Histiotus

Last updated

Histiotus
Histiotus montanus - Gabriel Ignacio Baloriani.jpg
Small big-eared brown bat (Histiotus montanus)
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Vespertilionidae
Tribe: Eptesicini
Genus: Histiotus
Gervais, 1856
Type species
Plecotus velatus
Species

Histiotus alienus
Histiotus cadenai
Histiotus colombiae
Histiotus diaphanopterus
Histiotus humboldti
Histiotus laephotis
Histiotus macrotus
Histiotus magellanicus
Histiotus mochica
Histiotus montanus
Histiotus velatus

Contents

Histiotus (meaning "sail ears") is a genus of South American vesper bats [1] with species that include: [2]

In Paraguay, Histiotus bats have mainly been collected at human dwellings or around domestic animals, due to the significant increase in human activity in the Paraguayan Chaco over the last 20 years. [3]

Habitat

Histiotus is found in the tropical and temperate zones in South America. Their natural habitat ranges from areas with rocky mountains, to woods in Paraguay, Peru, Brazil, Argentina and Chile. [4]

Behavior

Echolocation and feeding

Histiotus are aerial feeders and use echolocation to catch prey. They can create echolocation calls dominated by frequencies below 20 kHz in order to catch prey. Histiotus diet consists of insects; H. montanus mainly eats butterflies and flies, H. macrotus eats flies, and H. velatus eat moths. [5]

Social systems

Most of the species are colonial and some are considered individual. Individual systems are considered for bats that interact as one or less than ten bats. [4] Females of most temperate zone bats form maternity colonies during summer to communally raise pups. These colonies allow individuals to reduce heat loss by forming a cluster. This is called social thermoregulation. (For more on metabolism go to: Metabolism). [6]

Flying adaptations

Flight performance is determined by wing shape and ecological aspects such as foraging behavior (the way they search for food) and habitat selection. Research showed that H. montanus and H. macrotus have high maneuverability and low speed, which corresponds to bats that inhabit wooded areas. The high maneuverability or ability to quickly alter flight direction and speed is important for bats to successfully capture prey and avoid predators.[ citation needed ]

Respiratory and cardiovascular adaptations

Adaptation for flight involves many systems, and specifically cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Bats are considered as mammals adapted to extreme environments where oxygen management is crucial. Respiratory and cardiovascular systems undergo changes that allow the organism to optimize the acquisition and delivery of oxygen to tissues to be able to survive this extreme way of life.[ citation needed ] Research done on H.macrotus and H.montanus shows that they have the same respiratory strategy as other bats: "narrow-based high-keyed strategy." This strategy includes:

  1. larger heart and cardiac output
  2. high hematocrit, high hemoglobin concentration and high blood oxygen transport capacity and
  3. optimization of respiratory structural parameters. In other words, these bats are able to make the most effective use of their respiratory structure. [7]

Metabolism

For bats, energy demands are particularly high during pregnancy or lactation. One way many bats are able to save energy is through the use of torpor, which is a controlled, substantial drop in metabolic rate and body temperature (metabolism). In addition to hibernation (prolonged torpor) during winter, temperate zone bats, such as Histiotus, often become torpid during periods of cold weather in summer (daily torpor) to save energy. By reducing metabolic rate, torpor prolongs gestation length and impairs lactation. This results in late births and slow juvenile growth rates. This reduces the probability for juveniles to survive their first winter, because not enough time has passed to store proper amounts of fat prior to hibernation. This is why females of most temperate zone bats, such as Histiotus, form maternity colonies during summer to communally raise pups. These colonies allow individuals to reduce heat loss by forming a cluster and therefore by their behavior they are able to improve insulation and this results in the conservation of energy. [6]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vespertilionidae</span> Family of microbats

Vespertilionidae is a family of microbats, of the order Chiroptera, flying, insect-eating mammals variously described as the common, vesper, or simple nosed bats. The vespertilionid family is the most diverse and widely distributed of bat families, specialised in many forms to occupy a range of habitats and ecological circumstances, and it is frequently observed or the subject of research. The facial features of the species are often simple, as they mainly rely on vocally emitted echolocation. The tails of the species are enclosed by the lower flight membranes between the legs. Over 300 species are distributed all over the world, on every continent except Antarctica. It owes its name to the genus Vespertilio, which takes its name from a word for bat, vespertilio, derived from the Latin term vesper meaning 'evening'; they are termed "evening bats" and were once referred to as "evening birds".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Horseshoe bat</span> Family of mammals

