GHAR IL-FRIEFET OR THE BATS’ CAVE AT BIRZEBBUGIA Geology, Natural History, and Antiquities

Seasonal Use and Selection of Caves by the Eastern Pipistrelle Bat (Pipistrellus subflavus)

—The eastern pipistrelle (Pipistrellus subflavus) is considered one of the most common and widely distributed species of bats in eastern North America, but little published information exists on its natural history. During surveys of numerous small caves in northwest Arkansas, we documented use by eastern pipistrelles and recorded ambient temperature readings in all caves and at roost and hiber...

Ecology of rabies virus exposure in colonies of Brazilian free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) at natural and man-made roosts in Texas.

Previous studies have investigated rabies virus (RABV) epizootiology in Brazilian free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) in natural cave roosts. However, little is known about geographic variation in RABV exposure, or if the use of man-made roosts by this species affects enzootic RABV infection dynamics within colonies. We sampled rabies viral neutralizing antibodies in bats at three bridge a...

Geology and History of Confederate Saltpeter Cave Operations in Western Virginia

Census of the endangered Mexican long-nosed bat Leptonycteris nivalis in Texas, USA, using thermal imaging

Emory Cave in west Texas, USA is one of the few natural roost sites used by the endangered Mexican long-nosed bat Leptonycteris nivalis in the United States. Despite concern over declines in population size, no reliable methods have been developed for censusing colonies of this species that are both accurate and minimize disruption to the colony. The objective of this study was to use non-invas...

Bats, viruses, emerging diseases and humans

This paper reviews the unique characteristics of bats, their important roles in providing ecosystem services, their viruses in relation to emerging diseases. Bats, as flying mammals, are the second largest order following rodents, with a wide variety (over 1400 identified species among 230 genera of 21 families in the world) due to their flying power and echolocation. Despite their importance a...