The 3rd International Southeast Asian Bat Conference (SEABCO) 2015
Organizing Committee
Patrons Associate Professor Dr. Othman Bojo
Chairman
Vice Chairman
Secretary
Vice Secretary
Treasurer
Vice Treasurer
Dr. Faisal Ali Anwarali Khan
Mr. Mohd Ridwan b Abd Rahman
Mdm. Wan Nurainie Wan Ismail
Dr. Hashimatul Fatma Hashim
Ms. Ratnawati Hazali
Dr. Mohd Hasnul Bolhassan
Financial Committee Ms. Rosemahziane Ak Nyirop
Mdm. Norhasyikin binti Usop
Logistic Committee Mr. Besar Ketol
Mdm. Jamliah Jamel
Mr. Huzal Irwan b Husin
Protocol Commitee Dr. Chong Yee Ling
Associate Professor Dr. Ramlah Zainudin
Dr. Aida Shafreena Ahmad Puad
Mdm. Sh Mariawati Wan Kassim
Mdm. Noorbaizura Medahi
Publicity Commitee Ms. Roberta Chaya Tawie Tingga
Mr. Muhamad Ikhwan Idris
Ms. Christharina S. Gintoron
Technical Commitee Mr. Badiozaman Sulaiman
Dr. Dency Flenny Augustine Gawin
Mr. Shafri Semawi
Mr. Mohamed Suhardi bin Mohamed
Sponsorship Committee Mr. Mohd. Zacaery Khalik
Dr. Faisal Ali Anwarali Khan
Mr. Wahap Marni
Scientific Committee Professor Dr. Andrew Alek Tuen
Dr. Chong Yee Ling
Dr. Faisal Ali Anwarali Khan
Dr. Mohd-Azlan Jayasilan
1
MESSAGE FROM VICE CHANCELLOR
UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SARAWAK
Assalamualaikum, salam sejahtera and salam UNIMASku sayang to all participants of the
3rd International Southeast Asian Bat Conference 2015.
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the 3rd International Southeast Asian Bat
Conference 2015. I thank the Organizing Committee for their commendable effort to bring
together groups of talents from various fields of study on a mysterious creature, the bats.
This conference is a remarkable to share their findings and expertise and hope that the
exchange of ideas will lead to establishment of research and partnerships.
Malaysia, in particular Sarawak, the “Land of Hornbill”, is endowed with rich biodiversity
of flora and fauna. Borneo, as the third largest island in the world, is one of the world’s
twelve mega centres of biodiversity. The ecological significance and value of bats in
Southeast Asia cannot be underestimated. Malaysia, in particular, is one of the world’s
most precious megadiverse countries. Unfortunately human activity has continued to inflict
a dramatic and irreversible impact on the diverse ecosystem of the country and the region.
Undeniably ecosystems change overtime, and changes are not always bad all the time, but
quite rightly there has been growing concern about the breadth, depth and speed of change
we are imposing on our surroundings. Universities play a crucial role in educating future
generations about the importance of conservation and in ensuring that research has to
continue to enable mankind to understand the nature and implications of human
interventions on the global environment.
UNIMAS has developed research-extensive courses at undergraduate and postgraduate
levels to address the challenges associated with wildlife management and monitoring in this
region. We are fortunate in having been able to recruit outstanding experts in the areas of
biodiversity and conservation management, taxonomy and systematics, evolutionary biology,
ecology and ecosystem services, and conservation biology.
On a final note, I trust that the three-day interactions at the conference will witness an
abundance of idea and knowledge dissemination, contributing to a better understanding on
bats. Thank you for participating in the conference, and to advance the knowledge about
bats.
YBHG PROF DATO' DR MOHAMAD KADIM BIN SUAIDI
2
MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN
FACULTY OF RESOURCE SCIENCE AND TECNOLOGY, UNIMAS
Assalamualaikum Wrh. Wbt. and salam sejahtera
I would like to express my warmest welcome and gratitude to all participants of the 3 rd
International Southeast Asian Bat Conference (SEABCO) 2015.
It all started when the first International Southeast Asian Bat Conference (SEABCO) was
held in Phuket, Thailand (2007) and four years later in Bogor, Java (2011). Upon the
success of these conferences, now the third SEABCO will be held in Grand Margherita
Hotel, Kuching from 14th to 17th August 2015 and proudly hosted by Universiti Malaysia
Sarawak (UNIMAS). Bats make a substantial contribution to the Southeast Asia biodiversity,
comprising about 30% of mammal regions. Sadly, many bat species around Southeast Asia
are vulnerable or endangered due to factors ranging from loss and fragmentation of habitat,
diminished food supply, destruction of roosts, disease and hunting or killing of bats. Lack of
knowledge is recognized as one of the major threats to the conservation of bats. Thus,
SEABCO aspires to engage all the people interested in bat research and conservation to
collaborate and evaluate knowledge gaps for bat conservation in the Southeast Asia,
together identify several priority areas where new research is needed.
The conference will emphasise on different areas of bat research such as taxonomy and
systematics, ecology and ecosystem services, evolutionary biology and zoonotic diseases. I
appreciate your presence here in the conference and I am sure that we will be able to share
current knowledge during the presentation and discussion, to better understand on the
ecological and economic importance of bats in Southeast Asia, and to devise proper
conservation plan for better future of bats. I am convinced that this 3rd International
SEABCO is a good platform, as proven by the previous two conferences, for international
and local researchers, conservation biologists, environmental academicians, and students to
present their finding and ideas on bats research and conservation in Southeast Asia.
I take this opportunity to wish all participants enjoyable time and stay here in Kuching.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DR OTHMAN BOJO
3
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE 3RD SEABCO ORGANIZING
COMMITTEE, UNIMAS
Welcome to Kuching, Sarawak, we are happy to have all of you here, the Land of Hornbills.
On behalf of the organizing committee, I would like extend our warm welcome to our
invited guests, invited speakers and all the participants of 3rd International Southeast Asian
Bat Conference 2015.
Historically, the first Southeast Asian Bats Conference was held at Phuket, Thailand in May
2007. A total of 125 participants joined the meeting. The second meeting was held at Bogor,
Indonesia in June 2011 where a total of 88 participants joined the meeting. This every four
years event has generate a lot of interest among researcher who work on bats especially in
Southeast Asia to join the meeting and learned about what others working on the region.
This year, the 3rd International Bats Conference 2015 (SEABCO2015) is held in Kuching
Sarawak, and the Faculty of Resource Science and Technology (FRST), Universiti Malaysia
Sarawak (UNIMAS) has taken the lead to host the meeting that is attended by 110
participants.
Broadly, we have four main agendas that we wish to accomplish during the conference: 1)
To foster collaboration between researchers in Malaysia with researchers from countries in
the region; 2) To provide a platform for researchers to exchange ideas thus form a network
of research in the field of small mammals, especially bats; 3) To enable researchers and
stakeholders to share/exchange information and experience to better implement
conservation plans, and 4) To discuss the future direction of bat scientific research so that it
is current, standardised across region and remain relevant.
On behalf of SEABCO2015 secretariat, I would like to thank the Vice-chancellor of
UNIMAS and the Dean of FRST for their continuous support and encouragement. Not to
forget, the continuous support from all the agencies in Malaysia that regulates biodiversity
in Malaysia especially Sarawak Forestry Department (SFD), Sarawak Forestry Corporation
(SFC), and Sarawak Biodiversity Council that work closely with UNIMAS on Biodiversity.
