In:
Web Ecology, Copernicus GmbH, Vol. 23, No. 2 ( 2023-08-01), p. 87-98
Abstract:
Abstract. Around 60 % of all bat species occur in islands, and nearly one in four is
an insular endemic. Bats are often the only native terrestrial mammals in
oceanic islands, and despite increasing anthropogenic pressures, little is
known about the distribution, natural history, and population status of most
insular bat populations. The sub-tropical archipelago of Madeira is composed
of the volcanic islands of Madeira, Porto Santo, and Desertas and is
home to the Macaronesian endemic Pipistrellus maderensis, to the endemic subspecies Nyctalus leisleri verrucosus, and to Plecotus austriacus. Pipistrellus maderensis is known
to both Madeira and Porto Santo, whereas the other two species have only
been recorded in the former. However, no bats have been recorded in Porto Santo
for over 15 years, raising fears that bats are probably extinct in the
island. In July 2021, we conducted an island-wide acoustic survey using
AudioMoth passive acoustic recorders, leading to the detection of
Pipistrellus maderensis in 28 out of the 46 sampling sites (60 %). The species' activity was
strongly associated with artificial water sources, and genetic samples from
six captured individuals revealed that the populations of Pipistrellus maderensis in Porto Santo and
Madeira have a close phylogenetic affinity. Furthermore, using DNA
metabarcoding, we found that the species feeds on a wide variety of insects,
including several economically important pest species and disease vectors.
These findings emphasise the need to target more conservation and research
efforts towards extant island bat populations and the potential ecosystem
services they provide.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1399-1183
DOI:
10.5194/we-23-87-2023
DOI:
10.5194/we-23-87-2023-supplement
Language:
English
Publisher:
Copernicus GmbH
Publication Date:
2023
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2032288-4
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