Jump to content

Big brown bat: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
OAbot (talk | contribs)
m Open access bot: doi added to citation with #oabot.
Citation bot (talk | contribs)
Alter: journal. Add: pmc, pmid, doi, page, s2cid, isbn. Removed proxy or dead URL that duplicated free-DOI or unique identifier. Removed access-date with no URL. | Use this bot. Report bugs. | Suggested by Headbomb | Pages linked from cached Wikipedia:WikiProject_Academic_Journals/Journals_cited_by_Wikipedia/Sandbox | via #UCB_webform_linked 107/336
Line 25: Line 25:


==Taxonomy and etymology==
==Taxonomy and etymology==
The big brown bat was [[species description|described]] in 1796 by French naturalist [[Palisot de Beauvois]]. Palisot described the species based on specimens in the museum of [[Charles Willson Peale]], an American naturalist, giving it the name ''Vespertila fuscus''.<ref name="Palisot 1796">{{cite book|last=Palisot de Beauvois| first= A. M. F. J.| date= 1796| title= A scientific and descriptive catalogue of Peale's museum| publisher=SH Smith| location= Philadelphia| page=14}}</ref><ref name="Miller 1912">{{cite book|last1=Miller |first1=G. S. Jr. |author-link = Gerrit Miller |title=List of North American land mammals in the United States National Museum, 1911 |publisher=United States National Museum |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IhAlAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA62|location = Washington, US |date = 1912|page=62}}</ref> The genus name, ''Eptesicus'', is likely derived from the Greek words ''ptetikos'' ("able to fly") or ''petomai'' ("house flier"), and the [[specific epithet (zoology)|species name]] "''[[wiktionary:fuscus|fuscus]]''" is [[Latin]] in origin, meaning "brown".<ref name="missouri_mammals">{{cite book |last1=Schwartz |first1=Charles Walsh |last2=Schwartz |first2=Elizabeth Reeder |title=The Wild Mammals of Missouri |date=2001 |publisher=[[University of Missouri Press]] |location=[[Columbia, MO]] |isbn=9780826213594|page=84}}</ref> The big brown bat is the [[type species]] for the genus ''Eptesicus'', which was established in 1820 by French-American naturalist [[Constantine Samuel Rafinesque]]. Though Rafinesque designated the type species as ''Eptesicus melanops'', this was later determined to be a synonym of ''Eptesicus fuscus''. The first use of the current name combination ''Eptesicus fuscus'' was in 1900 by Hungarian zoologist [[Lajos Méhelÿ]].<ref name="Gardner 2008">{{cite book| last=Gardner| first=A. L.| year=2008| publisher=University of Chicago Press| volume=1| title=Mammals of South America, Volume 1: Marsupials, Xenarthrans, Shrews, and Bats| isbn=978-0226282428| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dbU3d7EUCm8C|pages=441, 448}}</ref> Recognized subspecies number eleven<ref name="Neubaum">{{Cite journal| doi = 10.1644/06-MAMM-A-228R1.1| issn = 0022-2372| volume = 88| issue = 5| pages = 1230–1238| last1 = Neubaum| first1 = Melissa A.| last2 = Douglas| first2 = Marlis R.| last3 = Douglas| first3 = Michael E.| last4 = O'Shea| first4 = Thomas J.| title = Molecular Ecology of the Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus): Genetic and Natural History Variation in a Hybrid Zone| journal = Journal of Mammalogy| date = 2007| doi-access = free}}</ref> or twelve:<ref name="ITIS">{{cite web|title=Eptesicus fuscus| author=<!--Not stated-->| website=ITIS.gov| publisher= Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database| url=https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&anchorLocation=SubordinateTaxa&credibilitySort=Subordinate%20Taxa&rankName=Subspecies&search_value=180008&print_version=SCR&source=from_print#SubordinateTaxa| access-date=2017-11-29}}</ref>
The big brown bat was [[species description|described]] in 1796 by French naturalist [[Palisot de Beauvois]]. Palisot described the species based on specimens in the museum of [[Charles Willson Peale]], an American naturalist, giving it the name ''Vespertila fuscus''.<ref name="Palisot 1796">{{cite book|last=Palisot de Beauvois| first= A. M. F. J.| date= 1796| title= A scientific and descriptive catalogue of Peale's museum| publisher=SH Smith| location= Philadelphia| page=14}}</ref><ref name="Miller 1912">{{cite book|last1=Miller |first1=G. S. Jr. |author-link = Gerrit Miller |title=List of North American land mammals in the United States National Museum, 1911 |publisher=United States National Museum |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IhAlAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA62|location = Washington, US |date = 1912|page=62|isbn=9780598369086 }}</ref> The genus name, ''Eptesicus'', is likely derived from the Greek words ''ptetikos'' ("able to fly") or ''petomai'' ("house flier"), and the [[specific epithet (zoology)|species name]] "''[[wiktionary:fuscus|fuscus]]''" is [[Latin]] in origin, meaning "brown".<ref name="missouri_mammals">{{cite book |last1=Schwartz |first1=Charles Walsh |last2=Schwartz |first2=Elizabeth Reeder |title=The Wild Mammals of Missouri |date=2001 |publisher=[[University of Missouri Press]] |location=[[Columbia, MO]] |isbn=9780826213594|page=84}}</ref> The big brown bat is the [[type species]] for the genus ''Eptesicus'', which was established in 1820 by French-American naturalist [[Constantine Samuel Rafinesque]]. Though Rafinesque designated the type species as ''Eptesicus melanops'', this was later determined to be a synonym of ''Eptesicus fuscus''. The first use of the current name combination ''Eptesicus fuscus'' was in 1900 by Hungarian zoologist [[Lajos Méhelÿ]].<ref name="Gardner 2008">{{cite book| last=Gardner| first=A. L.| year=2008| publisher=University of Chicago Press| volume=1| title=Mammals of South America, Volume 1: Marsupials, Xenarthrans, Shrews, and Bats| isbn=978-0226282428| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dbU3d7EUCm8C|pages=441, 448}}</ref> Recognized subspecies number eleven<ref name="Neubaum">{{Cite journal| doi = 10.1644/06-MAMM-A-228R1.1| issn = 0022-2372| volume = 88| issue = 5| pages = 1230–1238| last1 = Neubaum| first1 = Melissa A.| last2 = Douglas| first2 = Marlis R.| last3 = Douglas| first3 = Michael E.| last4 = O'Shea| first4 = Thomas J.| title = Molecular Ecology of the Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus): Genetic and Natural History Variation in a Hybrid Zone| journal = Journal of Mammalogy| date = 2007| doi-access = free}}</ref> or twelve:<ref name="ITIS">{{cite web|title=Eptesicus fuscus| author=<!--Not stated-->| website=ITIS.gov| publisher= Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database| url=https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&anchorLocation=SubordinateTaxa&credibilitySort=Subordinate%20Taxa&rankName=Subspecies&search_value=180008&print_version=SCR&source=from_print#SubordinateTaxa| access-date=2017-11-29}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;"
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;"
!Subspecies || [[Author citation (zoology)|Authority]]|| Type locality
!Subspecies || [[Author citation (zoology)|Authority]]|| Type locality
Line 53: Line 53:
|''E. f. wetmorei''<ref name="Jackson 1916">{{cite journal| last=Jackson| first= H. H. T| title=A new bat from Porto Rico| journal=Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington| volume=29| pages=37–38| url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/22877#page/60/mode/2up| year= 1916}}</ref> || Hartley H. T. Jackson || [[Maricao, Puerto Rico]]
|''E. f. wetmorei''<ref name="Jackson 1916">{{cite journal| last=Jackson| first= H. H. T| title=A new bat from Porto Rico| journal=Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington| volume=29| pages=37–38| url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/22877#page/60/mode/2up| year= 1916}}</ref> || Hartley H. T. Jackson || [[Maricao, Puerto Rico]]
|}
|}
''E. f. lynni'' has sometimes been considered a full species,<ref>{{Cite journal| doi = 10.1111/j.1466-8238.2009.00505.x| issn = 1466-822X| volume = 19| issue = 2| pages = 187–188| last1 = Presley| first1 = Steven J.| last2 = Willig| first2 = Michael R.| title = Bat metacommunity structure on Caribbean islands and the role of endemics: Caribbean bat metacommunity structure| journal = Global Ecology and Biogeography| date = 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal| doi = 10.1111/j.1365-294X.2010.04947.x| pmid = 21143331| issn = 0962-1083| volume = 20| issue = 2| pages = 357–75| last1 = Turmelle| first1 = Amy S.| last2 = Kunz| first2 = Thomas H.| last3 = Sorenson| first3 = Michael D.| title = A tale of two genomes: contrasting patterns of phylogeographic structure in a widely distributed bat: PHYLOGEOGRAPHY OF BIG BROWN BATS| journal = Molecular Ecology| date = 2011}}</ref> though was listed as a subspecies by the [[American Society of Mammalogists]] and the [[Integrated Taxonomic Information System]] (ITIS) as of 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mammaldiversity.org/#ZXB0ZXNpY3VzK2x5bm5pJmdsb2JhbF9zZWFyY2g9dHJ1ZSZsb29zZT10cnVl| title=Eptesicus lynni| access-date=6 September 2019|website=ASM Mammal Diversity Database }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=947127#null| title=Eptesicus lynni| website=ITIS| access-date=6 September 2019}}</ref> In the US state of [[Colorado]] where two subspecies were hypothesized to overlap (''E. f. fuscus'' and ''E. f. pallidus''), [[morphology (biology)|morphological features]] did not agree with genetic lineages, and thus were not reliable in distinguishing the two subspecies. Individuals with eastern and western US genetic lineages co-occurred in the same colonies, however.<ref name="Neubaum"/>
''E. f. lynni'' has sometimes been considered a full species,<ref>{{Cite journal| doi = 10.1111/j.1466-8238.2009.00505.x| issn = 1466-822X| volume = 19| issue = 2| pages = 187–188| last1 = Presley| first1 = Steven J.| last2 = Willig| first2 = Michael R.| title = Bat metacommunity structure on Caribbean islands and the role of endemics: Caribbean bat metacommunity structure| journal = Global Ecology and Biogeography| date = 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal| doi = 10.1111/j.1365-294X.2010.04947.x| pmid = 21143331| issn = 0962-1083| volume = 20| issue = 2| pages = 357–75| last1 = Turmelle| first1 = Amy S.| last2 = Kunz| first2 = Thomas H.| last3 = Sorenson| first3 = Michael D.| title = A tale of two genomes: contrasting patterns of phylogeographic structure in a widely distributed bat: PHYLOGEOGRAPHY OF BIG BROWN BATS| journal = Molecular Ecology| date = 2011| s2cid = 118917}}</ref> though was listed as a subspecies by the [[American Society of Mammalogists]] and the [[Integrated Taxonomic Information System]] (ITIS) as of 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mammaldiversity.org/#ZXB0ZXNpY3VzK2x5bm5pJmdsb2JhbF9zZWFyY2g9dHJ1ZSZsb29zZT10cnVl| title=Eptesicus lynni| access-date=6 September 2019|website=ASM Mammal Diversity Database }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=947127#null| title=Eptesicus lynni| website=ITIS| access-date=6 September 2019}}</ref> In the US state of [[Colorado]] where two subspecies were hypothesized to overlap (''E. f. fuscus'' and ''E. f. pallidus''), [[morphology (biology)|morphological features]] did not agree with genetic lineages, and thus were not reliable in distinguishing the two subspecies. Individuals with eastern and western US genetic lineages co-occurred in the same colonies, however.<ref name="Neubaum"/>


