Microclimate and bugs (Cimicidae): a possible cause of roost switching by vespertilionid bats
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| Year of publication | 2007 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | The objectives of the presented study are to extend the knowledge about influence of the microclimate and interaction of bats with roost ectoparasites, bugs of group Cimex pipistrelli. Previous results have shown frequent movements between different shelters in pipistrelles. The changes in occupation of three bat boxes used by Pipistrellus pygmaeus and the dynamics in numbers of the bugs ibidem were studied. Models indicated that internal relative humidity described better the fluctuation in bat numbers during pregnancy and lactation than did changes in the internal temperature. Three variables (internal humidity, external temperature, and number of bats) described almost 90% of the variability in internal roost temperature, while the number of bats described only 29% of the variability. A negative correlation was found between the internal temperature and the number of bats roosting in a bat box during pregnancy and lactation. The internal temperature of a roost with bats was biased by thermoregulation strategies induced by the bats during particular reproductive periods. The decrease in bug numbers began only several days after the bats had left the boxes. After a month of the bats' absence, the abundance of adult bugs decreased by half of their number. Only the eggs survived the period when the roosts were unoccupied in summer. In mid-July, after the arrival of lactating females, an increase in the number of bugs was observed, however, no new eggs were found. Although eggs were able to survive the hot period, they were negatively influenced by high humudity in autumn and only adult bugs survived the winter period. The bats, by shifting the roosts within the vegetation season, both avoid high roost temperatures and prevent the massive reproduction of these parasites. The study was supported by the grant of MEYS CR No. MSM0021622416 and the CSF No. 206/07/P098, 206/06/0954. |
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