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Roosting information is crucial to guiding bat conservation and bat‐friendly forestry practices. The Ryukyu tube‐nosed bat Murina ryukyuana (Endangered) and Yanbaru whiskered bat Myotis yanbarensis (Critically Endangered) are forest‐dwelling bats endemic to the central Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan. Despite their threatened status, little is known about the roosting ecology of these species and the characteristics of natural maternity roosts are unknown. To inform sustainable forestry practices and conservation management, we radio‐tracked day roosts of both species in the subtropical forests of Okinawa's Kunigami Village District. We compared roost and roost site characteristics statistically between M. ryukyuana nonmaternity roosts (males or nonreproductive females), maternity roosts, and all M. yanbarensis roosts. Generalized linear models were used to investigate roost site selection by M. ryukyuana irrespective of sex and age class. Lastly, we compiled data on phenology from this and prior studies. Nonreproductive M. ryukyuana roosted alone and primarily in understory foliage. Murina ryukyuana maternity roosts were limited to stands >50 years old, and ~60% were in foliage. Myotis yanbarensis roosted almost entirely in cavities along gulch bottoms and only in stands >70 years old (~1/3 of Kunigami's total forest area). Murina ryukyuana maternity roosts were higher (4.3 ± 0.6 m) than conspecific nonmaternity roosts (2.3 ± 0.5 m; p < .001) and M. yanbarensis roosts (2.7 ± 0.5 m; not significant). Model results were inconclusive. Both species appear to be obligate plant roosters throughout their life cycle, but the less flexible roosting preferences of M. yanbarensis may explain its striking rarity. To conserve these threatened bats, we recommend the following forestry practices: (a) reduce clearing of understory vegetation, (b) refrain from removing trees along streams, (c) promote greater tree cavity densities by protecting old‐growth forests and retaining snags, and (d) refrain from removing trees or understory between April and July, while bats are pupping. 要約 コウモリのねぐらに関する生態学的な情報はコウモリの保全とそれを考慮する森林の施業のために重要である。リュウキュウテングコウモリMurina ryukyuana（絶滅危惧）とヤンバルホオヒゲコウモリMyotis yanbarensis（絶滅寸前）は森林性コウモリで、日本の琉球列島中部における固有種である。絶滅の恐れがある種にもかかわらず、これらの種のねぐらに関する生態については情報が不足しており、自然条件下における母子集団のねぐらの特徴は明らかになっていない。持続可能な森林施業と保全に関わる情報を提供するために、沖縄島国頭村における亜熱帯林で両種の昼間のねぐらの場所や特徴を、ラジオテレメトリー法によって個体を追跡することによって調査した。リュウキュウテングコウモリの非母子集団ねぐら（雄または非繁殖雌）、母子集団ねぐら、及び全てのヤンバルホオヒゲコウモリのねぐらの間で、ねぐらとねぐらの場所の特徴を統計的に比較した。一般化線形モデルを用いて、性別や年齢階級を考慮しない条件でリュウキュウテングコウモリによるねぐら場所の選好性を調査した。最後に、本研究と先行研究から、ねぐらに関わるフェノロジーに関するデータを収集・整理した。非生殖のリュウキュウテングコウモリは単独で、主に下層植生の葉をねぐらとして利用した。リュウキュウテングコウモリの母子集団のねぐらとしての利用は林齢50年以上の林分に限定され、約60％が葉であった。ヤンバルホオヒゲコウモリはほぼ完全に谷底の樹洞をねぐらとして利用し、ねぐらの形成は林齢70年以上の林分に限られていた（国頭村における森林面積の約1／3）。リュウキュウテングコウモリの母子集団ねぐらは同種の非母子集団ねぐら（2.3 ± 0.5 m; p < .001）とヤンバルホオヒゲコウモリのねぐら（2.7 ± 0.5 m; not significant）より高い位置にあった（4.3 ± 0.6 m）。モデルによる推定結果は決定的ではなかった。両種はライフサイクルの間ずっと偏性的な植物性コウモリであるようだが、ヤンバルホオヒゲコウモリの選好は柔軟性が低く、このことが本種の際だった希少性を説明する可能性がある。これらの絶滅危惧種であるコウモリを保全するためには、以下の森林施業が提案できる：（a）下層植生の除去を少なくすること、（b）渓流沿いの樹木の伐採を控えること、（c）高林齢の森林を保存し、枯死木も除去せず、樹洞の密度を確保すること、（d）コウモリが子育てしている時期である4月〜7月の間に、樹木と下層植生の除去を控えることである。 We investigated the roosting ecology of two threatened island bats: the Ryukyu tube‐nosed bat Murina ryukyuana and Yanbaru whiskered bat Myotis yanbarensis. Murina ryukyuana roosted primarily in understory foliage, using tree cavities more often as maternity roosts, while M. yanbarensis roosted almost entirely in cavities along gulch bottoms and only in stands >70 years old. We provide recommendations for bat‐friendly forestry practices based on our results.