As the genus ''[[Eptesicus]]'' is fairly [[wikt:speciose|speciose]], it is further divided into [[morphology (biology)|morphologically]] similar "[[species-group]]s". The big brown bat belongs to the ''serotinus'' group, which is defined by having a large, elongate skull, flat braincase, and a long [[snout]].<ref name="Hill 1987"/> In a study of the evolutionary relationships of some ''Eptesicus'' species, the big brown bat was most closely related to the two other species from the Americas: the [[Argentine brown bat]] and the [[diminutive serotine]].<ref name="Juste 2013">{{cite journal| last1= Juste| first1= J.| last2= Benda| first2= P.| last3= Garcia‐Mudarra| first3= J. L.| last4= Ibanez| first4= C.| date= 2013| title= Phylogeny and systematics of Old World serotine bats (genus Eptesicus, Vespertilionidae, Chiroptera): an integrative approach| journal= Zoologica Scripta| volume= 42| issue= 5| pages= 441–457| url= http://www.nm.cz/admin/files/PM/download/zivotopisy-publikace/juste2013zs.pdf| doi= 10.1111/zsc.12020| hdl= 10261/80441| access-date= 30 November 2017| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170127102654/http://www.nm.cz/admin/files/PM/download/zivotopisy-publikace/juste2013zs.pdf| archive-date= 27 January 2017| url-status= dead}}</ref> The ''serotinus'' group also includes:<ref name="Hill 1987">{{cite book| last1=Hill| first1= J. E.| last2=Harrison| first2= D. L.| date= 1987| title= The baculum in the Vespertilioninae (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) with a systematic review, a synopsis of Pipistrellus and Eptesicus, and the descriptions of a new genus and subgenus|publisher=Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History). Zoology|location=London|pages=251–253|url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/2301899#page/290/mode/2up}}</ref>
As the genus ''[[Eptesicus]]'' is fairly [[wikt:speciose|speciose]], it is further divided into [[morphology (biology)|morphologically]] similar "[[species-group]]s". The big brown bat belongs to the ''serotinus'' group, which is defined by having a large, elongate skull, flat braincase, and a long [[snout]].<ref name="Hill 1987"/> In a study of the evolutionary relationships of some ''Eptesicus'' species, the big brown bat was most closely related to the two other species from the Americas: the [[Argentine brown bat]] and the [[diminutive serotine]].<ref name="Juste 2013">{{cite journal| last1= Juste| first1= J.| last2= Benda| first2= P.| last3= Garcia‐Mudarra| first3= J. L.| last4= Ibanez| first4= C.| date= 2013| title= Phylogeny and systematics of Old World serotine bats (genus Eptesicus, Vespertilionidae, Chiroptera): an integrative approach| journal= Zoologica Scripta| volume= 42| issue= 5| pages= 441–457| url= http://www.nm.cz/admin/files/PM/download/zivotopisy-publikace/juste2013zs.pdf| doi= 10.1111/zsc.12020| hdl= 10261/80441| s2cid= 52950923| access-date= 30 November 2017| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170127102654/http://www.nm.cz/admin/files/PM/download/zivotopisy-publikace/juste2013zs.pdf| archive-date= 27 January 2017| url-status= dead}}</ref> The ''serotinus'' group also includes:<ref name="Hill 1987">{{cite book| last1=Hill| first1= J. E.| last2=Harrison| first2= D. L.| date= 1987| title= The baculum in the Vespertilioninae (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) with a systematic review, a synopsis of Pipistrellus and Eptesicus, and the descriptions of a new genus and subgenus|publisher=Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History). Zoology|location=London|pages=251–253|url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/2301899#page/290/mode/2up}}</ref>
{{div col}}
{{div col}}
*[[Little black serotine]], ''E. andinus''
*[[Little black serotine]], ''E. andinus''
Line 86: Line 86:
The big brown bat is [[nocturnal]], roosting in sheltered places during the day. It will utilize a wide variety of structures for roosts, including mines, caves, tunnels, buildings, [[nest box#bat box construction|bat boxes]], tree cavities, [[storm drain]]s, wood piles, and rock crevices.<ref name="Agosta 2002"/> They generally roost in cavities, though they can sometimes be found under [[exfoliation (botany)|exfoliating bark]].<ref name="Kurta 1995">{{cite book| last=Kurta| first= Allen| date= 1995| title= Mammals of the great lakes region| publisher= University of Michigan Press| location= Ann Arbor, MI| isbn=978-0472094974}}</ref><ref name="Kunz 2005">{{cite book|editor-last1=Kunz| editor-first1= T. H.| editor-last2= Fenton| editor-first2= M. B.| date= 2005| title= Bat ecology| publisher= University of Chicago Press| page=18| isbn=978-0226462073}}</ref> Both solitary males and solitary, non-pregnant/non-lactating females have been found roosting under bark.<ref name="Christy 1993">{{cite report |last1=Christy| first1=R.E.| last2=West| first2=S.D. |date=1993 |title=Biology of bats in douglas-fir forests |url=https://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/pubs/pnw_gtr308.pdf |publisher=U.S. Department of Agriculture |page=10 |docket=PNW-GTR-308 |access-date=2017-11-30}}</ref> In the summer, males are most often solitary, though they may form small, all-male colonies. Males will also sometimes roost with adult females. Females exhibit [[philopatry]] ("love of place"), with 10-30% of female offspring returning to their natal roost the following year and up to 72% of adult females using the same roost in subsequent years.<ref name="Kurta 1990"/>
The big brown bat is [[nocturnal]], roosting in sheltered places during the day. It will utilize a wide variety of structures for roosts, including mines, caves, tunnels, buildings, [[nest box#bat box construction|bat boxes]], tree cavities, [[storm drain]]s, wood piles, and rock crevices.<ref name="Agosta 2002"/> They generally roost in cavities, though they can sometimes be found under [[exfoliation (botany)|exfoliating bark]].<ref name="Kurta 1995">{{cite book| last=Kurta| first= Allen| date= 1995| title= Mammals of the great lakes region| publisher= University of Michigan Press| location= Ann Arbor, MI| isbn=978-0472094974}}</ref><ref name="Kunz 2005">{{cite book|editor-last1=Kunz| editor-first1= T. H.| editor-last2= Fenton| editor-first2= M. B.| date= 2005| title= Bat ecology| publisher= University of Chicago Press| page=18| isbn=978-0226462073}}</ref> Both solitary males and solitary, non-pregnant/non-lactating females have been found roosting under bark.<ref name="Christy 1993">{{cite report |last1=Christy| first1=R.E.| last2=West| first2=S.D. |date=1993 |title=Biology of bats in douglas-fir forests |url=https://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/pubs/pnw_gtr308.pdf |publisher=U.S. Department of Agriculture |page=10 |docket=PNW-GTR-308 |access-date=2017-11-30}}</ref> In the summer, males are most often solitary, though they may form small, all-male colonies. Males will also sometimes roost with adult females. Females exhibit [[philopatry]] ("love of place"), with 10-30% of female offspring returning to their natal roost the following year and up to 72% of adult females using the same roost in subsequent years.<ref name="Kurta 1990"/>
[[File:Social-Vocalizations-of-Big-Brown-Bats-Vary-with-Behavioral-Context-pone.0044550.s009.ogv|thumb|right|alt=The image shows a visualization of a big brown bat vocalization.|Vocalizations of the Big brown bat vary with behavioral context]]
[[File:Social-Vocalizations-of-Big-Brown-Bats-Vary-with-Behavioral-Context-pone.0044550.s009.ogv|thumb|right|alt=The image shows a visualization of a big brown bat vocalization.|Vocalizations of the Big brown bat vary with behavioral context]]
Like many other species of microbats, the big brown bat often uses [[Animal echolocation|echolocation]] to navigate. This means that the species emits a call out into its environment and listens to the [[Echo (phenomenon)|echoes]] of those calls that return from various objects near them.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Wheeler |first1=Alyssa |last2=Fulton |first2=Kara |last3=Gaudette |first3=Jason |last4=Simmons |first4=Ryan |last5=Matsuo |first5=Ikuo |last6=Simmons |first6=James |title=Echolocating Big Brown Bats, ''Eptesicus fuscus'', Modulate Pulse Intervals to Overcome Range Ambiguity in Cluttered Surroundings |journal=Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience |date=2016 |volume=10 |issue=125 |url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4916216/ |access-date=10 June 2020}}</ref> Using echolocation, big brown bats can determine how far away an object is, the objects size, shape and density, and the direction (if any) that an object is moving. Their use of echolocation allows them to occupy a niche where there are often many [[insect]]s (that come out at night since there are fewer predators then), less competition for food, and fewer species that may prey on the big brown bat itself.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Lima SL, O'Keefe JM | title = Do predators influence the behaviour of bats? | journal = Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society | volume = 88 | issue = 3 | pages = 626–44 | date = August 2013 | pmid = 23347323 | doi = 10.1111/brv.12021 }}</ref>
Like many other species of microbats, the big brown bat often uses [[Animal echolocation|echolocation]] to navigate. This means that the species emits a call out into its environment and listens to the [[Echo (phenomenon)|echoes]] of those calls that return from various objects near them.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Wheeler |first1=Alyssa |last2=Fulton |first2=Kara |last3=Gaudette |first3=Jason |last4=Simmons |first4=Ryan |last5=Matsuo |first5=Ikuo |last6=Simmons |first6=James |title=Echolocating Big Brown Bats, ''Eptesicus fuscus'', Modulate Pulse Intervals to Overcome Range Ambiguity in Cluttered Surroundings |journal=Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience |date=2016 |volume=10 |issue=125 |page=125 |doi=10.3389/fnbeh.2016.00125 |pmid=27445723 |pmc=4916216 }}</ref> Using echolocation, big brown bats can determine how far away an object is, the objects size, shape and density, and the direction (if any) that an object is moving. Their use of echolocation allows them to occupy a niche where there are often many [[insect]]s (that come out at night since there are fewer predators then), less competition for food, and fewer species that may prey on the big brown bat itself.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Lima SL, O'Keefe JM | title = Do predators influence the behaviour of bats? | journal = Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society | volume = 88 | issue = 3 | pages = 626–44 | date = August 2013 | pmid = 23347323 | doi = 10.1111/brv.12021 | s2cid = 32118961 }}</ref>