We also thank our supporters and major funding agencies including UNIMAS, Southeast
Asia Bats Conservation Research Unit (SEABCRU), National Science Foundation (NSF),
Texas Tech University (TTU) and Sarawak Convention Bureau (SCB) for their advice and
4
support. I also would like to thank our sponsors and vendors who kindly participated and
fund our meeting.
Last but not least, I would like to extend my appreciation to the organizing committee,
support staff and students for their help, dedication and hard work to make this event a
successful one. Hopefully this conference will create a good impact on all of us and I look
forward to meet all of you again in the next meeting, four years from now.
Keep supporting SEABCO to better manage our fascinating BATS!
Thank you.
DR FAISAL ALI ANWARALI KHAN
DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY, FACULTY OF RESOURCES SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY, UNIMAS
SEABCRU STEERING COMMITTEE
5
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN BAT
CONSERVATION RESEARCH UNIT (SEABCRU)
Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure on behalf of the Southeast Asian Bat
Conservation Research Unit (SEABCRU) to welcome you to SEABCO 2015, the 3rd
International Southeast Asian Bat. I would like to begin with a heartfelt thank you to the
UNIMAS organizing committee for hosting and organizing this exciting event.
The 1st International Southeast Asian Bat Conference grew out of discussions among bat
researchers at the Southeast Asia Mammal Databank (SAMD) meetings in 2004 and 2005
which were part of the Global Mammal Assessment. At these meetings, several of us
realized that bat research in SE Asia was on the cusp – there were several active researchers
scattered across the region, but few were aware of each other’s activities. What we needed
was a conference! A chance to see what everyone was up to, to network, and encourage the
expansion of bat research. So was born the 1st conference, hosted by the Prince of Songkla
University, in Phuket, Thailand in 2007. The conference was a great success with over 120
participants from some 22 countries.
At the same time, we recognized the need for a regional network to connect researchers
more regularly, grow in-country capacity and identify research directions that could support
the conservation of the SE Asia’s imperiled bat fauna. The SEABCRU was established in
response to this need, supported by British American Tobacco (BAT) through Earthwatch
Institute, and launched at the first conference in Thailand. During the conference, nearly 80
researchers came together in a workshop to identify the regional conservation research
priorities that were to shape the SEABCRU activities for the coming ten years, with efforts
focused on the conservation of flying foxes, cave-dependent bats, forest-dependent bats and
taxonomy and systematics.
In 2011 the SEABCRU received support from the National Science Foundation of the USA
to elevate the network with training activities centered on the four priorities, and to put
together a regional database of bat localities. We began this new phase with the 2 nd
International Southeast Asian Bat Conference organized and hosted by the Indonesian
Institute of Sciences (LIPI) in Bogor, Indonesia in 2011, which was another great success.
6
SEABCO 2015 is the third conference in our series, and presents many very exciting
opportunities. First, it provides a wonderful chance to see how bat research has progressed
over the 12 years since the first conference. Much of this research aligns with the
SEABCRU research conservation priorities and is a great pleasure to see. Second, the
conference affords an opportunity for the SEABCRU committee to report to our broader
membership on activities of the past four years, present the SEABCRU protocols and
guidelines developed, and to officially launch the SEABCRU database. Third, and just as
importantly, we can meet together as we did in 2007 and discuss new priorities and
directions to guide our research community through the next ten years. Embedded within the
conference are workshops and forums and I cannot emphasize enough that these are open to
everyone. Although guided by a steering committee, the SEABCRU is a network for all bat
researchers in Southeast Asia.
Let me close by wishing you all a wonderful and productive conference and thanking you
for your participation.
DR TIGGA KINGSTON
TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY
7
The 3rd International Southeast Asian Bat Conference (SEABCO) 2015
Contents
Page
Organizing Committee
1
Message from the Vice Chancellor of UNIMAS
YBhg Prof Dato' Dr. Mohamad Kadim bin Suaidi
2
Message from the Dean of Faculty of Resource Science and
Technology, UNIMAS
Associate Professor Dr. Othman Bojo
3
Message from the Chairman of the 3rd SEABCO
Organizing Committee, UNIMAS
Dr. Faisal Ali Anwarali Khan
4
Message from the Director of the Southeast Asian Bat
Conservation Research Unit (SEABCRU)
Associate Professor Dr. Tigga Kingston
Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Teach University
6
Content
8
Opening Ceremony
9
Conference Programme
10
Biography of Plenary Speakers
15
Abstracts of Invited Speakers Presentation
16
Abstracts of Oral Presentation
22
Abstracts of Poster Presentation
51
Compliments
66
8
The 3rd International Southeast Asian Bat Conference (SEABCO) 2015
Opening Ceremony
14 August, 2015 (Friday)
Asajaya Hall, 1 Floor, Grand Margherita Hotel, Kuching
st
0830
Arrival of invited guest
0845
Arrival of YBhg Prof Dato' Dr. Mohamad Kadim bin Suaidi,
Vice Chancellor of UNIMAS
0850
Arrival of YBhg Datu Dr. Hatta bin Solhi,
Chairman of the Board of Directors, UNIMAS
0855
Arrival of YB Datu Haji Len Talif Salleh,
Assistant Minister of Environment (Ministry of Resource Planning and
Environment) and Assistant Minister at Chief Ministers Office (Promotion of
Technical Education)
0900
National anthem
Prayer recitation
Conference address by Associate Professor Dr. Tigga Kingston,
Director of Southeast Asian Bat Conservation Research Unit
Welcoming address by YBhg Prof Dato' Dr Mohamad Kadim bin Suaidi,
Vice Chancellor of UNIMAS
Speech and opening ceremony by Chief Minister of Sarawak
YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Haji Adenan bin Haji Satem,
represented by YB Datu Haji Len Talif Salleh, Assistant Minister of
Environment (Ministry of Resource Planning and Environment) and Assistant
Minister at Chief Ministers Office (Promotion of Technical Education)
Presentation of souvenir
End of opening ceremony
1100
Refreshment
9
The 3rd International Southeast Asian Bat Conference (SEABCO) 2015
Programme
Venue: Asajaya Hall, 1st Floor, Grand Margherita Hotel, Kuching
0900
1100
DAY 1: 14 August 2015 (Friday)
Official Opening Ceremony of 3rd International Southeast Asian Bat
Conference (SEABCO 2015) by YB Datu Haji Len Talif Salleh, Assistant
Minister of Environment (Ministry of Resource Planning and Environment)
and Assistant Minister at Chief Ministers Office (Promotion of Technical
Education)
Friday prayer/lunch/Press Conference
Session 1: Community ecology and land use change
Chairperson: Dr. Dave Waldien
1430
Plenary Title: Role of Academic Institution in Bat Research in Malaysia
Plenary Speaker
1500
SEABCRU Priority: Forest bats – Spatial planning for the effects of climate
and land-cover change on Borneo’s bats and other mammals
Invited Speaker
1520
1535
1550
1605
1620
1635
1650
1705
1720
Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mohd Tajuddin Abdullah
Dr. Mathew Struebig
Joe Chun-Chia
Huang
Understory Insectivorous Bats as Ecological Indicators of
Vegetation Complexity in a Coffee-Forest Landscape of
Sumatra
Jimmy Lee
Bat Diversity Survey at Lower Kinabatangan River Valley
Along a Disturbance Gradient
M. Mathivanan
Bats in Ancient Temples: Influence of Micro Habitats and
Landscape Features on Bat Occupancy and Abundance
Jodi L. Sedlock
Bat Assemblages in Philippine Rice Fields
Dai Fukui
Regional Patterns of Bat Community Assembly in the Japanese
Archipelago
Azuan Roslan
Ecomorphology, Verticle Segregation and Habitat Use of Bats
in Kenyir Rainforest and Setiu Wetland
Juliana Senawi
Beyond Wing Parameters – Body Mass Controls Flight
Maneuverability in Malaysian Insectivorous Bats
Benjamin Lee
The Effects of Major Roads on Bats in Singapore
Refreshment/Poster Session
10
DAY 2: 15 August 2015 (Saturday)
Session 2: Bat-plant interactions and flying fox conservation
Chairperson: Dr. Vu Dinh Thong
0830
SEABCRU Priority: Flying Foxes – Ecosystem sevices and human-bat
interactions
Invited Speaker
Dr. Sara Bumrungsri
0850
Nor Zalipah
Mohamed
Tuanjit
Sritongchuay
Sheema Abdul
Aziz
0905
0920
0935
1015
1030
1045
1100
1115
1130
1145
1200
1215
1230
1400
1530
1600
Bat Pollination in Mangrove Habitats of Peninsular Malaysia
Bat Roles in Pollination Network in Mixed Fruit Orchards,
Southern Thailand
Is the Island Flying Fox in the Service of the King of Fruits?
