.1016/j.cub.2009.11.059

Li, G., Wang, J., Rossiter, S. J., Jones, G., Cotton, J. A., & Zhang, S. (2008). The hearing gene Prestin reunites echolocating bats. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 105(37), 13959–64. two:10.1073/pnas.0802097105

Li, Y., Liu, Z., Shi, P., & Zhang, J. (2010). The hearing gene Prestin unites echolocating bats and whales. Current biology : CB, 20(2), R55–6. two:10.1016/j.cub.2009.11.042

Liu, Y., Cotton, J. A., Shen, B., Han, X., Rossiter, S. J., & Zhang, S. (2010). Convergent sequence evolution between echolocating bats and dolphins. Current biology : CB, 20(2), R53–4. two:10.1016/j.cub.2009.11.058

Teeling, It. C., The. Madsen, R. A. Van den Bussche, W. In. de Jong, M. J. Stanhope a M. S. Springer. 2002. Microbat paraphyly and the convergent evolution of a key innovation in Old World rhinolophoid microbats. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA 99: 1431-1436.

Teeling, It. C., M. S. Springer, The. Madsen, P. Bates, J. O'Brien S et W. J. MurJhy. 2005. A molecular phylogeny for bats illuminates biogeography and the fossil record. Science 307: 580-584.

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Published in Nucleic acid, Echolocation | No Comments »

News in April 2013

15 April 2013

A new selection of scientific articles for the month of April 2013 :

- An article on the potential of green roofs as habitats for bats.
Based on sound monitoring performed in the heart of London, green roofs appear
more favorable for bats compared to conventional roofs [Download PDF].

- An article on the seasonal variability of the activity of bats at different heights.
The study with Anabat records in an English forest advises placing recorders ultrasound
at different heights to achieve acoustic inventories during the active period of bats [Download PDF].

- An article on the factors contributing to mortality of bats by wind turbines in the Mediterranean region.
94% victims would occur between August and October, at temperatures above 13 ° C and a wind speed of less than 5 m/s [Download PDF].

- A second article on bats victims of wind turbines with a study based in Greece.
The main recommendation of the study is to increase the minimum wind speed required
for starting to wind 5 m/s, threshold limit damage to bats
with minimal impact on the production of electricity [Download PDF].

The team Chiroblog

References
Amorim, F., Rebelo, H., & Rodrigues, The. (2012). Factors Influencing Bat Activity and Mortality at a Wind Farm in the Mediterranean Region. Acta Chiropterologica, 14(2), 439–457. two:10.3161/150811012X661756

Georgiakakis, P., Mole, E., Carcamo, B., Doutau, B., Kafkaletou-Diez, A., Vasilakis, D., & Papadatou, It. (2012). Bat Fatalities at Wind Farms in North-Eastern Greece. Acta Chiropterologica, 14(2), 459–468. two:10.3161/150811012X661765

Pearce, H., & Walters, C. The. (2012). Do Green Roofs Provide Habitat for Bats in Urban Areas? Acta Chiropterologica, 14(2), 469–478. two:10.3161/150811012X661774

Staton, T., & Poulton, S. (2012). Seasonal Variation in Bat Activity in Relation to Detector Height: A Case Study. Acta Chiropterologica, 14(2), 401–408. two:10.3161/150811012X661710


 

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Published in Conservation, Echolocation, Aeolian, Europe, Protocol, Field | No Comments »

Evolutionary convergence (3) : the nectarivorie

7 April 2013

Third episode of series devoted to evolutionary convergences. After the bats and fisherwomen Myotis, This new section is dedicated to nectarivorie in the family Phyllostomidae. This family of Central and South America bats is characterized by its wide variety of diets: the’insectivorie, the carnivorie, thehématophagie, the frugivorie and nectarivorie. The nectar of this family were previously grouped on the basis of criteria ecomorphological (ecology + morphology): elongated rostrum and languages, reduced dentition and theft on site. A thorough molecular study revealed a double origin of nectarivorie, with subtle morphological differences, particularly in terms of the structure of the stock (e.g. Datzmann et al. 2010).

Glossophaga soricina (Phyllostomidae), nectarivore bat on a distributor of nectar

© Photo: Raphaël Colombo

Yann for Chiroblog

Citation

Datzmann, T., von Helversen, The. et F. Mayer. 2010. Evolution of nectarivory in phyllostomid bats (Phyllostomidae Gray, 1825, Chiroptera: Mammalia). BMC Evolutionary Biology 10: 165.