===Reproduction and life expectancy===
===Reproduction and life expectancy===
Line 100: Line 100:
The big brown bat has few natural predators. Depredation occurs opportunistically, with [[common grackle]]s, [[American kestrel]]s, [[Strigidae|owls]], [[long-tailed weasel]]s, and [[American bullfrog]]s as known predators.<ref name="Kurta 1990"/> It is affected by a number of [[ectoparasite]]s (external parasites) and [[endoparasite]]s (internal parasites). Insect ectoparasites include ''[[Basilia (fly)|Basilia]]'' (flies), ''[[Cimex]]'' (true bugs), and ''[[Myodopsylla]]'' (fleas). Several [[mite]]s are ectoparasites as well, including ''[[Acanthopthirius]]'', ''[[Cheletonella]]'', ''[[Euschoengastia]]'', ''[[Leptotrombidium]]'', ''[[Macronyssus]]'', ''[[Neospeleognathopsis]]'', ''[[Neotrombicula]]'', ''[[Olabidocarpus]]'', ''[[Ornithodoros]]'', ''[[Parasecia]]'', ''[[Perissopalla]]'', and ''[[Spinturnix]]''. Endoparasites include [[nematode]]s, [[cestode]]s, and [[trematode]]s.<ref name="Kurta 1990"/>
The big brown bat has few natural predators. Depredation occurs opportunistically, with [[common grackle]]s, [[American kestrel]]s, [[Strigidae|owls]], [[long-tailed weasel]]s, and [[American bullfrog]]s as known predators.<ref name="Kurta 1990"/> It is affected by a number of [[ectoparasite]]s (external parasites) and [[endoparasite]]s (internal parasites). Insect ectoparasites include ''[[Basilia (fly)|Basilia]]'' (flies), ''[[Cimex]]'' (true bugs), and ''[[Myodopsylla]]'' (fleas). Several [[mite]]s are ectoparasites as well, including ''[[Acanthopthirius]]'', ''[[Cheletonella]]'', ''[[Euschoengastia]]'', ''[[Leptotrombidium]]'', ''[[Macronyssus]]'', ''[[Neospeleognathopsis]]'', ''[[Neotrombicula]]'', ''[[Olabidocarpus]]'', ''[[Ornithodoros]]'', ''[[Parasecia]]'', ''[[Perissopalla]]'', and ''[[Spinturnix]]''. Endoparasites include [[nematode]]s, [[cestode]]s, and [[trematode]]s.<ref name="Kurta 1990"/>