Camera-Trapping Reveals Further Clues About Durian
Pollination Ecology
Coffeebreak/Poster Session
Ibnu Maryanto
Hoem Thavry
Sheherazade
Jayadi
Hul Vibol
Tammy L.
Mildenstein
Lisa J. Paguntalan
Rajlakshmi
Mishra
Marites GatanBalbas
Philip Godfrey C.
Jakosalem
Lunch Break
The Flower Visited by Fruit Bats at Lore Lindu National
Park, Sulawesi, Indonesia
Diet of the Cave Nectar Bat Eonycteris spelaea in Cambodia
The Role of Fruit Bats in Plant Community Changes in an
Urban Forest in West Java, Indonesia
Population Dynamics and Diet of Lyle’s Flying Fox
(Pteropus lylei) in Cambodia
Local People Count: Using Citizen Scientists to Monitor
Flying Fox Populations
Conservation Status of the Palawan Flying Fox Acerodon
leucotis in Calamian Group of Islands, Philippines
Status of Indian Flying Fox, Pteropus giganteus, Brunnich,
1782 in National Capital Territory of Delhi, India
Filipinos for Flying Foxes: Protecting the Last Roost Sites of
Giant Fruit Bats in Northeast Luzon, Philippines
Creating Conservation Reserves for Philippine Flying foxes:
Considerations and Implications
Workshop for participants
Coordinator: Dr. Tigga Kingston
Refreshment/Poster Session
Fieldwork/Leave to Bau
Coordinator: Ms. NurSyafiqah Shazali
11
DAY 3: 16 August 2015 (Sunday)
Session 3: Taxonomy, phylogeography, speciation and evolution
Chairperson: Dr. Juliana Senawi
0830
SEABCRU Priority: Taxonomy – Toward the Future of Southeast Asian Bat
Taxonomy
Invited Speaker
Dr. Pipat Soisook
0850
Faisal Ali
Anwarali Khan
0905
Sultana Parvin
Exploring Genetic and Echolocation Call Variations Within
Habeebur
Hipposideros galeritus Species Complex (Cantor’s
Rahman
Roundleaf bat)
Nurul Farah
Molecular Phylogeny of Rhinolophid Bats From Malaysia
Diyana Ahmad
Based on Mitochondrial DNA (Cytochrome Oxidase I and
Tahir
Cytochrome b)
Coffeebreak/Poster Session
0920
0935
1015
1030
Jayaraj Vijaya
Kumaran
Susan M. Tsang
1045
Vu Dinh Thong
1100
Rohit Chakravarty
1115
Stephen J Rossiter
1130
Kyle Armstrong
1145
Isham Azhar
1200
Majorie May
Dixon
Anna Nele
Herdina
Lunch Break
1215
1230
Species Delimitation and Biogeography of Southeast Asian
Hipposideros
Phylogenetics and Taxonomy of Nectar Bats (Genus:
Macroglossus spp.) in Malaysia
Dispersal is a Significant Biogeographic Mechanism in
Pteropus in the Indo-Australian Archipelago
Taxonomy of Flying Foxes and Free-Tailed Bats (Mammalia:
Chiroptera) with an Investigation into Ecology of Pteropus
lylei in Vietnam
Gene Flow in Species of Bats Differing in Ecology and
Morphology: A Comparative Study from the Andaman
Islands
A test of Non-Allopatric Divergence in Putative Island
Endemic Sister Bat Species – A Case of Taiwanese Murina
Genome-Wide SNP-Based Next Generation DNA
Sequencing and 3D Geometric Morphometrics Helps to
Resolve Long Standing Issues in Bat Taxonomy
Host Specificity of Bat Flies (Diptera: Nycteribiidae and
Streblidae) in Malaysia
Convergence in eavesdropping behavior? Responses to frog
mating calls by Old and New World bats
Correlative 3D Imaging of Bat Genital Micromorphology
Session 4: Cave-bat ecology and conservation
Chairperson: Dr. Jodi Sedlock
1400
SEABCRU Priority- Cave Bats - Can Wing Morphology Inform
Conservation Priorities for Southeast Asian Cave Bats?
Invited Speaker
Dr. Neil Furey
12
1420
1435
1450
1505
1520
1535
1550
1630
1930
Krizler C.
Tanalgo
Kendra L.
Phelps
Nursyafiqah
Shazali
Teong Han
Chew
Moe Moe Aung
Bat Cave Vulnerability Index (BCVI): A Tool for Equating Bat
Caves for Conservation Prioritization and Protection
Prioritizing Caves to Conserve Bats: Identifying Factors that
Influence Cave Use
Application of LiDAR Technology to Count Cave-Dwelling
Bats Roost in Wind Cave Nature Reserve, Malaysian Borneo
Cataloguing Malaysian Caves using LiDAR: Bats Included
Review of Bats of the Limestone Karst of Northern Chin State,
Myanmar
Lim Thona
Cave Selection and Reproductive Phenology of Insectivorous
Bats in Southern Cambodian Karst and Their Conservation
Implications
Refreshment/Poster Session
Group Workshop I: SEABCRU Database and Research Priority Setting
Coordinator: Dr. Tigga Kingston
Workshop is for ALL conference attendants
Dinner
Venue: Pelagus Room, 2nd Floor, Grand Margherita Hotel, Kuching
DAY 4: 17 August 2015 (Monday)
Session 5: Integrated frameworks -disease, diet and ecology
Chairperson: Mr. Chun Chia Huang
0830
SEABCRU Priority: Disease Surveillance – Bat Viral Ecology in 2015:
Moving From Pathogen Discovery to a More Integrated Ecological
Framework
Invited Speaker
Dr. Kelvin Olival
0850
Mei Ho Lee
0935
Bat Viral Diversity in Different Anthropogenic Disturbance
Gradients in Kinabatangan, Sabah, Malaysia
Jessica L.