Horseshoe bats are bats in the family Rhinolophidae. In addition to the single living genus, Rhinolophus, which has about 106 species, the extinct genus Palaeonycteris has been recognized. Horseshoe bats are closely related to the Old World leaf-nosed bats, family Hipposideridae, which have sometimes been included in Rhinolophidae. The horseshoe bats are divided into six subgenera and many species groups. The most recent common ancestor of all horseshoe bats lived 34–40 million years ago, though it is unclear where the geographic roots of the family are, and attempts to determine its biogeography have been indecisive. Their taxonomy is complex, as genetic evidence shows the likely existence of many cryptic species, as well as species recognized as distinct that may have little genetic divergence from previously recognized taxa. They are found in the Old World, mostly in tropical or subtropical areas, including Africa, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leaf-nosed bat</span> Family of bats

The New World leaf-nosed bats (Phyllostomidae) are bats found from southern North America to South America, specifically from the Southwest United States to northern Argentina. They are ecologically the most varied and diverse family within the order Chiroptera. Most species are insectivorous, but the phyllostomid bats include within their number true predatory species and frugivores. For example, the spectral bat, the largest bat in the Americas, eats vertebrate prey, including small, dove-sized birds. Members of this family have evolved to use food groups such as fruit, nectar, pollen, insects, frogs, other bats, and small vertebrates, and in the case of the vampire bats, even blood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spectral bat</span> Species of bat

The spectral bat, also called the great false vampire bat, great spectral bat, American false vampire bat or Linnaeus's false vampire bat, is a large, carnivorous leaf-nosed bat found in Mexico, Central America, and South America. It is the only member of the genus Vampyrum; its closest living relative is the big-eared woolly bat. It is the largest bat species in the New World, as well as the largest carnivorous bat: its wingspan is 0.7–1.0 m (2.3–3.3 ft). It has a robust skull and teeth, with which it delivers a powerful bite to kill its prey. Birds are frequent prey items, though it may also consume rodents, insects, and other bats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Zealand lesser short-tailed bat</span> Species of bat

The New Zealand lesser short-tailed bat is a small-sized omnivorous mammal endemic to the islands of New Zealand. It is one of two extant and three overall terrestrial mammal species unique to New Zealand. Its closest relative, the New Zealand greater short-tailed bat, was last seen in 1965 and is presumed extinct due to intense predation from ship rats introduced in the last few centuries. These bats are also commonly referred to as pekapeka, their Māori-language name. Lesser short-tailed bats have unique adaptations that differentiate them from bats found in other parts of the world. For example, they are fully capable of moving along the ground to search for food, and the males sing to attract partners, taking turns to do so. Lesser short-tailed bats are a vulnerable species, so extensive conservation work and research are being done to prevent extinction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical big-eared brown bat</span> Species of bat

The tropical big-eared brown bat, is a bat species found in Bolivia, Peru, Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Egyptian slit-faced bat</span> Species of mammal

The Egyptian slit-faced bat is a species of slit-faced bat broadly distributed throughout Africa and the Middle East. It is a species of microbat in the family Nycteridae. Six subspecies are known.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common noctule</span> Species of bat

The common noctule is a species of insectivorous bat common throughout Europe, Asia, and North Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greater mouse-eared bat</span> Species of bat

The greater mouse-eared bat is a European species of bat in the family Vespertilionidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big-eared brown bat</span> Species of bat

The big-eared brown bat is a species of vesper bat found in Argentina, Paraguay, and Chile.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Desert long-eared bat</span> Species of bat

The desert long-eared bat is a species of vesper bat found in North Africa and the Middle East.

<i>Nyctophilus geoffroyi</i> Species of bat

Nyctophilus geoffroyi is a vespertilionid bat. a flying nocturnal mammal found in Australia, The species is relatively common. They have been referred to as the lesser long-eared bat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southeastern long-eared bat</span> Species of bat

The south-eastern long-eared bat or Corben's long-eared bat, is a species of bat found in Australia. It occurs in the woodlands of the Murray Darling Basin and adjacent areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waterhouse's leaf-nosed bat</span> Species of bat

Waterhouse's leaf-nosed bat is a species of big-eared bat in the family Phyllostomidae. It is found in the Greater Antilles in the Cayman Islands, Cuba, Hispaniola and Jamaica, as well as Mexico south to Guatemala.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vespertilioninae</span> Subfamily of bats