Like all bats in the United States,<ref name="Jackson 2008"/> big brown bats can be affected by [[rabies]]. The [[incubation period]] for rabies in this species can exceed four weeks,<ref name="Shankar 2004"/> though the mean incubation period is 24 days.<ref name="Jackson 2008">{{cite journal|last1=Jackson| first1= F. R.| last2= Turmelle| first2= A. S.| last3= Farino| first3= D. M.| last4= Franka| first4= R.| last5= McCracken| first5= G. F.| last6= Rupprecht| first6= C. E.| date= 2008| title= Experimental rabies virus infection of big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus)| journal= Journal of Wildlife Diseases| volume= 44| issue=3| pages= 612–621|doi=10.7589/0090-3558-44.3.612| pmid= 18689646| doi-access= free}}</ref> Rabid big brown bats will bite each other, which is the primary method of transmission from individual to individual. However, not all individuals will develop rabies after exposure to the virus. Some individuals have been observed with a sufficiently high rabies [[antibody]] concentration to confer [[immunity (medical)|immunity]]. Rabies immunity can be passed from mother to pup via [[passive immunity#naturally acquired|passive immunity]] or from exposure to the bite of a rabid individual. Overall, a low proportion of big brown bats become infected with rabies. Populations of big brown bats in the Eastern United States have a different strain of rabies than the populations in the Western United States.<ref name="Shankar 2004">{{cite journal| last1=Shankar| first1= V.| last2= Bowen| first2= R. A.| last3= Davis| first3= A. D.| last4= Rupprecht| first4= C. E.| last5=O'Shea| first5= T. J.| date= 2004| title= Rabies in a captive colony of big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus). | journal=Journal of Wildlife Diseases| volume= 40| issue=3| pages= 403–413| doi=10.7589/0090-3558-40.3.403| pmid= 15465706}}</ref> In one study, only 10% of big brown bats were [[viral shedding|shedding the rabies virus]] through their saliva before exhibiting clinical symptoms of the disease; symptoms of rabies in big brown bats include acute weight loss, paralysis, [[ataxia]] (inability to coordinate muscle movement), [[paresis]] (weakness of voluntary movement), and unusual vocalizations.<ref name="Jackson 2008"/>
Like all bats in the United States,<ref name="Jackson 2008"/> big brown bats can be affected by [[rabies]]. The [[incubation period]] for rabies in this species can exceed four weeks,<ref name="Shankar 2004"/> though the mean incubation period is 24 days.<ref name="Jackson 2008">{{cite journal|last1=Jackson| first1= F. R.| last2= Turmelle| first2= A. S.| last3= Farino| first3= D. M.| last4= Franka| first4= R.| last5= McCracken| first5= G. F.| last6= Rupprecht| first6= C. E.| date= 2008| title= Experimental rabies virus infection of big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus)| journal= Journal of Wildlife Diseases| volume= 44| issue=3| pages= 612–621|doi=10.7589/0090-3558-44.3.612| pmid= 18689646| doi-access= free}}</ref> Rabid big brown bats will bite each other, which is the primary method of transmission from individual to individual. However, not all individuals will develop rabies after exposure to the virus. Some individuals have been observed with a sufficiently high rabies [[antibody]] concentration to confer [[immunity (medical)|immunity]]. Rabies immunity can be passed from mother to pup via [[passive immunity#naturally acquired|passive immunity]] or from exposure to the bite of a rabid individual. Overall, a low proportion of big brown bats become infected with rabies. Populations of big brown bats in the Eastern United States have a different strain of rabies than the populations in the Western United States.<ref name="Shankar 2004">{{cite journal| last1=Shankar| first1= V.| last2= Bowen| first2= R. A.| last3= Davis| first3= A. D.| last4= Rupprecht| first4= C. E.| last5=O'Shea| first5= T. J.| date= 2004| title= Rabies in a captive colony of big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus). | journal=Journal of Wildlife Diseases| volume= 40| issue=3| pages= 403–413| doi=10.7589/0090-3558-40.3.403| pmid= 15465706| s2cid= 44769740}}</ref> In one study, only 10% of big brown bats were [[viral shedding|shedding the rabies virus]] through their saliva before exhibiting clinical symptoms of the disease; symptoms of rabies in big brown bats include acute weight loss, paralysis, [[ataxia]] (inability to coordinate muscle movement), [[paresis]] (weakness of voluntary movement), and unusual vocalizations.<ref name="Jackson 2008"/>


==Range and habitat==
==Range and habitat==
Line 107: Line 107:


==Conservation==
==Conservation==
The big brown bat is evaluated at the lowest conservation priority by the [[International Union for Conservation of Nature|IUCN]]—[[least concern]]. It meets the criteria for this designation because it has a wide geographic distribution, a large population size, occurrence in protected areas, and tolerance to habitat modification by humans.<ref name="iucn 2016"/> While other bat species in the Eastern United States have experienced significant population declines (up to 98% loss) due to [[white-nose syndrome]], the big brown bat is relatively resistant to its effects. Even in caves harboring ''[[Pseudogymnoascus destructans]]'', the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome, big brown bats maintain normal [[torpor]] patterns. Unlike in other species more affected by white-nose syndrome, big brown bats are able to retain more of their body fat throughout hibernation. In fact, some regions of the eastern United States have seen an increase in big brown bat populations since the arrival of white-nose syndrome.<ref name="Frank 2014">{{cite journal|last1=Frank| first1= C. L.| last2= Michalski| first2= A.| last3= McDonough| first3= A. A.| last4= Rahimian| first4= M.| last5= Rudd| first5= R. J.| last6=Herzog| first6= C.| date= 2014| title= The resistance of a North American bat species (Eptesicus fuscus) to white-nose syndrome (WNS)| journal= PLOS One| volume= 9| issue=12| page= e113958| doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0113958| pmid= 25437448| pmc= 4250063| bibcode= 2014PLoSO...9k3958F}}</ref>
The big brown bat is evaluated at the lowest conservation priority by the [[International Union for Conservation of Nature|IUCN]]—[[least concern]]. It meets the criteria for this designation because it has a wide geographic distribution, a large population size, occurrence in protected areas, and tolerance to habitat modification by humans.<ref name="iucn 2016"/> While other bat species in the Eastern United States have experienced significant population declines (up to 98% loss) due to [[white-nose syndrome]], the big brown bat is relatively resistant to its effects. Even in caves harboring ''[[Pseudogymnoascus destructans]]'', the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome, big brown bats maintain normal [[torpor]] patterns. Unlike in other species more affected by white-nose syndrome, big brown bats are able to retain more of their body fat throughout hibernation. In fact, some regions of the eastern United States have seen an increase in big brown bat populations since the arrival of white-nose syndrome.<ref name="Frank 2014">{{cite journal|last1=Frank| first1= C. L.| last2= Michalski| first2= A.| last3= McDonough| first3= A. A.| last4= Rahimian| first4= M.| last5= Rudd| first5= R. J.| last6=Herzog| first6= C.| date= 2014| title= The resistance of a North American bat species (Eptesicus fuscus) to white-nose syndrome (WNS)| journal= PLOS ONE| volume= 9| issue=12| page= e113958| doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0113958| pmid= 25437448| pmc= 4250063| bibcode= 2014PLoSO...9k3958F}}</ref>