Hematological Profile of Bats in Musuan, Bukidnon,
Gamolo
Philippines
Heidi C. Porquis Blood Serum Glucose and Potassium Profiles of Frugivorous
Bats (Ptenochirus jagori Peters) in Central Mindanao
University, Bukidnon Philippines
Coffeebreak/Poster Session
1015
Nurul-Ain Elias
1030
Jin Sia Ting
0905
0920
What`s On the Menu for Hungry Mums? Food Availability for
Malaysian Insectivorous Bats
Food habits of Rhinolophus affinis, Emballonura monticola
and Hipposiderus diadema Roosting in an Agricultural
Landscape at Kota Gelanggi, Malaysia
13
1045
1100
Nur Atiqah Abd
Rahman
Roger Coles
1115
Swapnil Girade
1130
Lee-Sim Lim
1145
T. Ulmar Grafe
1200
David A. Hill
1215
Ellen McArthur
1230
Lunch Break
Comparison of Food Habits of the Lesser Asiatic Yellow Bat
(Scotophilus kuhlii) in an Agricultural and Urban Landscape
Observations on the Ecology, Echolocation & Foraging
Behaviour of the Emballonurid Bat, Saccolaimus saccolaimus,
in Australia & Southeast Asia
Echolocation Calls and Diet Analysis of Michrochiropteran
Species From Northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra
Roost Selection by Bats in the Anthropogenic Areas Along the
West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia
How a Pitcher Plant Facilitates Roosting of Mutualistic Woolly
Bats (Kerivoula hardwickii)
Session 6: Acoustic techniques
Chairperson: Mr Benjamin Lee
Acoustic Lure Enhances Capture Rates of Echolocating Bats in
Forest and Open Habitats in Australasia
Quantifying Bat Activity through Acoustic Sampling in a
Riverine Forest at Gunung Mulu National Park, Malaysian
Borneo
Session 7: Bat conservation on the ground and on the map
Chairperson: Dr. Nina Ingle
1415
1445
1500
1515
1530
1545
Plenary Title:
Plenary Speaker
Md Nurul Islam
Conservation of Bats in Malaysia
Dr. Melvin Gumal
Operationalizing Bat Conservation Education Program in
Bangladesh With a Special Focus of Nipah Encephalitis
Outbreak
D. Pilot Dovih
An Assessment Conservation Status of Bats in India and the
Impacts of Bats on Public Health
Rahul
Batting Trekkers – A Unique Citizen Science Initiative
Prabhukhanolkar Documenting Bat Diversity and Roosts in Maharashtra, India
Wing Chi Tsui
Ten Years at A Glance - An Overview of Bat Conservation in
Hong Kong
Marina FisherAnalysis of Spatial Clustering in Southeast Asian Bat
Phelps
Sampling Effort
1600
Group Workshop II: SEABCRU Database and Research Priority Setting
Coordinator: Dr. Tigga Kingston
Workshop is for ALL conference attendants
1630
Student Award Ceremoy/Closing Remark/Action Plan
by Head of the group/UNIMAS/SEABCRU
1700
Refreshment
14
Biography of Plenary Speakers
Professor Dato’ Dr. Mohd Tajuddin Abdullah is from the
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu where he is now the Director at
Centre for Kenyir Ecosystems Research. As a pioneer zoologist
and founding head of the Department of Zoology in UNIMAS
from 1994 to 2013, he has successfully established UNIMAS
mammalian research program. His research interest is on the
fields of ecology, biodiversity, biogeography, evolution and
protected area management. Some of his studies with
postgraduate students have redefined the morphological species
and genetic species within cryptic populations. Previously,
between 1977 and 1993, he was leading a unit on research and
management of the endangered Sumatran rhinoceros at the
Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Kuala Lumpur and
was a director of the Zoo Melaka in Malaysia. Internationally,
he also serves as the member of the International Union for
the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), Species Survival Commission (SSC),
Asian Rhinos Specialist Group and the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA). Base on
this contribution, Prof. Tajuddin was elected and inducted as Fellow in the Academy of Science
Malaysia on the 8 June 2013. In 2015 he is being invited as lead author for the Intergovernmental
Panel on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. Now he is actively working on the establishment of
Kenyir Geopark, research on canopy biology and sustainable livelihood of Orang Asli.
Dr. Melvin Gumal worked on flying foxes in Sarawak for his
PhD. After successfully completing his studies, together with
colleagues from Sarawak Forest Department, his PhD flying fox
study site as well as other maternity roost sites recommended in
his study has been made protected areas or is currently
proposed for protection. Melvin is the Wildlife Conservation
Society (WCS), Program Director for Malaysia. As the program
director he also initiated other programmes and these are on
orang-utans, tigers and elephants and apart from biological
research, the work engages with locals and this includes
conservation education and developing alternative livelihood
sources. Noting his excellent work to conserve orang-utans in
Sarawak, Dr. Melvin Gumal has been honoured with a 2014
Whitley Award. He is one of eight individuals to be awarded
the prestigious international conservation prize.
Dr. Lim Boo Liat started his career as a lab assistant at the Institute
of Medical Research (IMR) post World War II (WW II) in 1947.
Later, based on his vast experience he was offered a Medical
Research Council Fellowship (London) to pursue a Master of
Science (MSc.) degree at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland
without having a formal Bachelor (BSc.) degree. Dr. Lim obtained
his PhD (Zoology) from Universiti Sains Malaysia in 1977. Since
1953 to date, he has authored 302 scientific papers on small animals,
reptile and amphibian ecology, rodent control and bio-medical
studies (zoonotic diseases) associated with terrestrial vertebrates and
helminth parasitology in many national and international journals.
He is currently an Honorary Advisor on Zoology for the Department
of Wildlife and National Park (DWNP). In 2013, he was one of the
Merdeka Award recipients for his contribution to the environment
especially in the conservation of Malaysia biodiversity through
scientific studies.
15
ABSTRACTS OF
INVITED SPEAKERS
PRESENTATION
16
Opening Session
The Southeast Asian Bat Conservation Research Unit: A network approach to
regional bat conservation
Tigga Kingston
Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, USA;
Corresponding author: tigga.kingston@ttu.edu
Regional networks provide for robust and resilient conservation efforts that promote
consensus approaches to priority setting and action, as well as equitable distribution of
management and leadership roles. The Southeast Asian Bat Conservation Research Unit
(SEABCRU) was established in 2007 and is an open network of researchers, educators, and
conservationists that seek to promote the conservation of Southeast Asia’s bat fauna through
research, capacity building and outreach. Bats are a diverse but vulnerable component of
Southeast Asian biodiversity and perform critical ecosystem services. Rapid deforestation,
disturbance at cave roosts and unregulated hunting for food and traditional medicine imperil
many species, with a mere 18% of the region’s 350+ species considered to have stable
populations. Support from the National Science Foundation in 2011 enabled the SEABCRU
to begin a 5-yr regional assessment of the distribution, abundance and status of Southeast
Asian bats through research and training activities centered on four priority areas identified
by group consensus: flying fox distributions and population ecology; taxonomy and
systematics; cave bat diversity and conservation; response of forest-dependent bats to
landscape change. Each priority is led by a multinational team of experienced biologists and
graduate students, who identify key conservation needs with input solicited from the
regional bat research community through workshops and online communication
(www.seabcru.org, Facebook group). Workshops support a development cycle of priority
setting (Indonesia 2011), expert opinion and protocol development (Thailand 2012),
targeted capacity building in network gaps (Cambodia 2013, Myanmar and Vietnam 2014),
and data synthesis and assessment (2015, 2016).
