Urban tolerance is phylogenetically constrained and mediated by pre‐adaptations in African bats

Marsden, Genevieve E.; Vosloo, Daléne; Schoeman, M. Corrie

doi:10.1002/ece3.9840

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 127 publications

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“…The sole prior phylogenetic assessment of bats was restricted to species endemic to Africa and focused broadly on urban occupancy rather than use of anthropogenic structures. 83 We identified low-to-moderate phylogenetic signal in the anthropogenic roosting phenotype, indicating that the trait profile of anthropogenic roosting consists of particular clades that contain more bat species with high or low likelihood of having anthropogenic roosting ability. Phylogenetic factorization did not identify clades with a high propensity to roost in anthropogenic structures, whereas the family Pteropodidae and subfamily Stenodermatinae were both identified as having a significantly lower probability.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 79%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 79%

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Ecological and Evolutionary Characteristics of Anthropogenic Roosting Ability in Bats of the World

Betke,

Gottdenker,

Meyers

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Although the global conversion of wildlife habitat to built environments often has negative impacts on biodiversity, some wildlife have the ability to cope by living in human-made structures. However, the determinants of this adaptation on a global scale are not well understood and may signify species with unique conservation needs at the human–wildlife interface. Here, we identify the trait profile associated with anthropogenic roosting in bats globally and characterize the evolution of this phenotype using an original dataset of roosting behavior developed across 1,279 extant species. Trait-based analyses showed that anthropogenic roosting is predictable across bats and is associated with habitat generalism, small geographic ranges, small body size, temperate zone distributions, and insectivory. We identified moderate phylogenetic signal in this complex phenotype, which has undergone both gains and losses across bat evolution and for which speciation rates are lower compared to natural roosting bats.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 79%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 79%

Ecological and Evolutionary Characteristics of Anthropogenic Roosting Ability in Bats of the World

Betke,

Gottdenker,

Meyers

et al. 2023

Preprint

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“…However, open-air foraging (Molossid) diversity is much higher in abandoned elds of all ages (Table 1). The ve open-air foragers recorded in abandoned elds are classi ed as urban-exploiter species (Marsden et al 2023), so they may be pre-adapted to landscapes inhabited and modi ed by humans. Mops midas was an unexpected occurrence and is a putative range extension for this species (Monadjem et al, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Abandoned croplands show higher insectivorous bat species and functional diversity than forest fragments in a communal land area of the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Meulen,

Richards,

Shackleton

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Deagrarianisation (cropland, field abandonment) is a widespread global phenomenon with high potential for carbon sequestration and for reversing biodiversity extinction debt thus promoting environmental sustainability and conservation. To date, much work on this topic has focused on plant succession and associated plant diversity, but few studies have considered faunal communities, particularly in Africa. Here we used passive acoustic monitoring to record insectivorous bat communities within forest fragments and former fields under communal land tenure in the Transkei region (Eastern Cape) of South Africa. Insectivorous bat diversity of fields, abandoned in the 1960s to 1980s, resembling late stages of succession, were compared to fragments of Transkei Coastal Scarp forest embedded within the landscape. We found that former fields hosted 14 species from 11 genera, comprising greater species richness, activity, Shannon-Weiner diversity, and functional diversity, irrespective of age, as compared to the forest fragments. Furthermore, the former fields exhibited comparable species richness to, and higher functional diversity than, three large neighbouring intact Transkei Scarp forests. Interestingly, the time since cultivation had ceased (35—64 years ago) had no measurable effect on species and functional diversity. Former fields are dominated by the invasive alien shrub Lantana camara and the indigenous pioneer tree Vachellia karoo, but nonetheless in terms of insectivorous bats, these landscapes have a conservation value as they are diverse both in terms of species and function. Mutual mechanisms to enhance both biodiversity conservation and the utility of the land to local communities should be further considered.

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“…; [54]). As a result, these species are considered to have the ability to exploit or at least adapt to urban areas [83].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Guild Vertical Stratification and Drivers of Bat Foraging in a Semi-Arid Tropical Region, Kenya

Rainho,

Ferreira,

Makori

et al. 2023

Biology

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Africa faces significant challenges in reconciling economic and social development while preserving its natural resources. Little is known about the diverse bat community on the continent, particularly in drier ecosystems. A better understanding of the bat community will help improve and inform the management of these ecosystems. Our study aimed to provide detailed information on the main drivers of bat richness and activity at three different heights above the ground in a semi-arid region of Kenya. We assessed how bat activity varied with space and height using acoustic sampling and complementary methods. We sampled 48 sites at ground level and two sites on meteorological masts at 20 m and 35 m above the ground. We recorded more than 20 bat species, including one species of concern for conservation. Our models showed that the use of space varies with bat guild, creating trade-offs in the variables that affect their activity. Low-flying bat species are mostly associated with habitat variables, whereas high-flying species are more dependent on weather conditions. Our study highlights the richness of bat assemblages in semi-arid environments and emphasizes the need for management measures to protect bat diversity in the face of habitat degradation caused by climate change, land management, and development projects.

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Urban tolerance is phylogenetically constrained and mediated by pre‐adaptations in African bats

Cited by 5 publications

References 127 publications

Ecological and Evolutionary Characteristics of Anthropogenic Roosting Ability in Bats of the World

Ecological and Evolutionary Characteristics of Anthropogenic Roosting Ability in Bats of the World

Abandoned croplands show higher insectivorous bat species and functional diversity than forest fragments in a communal land area of the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Guild Vertical Stratification and Drivers of Bat Foraging in a Semi-Arid Tropical Region, Kenya

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