==Relationship to people==
==Relationship to people==
Line 117: Line 117:
Big brown bats can be of concern to [[public health]] as a rabies vector, as they commonly roost in buildings and thus have a higher chance of encountering humans.<ref name="Shankar 2004"/> Because they are often found in proximity to humans, the big brown bat and the not-closely related [[little brown bat]] are the two bat species most frequently submitted for rabies testing in the United States.<ref name="Davis 2013">{{cite journal|doi=10.1128/JVI.03554-12|pmid=23741002|pmc=3754046|title=Susceptibility and Pathogenesis of Little Brown Bats (''Myotis lucifugus'') to Heterologous and Homologous Rabies Viruses|journal=Journal of Virology|volume=87|issue=16|pages=9008–9015|year=2013|last1=Davis|first1=A. D.|last2=Jarvis|first2=J. A.|last3=Pouliott|first3=C. E.|last4=Morgan|first4=S. M. D.|last5=Rudd|first5=R. J.}}</ref> Big brown bats infrequently test positive for the rabies virus; of the 8,273 individuals submitted for testing across the United States in 2011, 314 (3.8%) tested positive for the virus.<ref name="Birhane 2017">{{cite journal|doi=10.2460/javma.250.10.1117|pmid=28467751|title=Rabies surveillance in the United States during 2015|journal=Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association|volume=250|issue=10|pages=1117–1130|year=2017|last1=Birhane|first1=Meseret G.|last2=Cleaton|first2=Julie M.|last3=Monroe|first3=Ben P.|last4=Wadhwa|first4=Ashutosh|last5=Orciari|first5=Lillian A. |last6=Yager |first6=Pamela |last7=Blanton |first7=Jesse|last8=Velasco-Villa|first8=Andres|last9=Petersen|first9=Brett W.|last10=Wallace|first10=Ryan M.|pmc=5120402}}</ref> There is a known bias in testing, however, as healthy bats rarely come into contact with humans, and therefore sick bats are more likely to be tested.<ref>{{Cite journal| doi = 10.1089/vbz.2011.0674| pmid = 21923271| pmc = 3249890| issn = 1530-3667| volume = 12| issue = 1| pages = 55–60| last1 = Davis| first1 = April| last2 = Gordy| first2 = Paul| last3 = Rudd| first3 = Robert| last4 = Jarvis| first4 = Jodie A.| last5 = Bowen| first5 = Richard A.| title = Naturally Acquired Rabies Virus Infections in Wild-Caught Bats| journal = Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases| date = 2012}}</ref> In the US, human rabies cases from exposure to bats more frequently come from other bat species. Of the twenty-four human rabies cases from bats from 1993 to 2000, seventeen cases (71%) were a rabies variant associated with the [[silver-haired bat]] (''Lasionycteris noctivagans'') while one case (4%) was associated with the rabies variant found in big brown bats.<ref>{{cite journal| url= https://www.avma.org/News/Journals/Collections/Documents/javma_222_5_633.pdf | title=Trends in national surveillance for rabies among bats in the United States (1993–2000)|journal=JAVMA| year=2003| volume=222| issue=5| pages=633–9|first1=Alison M.| last1= Mondul| first2=John W.| last2= Krebs| first3= James E.| last3= Childs| doi=10.2460/javma.2003.222.633| pmid=12619845}}</ref>
Big brown bats can be of concern to [[public health]] as a rabies vector, as they commonly roost in buildings and thus have a higher chance of encountering humans.<ref name="Shankar 2004"/> Because they are often found in proximity to humans, the big brown bat and the not-closely related [[little brown bat]] are the two bat species most frequently submitted for rabies testing in the United States.<ref name="Davis 2013">{{cite journal|doi=10.1128/JVI.03554-12|pmid=23741002|pmc=3754046|title=Susceptibility and Pathogenesis of Little Brown Bats (''Myotis lucifugus'') to Heterologous and Homologous Rabies Viruses|journal=Journal of Virology|volume=87|issue=16|pages=9008–9015|year=2013|last1=Davis|first1=A. D.|last2=Jarvis|first2=J. A.|last3=Pouliott|first3=C. E.|last4=Morgan|first4=S. M. D.|last5=Rudd|first5=R. J.}}</ref> Big brown bats infrequently test positive for the rabies virus; of the 8,273 individuals submitted for testing across the United States in 2011, 314 (3.8%) tested positive for the virus.<ref name="Birhane 2017">{{cite journal|doi=10.2460/javma.250.10.1117|pmid=28467751|title=Rabies surveillance in the United States during 2015|journal=Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association|volume=250|issue=10|pages=1117–1130|year=2017|last1=Birhane|first1=Meseret G.|last2=Cleaton|first2=Julie M.|last3=Monroe|first3=Ben P.|last4=Wadhwa|first4=Ashutosh|last5=Orciari|first5=Lillian A. |last6=Yager |first6=Pamela |last7=Blanton |first7=Jesse|last8=Velasco-Villa|first8=Andres|last9=Petersen|first9=Brett W.|last10=Wallace|first10=Ryan M.|pmc=5120402}}</ref> There is a known bias in testing, however, as healthy bats rarely come into contact with humans, and therefore sick bats are more likely to be tested.<ref>{{Cite journal| doi = 10.1089/vbz.2011.0674| pmid = 21923271| pmc = 3249890| issn = 1530-3667| volume = 12| issue = 1| pages = 55–60| last1 = Davis| first1 = April| last2 = Gordy| first2 = Paul| last3 = Rudd| first3 = Robert| last4 = Jarvis| first4 = Jodie A.| last5 = Bowen| first5 = Richard A.| title = Naturally Acquired Rabies Virus Infections in Wild-Caught Bats| journal = Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases| date = 2012}}</ref> In the US, human rabies cases from exposure to bats more frequently come from other bat species. Of the twenty-four human rabies cases from bats from 1993 to 2000, seventeen cases (71%) were a rabies variant associated with the [[silver-haired bat]] (''Lasionycteris noctivagans'') while one case (4%) was associated with the rabies variant found in big brown bats.<ref>{{cite journal| url= https://www.avma.org/News/Journals/Collections/Documents/javma_222_5_633.pdf | title=Trends in national surveillance for rabies among bats in the United States (1993–2000)|journal=JAVMA| year=2003| volume=222| issue=5| pages=633–9|first1=Alison M.| last1= Mondul| first2=John W.| last2= Krebs| first3= James E.| last3= Childs| doi=10.2460/javma.2003.222.633| pmid=12619845}}</ref>


''[[Histoplasma capsulatum]]'', the fungus that causes the disease [[histoplasmosis]], is occasionally found in its [[guano]]. The big brown bat may also be a vector of the [[Saint Louis encephalitis virus]], a [[mosquito]]-born virus that can affect humans.<ref name="Kurta 1990"/> Individuals have also tested positive for ''[[West Nile virus]]'', which can also be transferred to humans via mosquitoes.<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.7589/0090-3558-42.2.455|pmid=16870875|title=A Survey for West Nile Virus in Bats from Illinois|journal=Journal of Wildlife Diseases|volume=42|issue=2|pages=455–458|year=2006|last1=Bunde|first1=Jennifer M.|last2=Heske|first2=Edward J.|last3=Mateus-Pinilla|first3=Nohra E.|last4=Hofmann|first4=Joyce E.|last5=Novak|first5=Robert J.}}</ref>
''[[Histoplasma capsulatum]]'', the fungus that causes the disease [[histoplasmosis]], is occasionally found in its [[guano]]. The big brown bat may also be a vector of the [[Saint Louis encephalitis virus]], a [[mosquito]]-born virus that can affect humans.<ref name="Kurta 1990"/> Individuals have also tested positive for ''[[West Nile virus]]'', which can also be transferred to humans via mosquitoes.<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.7589/0090-3558-42.2.455|pmid=16870875|title=A Survey for West Nile Virus in Bats from Illinois|journal=Journal of Wildlife Diseases|volume=42|issue=2|pages=455–458|year=2006|last1=Bunde|first1=Jennifer M.|last2=Heske|first2=Edward J.|last3=Mateus-Pinilla|first3=Nohra E.|last4=Hofmann|first4=Joyce E.|last5=Novak|first5=Robert J.|s2cid=11370310}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 06:53, 23 February 2021

Big brown bat
The image depicts a big brown bat on a rock.
A big brown bat on a rock
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Vespertilionidae
Genus: Eptesicus
Species:
E. fuscus
Binomial name
Eptesicus fuscus
(Beauvois, 1796)
Range map
Synonyms
  • Vespertila[a] fuscus Beauvois, 1796

The big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) is a species of vesper bat distributed widely throughout North America, the Caribbean, and the northern portion of South America. It was first described as a species in 1796. Compared to other microbats, the big brown bat is relatively large, weighing 15–26 g (0.53–0.92 oz) and possessing a wingspan of 32.5–35 cm (12.8–13.8 in). Big brown bats are insectivorous, consuming a diverse array of insects, particularly night-flying insects, but especially beetles.[4] Some of the beetles it consumes are serious agricultural pests, including cucumber beetles. They are nocturnal, foraging for prey at night and roosting in sheltered areas during the day such as caves, tunnels, tree cavities, and human structures. Their breeding season is in the fall, shortly before their annual hibernation. After hibernation ends in the spring, females form maternity colonies for giving birth to young. Oftentimes only one offspring is produced per litter, though twins are common in the Eastern US. Lifespans of 6.5 years are considered average.

The big brown bat occurs widely throughout the US, Canada, Central America, and the Caribbean. Its range extends into parts of South America, found as far south as Colombia and Venezuela. It is adaptable to many habitats and is considered a generalist species. The big brown bat is not considered at risk for extinction, and is evaluated as the lowest conservation priority by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). While some other bat species in its range have experienced dramatic population declines due to the fungal disease white-nose syndrome, the big brown bat is relatively resistant to the effects of the disease, and some populations have even increased since the syndrome arrived in North America. Like all bats in the US, the big brown bat can be impacted by rabies, though some individuals have immunity against the virus. Even though sick bats are more likely to be submitted for testing, in 2011, only 3.8%[5] of submitted big brown bats were positive for the rabies virus. Bat boxes are sometimes used to attract them as they are an agriculturally valuable species.