17
SEABCRU Priority - Forest bats
Spatial Planning for the Effects of Climate and Land-Cover Change on
Borneo’s Bats and Other Mammals
Matthew Struebig1*, Andreas Wilting2, Erik Meijaard3, David Gaveau4, Bob Smith1, Borneo
Mammal Modelling Consortium, Manuela Fischer2, Kristian Metcalfe1,5, & Stephanie
Kramer-Schadt2
1
Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE), School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of
Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NR, UK; 2Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Berlin, Germany;
3
Borneo Futures, People and Nature Consulting International, Jakarta, Indonesia; 4Center for International
Forestry Research (CIFOR), Bogor, Indonesia; 5University of Exeter, Cornwall, UK;
*Corresponding author: m.j.struebig@kent.ac.uk
Habitat loss and climate change are major threats to many species, including bats. The
extent to which species are affected by these processes is, however, poorly understood. This
poses challenges for spatial conservation planning because species could shift, contract,
expand, or maintain their range inside or outside protected areas. We address this problem in
Borneo where we identify priority regions for mammal conservation under a ‘climate-smart’
spatial plan. We undertook spatial prioritization analyses based on a distribution dataset of
81 bat, primate and carnivore species. For each species we modelled the extent of suitable
habitat under different climate and land-cover scenarios and used this information to select
the most important areas for mammal conservation on Borneo this century. Combined
climate and deforestation projections indicate that 30%–49% of Bornean mammal species
will lose ≥30% of their habitat by 2080, and suitable conditions will shift upslope. This is
less severe for bats than for other mammal groups, but could mean at least 11 bat species
face an increased risk of extinction. Accommodating these distributional changes will
require conserving land outside existing protected areas, mostly at mid-high elevation. Our
results demonstrate the increasing importance of upland reserves and that relatively small
additions (16,000–28,000 km2) to current protected areas could provide benefits to
biodiversity facing changes to land-cover and climate. On Borneo, this additional land is
allocated for timber production (64%) or conversion (36%), warranting targeted
partnerships with logging and plantation companies to better protect bats and other
mammals.
18
SEABCRU Priority- Taxonomy
Toward the Future of Southeast Asian Bat Taxonomy
Pipat Soisook
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Natural History Museum, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla,
Thailand 90110;
Corresponding author: pipat66@gmail.com
The number of bat taxa in Southeast Asia has been rapidly increasing over the last 10 years.
With over 360 bat species currently known, Southeast Asia is the region that having highest
bat diversity in the world. The discovery ‘boom’ of bats in the region during the last decade,
with many led by local researchers, suggests we are in the golden-age of Southeast Asian
bat taxonomy. This is an output of an intensive international network of collaborative
taxonomic capacity building for Southeast Asian countries. The global network of
taxonomists in several institutions around the world, for instance – the ‘Harrison Institute’
and ‘SEABCRU’, of course is one of the main drivers of this success. Nonetheless, the local,
in-country networking should also be considered as a crucial key that support larger scale of
international collaboration. A local network between researchers in academic institutions
and governmental authorities, e.g. in Thailand, provided a lot of museum materials for
further taxonomic studies and discoveries – many of which are astounding finds. By the way,
the fact that we are in the age of extinction cannot be denied. As there are many more
species out there expected to be found but at the same time they are being threatened by the
loss of their natural habitats. It is an urgent task to describe them and proceed with
conservation action. Therefore, strengthening the network, as well as expanding it, is
essential to ensure that the network will be moving forward.
19
SEABCRU Priority- Cave Bats
Can Wing Morphology Inform Conservation Priorities for Southeast Asian Cave Bats?
Neil M. Furey1* & Paul A. Racey2
1
Fauna & Flora International (Cambodia Programme), PO Box 1380, No. 19, Street 360, Boeng Keng Kang 1,
Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 12000; 2Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental
Sciences, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, Treliever Road, Penryn TR10 9EZ, UK;
*Corresponding author: n.furey.ffi@gmail.com
Many bat species in Southeast Asia may be particularly susceptible to ongoing forest loss.
However, ecomorphological analysis of Vietnamese bat assemblages challenges the
hypothesis that, due to their greater vagility, cave-roosting bats are less vulnerable to habitat
fragmentation than foliage-roosting species. Of the 13 most highly adapted forest-interior
species in our study, eight were cave-roosting members of the Rhinolophidae and
Hipposideridae and had wing morphologies closely resembling five foliage-roosting
members of the Murininae and Kerivoulinae – species typically thought to have low
vagility. Overall, both cave-roosting and foliage-roosting bats exhibited a wide range of
flight indices. Consequently, where such variation occurs, cave-roosting bat ensembles are
likely to include species with low vagility and similar sensitivity to habitat fragmentation.
Since cave-roosting species in Myanmar also differ greatly in their vagility, such a pattern is
likely to be more general than exceptional within the Asian tropics. This has important
conservation implications as Asian karst formations support high cave densities and
important bat diversity yet increasingly represent forest refugia in anthropogenic landscapes.
We therefore advocate greater consideration of species vagility in determining conservation
priorities for the region’s bat fauna, together with) empirical studies of foraging preferences,
home range sizes and dispersal abilities to improve understanding of the predictive limits of
wing morphology analysis, ii) gradient-based studies across multiple sites to determine the
relationship between vagility and sensitivity to fragmentation, and iii) studies of roost
selection to establish differential roost dependencies and associated extinction risks for the
many bat species for which such information is lacking.
20
SEABCRU Priority- Disease Surveillance
Bat Viral Ecology in 2015: Moving From Pathogen Discovery to a More
Integrated Ecological Framework
Kevin J. Olival1*, Elizabeth H. Loh1, Simon J. Anthony1,2, Cristin C.W. Young3, Jonathan
H. Epstein1, & Peter Daszak1
1
EcoHealth Alliance, New York, NY, USA; 2Center for Infection and Immunity, Columbia
University, New York, NY USA; 3University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA;
*Corresponding author: olival@ecohealthalliance.org
Efforts to discover and describe viruses in bat population have increased dramatically over
the past decade, including across Southeast Asia. This increase in research effort has been
driven by the discovery that bats are important natural reservoirs for SARS-related
coronaviruses, Marburg virus, Nipah virus, and other emerging human viral pathogens. For
example over 100 bat viral discovery studies have been published in just the last halfdecade, yet a rigorous synthesis of this literature is lacking. In this talk, we will first begin
with an analysis of data published from nearly 100 viral discovery studies published since
2007, and identify trends in research and specific variables of importance to better target
pathogen discovery efforts in bats. Next, we describe how the different goals and
approaches between virologist and ecologist pose a challenge to integrated research. We
highlight several viral ecology research projects ongoing at EcoHealth Alliance to show
how bat virus research can be better integrated with an ecological framework. These
include: 1) investigating the link between land-use change, bat communities, and viral
diversity in the Brazilian Atlantic forest; 2) the ecology of Nipah virus and flying foxes in
Bangladesh; 3) examination of the bat bushmeat trade and human behavioral practices in
China to understand coronavirus ecology and spillover risk; and 4) the use of
ecology/biodiversity statistics to understand viral diversity in bats. Through these various
examples we hope to inspire the next generation of bat virologists to more completely
integrate ecological theory and approaches into their research.