The greater noctule (Nyctalus lasiopterus) is a threatened tree-roosting bat species with a fragmented distribution, possibly due to limited roosting habitat. Deforestation, tree disease and climate change are reducing forest and roost availability. Effective conservation action and forest management require detailed knowledge of the bats’ roosting behaviour and requirements, which is lacking for this species, particularly in southern European forests. We studied the roosting behaviour of 25 radio-tagged females from three maternity colonies in the forest and the urban environment, as well as 11 males from a forest mating site in Spain. We found similar behaviour and roost group sizes (14–18 individuals) for both sexes in the forest, where bats mainly roosted in woodpecker holes in larger trees of abundant tree species. Bats switched between many roosts (0.2–0.3 roosts d−1) across large forest areas (up to 1300 ha). At the urban site, females rarely switched between four exotic palm tree roosts, with roost group sizes reaching 144 individuals. Despite its adaptability, N. lasiopterus may require large forest roosting areas that provide a greater roost diversity, aiding thermoregulation and predator avoidance. Conservation efforts should focus on protecting large forests with high woodpecker abundance to ensure roost availability, supported by artificial bat roosts.

Understanding roosting behaviour is essential to bat conservation and biomonitoring, often providing the most accurate methods of assessing bat population size and health. However, roosts can be challenging to survey, e.g ., physically impossible to access or presenting risks for researchers. Disturbance during monitoring can also disrupt natural bat behaviour and present material risks to the population such as disrupting hibernation cycles. One solution to this is the use of non-invasive monitoring approaches. Environmental (e)DNA has proven especially effective at detecting rare and elusive species particularly in hard-to-reach locations. It has recently been demonstrated that eDNA from vertebrates is carried in air. When collected in semi-confined spaces, this airborne eDNA can provide remarkably accurate profiles of biodiversity, even in complex tropical communities. In this study, we deploy novel airborne eDNA collection for the first time in a natural setting and use this approach to survey difficult to access potential roosts in the neotropics. Using airborne eDNA, we confirmed the presence of bats in nine out of 12 roosts. The identified species matched previous records of roost use obtained from photographic and live capture methods, thus demonstrating the utility of this approach. We also detected the presence of the white-winged vampire bat ( Diaemus youngi ) which had never been confirmed in the area but was long suspected based on range maps. In addition to the bats, we detected several non-bat vertebrates, including the big-eared climbing rat ( Ototylomys phyllotis ), which has previously been observed in and around bat roosts in our study area. We also detected eDNA from other local species known to be in the vicinity. Using airborne eDNA to detect new roosts and monitor known populations, particularly when species turnover is rapid, could maximize efficiency for surveyors while minimizing disturbance to the animals. This study presents the first applied use of airborne eDNA collection for ecological analysis moving beyond proof of concept to demonstrate a clear utility for this technology in the wild.

