BackgroundThe dramatic mass mortalities amongst hibernating bats in Northeastern America caused by “white nose-syndrome” (WNS) continue to threaten populations of different bat species. The cold-loving fungus, Geomyces destructans, is the most likely causative agent leading to extensive destruction of the skin, particularly the wing membranes. Recent investigations in Europe confirmed the presence of the fungus G. destructans without associated mass mortality in hibernating bats in six countries but its distribution remains poorly known.Methodology/Principal FindingsWe collected data on the presence of bats with white fungal growth in 12 countries in Europe between 2003 and 2010 and conducted morphological and genetic analysis to confirm the identity of the fungus as Geomyces destructans. Our results demonstrate the presence of the fungus in eight countries spanning over 2000 km from West to East and provide compelling photographic evidence for its presence in another four countries including Romania, and Turkey. Furthermore, matching prevalence data of a hibernaculum monitored over two consecutive years with data from across Europe show that the temporal occurrence of the fungus, which first becomes visible around February, peaks in March but can still be seen in some torpid bats in May or June, is strikingly similar throughout Europe. Finally, we isolated and cultured G. destructans from a cave wall adjacent to a bat with fungal growth.Conclusions/Significance G. destructans is widely found over large areas of the European continent without associated mass mortalities in bats, suggesting that the fungus is native to Europe. The characterisation of the temporal variation in G. destructans growth on bats provides reference data for studying the spatio-temporal dynamic of the fungus. Finally, the presence of G. destructans spores on cave walls suggests that hibernacula could act as passive vectors and/or reservoirs for G. destructans and therefore, might play an important role in the transmission process.
Results of the Winter Bat Census in Two Sites of the Central Podolia (Ukraine)In February 2009 a full bat census in GMN- and IVK-mines (Khmelnytsky Oblast) was done. In total, 4801 individuals of 10 species were counted: 2438 of 7 sp. in GMN-mines and 2364 of 9 sp. in IVK-mines. The carried work is the first experience of a full bat census in considerable by length underground systems (29 and 11 km correspondingly) in Ukraine. Examination of GMN-mines took 77,5 man-hours; IVK-mines, ca. 50 man-hours. The obtained results will be at a base of the further bat monitoring in these two sites.
In 2009–2020, there was an increase in the number of the western barbastelle in Podillia. The number of wintering specimens in key wintering sites in the region has increased from 5 to 2500. The total increase over 12 years was 2,200 individuals, an average of +168 individuals per year. The only summer find of the species is the registration of a cluster of 20 speci-mens in a hollow of an old willow in the valley of the Studenytsia river near Nyzhni Patryntsi, Kamianets-Podilskyi Raion, Khmelnytskyi Oblast. According to census results, a positive population dynamics is observed in key wintering sites of the region: IVK, GMN, and YAC-mines. The species was also found in other anthropogenic sites of Pryvorottia-2, in the basement of Ozhekhovsky Palace in Kytaygorod, Kamianets-Podilskyi Raion, Khmelnytskyi Oblast, and in the basement of an abandoned house near Glybochok, Nova Ushytsia Raion, Khmelnytskyi Oblast. IVK mines are a unique wintering site of bats, which has been known as one of the largest winter aggregation of the species in Ukraine for the last 10 years.
Most of the available data on bats in the national park are related to the monitoring of their number in wintering sites, and the study of summering bat populations remains an important task for further monitoring of biodiversity of the Podilski Tovtry National Nature Park. Bats are an important indicator group of animals for assessing the state of conservation of faunal groups and studying the dynamics of biodiversity of nature reserves. Bats depend on the availability of suitable sites and are the first to respond to changes in the natural habitat. Acoustic monitoring was carried out using an Echo Meter Touch Ultrasonic Modules detector and a Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite smartphone. The analysis of sound signals was performed in the Echo Meter software (version 2.7.23) from Wildlife Acoustics, as well as in the Kaleidoscope bat software. Bats were also trapped using mist nets. Natural shelters were inspected using a Trotec BO26 professional endoscope. Ten species of bats were studied: Myotis nattereri, Myotis daubentonii, Plecotus auritus, Barbastella barbastellus, Nyctalus leisleri, Nyctalus noctula, Pipistrellus nathusii, Pipistrellus kuhlii, Pipistrellus pygmaeus, and Eptesicus serotinus. The most common are species of the genus Pipistrellus and the species Nyctalus noctula (47.5%). River valleys are important migration corridors for migratory animal species. Seasonal activity of bats on survey transects is characterized by two peaks: spring (May) and autumn (September) migration periods. Acoustic activity of bats on survey transects lasts for eight months, from March to November. Autumn migration activity is longer than in spring. In the first decade of October, several thousand individuals of Nyctalus noctula were recorded flying in the valley of the Muksha River, near Tarasivka village, Kamianets-Podilsky Raion. The obtained data will improve the performance of work on assessing the state of conservation of faunal groups and changes in natural ecosystems. Preliminary results of the study will contribute to the organization of the program of acoustic monitoring of bats of the Podilski Tovtry National Nature Park.
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