21
ABSTRACTS OF
ORAL PRESENTATION
22
Understory Insectivorous Bats as Ecological Indicators of Vegetation Complexity in a
Coffee-Forest Landscape of Sumatra
Joe Chun-Chia Huang 1*, Elly L. Rustiati2, Meyner Nusalawo3, & Tigga Kingston1
1
Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, USA; 2Department of Biology, College of Mathematics
and Natural Science, University of Lampung, Bandar Lampung, Indonesia; 3Wildlife Conservation Society-Indonesia Program,
Bogor, Indonesia; *Corresponding author: chun-chia.huang@ttu.edu
Recent studies demonstrate that the responses of understory bats to agriculture activities differ
significantly among taxonomic and ecological groups in the Asian tropics. However, how vegetation
simplification shapes bat diversity remains unclear, as does the strength of association between
species or ensembles and specific habitats within agriculture landscapes. We investigated the
correlation between vegetation complexity and insectivorous bat diversity along a gradient of coffee
agricultural intensification. We also identified species indicative of specific land-uses. Bats were
surveyed in forests, high-shade and low-shade coffee plantations of Sumatra, Indonesia, from 20112012. Seven vegetation measures, namely presence of shrubs, understory plants, canopy trees,
emergent trees, big logs (diameter > 30 cm), and arboreal lianas, and shade cover were recorded.
Species compositions of insectivorous bats varied significantly among land-uses due to the loss of
plant-roosting species in the plantations. Bio-env analyses indicate that a model combining shadecover level and the presence of big logs is the best predictor of variability in species compositions
among sites, explaining 47.0 % of the overall variation. Plant-roosting specialists, mainly species in
the subfamilies Kerivoulinae and Murininae, were generally associated with higher shade cover and
presence of big logs, in comparison to roosting generalists and cave-roosting specialists. Indicator
analyses suggest Kerivoula hardwickii and Rhinolophus trifoliatus have the strongest associations
with forest in the study landscape. Since the distributions of both species overlap largely with the
coffee cultivation in Southeast Asia, we highlight the potential use of these species as indicators for
land management in coffee landscapes of the region.
Bat Diversity Survey at Lower Kinabatangan River Valley along a Disturbance
Gradient
Jimmy Lee1*, Tom Hughes1, Mei Ho Lee1, Carlos Zambrana-Torrelio1, Kris Murray1, Senthilvel
Nathan2, Benoit Goossens2,3,4, Andrew Ginsos5, Ray Clement5, Ruhaizam Ruslan5, Samsir Laimun3,5,
Marcelleno Anik5, Siva Parasath Vijaya Kumar5, Jonathan H. Epstein1, & Peter Daszak1
1
EcoHealth Alliance, New York, USA; 2Sabah Wildlife Department, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia; 3Danau Girang Field
Centre, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia; 4Organisms and Environment Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University,
Cardiff, UK; 5Wildlife Health Unit, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia; *Corresponding author: jimmy@ecohealthalliance.org
Anthropogenic environmental changes have influences on bat biodiversity, therefore understanding
the species abundance and diversity is essential for conservation and land management. Here we
report the first results of a study on bat species diversity and abundance along a disturbance gradient
in the Lower Kinabatangan River Valley. Three levels of human disturbance were selected: high
disturbance (HD), intermediate (ID) and low disturbance (LD). Three sampling sites (each 100 x 100
m) within each one of the disturbance levels were randomly chosen. Bats were captured by using
different methodologies to maximize the capture rate with a total effort of 754 m2/30 hours per
sampling season. Each sampling site was visited once per season (wet & dry). Species identification
was done through morphological assessment and body measurements. LD sites presented the highest
level of abundance and species richness (482 bats of 18 species), followed by the ID sites with 186
bats of 12 species and finally the HD sites with 65 bats of 11 species. A unique set of species were
restricted to each disturbance level (LD: 8 species, ID: 3 species and HD: 4 species). Only five
species of bats were found in all gradients suggesting high tolerance to disturbance. Z-test for
proportions showed that low disturbance sites were significant higher than intermediate and high
disturbance sites. Low disturbance habitats support 2.5 more bats and more species than disturbed
habitats, highlighting the importance of preserving this type of habitats in order to protect
ecologically important species.
23
Bats in Ancient Temples: Influence of Micro Habitats and Landscape Features
on Bat Occupancy and Abundance
M. Mathivanan1*, Moresmau Marie-Noëlle2, A. Saravanan1, & T. Ganesh3
1
ATREE-Agasthyamalai Community-based Conservation Centre (ACCC), Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India; 2Agrocampus
Ouest, Rennes, France; 3Suriseghal Centre for Conservation Science and sustainability studies, Ashoka Trust for Research in
Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Bangalore, India; *Corresponding author: mathi@atree.org
Bats are known to use anthropogenic structures in temperate and tropical countries. Ancient Hindu
temples in South India one such anthropogenic structure which serves roosting and breeding site for
both mega chiropteran and micro chiropteran bats. We did a study on bat occurrence and abundance
in temples and relate it to temple characteristics and landscape features around the temples. We
sampled 58 temples spread all along the perennial river Tamiraparani basin a culturally and
biodiversity rich region of south India. Roost count method was followed to count the bats. Six
species of bats were recorded of which four were micro chiropteran and one (Rousettus leschenaulti)
was a mega chiropteran. Hipposideros speoris is the most common species followed by Taphozous
melanopogon, Rousettus leschenaulti, Megaderma lyra and Tadarida aegyptiaca. Bats occupied four
micro habitats; tower, hall, abandoned room and pillars. About 65% of the species occupied tower
and abandoned rooms in the temple while dark hall and pillars were also prefered by some species.
Light levels and presense of trees in the temple had a negative effect on the occupancy of bats while
dark corners and abandoned spaces had a strong positive influence on bat occupancy. Ten landscape
elements were considered 1km. around the temple and the best model predicted availability of water
had a negative effect on occupancy. We discuss these results in the context of species ecology and its
conservation.
Bat Assemblages in Philippine Rice Fields
Jodi L. Sedlock1*, James Alvarez2, Phillip Alviola2, Finbarr Hogan3, Renee Lorica3, Ari Rice1, &
Alexander Stuart3
1
Lawrence University, Appleton, Wisconsin USA; 2Museum of Natural History, University of the Philippines, Los Baños,
Philippines; 3International Rice Research Institute, Los Baños, Philippines; *Corresponding author: sedlockj@lawrence.edu
Rice fields cover over 35.8 million ha of land in Southeast Asia and serve as artificial wetlands and
foraging habitat for bats. Despite the predominance of this habitat across the landscape, very few
studies have attempted to describe bat assemblage structure or bats’ response to a spatially and
temporally dynamic prey, many of which may be harmful crop pests (e.g. stem borers, plant hoppers)
or vectors of human disease (e.g. mosquitoes). Here, we present a theoretical framework for
investigating assemblage structure and predator-prey interactions in a rice field ecosystem and
present data from acoustic bat sampling and sweep netting in the experimental fields of the
International Rice Research Institute, Los Baños, Philippines. Three bat guilds were present, each
with different call structure and flight behavior. Pond bats (Myotis spp.) with short duration,
broadband calls were present foraging low over rice fields, edge-space bats with longer duration calls
with variable band width (e.g. Miniopterus spp., Scotophilus kuhlii), and high-flying open-space bats
with low frequency, long-duration calls (e.g. molossids, Taphozous melanopogon). Simultaneous
sampling of insects and bats along transects between rice paddies (in the vegetative growth stage)
throughout the night (1730-0530 h) for four nights revealed a distinct activity pattern. Specifically,
insects and bats exhibited a similar bimodal nightly activity pattern, with a peak in the early evening
and a more abrupt peak just before dawn. A reliable call library is lacking; however, the majority of
the bats detected were edge-space species with minimum frequencies between 35-45 kHz. These
data provide evidence of bats’ responsiveness to insect behavior and suggest that the rice field bat
assemblage may be much richer than has been previously reported.