The Vespertilioninae are a subfamily of vesper bats from the family Vespertilionidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little brown bat</span> Species of mammal found in North America

The little brown bat or little brown myotis is an endangered species of mouse-eared microbat found in North America. It has a small body size and glossy brown fur. It is similar in appearance to several other mouse-eared bats, including the Indiana bat, northern long-eared bat, and Arizona myotis, to which it is closely related. Despite its name, the little brown bat is not closely related to the big brown bat, which belongs to a different genus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bat</span> Order of flying mammals

Bats are flying mammals of the order Chiroptera. With their forelimbs adapted as wings, they are the only mammals capable of true and sustained flight. Bats are more agile in flight than most birds, flying with their very long spread-out digits covered with a thin membrane or patagium. The smallest bat, and arguably the smallest extant mammal, is Kitti's hog-nosed bat, which is 29–34 millimetres in length, 150 mm (6 in) across the wings and 2–2.6 g in mass. The largest bats are the flying foxes, with the giant golden-crowned flying fox reaching a weight of 1.6 kg and having a wingspan of 1.7 m.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern big-eared brown bat</span> Species of bat

The southern big-eared brown bat is a species of bat from the family Vespertilionidae. Although current taxonomy treats the southern big-eared brown bat as a separate species, it is often treated as a subspecies of the small big-eared brown bat. It lives in the forests of southern Argentina and Chile; though the population of the bat in the southern part of its habitat is low, there are no major concerns to justify anything lower than a Least Concern rating in the IUCN Red List.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maternity colony</span> Temporary association of reproductive female bats

A maternity colony refers to a temporary association of reproductive female bats for giving birth to, nursing, and weaning their pups. The colonies are initiated by pregnant bats. After giving birth, the colony consists of the lactating females and their offspring. After weaning, juveniles will leave the maternity colony, and the colony itself will break apart. The size of a maternity colony is highly variable by species, with some species forming colonies consisting of ten or fewer individuals, while the largest maternity colony in the world in Bracken Cave is estimated to have over 15 million bats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas's big-eared brown bat</span> Species of bat

Thomas's big-eared brown bat is a species of vesper bat found in South America.

References

  1. Simmons, Nancy B. (2005), "Chiroptera", in Wilson, Don E.; Reeder, DeeAnn M. (eds.), Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.), Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, pp. 312–529, ISBN   978-0-8018-8221-0 , retrieved 2 October 2009
  2. Mammal Diversity Database (2021-08-10), Mammal Diversity Database, doi:10.5281/zenodo.5175993 , retrieved 2021-09-17
  3. Lopez-Gonzalez, Celia (January 2004). "Ecological zoogeography of the bats of Paraguay". Journal of Biogeography. 31 (1): 33–45. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2699.2004.00940.x. S2CID   83482459.
  4. 1 2 Canals, Mauricio; Grossi, Bruno; Iriarte-Diaz, Jose; Veloso, Claudio (29 March 2013). "Biomechanical and ecological relationships of wing morphology of eight Chilean bats". Revista Chilena de Historia Natural. 78 (2): 215–227.
  5. Fenton, M. Brock; Whitaker Jr, John O; Vonhof, Maarten J; Waterman, Jane M; Pedro, Wagner A; Aguiar, Ludmilla M.S; Baumgarten, Júlio E; Bouchard, Sylvie; Faria, Deborah M; Portfors, Christine V; Rautenbach, Naas I.L; Scully, William; Zortea, Marlon (1999). "The diet of bats from Southeastern Brazil: the relation to echolocation and foraging behaviour". Revista Brasileira de Zoologia. 16 (4): 1081–1085. doi: 10.1590/S0101-81751999000400017 . hdl: 11449/28330 .
  6. 1 2 Pretzlaff, Iris; Kerth, Gerald; Dausmann, Kathrin H. (April 2010). "Communally breeding bats use physiological and behavioural adjustments to optimise daily energy expenditure". Naturwissenschaften. 97 (4): 353–363. Bibcode:2010NW.....97..353P. doi:10.1007/s00114-010-0647-1. PMC   2841750 . PMID   20143039.
  7. Canals, M.; Atala, C; Olivares, R; Guajardo, F; Figueroa, DP; Sabat, P; Rosenmann, M (15 October 2005). "Functional and structural optimization of the respiratory system of the bat Tadarida brasiliensis (Chiroptera, Molossidae): does airway geometry matter?". Journal of Experimental Biology. 208 (20): 3987–3995. doi: 10.1242/jeb.01817 . PMID   16215224.