Predator-prey traits and foraging habitat shape the diet of a common insectivorous bat

Ancillotto, Leonardo; Falanga, Angelica; Agostinetto, Giulia; Tommasi, Nicola; Garonna, Antonio P.; Benedetta, Flavia de; Bernardo, Umberto; Galimberti, Andrea; Conti, Paola; Russo, Danilo

doi:10.1016/j.actao.2023.103890

Cited by 5 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…In total, 23 of the 59 species found in the diet of the 3 bat species (38.9%) are known or potential agricultural/forestry pest species or species known to transmit diseases to humans and 10 species found in bat diets had not previously been described to Madeira Island ( Supplementary Data SD1 ). These findings highlight the potential role of insectivorous bats as suppressors of arthropods with negative economic and human health impacts and their potential as an early warning signal to presence of non-native taxa ( Kemp et al 2019 ; Ancillotto et al 2022 , 2023 ; Ramírez-Fráncel et al 2022 ). Although our findings of arthropod taxa not yet recorded on Madeira Island are not surprising, we emphasize that targeted efforts to search for these species may be advisable before considering them as present on the island.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 78%

“…Although the diet composition and diversity of female and male N. l. verrucosus did not differ greatly, male bats had a wider niche breadth than females at both the family and OTU level. Female-male dietary differences have been studied in multiple bat species with contrasting results (e.g., Arrizabalaga‐Escudero et al 2019 ; Ancillotto et al 2023 ). Our findings somewhat align with small diet composition differences found between male and female Savi’s Pipistrelle ( Hypsugo savii ; Ancillotto et al 2023 ) but differ from the results obtained by Mata et al (2016) in their investigation of the dietary sexual segregation of Tadarida teniotis .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Female-male dietary differences have been studied in multiple bat species with contrasting results (e.g., Arrizabalaga‐Escudero et al 2019 ; Ancillotto et al 2023 ). Our findings somewhat align with small diet composition differences found between male and female Savi’s Pipistrelle ( Hypsugo savii ; Ancillotto et al 2023 ) but differ from the results obtained by Mata et al (2016) in their investigation of the dietary sexual segregation of Tadarida teniotis . In the latter, females of T. teniotis were found to consume larger moths than males, probably due of their higher energetic needs during pregnancy and lactation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A metabarcoding assessment of the diet of the insectivorous bats of Madeira Island, Macaronesia

Gonçalves,

Nóbrega,

Rebelo

et al. 2024

Journal of Mammalogy

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Understanding the trophic structure of species assemblages is crucial in order to comprehend how syntropic species coexist in space and time. Bats are the second most taxonomically diverse group of mammals and display a wide range of dietary strategies. Due to their ability to disperse over water, ca. 60% of all extant bat species occur on islands and for the most part their interspecific ecological interactions are poorly known. Using DNA metabarcoding, this study offers the first insights into the diet of Macaronesian bats by providing a holistic overview of prey consumed by all 3 bat species found on Madeira Island (Pipistrellus maderensis, Nyctalus leisleri verrucosus, and Plecotus austriacus) and investigating both interspecific (between P. maderensis and N. l. verrucosus) and intraspecific (between female and male N. l. verrucosus) dietary differences. We identified a total of 110 species of arthropod prey in the diet of the 3 bat species, including multiple agriculture and forestry pest species, a human disease-relevant species, and numerous taxa not previously recorded on the island. Lepidoptera was the primary prey order for all 3 bat species. The diet composition of P. maderensis and N. l. verrucosus differed significantly, with P. maderensis consuming more Diptera and multiple prey taxa not found in the diet of N. l. verucosus. Moreover, male N. l. verrucosus exhibited a broader niche breadth than females. This study is among the first to use DNA metabarcoding to evaluate the diet of insular bats and thus greatly advances knowledge regarding the trophic ecology and pest suppression services of these poorly-known mammals.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 78%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A metabarcoding assessment of the diet of the insectivorous bats of Madeira Island, Macaronesia

Gonçalves,

Nóbrega,

Rebelo

et al. 2024

Journal of Mammalogy

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“…As parturition and lactation involve high energy expenditure for females [ 53 , 54 ], this could explain their tendency to rely on the local superabundance of flies in the vicinity of cowsheds (up to 10–40 house flies/m 2 of ceiling [ 59 ]). A recent study similarly related temporal dietary differences with energy requirements of females during the lactation period [ 117 ]. In addition, as weaning of young starts in August [ 62 ], such a great reliance on cattle flies could also be attributed to the presence of inexperienced young accompanying adults in search for easy-to-catch and abundant food.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Indeed, they are corroborated by the results of previous research involving radio-tracked ME females in temperate climatic conditions [ 30 , 31 , 59 ]. Furthermore, prey trait-based studies are increasingly being carried out and are relevant for investigating insectivorous bat diets [ 17 , 41 , 43 , 117 , 120 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

All-you-can-eat buffet: A spider-specialized bat species (Myotis emarginatus) turns into a pest fly eater around cattle

Vescera,

Van Vyve,

Smits

et al. 2024

PLoS ONE

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Determining the dietary spectrum of European insectivorous bats over time is the cornerstone of their conservation, as it will aid our understanding of foraging behavior plasticity in response to plummeting insect populations. Despite the global decline in insects, a restricted number of arthropod pest species thrive. Yet past research has overlooked the potential of European bats to suppress pests harmful to woodlands or livestock, in spite of their economic relevance. Here we investigated the diet composition, its breeding season variations and pest consumption of an insectivorous bat species (Myotis emarginatus), at the northern edge of its range (Wallonia, Belgium). We also explored the prey ecology to gain insight into the hunting strategies and foraging habitats of this bat species. We used DNA metabarcoding to amplify two COI markers within 195 bat droppings collected in June, July and August, thereby identifying 512 prey taxa predominated by Diptera, Araneae and Lepidoptera. Overall, in 97% of the samples we detected at least one of the 58 potential pest taxa, 41 of which targeting trees. The June samples were marked by a diet rich in orb-weaver spiders, in accordance with the archetypal diet of M. emarginatus bats. However, during the highly energy demanding July-August parturition and lactation period, roughly 55% of the dropping samples contained two cattle fly pests (Stomoxys calcitrans and Musca domestica). Moreover, among the 88 Diptera species preyed upon by M. emarginatus in July and August, these flies accounted for around 50% of the taxa occurrences. This plasticity—the switch from a spider-rich to a fly-rich diet—seems providential considering the dramatic ongoing drop in insect populations but this involves ensuring bat-friendly cattle farming. Our results revealed that bats widely consume pest entomofauna, thereby highlighting their potential role as allies of forest managers and farmers.

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Dietary analysis of eight insectivorous bats (Chiroptera) from Puting Bato Cave Complex, Burdeos, Polillo Island, Philippines

Alviola

Taray

et al. 2023

Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity

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Predator-prey traits and foraging habitat shape the diet of a common insectivorous bat

Cited by 5 publications

References 42 publications

A metabarcoding assessment of the diet of the insectivorous bats of Madeira Island, Macaronesia

A metabarcoding assessment of the diet of the insectivorous bats of Madeira Island, Macaronesia

All-you-can-eat buffet: A spider-specialized bat species (Myotis emarginatus) turns into a pest fly eater around cattle

Dietary analysis of eight insectivorous bats (Chiroptera) from Puting Bato Cave Complex, Burdeos, Polillo Island, Philippines

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