24
Regional Patterns of Bat Community Assembly in the Japanese Archipelago
Dai Fukui1* & Toshihide Hirao2
1
The University of Tokyo Hokkaido Forest, the University of Tokyo, Hokkaido, Japan; 2The University of Tokyo Chichibu
Forest, the University of Tokyo, Saitama, Japan; *Corresponding author: fukuidai@uf.a.u-tokyo.ac.jp
One of the most fundamental questions in mammal ecology is whether communities are composed
randomly and what ecological processes determine the species composition of communities. Many
concepts of assembly rules have been defined by previous studies. For example, non-random patterns
of co-occurrence may be caused by biotic interactions, abiotic environmental factors and evolutionary
histories, with none of those being mutually exclusive. However, few studies have examined how
these rules can be applied to mammal assemblages. Revealing processes involved in community
assembly is not just interesting in itself, but also valuable for gaining an understanding of how
assemblages will respond to future environmental changes. Eco-morphology, especially wing
morphology, has been used in the study of bat assemblages, as close relationships between
morphology and ecology have been clearly demonstrated. In this study, we aimed to examine bat
community assembly using an eco-morphological approach. To elucidate the mechanisms structuring
bat assemblages, we analyzed variations in the size and structure of the eco-morphological space of
bat assemblages at local and regional scales in the Japanese archipelago. Our results show that
interspecific competition, as indicated by sympatric species sharing same eco-morphological niche, is
not apparent in bat assemblages at either local or regional scales. We conclude that environmental
filters may determine the structure of bat assemblages in the Japanese archipelago.
Ecomorphology, Verticle Segregation and Habitat Use of Bats in Kenyir Rainforest
and Setiu Wetland
Azuan Roslan1*, Mohd Tajuddin Abdullah1,3, Faisal Ali Anwarali Khan2, & Nor Zalipah Mohamed3
1
Centre for Kenyir Ecosystems Reseach, Kenyir Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21300 Kuala
Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia; 2Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota
Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia.; 3School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030
Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia; *Corresponding author: azuan.roslan@umt.edu.my
There are numerous bat studies being done at the understory level. However, there are not much that
focus on the different forest stratification such as the canopy level. In this study, wing morphology is
being chosen because of its great influence on bats true flight ability. Wings of bats have been studied
extensively to investigate the bats flight behaviour and its relation to habitat usage. The wing loading
and aspect ratio of bats will be studied to understand their habitat usage and how they forage upon
different vegetative layers in the forest. The result of wing loading and aspect ratio will be identified
to relate to their adaptation in habitat. This study will examine the habitat usage of bats from all
species and their vertical segregation at forest from ground to the canopy level. The bats flight
behaviour such as their maneuverability, agility, speeds and many more will be known upon
completion of the project.
25
Beyond Wing Parameters – Body Mass Controls Flight Maneuverability in Malaysian
Insectivorous Bats
Juliana Senawi1,2* & Tigga Kingston2
1
Institute for Environment & Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia;
2
Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA;
*Corresponding author: juliana.senawi@gmail.com
It is predicted that differences in wing morphology will reflect differences in foraging strategies of
bats. Several studies have experimentally tested this prediction, typically assessing the relationship
between aspects of wing morphology and maneuverability through an obstacle course. However,
studies have lacked measures of flight ability true scores, which may confound interpretation of
ability across the range of presented tasks. Here, we used a collision-avoidance experiment to
determine the relationships among flight performance, wing morphology and foraging strategy in 15
forest interior insectivorous bat species from Malaysia. The flight performance scores were quantified
based on individual responses of each species to 11 different obstacle arrangements (four banks of
vertical strings 10 - 60 cm apart). The tasks employed for the collision-avoidance experiment were
reliable and valid, even though Rasch analysis suggested that the experiment was too easy to
discriminate completely among the 15 species. We found negative significant correlation between
flight ability and body mass, wingspan and wing area but a positive significant correlation with
wingtip area ratio. However, using stepwise multiple regression analysis, a significant model
emerged with body mass as the only significant predictor for flight ability. Moreover, none of the
size-independent wing parameters (relative wing loading, aspect ratio, and wingtip shape index)
correlated with flight ability. We also found an isometric relationship between wing area and body
mass (scaling coefficient of 0.643), and conclude that differences in maneuverability among species
in this ensemble do not reflect differences in wing shape, but instead are governed by size.
The Effects of Major Roads on Bats in Singapore
Benjamin P. Y. H. Lee1,2*, Zoe G. Davies1, & Matthew J. Struebig1
1
Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, United
Kingdom; 2National Parks Board, Singapore; *Corresponding author: chiroptera.sg@gmail.com
Roads and vehicular traffic pose many challenges to the conservation of wildlife, which includes
habitat loss, road-kills, and severing of commuting routes in natural areas. A growing number of
studies have examined the effects of roads on different species in recent years but the majority was
conducted in temperate regions. This study based in tropical Singapore examined if bat activity and
diversity correlated with distance form major roads. We investigated the effects of three major roads
on bat activity and diversity in Singapore. During September 2013 to February 2014, bio-acoustic
surveys of bats using a portable full-spectrum bat detector were conducted in both forest and urban
environments along 800-metre transects perpendicular to the major roads. We recorded bat activity at
ten recording points along each transect at a standardised duration post sunset. We examined the
influences of environmental variables (e.g. light levels, noise, micro-climate) on activity of bats and
compared the results with those in temperate regions. Finally, we assessed the role of a wildlife
overpass in mitigating the barrier effects of the Bukit Timah Expressway in relation to bats.
26
Bat Pollination in Mangrove Habitats of Peninsular Malaysia
Nor Zalipah Mohamed1,2*, Shahrul Anuar Mohd Sah3, & Gareth Jones1
1
University of Bristol, School of Life Sciences, Life Sciences Building, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK; 2Pusat
PengajianSains Marin dan Sekitaran, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia;
3
Pusat Pengajian Sains Kajihayat, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia;
*Corresponding author: zalipah@umt.edu.my
Bats are believed to be the major pollinators of mangrove trees in the genus Sonneratia that are
widespread and important for stabilising coastal habitats. Bats however, visit numerous plant species
in a night, resulting in mixed pollen loads on their bodies that can potentially affect their role as
effective pollinators. We investigated the potential for bats to be effective pollinators from the
number of pollen grains they carried and transferred to stigmas while visiting flowers from two
Sonneratia species (Sonneratia caseolaris and S. alba), and from their visitation rates. Despite
carrying several pollen types, conspecific Sonneratia pollen grains were the major pollen grain types
carried by Eonycteris spelaea, and hence they are likely to be important pollinators for the two
mangrove species in the study area. Over 75% of pollen grains recorded after single-visit deposition
following visits by bats to S. caseolaris were conspecific pollen, suggesting that the bats are highly
effective pollinators of this species. After a full flowering night, S. caseolaris stigmas received
relatively more heterospecific pollen grains presumably as a consequence of multiple visits by
pollinators. Reduced pollinator efficiency during multiple visits may not reduce reproductive success
of the trees however, as conspecific pollen grains usually adhere strongly to the stigmatic surface for
germination. Lower visitation rates to the S. alba flowers, and relatively low amounts of conspecific
pollen deposited after single visits by bats may be related to the low number of ovules present; hence
S. alba may attract bats relatively infrequently to ensure effective fertilisation.
Bat Roles in Pollination Network in Mixed Fruit Orchards, Southern Thailand
Tuanjit Sritongchuay* & Sara Bumrungsri
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Thailand, 90112;
*Corresponding author: t.sritongchuay@gmail.com
Since in last decade, reproductive biology and pollination ecology of only one plant species have
been intensively considered, understand the mutualistic interactions in whole community also need to
be highlighted. Pollination of economic crops such as rambutan, mango, longan, and santol depend
on insects, however, there are some economic plant whose pollination relies on both bats and insects,
namely durian, parkia, and banana. Thus in this study we investigated the role of bat in pollination
network from 20 mixed fruit orchards. We found eight species of fruit bat visit to 6 species of plant in
pollination network, including specialist plant, Oroxylum indicum and generalist plant, Musa. Bats
play the important role in pollination network because support the pollination for specialist plants
which tend to be the rarest species, appear at greatest risk of real-world extinction. Moreover, bats
provide the complementary pollination for generalist plant when the insects decline.