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Published in Americas, Anatomy, Evolutionary convergence, Ethology, Evolution adaptation | No Comments »

Evolutionary convergence (2) : Myotis !

1 March 2013

The series of articles devoted to evolutionary convergences continues. After bats fisherwomen, a second article on Myotis. This kind of bat is distributed worldwide and includes more than 100 cash. The mouse was until recently classified 3 major groups according to their ecomorphology (Findley 1972) : terrestrial gleaners, aerial plankton eaters and "fishing" on the surface of the water. In these 3 groups, the morpho-anatomical (morphology + anatomy) reflected partly the operation of the resource. For example, M. daubentonii Eurasia and M. lucifugus America were clustered in the group of Myotis "Fishermen" by their long legs and feet strong. The use of genetic data is causing a major disruption of the classification and relations of kinship based on data ecomorphological. So, M. daubentonii turns out to be a close cousin of M. bechsteinii Europe in the newly defined group of murine Palearctic, M. lucifugus it is associated with other species in the American. Based on ecomorphological convergences (ecology + morphology), species were grouped, considered from a common ancestor while it was close equivalents ecological appeared simultaneously in different biogeographical regions(Ruedi et Mayer 2001).

Yann for Chiroblog

References

Findley, J.S. 1972. Phenetic relationships among bats of the genus Myotis. Systematic Zoology 21: 31-52.

Ruedi, M. et F. Mayer. 2001. Molecular systematics of bats of the genus Myotis (Vespertilionidae) suggests deterministic ecomorphological convergences. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 21: 436-448.

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Published in Anatomy, Biogeography, Evolution adaptation, Genetic, Taxonomy | No Comments »

Mothers they hunt for further leave territories close to their offspring ?

14 February 2013

With the birth of young people and increase the size of the colony, density of individuals nearby thereof would result in the removal of experienced individuals (adult female Rhinolophus euryale – Rhinolophus euryale : (Goiti et al., 2006; Nemoz, 2007), Small Rhinolophe – Rhinolophus hipposideros (Tooth et al., 2008). Comments on an American species Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus suggest the distance when the young begin to fly and feed themselves, rather late lactation
respectively (Adam et al., 1994). Before the birth of young, "theory of principle hunt" (« optimal foraging theory» – maximization of net energy gain per unit time) could explain this removal of adult females was not observed (Myotis lucifugus ; Adams, 1997).

The increase in food availability near the colony allows the elevation of the maximum density of individuals and therefore reducing the maximum distance hunting. Henry et al. (2002) showed in Myotis lucifugus the range size of females fell significantly between gestation and lactation (51%), which could be related to the increase in the biomass of insects during the lactation (July – Canada).
By cons, the spatial distribution of individuals Murin capaccinii – Myotis capaccinii – is not statistically different sampling date (for gestation and lactation; Crenellate et al., 2011).

Dorian and Yann for Chiroblog

References
- Adam, M. D., M. J. Lacki, and Barnes T. G. Barnes (1994). Foraging Areas and Habitat Use of the Virginia Big-eared Bat in Kentucky. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 58(3)462–469.

- Adams, R.A. (1997). Onset of Volancy and Foraging Patterns of Juvenile Little Brown Bats, Myotis lucifugus. Journal of Mammalogy, 78(1), 239–246.

- Crenellate, D., J. Aihartza, You. Goiti, It. Salsamendi, and Garin I. (2011). Reproductive and Age Classes Do Not Change Spatial Dynamics of Foraging Long-fingered Bats (Myotis capaccinii). European Journal of Wildlife Research. two:10.1007/s10344-011-0507-0.

- Goiti, U., J.R. Aihartza, D. Crenellate, It. Salsamendi, and Garin I. (2006). Seasonal Foraging by Rhinolophus Euryale (Rhinolophidae) in an Atlantic Rural Landscape in Northern Iberian Peninsula. Acta Chiropterologica, 8, 141–155.

- Henry, M., D.W. Thomas, R. Vaudry, and Carrier, M. (2002). Foraging Distances and Home Range of Pregnant and Lactating Little Brown Bats (Myotis lucifugus). Journal of Mammalogy, 83, 767–774.

- Nemoz, M. (2007). Study Of Activity And Habitats Hunting The horseshoe Euryales (Rhinolophus euryale) From Colony to Magnagues (Lot, France) In View Of Their Conservation. Group of bats Midi-Pyrenees, Conservatory Natural Areas Midi-Pyrénées and French Society for the Study and Protection of Mammals.