Taxonomy and etymology

The big brown bat was described in 1796 by French naturalist Palisot de Beauvois. Palisot described the species based on specimens in the museum of Charles Willson Peale, an American naturalist, giving it the name Vespertila fuscus.[6][7] The genus name, Eptesicus, is likely derived from the Greek words ptetikos ("able to fly") or petomai ("house flier"), and the species name "fuscus" is Latin in origin, meaning "brown".[8] The big brown bat is the type species for the genus Eptesicus, which was established in 1820 by French-American naturalist Constantine Samuel Rafinesque. Though Rafinesque designated the type species as Eptesicus melanops, this was later determined to be a synonym of Eptesicus fuscus. The first use of the current name combination Eptesicus fuscus was in 1900 by Hungarian zoologist Lajos Méhelÿ.[9] Recognized subspecies number eleven[10] or twelve:[11]

Subspecies Authority Type locality
E. f. bahamensis[12] Gerrit Smith Miller Nassau, Bahamas
E. f. bernardinus[13] Samuel Nicholson Rhoads San Bernardino, California
E. f. dutertreus[14] Paul Gervais Cuba
E. f. fuscus[6] Palisot de Beauvois Philadelphia
E. f. hispaniolae[15] Gerrit Smith Miller Constanza, Dominican Republic
E. f. lynni[16] Harold H. Shamel Montego Bay, Jamaica
E. f. miradorensis[17] Joel Asaph Allen Veracruz, Mexico
E. f. osceola[13] Samuel Nicholson Rhoads Tarpon Springs, Florida
E. f. pallidus[18] R. T. Young Boulder, Colorado
E. f. peninsulae[19] Oldfield Thomas Sierra de la Laguna, Mexico
E. f. petersoni[20] Gilberto Silva Taboada Isla de la Juventud, Cuba
E. f. wetmorei[21] Hartley H. T. Jackson Maricao, Puerto Rico

E. f. lynni has sometimes been considered a full species,[22][23] though was listed as a subspecies by the American Society of Mammalogists and the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) as of 2019.[24][25] In the US state of Colorado where two subspecies were hypothesized to overlap (E. f. fuscus and E. f. pallidus), morphological features did not agree with genetic lineages, and thus were not reliable in distinguishing the two subspecies. Individuals with eastern and western US genetic lineages co-occurred in the same colonies, however.[10]

As the genus Eptesicus is fairly speciose, it is further divided into morphologically similar "species-groups". The big brown bat belongs to the serotinus group, which is defined by having a large, elongate skull, flat braincase, and a long snout.[26] In a study of the evolutionary relationships of some Eptesicus species, the big brown bat was most closely related to the two other species from the Americas: the Argentine brown bat and the diminutive serotine.[27] The serotinus group also includes:[26]

Description

A small, fluffy mammal opens its jaws at the camera, reveal sharp teeth
A big brown bat baring teeth, illustrating the creature's dental formula.

It is a relatively large microbat, weighing 15–26 g (0.53–0.92 oz). Adult body length is 110–130 mm (4.3–5.1 in).[28] Its forearm is usually longer than 48 mm (1.9 in).[29] Its wingspan is 32.5–35 cm (12.8–13.8 in). Its dorsal fur is reddish brown and glossy in appearance; its ventral fur is lighter brown. Its snout, uropatagium (flight membrane between the hind limbs), and wing membranes are black and hairless. Its ears are also black;[28] they are relatively short with rounded tips.[29] The tragi (cartilage flaps in front of the ear canal) also have rounded tips.[28]

It has a robust skull;[29] the greatest length of the skull is approximately 19.25 mm (0.758 in).[30] The snout has a rounded and somewhat flattened appearance.[29] The braincase has a breadth of approximately 8.6 mm (0.34 in) and the mandible (jawbone) has a length of approximately 14.5 mm (0.57 in).[30] The upper incisors are large, with the inner pair more prominent than the outer pair. The inner pair of upper incisors also has a distinctive secondary cusp. The crowns of the lower incisors are trifid, or have three cusps.[29] Its dental formula is 2.1.1.33.1.2.3, for a total of 32 teeth.[31]

Biology

Diet

A big brown bat, eating a mealworm
A big brown bat, eating a mealworm.

Big brown bats are insectivorous, eating many kinds of insects including beetles, flies, stone flies, mayflies, true bugs, net-winged insects, scorpionflies, caddisflies, and cockroaches.[32][31] It will forage in cities around street lamps. As the big brown bat is such a widespread species, it has regional variation in its diet, though it is generally considered a beetle specialist. Populations in Indiana and Illinois have particularly high consumption of scarab beetles, cucumber beetles, ground beetles and shield bugs. In Oregon, primary prey items include moths in addition to scarab beetles and ground beetles. In British Columbia, large proportions of caddisflies are consumed, with flies as a secondary prey source.[33] A study in Ontario compared fecal samples of big brown bats with the abundance of insects collected in passive traps. The result was a strong preference for beetles as prey. Lepidoptera were the most common insect order collected but beetles were present in 99.2% of fecal samples.[32] When being rehabilitated, big brown bats are often fed mealworms which have been supplemented with necessary vitamins and minerals.[34]

Big brown bats are significant predators of agricultural pests. A 1995 study found that, per year, a colony of 150 big brown bats in Indiana or Illinois consumes 600,000 cucumber beetles, 194,000 scarab beetles, 158,000 leafhoppers, and 335,000 shield bugs—all of which cause serious agricultural damage.[35]

Behavior

The big brown bat is nocturnal, roosting in sheltered places during the day. It will utilize a wide variety of structures for roosts, including mines, caves, tunnels, buildings, bat boxes, tree cavities, storm drains, wood piles, and rock crevices.[33] They generally roost in cavities, though they can sometimes be found under exfoliating bark.[36][37] Both solitary males and solitary, non-pregnant/non-lactating females have been found roosting under bark.[38] In the summer, males are most often solitary, though they may form small, all-male colonies. Males will also sometimes roost with adult females. Females exhibit philopatry ("love of place"), with 10-30% of female offspring returning to their natal roost the following year and up to 72% of adult females using the same roost in subsequent years.[29]

Vocalizations of the Big brown bat vary with behavioral context

Like many other species of microbats, the big brown bat often uses echolocation to navigate. This means that the species emits a call out into its environment and listens to the echoes of those calls that return from various objects near them.[39] Using echolocation, big brown bats can determine how far away an object is, the objects size, shape and density, and the direction (if any) that an object is moving. Their use of echolocation allows them to occupy a niche where there are often many insects (that come out at night since there are fewer predators then), less competition for food, and fewer species that may prey on the big brown bat itself.[40]

Reproduction and life expectancy

Big brown bat mating season is in the fall. After the breeding season, pregnant females separate into maternity colonies around April.[8][31] Maternity colonies range in size from 5-700 individuals, though in the eastern US and Canada, they are frequently 25-75 adults.[29] Historically, maternity colonies were probably in tree cavities. In modern, human-dominated landscapes, however, many maternity colonies are in buildings.[33] In the eastern United States, twins are commonly born sometime between May and July; in western North America, females give birth to only one pup each year.[29] A dissected female was once found with four embryos; had the female given birth, though, it is unlikely that all four would have survived.[31] Like most species of bat,[41] the big brown bat only has two nipples. At birth, pups are blind, helpless, and only 3 g (0.11 oz), though they grow quickly, gaining up to 0.5 g (0.018 oz) per day.[31] The pup nurses from its mother for approximately one month. Mothers leave their pups behind at the roost while they forage at night. Pups fledge, or begin flying, at three to five weeks old.[28]

A 2011 study of a population in Colorado found that their average life expectancy was a little over 6.5 years;[42] according to a 2008 report, some banded big brown bats have lived up to 20 years, although some experts have hypothesized that the bats might be "capable of living much longer."[43] In general, males live longer than females.[29]

Hibernation

The image depicts a big brown bat sleeping on the wall of a cave
A big brown bat, sleeping on a cave wall

Big brown bats enter into hibernation around November, often in a location less than 80 km (50 mi) away from their summer roosts.[44] Big brown bats often hibernate by themselves,[44][45][46] or in small groups.[44][46] While some big brown bats hibernate in subterranean locations such as caves and underground mines,[29] most can be found in warm man-made structures.[47][48] Big brown bats tolerate cold weather fairly well,[45] although they can be negatively affected by major changes in temperature.[44] It is fairly common for some hibernating big brown bats to awaken temporarily and seek warmer shelter, locate water, and even mate.[8][44] Big brown bats come out of hibernation in the spring.[49]

Predators, parasites, and disease

The big brown bat has few natural predators. Depredation occurs opportunistically, with common grackles, American kestrels, owls, long-tailed weasels, and American bullfrogs as known predators.[29] It is affected by a number of ectoparasites (external parasites) and endoparasites (internal parasites). Insect ectoparasites include Basilia (flies), Cimex (true bugs), and Myodopsylla (fleas). Several mites are ectoparasites as well, including Acanthopthirius, Cheletonella, Euschoengastia, Leptotrombidium, Macronyssus, Neospeleognathopsis, Neotrombicula, Olabidocarpus, Ornithodoros, Parasecia, Perissopalla, and Spinturnix. Endoparasites include nematodes, cestodes, and trematodes.[29]

