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Variability in bat morphology is influenced by temperature and forest cover and their interactions
Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Physical Geography. Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, The Bolin Centre for Climate Research (together with KTH & SMHI).ORCID iD: 0000-0001-5244-9908
Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Physical Geography. Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, The Bolin Centre for Climate Research (together with KTH & SMHI).ORCID iD: 0000-0003-2656-2645
2023 (English)In: Ecology and Evolution, E-ISSN 2045-7758, Vol. 13, no 1, article id e9695Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Multiple climatic and landscape drivers have been linked to variations in bat body size and wing functional traits. Most previous studies used proxies rather than actual climate and land-use data, and their interactions are rarely explored. We investigate whether higher summer average temperatures are driving decreasing bat body size as predicted by Bergmann's rule or increasing appendage size as per Allen's rule. We also explore whether temperature or resource availability (namely forest cover) is responsible for changes in wing functional traits. Using land-use data from historical maps and national statistics combined with climatic data, we assessed the effect of temperature and resource availability on bat morphology. We used 464 museum specimens of three bat species (Eptesicus nilssonii, Pipistrellus pygmaeus, and Plecotus auritus), spanning 180 years, across a 1200 km latitudinal gradient. We found no evidence of higher summer average temperatures driving decreases in body size in bats. Jaw sizes of P. auritus and P. pygmaeus changed over time but in different directions. The geographical variation of forest cover was also related to differences in wing functional traits in two species. Crucially, there was a significant antagonistic interactive effect of forest and temperature on tip index in P. pygmaeus whereby above 14.5°C the relationship between forest and tip index actually reversed. This could indicate that higher temperatures promote more pointed wings, which may provide energetic benefits. Our results show the importance of including both climatic and land-use variables when assessing trends in bat morphology and exploring interactions. Encouragingly, all three species have shown an ability to adapt their body size and functional traits to different conditions, and it could demonstrate their potential to overcome future negative impacts of climate and land-use change. 

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2023. Vol. 13, no 1, article id e9695
Keywords [en]
bats, body size, functional traits, land-use, morphology, temperature
National Category
Ecology
Research subject
Animal Ecology
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:su:diva-214471DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9695ISI: 000923393600001Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85147143950OAI: oai:DiVA.org:su-214471DiVA, id: diva2:1734043
Available from: 2023-02-04 Created: 2023-02-04 Last updated: 2024-09-18Bibliographically approved
In thesis
1. Bats at northern latitudes: The influence of habitat and climate
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Bats at northern latitudes: The influence of habitat and climate
2024 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

Globally, habitat change is one of the major drivers of biodiversity loss. Similar changes have occurred in Sweden over the past 150 years resulting in loss of habitat complexity at local and landscape scales.  In parallel, the climate is changing, with increasing air temperatures in the past 100 years. This changing climate will likely have knock-on effects on habitats and their microclimates.  Bats are often considered good indicators of environmental change. However, many bat species are declining globally with north European populations considered the most at risk due to climate change. The effects of habitat and climate change on bats are wide ranging and include loss of foraging habitat, impacts to roost locations, morphological changes and effects on their insect prey. In this thesis I identify how habitat and climate influence bat populations in Sweden, at multiple spatial and temporal scales.  Due to the complex nature of these drivers a multi-method approach was used, across a long latitudinal gradient in Sweden. To investigate the drivers of bat morphological change I analysed museum specimens over a 180-year time period together with historical maps, land-use statistics, and temperature data. To understand how habitat complexity at local and landscape scales influences bat activity, I monitored bats acoustically, sampled prey abundance and measured microclimate in a study focusing on forest borders. I also used a citizen science project to investigate bat diet and the local and landscape drivers of roost selection. I found no effect of climate change on bat morphology but jaw size changed over time in two bat species, with increasing jaw size in one species and decreasing in the other. In terms of microclimate, humidity was a strong driver of bat activity. As for effects of landscape level habitat, forest cover influenced wing morphology with bats having shorter, broader wings in more forested landscapes. Furthermore, area of deciduous forest had a positive effect on bat activity, roost selection and abundance of bat prey. At the local-scale forest structural complexity was important for bat activity but not for their insect prey. I also found high dietary overlap in the two most common species (Eptesicus nilssonii and Pipistrellus pygmaeus).  These findings highlight the need to maintain and increase deciduous forest cover and structurally complex forest borders within heterogenous habitats at local and landscape scales to meet the ecological needs of bats and their prey and ensure their conservation in the future.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Stockholm: Department of Physical Geography, Stockholm University, 2024. p. 44
Series
Dissertations in Physical Geography, ISSN 2003-2358 ; 40
Keywords
bats, biodiversity, citizen science, climate, diet, forest borders, forest structure, historical maps, land-cover, landscape change, LiDAR, microclimate, morphology, moths, museum specimens, niche differentiation, roost selection
National Category
Physical Geography
Research subject
Physical Geography
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:su:diva-233589 (URN)978-91-8014-941-9 (ISBN)978-91-8014-942-6 (ISBN)
Public defence
2024-11-01, De Geersalen, Geovetenskapens hus, Svante Arrhenius väg 14 and online via Zoom https://stockholmuniversity.zoom.us/j/65604626496, Stockholm, 13:00 (English)
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Supervisors
Available from: 2024-10-09 Created: 2024-09-18 Last updated: 2024-10-03Bibliographically approved

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