Nocturnal roosting sites are integral to bird habitats, with their use and selection by birds serving as indicators of behavioral adaptations to environmental pressures. Black‐necked Cranes (Grus nigricollis), which typically roost in shallow water, have exhibited an unexpected “terrestrialization” of nocturnal roosting sites within their eastern wintering population of southwest China. Despite this phenomenon being documented since the late 20th century, research on terrestrial nocturnal roosting behavior remains limited, hindered by technological challenges. To address this knowledge gap, we combined GPS‐GSM tracking data from 14 individuals monitored between 2015 and 2022 in northeastern Yunnan and western Guizhou with remote sensing imagery to systematically analyze their nocturnal roosting patterns. Our results indicated that area of water body, the location of foraging grounds, and individual behaviors influenced the proportion of terrestrial nocturnal roosting in Black‐necked Cranes. On land, Black‐necked Cranes preferred to roost on highlands (headwaters, uphill terraces, mountain tops, and local ridges) and avoided valleys (canyons, shallow valleys, and U‐shaped valleys). Notably, nocturnal terrestrial roosting sites were associated with increased nocturnal mobility compared to shallow water (11.6% vs. 0.8%). These findings suggest that terrestrial roosting behavior may reflect adaptive trade‐offs under habitat pressure. We recommend that regional conservation strategies should prioritize the following: (1) Protect existing large wetlands, (2) Connect and restore fragmented small wetlands, (3) Strengthen nighttime monitoring of the Black‐necked Crane, and (4) Strictly manage free‐ranging dogs to minimize anthropogenic disturbance on terrestrially roosting cranes. The choice of roosting sites is crucial for organisms. Our results indicate that the Black‐necked Crane's terrestrial roosting behavior may reflect adaptive trade‐offs under habitat pressure.

Reproductively successful and over-wintering populations of the endangered northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) have recently been discovered on the Coastal Plain of North Carolina. Empirical data on resource selection within the region is limited, likely hindering management of these coastal forests. Our objectives were to determine roosting home range size, selection of day-roost tree species, second- and third-order roosting habitat selection, and to quantify the overall availability of resources in the surrounding landscape. We found core and peripheral roosting home range estimates were large, yet similar to observations from other areas of contiguous forests. Prior to juvenile volancy, female northern long-eared bats appear to select red maple (Acer rubrum), water ash (Fraxinus caroliniana), and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) as day-roosts, but then use sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), swamp bay (Persea palustris), and water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica) after juvenile volancy. At the second-order spatial scale, roosting home ranges were associated with woody wetlands farther from anthropogenic development and open water. However, within the third-order scale, northern long-eared bats were associated with undeveloped woody wetlands and upland forests, areas containing shorter trees and occurring proximal to open water. Peripheral and core areas were predicted to comprise approximately 20% of the local landscape. Our results show that complex and large tracts of woody wetlands juxtaposed with upland forests in this part of the Coastal Plain may be important for northern long-eared bats locally, results largely consistent with species management efforts in eastern North America.