Like all bats in the United States,[50] big brown bats can be affected by rabies. The incubation period for rabies in this species can exceed four weeks,[51] though the mean incubation period is 24 days.[50] Rabid big brown bats will bite each other, which is the primary method of transmission from individual to individual. However, not all individuals will develop rabies after exposure to the virus. Some individuals have been observed with a sufficiently high rabies antibody concentration to confer immunity. Rabies immunity can be passed from mother to pup via passive immunity or from exposure to the bite of a rabid individual. Overall, a low proportion of big brown bats become infected with rabies. Populations of big brown bats in the Eastern United States have a different strain of rabies than the populations in the Western United States.[51] In one study, only 10% of big brown bats were shedding the rabies virus through their saliva before exhibiting clinical symptoms of the disease; symptoms of rabies in big brown bats include acute weight loss, paralysis, ataxia (inability to coordinate muscle movement), paresis (weakness of voluntary movement), and unusual vocalizations.[50]

Range and habitat

Two big brown bats sit next to one another in the rafters of a barn.
Two big brown bats roosting in a Minnesota barn

The big brown bat is encountered widely throughout North America in present times.[29] It is found from southern Canada and Alaska to as far south as Colombia and Venezuela. It has also been documented in the Caribbean in both the Greater and Lesser Antilles, including Cuba, Hispaniola, Dominica, Barbados, and the Bahamas. The big brown bat has been documented from 300–3,100 m (980–10,170 ft) above sea level.[1] It is a generalist, capable of living in urban, suburban, or rural environments.[33] It has been called "the most widespread Pleistocene bat in North America", as it is more represented in the fossil record of that time than any other bat species. Its extensive fossil record is known from more than thirty sites, including fourteen US states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and the Bahamas.[29]

Conservation

The big brown bat is evaluated at the lowest conservation priority by the IUCNleast concern. It meets the criteria for this designation because it has a wide geographic distribution, a large population size, occurrence in protected areas, and tolerance to habitat modification by humans.[1] While other bat species in the Eastern United States have experienced significant population declines (up to 98% loss) due to white-nose syndrome, the big brown bat is relatively resistant to its effects. Even in caves harboring Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome, big brown bats maintain normal torpor patterns. Unlike in other species more affected by white-nose syndrome, big brown bats are able to retain more of their body fat throughout hibernation. In fact, some regions of the eastern United States have seen an increase in big brown bat populations since the arrival of white-nose syndrome.[52]

Relationship to people

Economic value

The image depicts a small wooden box on a pole.
A typical bat box affixed to a post

Big brown bats are a species that will use bat houses for their roosts. Landowners will purchase or construct bat houses and install them, hoping to attract big brown bats, largely due to their being an "agriculturally valuable species".[53] In particular, the big brown bat feeds on cucumber beetles, which can decimate corn; this makes the species quite beneficial to farmers in the Corn Belt.[54]

As disease vectors

Big brown bats can be of concern to public health as a rabies vector, as they commonly roost in buildings and thus have a higher chance of encountering humans.[51] Because they are often found in proximity to humans, the big brown bat and the not-closely related little brown bat are the two bat species most frequently submitted for rabies testing in the United States.[55] Big brown bats infrequently test positive for the rabies virus; of the 8,273 individuals submitted for testing across the United States in 2011, 314 (3.8%) tested positive for the virus.[5] There is a known bias in testing, however, as healthy bats rarely come into contact with humans, and therefore sick bats are more likely to be tested.[56] In the US, human rabies cases from exposure to bats more frequently come from other bat species. Of the twenty-four human rabies cases from bats from 1993 to 2000, seventeen cases (71%) were a rabies variant associated with the silver-haired bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans) while one case (4%) was associated with the rabies variant found in big brown bats.[57]