- Tooth, A., J. Holzhaider, It. Kriner, A. Maier, and Kayikcioglu (2008). Foraging Activity of Rhinolophus hipposideros on the Island of Herrenchiemsee, Upper Bavaria. Mammalian Biology – Magazine for Mammalogy, 73, 222–229.

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Bats fossil carnivores ?

6 February 2013

It is Tunisia, the Djebel Chambi located in the region of Kasserine, the team of Paleontology Montpellier found a fossil specimen of "microchiroptère" very large old about 50 million years. The single tooth of the species Witwatia sigei however, revealed many important information about the evolutionary history of bats in North Africa. This geographical area is known for being the birthplace of a very ancient and endemic family known as the Philisidae (considered archaic vespertilionoïdes). Their story spans over 20 Million years, either from the Eocene (environ -50 Ma) the Oligocene (environ -20 Ma)abouthilisButae have the characteristic grouping of very large size specimens whose weight was equivalent to the largest carnivorous bats present (+ 100g as Macroderma gigas, Vampyrum spectrum or Scotophilus gigas). The analysis of tooth morphology tells us that the bat fossil found in Tunisia was able to hunt small vertebrates, or at least have a more opportunistic than small insectivorous bat fossils from the same period (Ravel 2012). Another fossil bat very large carnivore and is found in the South West of France, in the Quercy (SiGe 2011). The author of this study has established the family as Philisidae Necromantidae which includes fossil species of large size in the European Paleogene (is between 43 and 29 Million years). These findings demonstrate the early acquisition of varied diets and converging in the earliest periods of the history of modern bats.

Anthony Ravel

References :

Ravel, A., Marivaux, L., Tabuce, R., Ben Haj Ali, M., Essid EL M., et Vianey-Liaud, M. (2012). A new large philisid (Mammalia, Chiroptera, Vespertilionoidea) from the late Early Eocene of Chambi, Tunisia. Palaeontology, 55(5), 1035-1041.
Accessible: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1475-4983.2012.01160.x/pdf

SiGe, B. (2011). Cryptobune nov. gen., Bloodwing carnivorous phosphorites of Quercy, SW France. Bulletin of the Natural History Society of Toulouse, 147, 47-54.

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Published in Africa, Anatomy, Europe, France, Uncategorized | No Comments »

News in January 2013

15 January 2013

Any team Chiroblog wish you a happy new year 2013 !

A new selection of scientific articles for the month of January 2013 :

- An article on vampire bats that highlights mutual aid
(rather than kinship or harassment) the origin of blood donations [download the PDF].

- An article that the link between the evolution of flight in bats and better disease resistance [link to the summary].

- An article on the use of thermal scanners to detect bats carry rabies [link to the summary].

The team Chiroblog

References
- Carter, G. G., & Wilkinson, G. S. (2013). Food sharing in vampire bats: reciprocal help predicts donations more than relatedness or harassment. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 280(1753), 20122573–20122573. two:10.1098/rspb.2012.2573

- Ellison, J. A., Johnson, S. R., Kuzmina, N., Gilbert, A., Carson, In. C., Vercauteren, K. C., & Rupprecht, C. It. (2012). Multidisciplinary Approach to Epizootiology and Pathogenesis of Bat Rabies Viruses in the United States. Zoonoses and public health, 60(1), 46–57. two:10.1111/zph.12019

- Zhang, G., Cowled, C., Shi, Z., Huang, Z., Bishop-Lilly, K. A., Fang, X., Wynne, J. W., et al. (2012). Comparative Analysis of Bat Genomes Provides Insight into the Evolution of Flight and Immunity. Science. two:10.1126/science.1230835

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News in October 2012

5 October 2012

A new selection of scientific articles for the month of October 2012 :

- An article that solves a mystery of 65 years during which we knew only a single copy of Paracoelops megalotis, a small bat in the collected in the Hipposiderids family 1947 to the Viet Nam. Person since had never managed to capture another copy of the species that represents a unique kind. A re-examination of the specimen type Paracoelops megalotisdéceller has significant errors in the description and comparison with bats captured recently in Vietnam led to the conclusion that the case was none other than Hipposideros pomona, a species relatively frequent in Southeast Asia [download the PDF].

- A new phylogeny of the Murine (Myotis) Central America and tropical was published in the journal PLoS One
[download the PDF]. On the basis of molecular criteria, three new lines nt been described, It will add to the 15 already known.

- A publication published in the Canadian Journal of Zoology highlights possible hybridization
between species Pipistrellus pipistrellus and P. pygmaeus [link to the summary].