Understanding a species' distribution is vital for making sound conservation and management decisions. Secretive behaviors and complicated seasonal movement patterns have made range delimitation surprisingly elusive for some North American birds, including the Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus). Despite being among the most common of North American forest owls, only the species' breeding range is well demarcated. This has resulted in the species historically being considered a “northern” bird, with eastern migratory and nonbreeding ranges extending only as far south as central Missouri and eastern Tennessee. Recent banding efforts have shown that saw-whet owls are fall migrants much farther south. We extend this work by investigating stopover duration and nonbreeding habitat selection during 2 winters at the edge of the species' southern distribution in the Ozark Highlands of northwest Arkansas. We used radio telemetry to track 27 owls, with 17 individuals detected at least once post-release (n = 54 surveys and 131 total detections). Length of stay in the study area was most influenced by year—birds remained an average of 3.6 weeks longer during an irruption year—and our data suggest that the species uses the Ozark Highlands for both nonbreeding residency and brief stopover periods. During the 2 year study, 37% of marked owls were winter residents, 26% remained in the area temporarily, and 37% were not redetected. Winter habitat preferences of saw-whet owls in the southeast are consistent with what is known about the species in its more northernly range, with birds selecting conifers on south-facing slopes in areas with an open understory. Overall, our results suggest that saw-whet owls are not rare fall migrants and winter residents in Arkansas as was previously assumed, and more generally, are likely underappreciated winter predators in southern pine ecosystems. Entender la distribución de una especie es vital para hacer decisiones de conservación y manejo acertadas. Comportamientos reservados y patrones de movimiento estacionales complicados han hecho que las delimitaciones de rango sean sorpresivamente elusivas para algunas aves de Norteamérica, incluyendo para el mochuelo Aegolius acadicus. A pesar de ser uno de los mochuelos de bosque más comunes de Norteamérica, sólo se ha demarcado correctamente su rango reproductivo. Esto ha resultado en que el ave sea considerada históricamente como “norteña”, con migraciones orientales y rangos no reproductivos que se extienden hacia el sur sólo hasta el centro de Missouri y el este de Tennessee. Esfuerzos de anillado reciente han mostrado que estos mochuelos migran en otoño mucho más al sur. Realizamos este trabajo investigando duración de paradas y selección de hábitat no reproductivo durante 2 inviernos en el borde sur de la distribución más sureña en Ozark Highlands en el noroeste de Arkansas. Usamos radio telemetría para monitorear a 27 mochuelos, con 17 individuos detectados al menos una vez después de su liberación (n=54 búsquedas y 131 detecciones totales). La longitud de parada en el área de estudio fue más influenciada por el año—las aves permanecieron en promedio 3.6 semanas más en un año de interrupción— y nuestros datos sugieren que la especie utiliza Ozark Highlands tanto para sitio de residencia no reproductiva como para sitios de paradas migratorias breves. Durante el estudio de 2 años, 37% de los mochuelos marcados eran residentes de invierno, 26% permanecieron temporalmente en el área y el 37% no volvieron a ser detectados. Las preferencias de hábitat invernales de los mochuelos Aegolius acadicus en el sudeste son consistentes con lo que se conoce de la especie en su rango más norteño, con aves seleccionando coníferas en pendientes con orientación sur en áreas con un sotobosque abierto. En general, nuestros resultados sugieren que los mochuelos Aegolius acadicus no son migratorios de otoño raros y residentes invernales en Arkansas, como era asumido previamente, y más generalmente, son posiblemente depredadores invernales poco apreciados en ecosistemas de pino sureños. Palabras clave: descanso, distribución de especies, lechuza, monitoreo por radio, rango no reproductivo, rapaz, uso de hábitat.

Background Mixed-species groups in animals have been shown to confer antipredator, foraging and other benefits to their members that may provide selective advantages. In most cases, however, it is unclear whether functional benefits are a principal driver of heterospecific groups, or whether groups simply result from simultaneous exploitation of common resources. Mixed-species groups that form independently of environmental conditions may, however, evidence direct benefits of species associations. Bats are among the most gregarious mammals, with sometimes thousands of individuals of various species roosting communally. Despite numerous potential functional benefits of such mixed-species roosting groups, interspecific attraction has never been shown. To explore alternative explanations for mixed-species roosting, we studied roost selection in a speciose neotropical understory bat community in lowland rainforest in Costa Rica. Long term roost data were recorded over 10 years in a total of 133 roosts comprising both natural roosts and structurally uniform artificial roosts. We modelled bat roost occupancy and abundance in each roost type and in forest and pasture habitats to quantify the effects of roost- and environmental variability. Results We found that bat species presence in natural roosts is predictable from habitat and structural roost parameters, but that the presence and abundance of other bat species further modifies roost choice. One third of the 12 study species were found to actively associate with selected other bat species in roosts (e.g. Glossophaga commissarisi with Carollia sowelli ). Other species did not engage in communal roosting, which in some cases indicates a role for negative interspecific interactions, such as roost competition. Conclusions Mixed-species roosting may provide thermoregulatory benefits, reduce intraspecific competition and promote interspecific information transfer, and hence some heterospecific associations may be selected for in bats. Overall, our study contributes to an improved understanding of the array of factors that shape diverse tropical bat communities and drive the dynamics of heterospecific grouping in mammals more generally.