Histoplasma capsulatum, the fungus that causes the disease histoplasmosis, is occasionally found in its guano. The big brown bat may also be a vector of the Saint Louis encephalitis virus, a mosquito-born virus that can affect humans.[29] Individuals have also tested positive for West Nile virus, which can also be transferred to humans via mosquitoes.[58]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Sic; possibly a misprint of the word Vespertilio.[2] When first described in 1758, Vespertilio was equivalent to the modern taxonomic order Chiroptera.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c Miller, B.; Reid, F.; Arroyo-Cabrales, J.; Cuarón, A.D.; de Grammont, P.C. (2016). "Eptesicus fuscus". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T7928A22118197. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T7928A22118197.en.
  2. ^ Wood Grinnell, Hilda (1918). A Synopsis of the Bats of California. Vol. 17. University of California Press. p. 318.
  3. ^ Hutcheon, James M.; Kirsch, John A. W. (2006). "A moveable face: Deconstructing the Microchiroptera and a new classification of extant bats". Acta Chiropterologica. 8: 8. doi:10.3161/1733-5329(2006)8[1:AMFDTM]2.0.CO;2. ISSN 1733-5329.
  4. ^ "Big Brown Bat – Shenandoah National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". National Park Service. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  5. ^ a b Birhane, Meseret G.; Cleaton, Julie M.; Monroe, Ben P.; Wadhwa, Ashutosh; Orciari, Lillian A.; Yager, Pamela; Blanton, Jesse; Velasco-Villa, Andres; Petersen, Brett W.; Wallace, Ryan M. (2017). "Rabies surveillance in the United States during 2015". Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 250 (10): 1117–1130. doi:10.2460/javma.250.10.1117. PMC 5120402. PMID 28467751.
  6. ^ a b Palisot de Beauvois, A. M. F. J. (1796). A scientific and descriptive catalogue of Peale's museum. Philadelphia: SH Smith. p. 14.
  7. ^ Miller, G. S. Jr. (1912). List of North American land mammals in the United States National Museum, 1911. Washington, US: United States National Museum. p. 62. ISBN 9780598369086.
  8. ^ a b c Schwartz, Charles Walsh; Schwartz, Elizabeth Reeder (2001). The Wild Mammals of Missouri. Columbia, MO: University of Missouri Press. p. 84. ISBN 9780826213594.
  9. ^ Gardner, A. L. (2008). Mammals of South America, Volume 1: Marsupials, Xenarthrans, Shrews, and Bats. Vol. 1. University of Chicago Press. pp. 441, 448. ISBN 978-0226282428.
  10. ^ a b Neubaum, Melissa A.; Douglas, Marlis R.; Douglas, Michael E.; O'Shea, Thomas J. (2007). "Molecular Ecology of the Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus): Genetic and Natural History Variation in a Hybrid Zone". Journal of Mammalogy. 88 (5): 1230–1238. doi:10.1644/06-MAMM-A-228R1.1. ISSN 0022-2372.
  11. ^ "Eptesicus fuscus". ITIS.gov. Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  12. ^ Miller Jr, G. S. (1897). "North American Fauna: Revision of the North American bats of the family Vespertilionidae". North American Fauna. 13: 101–102. doi:10.3996/nafa.13.0001. hdl:2027/mdp.39015006868643.
  13. ^ a b Rhoads, S. N. (1901). "On the common brown bats of peninsular Florida and southern California". Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia: 618–619.
  14. ^ Gervais, P. (1837). "Sur les animaux mamifères des Antilles". L'Institut, Paris. 5 (218): 253–254.
  15. ^ Miller, G. S. (1918). "Three new bats from Haiti and Santo Domingo". Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. 31: 39–40.
  16. ^ Shamel, H. H. (1945). "A new Eptesicus from Jamaica". Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington. 58: 107–110.
  17. ^ Allen, H. (1866). "Notes on the Vespertilionidae of tropical America". Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia: 287–288.
  18. ^ Young, R. T. (1908). "Notes on the distribution of Colorado mammals, with a description of a new species of bat (Eptesicus pallidus) from Boulder". Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. 60 (3): 403–409. JSTOR 4063298.
  19. ^ Thomas, O. (1898). "VII.–On new mammals from Western Mexico and Lower California". Journal of Natural History. 1 (1): 43–44. doi:10.1080/00222939808677921.
  20. ^ Silva-Taboada, G. (1974). "Fossil Chiroptera from cave deposits in central Cuba, with description of two new species (genera Pteronotus and Mormoops) and the first West Indian record of Mormoops megalophylla". Acta Zoologica Cracoviensia. 19.
  21. ^ Jackson, H. H. T (1916). "A new bat from Porto Rico". Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. 29: 37–38.
  22. ^ Presley, Steven J.; Willig, Michael R. (2010). "Bat metacommunity structure on Caribbean islands and the role of endemics: Caribbean bat metacommunity structure". Global Ecology and Biogeography. 19 (2): 187–188. doi:10.1111/j.1466-8238.2009.00505.x. ISSN 1466-822X.
  23. ^ Turmelle, Amy S.; Kunz, Thomas H.; Sorenson, Michael D. (2011). "A tale of two genomes: contrasting patterns of phylogeographic structure in a widely distributed bat: PHYLOGEOGRAPHY OF BIG BROWN BATS". Molecular Ecology. 20 (2): 357–75. doi:10.1111/j.1365-294X.2010.04947.x. ISSN 0962-1083. PMID 21143331. S2CID 118917.
  24. ^ "Eptesicus lynni". ASM Mammal Diversity Database. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  25. ^ "Eptesicus lynni". ITIS. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  26. ^ a b Hill, J. E.; Harrison, D. L. (1987). The baculum in the Vespertilioninae (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) with a systematic review, a synopsis of Pipistrellus and Eptesicus, and the descriptions of a new genus and subgenus. London: Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History). Zoology. pp. 251–253.
  27. ^ Juste, J.; Benda, P.; Garcia‐Mudarra, J. L.; Ibanez, C. (2013). "Phylogeny and systematics of Old World serotine bats (genus Eptesicus, Vespertilionidae, Chiroptera): an integrative approach" (PDF). Zoologica Scripta. 42 (5): 441–457. doi:10.1111/zsc.12020. hdl:10261/80441. S2CID 52950923. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 January 2017. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  28. ^ a b c d Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (2013). Wisconsin Big Brown Bat Species Guidance (PDF) (Report). Bureau of Natural Heritage Conservation, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. PUB-ER-707. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  29. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Kurta, A.; Baker, R. H. (1990). "Eptesicus fuscus". Mammalian Species (356): 1–10. doi:10.2307/3504258. JSTOR 3504258.
  30. ^ a b Palmeirim, Jorge M. (1998). "Analysis of Skull Measurements and Measurers: Can We Use Data Obtained by Various Observers?". Journal of Mammalogy. 79 (3): 1021–1028. doi:10.2307/1383111. JSTOR 1383111.
  31. ^ a b c d e Davis, W.B. (1994). "Big Brown Bat". The Mammals of Texas - Online Edition. Texas Tech University. Archived from the original on 22 October 2007.
  32. ^ a b Patriquin, Krista J; Guy, Cylita; Hinds, Joshua; Ratcliffe, John M (1 January 2019). "Male and female bats differ in their use of a large urban park". Journal of Urban Ecology. 5 (1). Oxford University Press: juz015. doi:10.1093/jue/juz015. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  33. ^ a b c d Agosta, S. J. (2002). "Habitat use, diet and roost selection by the big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) in North America: a case for conserving an abundant species" (PDF). Mammal Review. 32 (3): 179–198. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2907.2002.00103.x.
  34. ^ Lollar, Amanda Lorraine (2010). "Feeding Adult Bats" (PDF). Standards and Medical Management for Captive Insectivorous Bats. Texas: Bat World Sanctuary. pp. 71–76. ISBN 9780984547906.
  35. ^ Whitaker Jr, J. O. (1995). "Food of the big brown bat Eptesicus fuscus from maternity colonies in Indiana and Illinois". American Midland Naturalist. 134 (2): 346–360. doi:10.2307/2426304. JSTOR 2426304.
  36. ^ Kurta, Allen (1995). Mammals of the great lakes region. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press. ISBN 978-0472094974.
  37. ^ Kunz, T. H.; Fenton, M. B., eds. (2005). Bat ecology. University of Chicago Press. p. 18. ISBN 978-0226462073.
  38. ^ Christy, R.E.; West, S.D. (1993). Biology of bats in douglas-fir forests (PDF) (Report). U.S. Department of Agriculture. p. 10. PNW-GTR-308. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  39. ^ Wheeler, Alyssa; Fulton, Kara; Gaudette, Jason; Simmons, Ryan; Matsuo, Ikuo; Simmons, James (2016). "Echolocating Big Brown Bats, Eptesicus fuscus, Modulate Pulse Intervals to Overcome Range Ambiguity in Cluttered Surroundings". Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience. 10 (125): 125. doi:10.3389/fnbeh.2016.00125. PMC 4916216. PMID 27445723.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link)
  40. ^ Lima SL, O'Keefe JM (August 2013). "Do predators influence the behaviour of bats?". Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society. 88 (3): 626–44. doi:10.1111/brv.12021. PMID 23347323. S2CID 32118961.
  41. ^ Simmons, N. B. (1993). "Morphology, function, and phylogenetic significance of pubic nipples in bats (Mammalia, Chiroptera)" (PDF). American Museum Novitates (3077).
  42. ^ O'Shea, T. J.; Ellison, L. E.; Stanley, T. R. (2011). "Adult survival and population growth rate in Colorado big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus)". Journal of Mammalogy. 92 (2): 433–443. doi:10.1644/10-mamm-a-162.1.
  43. ^ Whitaker, John O.; Hamilton, William John (1998). Mammals of the Eastern United States. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press. p. 121. ISBN 9780801434754.
  44. ^ a b c d e Naughton, Donna (2012). The Natural History of Canadian Mammals. Toronto, Canada: University of Toronto Press. p. 319. ISBN 9781442644830.
  45. ^ a b Merritt, Joseph (2014). Guide to the Mammals of Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: University of Pittsburgh Press. p. 105. ISBN 9780822971399.
  46. ^ a b Whitaker, John O.; Hamilton, William John (1998). Mammals of the Eastern United States. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press. p. 118. ISBN 9780801434754.
  47. ^ Whitaker, John O. (2010). Mammals of Indiana: A Field Guide. Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press. p. 115. ISBN 9780253001511.
  48. ^ Whitaker, John O.; Hamilton, William John (1998). Mammals of the Eastern United States. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press. p. 117. ISBN 9780801434754.
  49. ^ Naughton, Donna (2012). The Natural History of Canadian Mammals. Toronto, Canada: University of Toronto Press. p. 320. ISBN 9781442644830.
  50. ^ a b c Jackson, F. R.; Turmelle, A. S.; Farino, D. M.; Franka, R.; McCracken, G. F.; Rupprecht, C. E. (2008). "Experimental rabies virus infection of big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus)". Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 44 (3): 612–621. doi:10.7589/0090-3558-44.3.612. PMID 18689646.
  51. ^ a b c Shankar, V.; Bowen, R. A.; Davis, A. D.; Rupprecht, C. E.; O'Shea, T. J. (2004). "Rabies in a captive colony of big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus)". Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 40 (3): 403–413. doi:10.7589/0090-3558-40.3.403. PMID 15465706. S2CID 44769740.
  52. ^ Frank, C. L.; Michalski, A.; McDonough, A. A.; Rahimian, M.; Rudd, R. J.; Herzog, C. (2014). "The resistance of a North American bat species (Eptesicus fuscus) to white-nose syndrome (WNS)". PLOS ONE. 9 (12): e113958. Bibcode:2014PLoSO...9k3958F. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0113958. PMC 4250063. PMID 25437448.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link)
  53. ^ Tuttle, Merlin; Hensley, Donna (1993). "Bat Houses: The Secrets of Success". batcon.org. Bat Conservation International. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  54. ^ Whitaker, John O.; Hamilton, William John (1998). Mammals of the Eastern United States. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press. p. 122. ISBN 9780801434754.
  55. ^ Davis, A. D.; Jarvis, J. A.; Pouliott, C. E.; Morgan, S. M. D.; Rudd, R. J. (2013). "Susceptibility and Pathogenesis of Little Brown Bats (Myotis lucifugus) to Heterologous and Homologous Rabies Viruses". Journal of Virology. 87 (16): 9008–9015. doi:10.1128/JVI.03554-12. PMC 3754046. PMID 23741002.
  56. ^ Davis, April; Gordy, Paul; Rudd, Robert; Jarvis, Jodie A.; Bowen, Richard A. (2012). "Naturally Acquired Rabies Virus Infections in Wild-Caught Bats". Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases. 12 (1): 55–60. doi:10.1089/vbz.2011.0674. ISSN 1530-3667. PMC 3249890. PMID 21923271.
  57. ^ Mondul, Alison M.; Krebs, John W.; Childs, James E. (2003). "Trends in national surveillance for rabies among bats in the United States (1993–2000)" (PDF). JAVMA. 222 (5): 633–9. doi:10.2460/javma.2003.222.633. PMID 12619845.
  58. ^ Bunde, Jennifer M.; Heske, Edward J.; Mateus-Pinilla, Nohra E.; Hofmann, Joyce E.; Novak, Robert J. (2006). "A Survey for West Nile Virus in Bats from Illinois". Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 42 (2): 455–458. doi:10.7589/0090-3558-42.2.455. PMID 16870875. S2CID 11370310.