Subtropical mouse-tailed bats use geothermally heated caves for winter hibernation

Proceedings. Biological Sciences
Eran LevinNoga Kronfeld-Schor

Abstract

We report that two species of mouse-tailed bats (Rhinopoma microphyllum and R. cystops) hibernate for five months during winter in geothermally heated caves with stable high temperature (20°C). While hibernating, these bats do not feed or drink, even on warm nights when other bat species are active. We used thermo-sensitive transmitters to measure the bats' skin temperature in the natural hibernacula and open flow respirometry to measure torpid metabolic rate at different ambient temperatures (Ta, 16-35°C) and evaporative water loss (EWL) in the laboratory. Bats average skin temperature at the natural hibernacula was 21.7 ± 0.8°C, and no arousals were recorded. Both species reached the lowest metabolic rates around natural hibernacula temperatures (20°C, average of 0.14 ± 0.01 and 0.16 ± 0.04 ml O2 g(-1) h(-1) for R. microphyllum and R. cystops, respectively) and aroused from torpor when Ta fell below 16°C. During torpor the bats performed long apnoeas (14 ± 1.6 and 16 ± 1.5 min, respectively) and had a very low EWL. We hypothesize that the particular diet of these bats is an adaptation to hibernation at high temperatures and that caves featuring high temperature and humidity during winter enable these species to survive this s...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jun 2, 2016·Journal of Comparative Physiology. B, Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology·Anna C DotyFritz Geiser
Oct 14, 2016·Journal of Comparative Physiology. B, Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology·Jaya K MatthewsFritz Geiser
Jan 9, 2018·Royal Society Open Science·M Teague O'MaraDina K N Dechmann
Aug 20, 2018·Journal of Comparative Physiology. B, Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology·Stephanie ReherKathrin H Dausmann
Mar 30, 2017·Temperature : Multidisciplinary Biomedical Journal·Artiom BondarencoFritz Geiser
Jan 13, 2021·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Stephanie Reher, Kathrin H Dausmann
Aug 14, 2021·Molecular Ecology·Megan L PowerEmma C Teeling
Dec 25, 2021·Oecologia·Stephanie ReherKathrin H Dausmann

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