Bats are essential to ecosystem functioning, providing vital services such as pollination, seed dispersal, and insect control. With over 1400 species worldwide, they exhibit diverse roosting behaviors that are influenced by both natural and anthropogenic factors. However, research on bat populations, particularly in urban environments, remains limited in Nigeria. The study investigated the spatial distribution of Straw‐Colored Fruit Bat (Eidolon helvum) roosts within the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) campus in Nigeria. Using field surveys and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analysis, the researchers mapped bat roost distribution, identified hotspots, and explored tree species preferences. Our findings reveal that roosting sites are predominantly clustered in sections of the campus, particularly in the Faculty of Science and Faculty of Administration areas, with 83% of observations recorded in Section D. Celtis zenkeri was identified as the most preferred roosting tree species, accounting for 16.54% of total observations. The study emphasizes the importance of specific tree attributes, such as height and canopy area, in roost site selection within the urban campus environment. The research contributes to a better understanding of bat roosting ecology and provides insights to guide conservation strategies, recommending that urban planners prioritize the preservation of preferred tree species like Celtis zenkeri. Additionally, statistical analyses, including a one‐way ANOVA, confirmed significant preferences for tree heights ranging from 15 to 20 m. This research highlights the need for targeted conservation strategies that consider the specific roosting habits of bats in urban settings, emphasizing the importance of preserving key tree species and habitats within rapidly urbanizing landscapes. This study investigates the spatial distribution and roosting preferences of Straw‐Colored Fruit Bats (Eidolon helvum) within the Obafemi Awolowo University campus in Nigeria. Using field surveys and GIS analysis, we identified significant roosting sites predominantly in Celtis zenkeri trees, highlighting the importance of tree height and canopy cover in roost selection. Our findings emphasize the need for targeted conservation strategies to protect critical habitats in urban environments.

Uncertainties regarding food location and quality are among the greatest challenges faced by foragers and communal roosting may facilitate success through social foraging. The information centre hypothesis (ICH) suggests that uninformed individuals at shared roosts benefit from following informed individuals to previously visited resources. We tested several key prerequisites of the ICH in a social obligate scavenger, the Eurasian griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), by tracking movements and behaviour of sympatric individuals over extended periods and across relatively large spatial scales, thereby precluding alternative explanations such as local enhancement. In agreement with the ICH, we found that ‘informed’ individuals returning to previously visited carcasses were followed by ‘uninformed’ vultures that consequently got access to these resources. When a dyad (two individuals that depart from the same roost within 2 min of each other) included an informed individual, they spent a higher proportion of the flight time close to each other at a shorter distance between them than otherwise. Although all individuals occasionally profited from following others, they differed in their tendencies to be informed or uninformed. This study provides evidence for ‘following behaviour’ in natural conditions and demonstrates differential roles and information states among foragers within a population. Moreover, demonstrating the possible reliance of vultures on following behaviour emphasizes that individuals in declining populations may suffer from reduced foraging efficiency.

The PYHIN (pyrin and HIN domain-containing) gene family encodes central cytosolic DNA sensors, including AIM2 and IFI16, that activate inflammasome and type I interferon pathways during infection. While these pathways are critical for antiviral and antimicrobial defense, how ecological pressures shape their evolution remain unclear. The PYHIN gene family varies across mammals, and bats have completely lost all PYHIN genes. Here, we integrate phylogenomic, comparative genomic, and phylogenetically controlled analyses across more than 150 mammalian species to investigate PYHIN evolutionary dynamics. We show that PYHIN genes form a tightly linked genomic cassette within a conserved chromosomal interval flanked by SPTA1 and CADM3, a pattern we describe as an Anchored Gene Cluster Pulsation mechanism characterized by coordinated expansion, contraction, and loss. Across mammals, the genomic distance between these anchor genes correlates with PYHIN copy number. In bats, phylogenetic logistic regression identifies powered flight and inverted roosting as traits statistically associated with PYHIN loss, whereas echolocation and hibernation show no association. Olfactory receptor genes within the same region are retained, indicating targeted loss of DNA-sensing immune genes rather than generalized genome contraction. These findings support a model in which bat immunity is associated with ecological specialization favoring immune tolerance and provide a framework for understanding immune gene family evolution as integrated genomic modules.