BAT TALK

The Bat Talk was first introduced by Maxcence Gross (R.N, March -August '98) who studied bat diversity here using mist-netting techniques (see report in the R.N. Library). The talk outlined here is basically his, with a few embellishments of my own, and this sheet should allow the talk to be given to interested tourists by a willing R.N. The talk utilizes the bat board, currently in the museum, which illustrates various bat feeding guides. (Incidentally the mist net remains in the R.N. bungalow, although it is in bad shape. Mist-netting requires trained and experienced researchers to untangle trapped bats and birds). Matt Waldram (R.N.April-Nov.98). INTRODUCTION: Bats are the only truly flying mammal (contrast powered flight as opposed to gliding flight as in honey gliders). They are important animals in the forest ecosystem where they compromise 39% of all neotropical mammals. They are the second largest order of mammals (behind rodents) worldwide. Despite this, there is relatively little known about bats due to their nocturnal flying. Hence there are many insights, misconceptions and untruths about bats. FLIGHT: Adaption of the pentadactyl limb plan-thumb free of wing as a claw, other four fingers greatly extended, (this is well illustrated in the central diagram on the board). The Latin name of the bats (chiroptera) literally means handwing. Stretched between the fingers is a membrane which has many special properties. Firstly it is alive, containing blood vessels, and will heal if punctured or torn. It is soft and strong and elastic (i.e. doesn't wrinkle when the wings are closed) but is easy to open (unlike elastic) as the fingers are very thin and weak.

The flight mechanism is different from that of birds, who have a basic up/down flapping flight. Bats whose wings are impermeable to air flow, must 'scoop' up the air by flapping in a 'figure-of-eight" pattern. ECHOLOCATION: Ultrasonic noises (best described as clicks) are emitted through the mouth and nose. A picture of the environment is built up by listening for the echo. The emitted sound is so loud that bats have evolved a way of disconnecting the ear drum to prevent it being damaged. It is re-connected in time to hear the echo and this can be done many times a second. Bats have a very good spatial memory and when flying along well known routes will only occasionally echo-locate in order to check their position. Hence if a foreign object appears in a regular flight path (e.g. human on a path) the bat through negligence may brush past the object. This may be the origin of the rumour that bats get tangled up in peoples hair, an action that could in no way benefit the bat. When bats close in on prey, they will increase the rate and frequency of calls and this in effect increases the resolution of their echolocation image. Bats are however not blind (another popular misconception) but use their eyesight in conjunction with their echolocation sight - important particularly for locating flowers for nectar eating bats. Bat flowers are normally large and light colored in order to stand out at night. DIET: In Europe and other temperate regions bats are almost universally insectivorous. However there has been a diversification of feeding strategies in the tropics and these can be broadly grouped into 6 categories (which are illustrated on the board). Nectar feeding bats (F. Glossophaginae): they have a long tongue and the ability to hover. Very important pollinators filling an equivalent (but nocturnal niche) to humming birds, a niche they share with many moths.

Fish eating bats (F. Noctihonidae/ bulldog bats): they go fishing over still or slow moving water. Excellent echolocation enables them to detect ripples created by fish near the waters surface, which they catch by trailing oversized claws across the surface, like grapping hooks. Catch fish up to 8cm.

Vampire bats (F. Desmodontinae): true vampire bats, only 3 species in the world. Locally we have 2 of those which feed solely on bird blood. These bats have enlarged forward pointing incisors which they use to make an incision in their prey with. They then lap up the blood flow, the saliva containing an anti-coagulant to keep the blood flowing (the large incisors and sucking of popular vampires are again a myth). Vampire bats have large thumbs and are good walkers on the ground, they can feed on cattle and weaken them, although they would have originally fed on tapirs and other large mammals. Through peoples ignorance these bats are largely responsible for their general bad name (many locals think all bats are "vampyros" and will kill them).

Specialized insectivore bats (F. Vespertilionidae): very common worldwide. Evolutionary arms race with moths, some species of which will stop flying and drop when they detect bats echolocation checks. Specialized insectivores counter this by having an extended tail membrane which acts as a "scoop" to catch the moth/other insect which is then transferred to the bats mouth.

Carnivorous bats (some members of the Phyllostominae particularly Trachups species): these are fringe lipped and will feed on lizards, birds, mice and frogs. Large size (50cm. wingspan). They home in on frog choruses and can differentiate toxic from less toxic species. Another predator/ prey arms race is apparent when listening to frogs calling at Laguna Chica. Frogs there will call intensively for 30-40 secs, before being silent for 3-4 mins, an adaption to confuse bat predators. Fruit-eating bats (S.E. Cardlinae & S.F. Phyllostaminae): very important as seed dispersers. A good example is the Cardliaperspiculata, which feeds on the vertical fruits of the piper plant (also Cecropia trees). Bats will fly over open areas (tree foils, farm clearings, etc.) thus dispersing seeds into these areas and helping speed regeneration. These bats possess a nose-leaf: a fleshy protuberance over the nose - which acts like a megaphone to focus and direct echolocation noises.

Another popular misconception is that bats are "flying mice". They are actually thought to be evolved from shrews. The megachiroptera (flying

axes) which are found in Asia, Africa and Australia are thought to be separately evolved from animals related to monkeys. In contrast to the microchiroptera, they have a second claw on the wing and no tail membrane. So bats have many benefits including limiting the number of insects and increasing pollination and seed dispersal. The following points are usually made while showing tourists a live bat. Again mist-netting and handling of live bats should only be done by experienced persons. If no bat show is happening then these points could easily be put into the talk. Bats spend a significant proportion of their lives upside-down whilst roosting during the day and they show many adaptions for this. The claws on their feet are naturally closed, i.e., a muscle must be contracted to release the grip so the bat can hang for many hours without suffering fatigue. This is similar to another upside-down animal, the sloth, and both will continue to hang for some time after death. The claws and knees also face backwards enabling the bat to rest with its face towards a trunk or wall. This is important as the bat can fall straight into flight rather than having to do a 180degree barrel roll! The upside down position has also had an effect on toilet habitats, bats will actually change position to "head-up" in order to go to the toilet (clever bats do so when they are flying!). When the young are born they are caught in the wings. The females have teats in their armpits and will leave young together whilst feeding. The mother will return several times a night to feed her young.

Useful references: Neotropical Mammals - L. Emmons. Bats in Question - Wilson. (both in R.N. Library)