- An article that highlights the learning of specific groups in the Emballonuridae acoustic signals Saccopteryx bilineata, useful for recognition between individuals [link to the summary]

The team Chiroblog

References


- Thong V.D., Dietz C., Denzinger A., Bates P.J.J., Puechmaille S.J., Christian C. Schnitzler and H-U. (2012). Resolving a mystery mammal: the identity of Paracoelops megalotis (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae). Zootaxa, 3505, 75-85.

- Knornschild, M., Large, M., Metz,M.., Mayer, F., & von Helversen, The. (2012). Learned vocal group signatures in the polygynous beats Saccopteryx bilineata. Animal Behaviour, 84(4), 761-769. two:10.1016/j.anbehav.2012.06.029

- Larsen RJ, Knapp MC, Genoways HH, Khan FAA, Larsen PA, et al. (2012) Genetic Diversity of Neotropical Myotis (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) with an Emphasis on South American Species. PLoS ONE 7(10): e46578. two:10.1371/journal.pone.0046578

- Sztencel-Jabłonka, A., & Bogdanowicz, In. (2012). Population genetics study of common (Pipistrellus pipistrellus ) and soprano (Pipistrellus pygmaeus) pipistrelle bats from central Europe suggests interspecific hybridization. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 90(10), 1251–1260. two:10.1139/z2012-092

Published in Nucleic acid, Americas, Biogeography, Description of species, Echolocation, Ethology, Genetic, Taxonomy, Field | No Comments »

Is that females and young hunt together during learning ?

22 August 2012

Several studies tend to show that young people learn for themselves how to fly, hunt and identify areas rich in resources. Juveniles shall depart gradually increasing the time spent outside the colony, would feed and independently from their mothers. According Racey and Swift (1985), that juveniles of common Pipistrelles - Pipistrellus pipistrellus – shall depart gradually cottage calving, indicates that they do not follow the adult, but they learn to navigate only by familiarity. This is also evidenced in the case of Greater mouse - Myotis myotis – by Audet (1990) and for noctule of Leisler - Nyctalus leisleri - By Shiel et al. (1999). Les "feeding buzz" ("Feeding buzzes"), in addition to the social calls that are intentionally issued for the information transfer, can inform bats on food resources (Dechmann et al. 2009, Pfalzer & Kush, 2003).

Dorian and Yann for Chiroblog

References
- Audet, D. (1990). Foraging Behavior and Habitat Use by a Gleaning Bat, Myotis myotis (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae). Journal of Mammalogy 71, 420–427.

- Dechmann, D. K. N., S. L. Heucke, The. GiuggioliK K. Safi, C. C. Voigt, and Wikelski M. (2009). Experimental Evidence for Group Hunting via Eavesdropping in Echolocating Bats. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 276, 2721–2728.

- Pfalzer, G. & Kush, J. (2003). Structure and variability of bat social calls: implications for specificity and individual recognition. Journal of Zoology, 261, 21–33.

- Racey, P. A. and S. M. Swift (1985). Feeding Ecology of Pipistrellus pipistrellus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) During Pregnancy and Lactation. I. Foraging Behaviour. Journal of Animal Ecology 54, 205–215.

- Shiel, C. B., R. It.Shiell, and Fairlet J. S. (1999). Seasonal Changes in the Foraging Behaviour of Leisler’s Bats (Nyctalus leisleri) in Ireland as Revealed by Radio-telemetry. Journal of Zoology, 249, 347–358.

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Published in Echolocation, Ethology | No Comments »

iBatsID: an online tool for the identification cries of European bats

8 August 2012

A new identification software, by automatic classification of ultrasonic bat just to see the day. Its use is similar to what is currently common in this area. The major new features are free and its method of use (Java platform hosted online on the internet) impressive and its area of ​​use (Europe). The user enters values ​​for different acoustic parameters (former. duration of cries, peak frequency, terminal frequency, etc.) and software iBatsID returns the probability of each cry of belonging to different species. The identification to this level is therefore fully quantitative (probabilistic). The probabilistic interpretation of the results is then left to the user. Measurements of acoustic parameters can be performed under different software although the measures are optimized as paid software Sonobat.

By the use of sound content in a very wide variety (on the plans as inter and intra-specific sources of their geographical), the ability to compare information on populations of bats sampled acoustically is now possible at the European level. Two main limitations are discussed, less accurate vis-à-vis other methods reach more local (but with fewer species included) and low reliability of identification Myotis at specific (recurring problem for all methods available to date).

More explanations on the website IBAT : https://sites.google.com/site/ibatsresources/iBatsID

Seb, Dorian et Yann

 

 

 

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Published in Echolocation, Europe, Information | No Comments »

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