Bats and pollution: Genetic approaches in ecotoxicology

Considering pollinators' ecosystem services in the remediation and restoration of contaminated lands: Overview of research and its gaps

“…Only one study of pesticide residues (organochlorines) in bat tissues included a pollinating bat (long‐nosed bat; Leptonycteris yerbabuenae , now renamed Leptonycteris sanborni ), and it was found to have lower residues than the insectivorous species studied (Reidinger, 1976). Exposure or effects of herbicides on bats have not been investigated (Torquetti et al, 2021), although a review found 16 studies that quantified genetic markers of environmental pollution in bats (2 of 55 species examined were nectarivorous) published since 1996 (Sotero et al, 2022). A metals review paper (Zukal et al, 2015) reported that frugivorous/nectarivorous bats had higher mean levels of cadmium, chromium, copper, palladium, and zinc than insectivorous species, suggesting that some exposure may occur via grooming.…”

Evaluation of Parabens and Bisphenol A Concentration Levels in Wild Bat Guano Samples

“…Bats are particularly vulnerable to the impact of factors changing their natural habitats, among which one of the most important is anthropogenic pollutions of the environment [46]. For this reason, bats are considered to be one of the best bioindicators of quality environment, including anthropogenic environmental pollution [46][47][48]. The high sensitivity of bats to environmental pollution is related to their biology, namely, their relatively long lifespan (even more than 30 years) and high metabolic rates resulting in high food intake, as well as frequent establishment of colonies near human habitation [49,50].…”

Impacts of nickel mining on the DNA and hematological parameters of two species of bat in central Brazil

“…In addition to bioaccumulation, these metals can cause morphological and genetic alterations in mammals, and pollute water sources and soils (Voutsas et al 2002). Exposure to these environmental stressors can also damage other aspects of the health of a species, such as its blood cells and breeding patterns (Sotero et al 2022), which may have irreversible consequences for the local wildlife. Bats, for example, which are relatively long-lived in comparison with other small-bodied mammals (Zukal et al 2015), tend to be at serious risk in mining zones.…”

“…Leukocytes, or white blood cells, consist of a number of different and functionally distinct types of cell, including neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes (Overmann 2017). In addition to the leukocyte pro le, the analysis of genetic biomarkers, such as the comet assay and the micronucleus test, can provide important parameters for the assessment of bat health (Sotero et al 2022). While considered to be non-invasive, these tests are effective for the assessment of DNA damage, and have been applied successfully in a number of different taxonomic groups (…”

“…Overall, the results of the study indicate that bats are susceptible to immunological disorders and DNA damage in mining zones, with the nectarivorous G. soricina appearing to be relatively more susceptible, and thus a potentially effective bioindicator of the impact of contamination in these environments.vertebrate species, and in particular, for systematic comparisons between taxa (Davis and Maney 2018).Overall, then, pollution can have a negative effect on the vertebrate immune system (Pilosof et al 2014;de Gregorio et al 2021;Menéndez-Blázquez et al 2021).Leukocytes, or white blood cells, consist of a number of different and functionally distinct types of cell, including neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes (Overmann 2017). In addition to the leukocyte pro le, the analysis of genetic biomarkers, such as the comet assay and the micronucleus test, can provide important parameters for the assessment of bat health (Sotero et al 2022). While considered to be non-invasive, these tests are effective for the assessment of DNA damage, and have been applied successfully in a number of different taxonomic groups (…”