27
Is the Island Flying Fox in the Service of the King of Fruits? Camera-Trapping
Reveals Further Clues about Durian Pollination Ecology
Sheema Abdul Aziz1,2,3*, Gopalasamy Reuben Clements1,4,5, Tuanjit Sritongchuay6, Kim
McConkey3, Saifful Pathil7, Muhammad NurHafizi Abu Yazid7, Ahimsa Campos-Arceiz3, PierreMichel Forget2, & Sara Bumrungsri6
Rimba, Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia; 2Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Département Écologie et Gestion de
la Biodiversité, UMR 7179 CNRS-MNHN, Paris, France; 3School of Geography, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus,
Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia; 4Kenyir Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia; 5Centre
for Tropical Environmental & Sustainability Science, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia; 6Department of
Biology, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand; 7Tree Climbers Malaysia, Shah Alam, Selangor;
*Corresponding author: sheema@myrimba.org
1
Fruit bats (Pteropodidae) are known to provide valuable ecosystem services to humans. The
pollination services of nectarivorous bats such as Eonycteris spelaea, particularly for commercially
important trees such as durian (Durio zibethinus) are now well documented. However, the pollination
roles of larger fruit bats such as flying foxes (Pteropus spp., Acerodon spp.) are still poorly
understood, and require further elucidation. Flying foxes are said to be necessary to maintain the
health of tropical forests, particularly on islands. Yet in Malaysia they are frequently hunted,
persecuted and even legally killed as pests. Efforts to improve their protection in Malaysia have been
hampered by a lack of basic quantitative information on their role as ecosystem service providers.
Here, we investigate the role of Pteropus hypomelanus in the pollination ecology of durian trees on
Tioman Island, Peninsular Malaysia. At four individual flowering trees in a durian orchard, we
deployed 19 stations of paired infra-red camera and video traps across varying heights in the lower,
middle and upper levels. The traps were aimed at large durian inflorescences to document the animal
visitors and their feeding behaviour. Our preliminary results indicate at least seven species of animal
visitors, including P. hypomelanus. Most importantly, we now have the first known video footage of
P. hypomelanus feeding on nectar of durian flowers. This has important implications for the role of
flying foxes in pollinating durian.
The Flower Visited by Fruit Bats at Lore Lindu National Park, Sulawesi,
Indonesia
Ibnu Maryanto* & Irawati
RC for. Biology-Indonesian Institute of Science; *Corresponding author: ibnumaryanto@gmail.com
The bat fauna of the Sulawesi Island is characterized by high endemism. Tragically, bat biodiversity
in the region is threatened by fast habitat loss and high hunting activity. Loss of endemic fruit bat
species may also bring a loss of pollination services they provided, and consequently, loss of endemic
plant species in the region. However, knowledge of pollen use in fruit bats, and how species
segregate their diets are unclear. We study pollen diets and resource partitioning of a fruit bat
ensembles at Lore Lindu National Park on Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Pollen samples were
collected from stomach of 124 individuals of 13 bat species were analyzed, namely Boneiabidens,
Chironax melanocephalus, Cynopterus luzoniensis, C. minutus, Dobsonia exoleta, Eonycteris
spelaea, Harpyonicteris celebensis, Macroglosus minimus, Nyctemene cephalotes, Rousettus
celebensis, Styloctenia wallacei, Thoopteru snigrescens, and T. suhaeniahi. Plant species of the
pollens were identified with a microscope at 400 magnifications, and the existence of pollen
genera/family were identified. Pollens were found in the diets of all species, except C. luzoniensis,
and 30 genera (12 families) that were Myristica subifera (Myristicaceae), Trema sp., Celtis sp. 1,
Celtis sp. 2, Ulmus sp. (Ulmaceae), Ficus sp., Ficus sp. 2, Arthocarpus sp., (Moraceae), Castanopsis
sp., Lithocarpus sp., (Fagaceae), Casuarina sumatrana (Casuarinaceae), Eugenia sp. (Myrtaceae),
Cinnamomum champora, Litsea sp. (Lauraceae), Aceraceae A, Acer sp. 1, Acer sp. 2 (Aceraceae),
Emilia sp., (Compositae), Engelhardtia chrysolepis, Juglandaceae_B (Juglandaceae), Mastixia
sp.(Cornaceae), Macadamia hildelbrandri (Proteaceae), Heliconia sp., Musa sp. 1, Musa sp. 2
(Musaceae), Urtica sp. 1, Urtica sp. 2, Urticaceae_C (Urticaceae), Dyospiros sp. (Ebenaceae), and
Gentiana sp. (Gentianaceae). A principle component analysis on the existence of the pollen data were
known three groups similarity of fruit bats to choose of the flower. There were group 1 that was
consist of Macroglossus minimus and Thoopterus suhaeniahi; group 2 were C. minutus, E. spelaea,
N. cephalotes, H. celebensis, T. nigrescens, and R. celebensis; and group 3 were C. melanocephalus,
B. bidens, S. wallacei and D. exoleta.
28
Diet and Reproductive Phenology of the cave nectar bat Eonycteris spelaea in
Cambodia
Hoem Thavry1,2*, Julien Cappelle2,4, Lim Thona1, Hul Vibol3& Neil M. Furey1,5
1
Centre for Biodiversity Conservation, Room 415, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Royal University of Phnom
Penh, Confederation of Russia Boulevard, Phnom Penh, Cambodia; 2Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Epidemiology Unit,
BP983, Phnom Penh, Cambodia; 3Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Virology Unit, BP983, Phnom Penh, Cambodia; 4Centre de
Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (CIRAD), UR Animal et Gestion Intégrée des
Risques (AGIRs), F-34398, Montpellier, France; 5Fauna & Flora International (Cambodia Programme), PO Box 1380, No. 19,
Street 360, Boeng Keng Kong 1, Phnom Penh, Cambodia; *Corresponding author: thavry_h@yahoo.com
The cave nectar bat E. spelaea is an important pollinator of several economically significant plants in
SE Asia. As information on the diet of the species is currently limited to Thailand and Malaysia, we
undertook dietary studies on an E. spelaea colony in Kampot province of Southern Cambodia.
Sampling was conducted from February 2014 to January 2015 and comprised ten days of faecal
sample collection from the cave each month to identify plant species consumed by the bats by their
pollen. The diet of E. spelaea in Southern Cambodia includes at least 24 plant species, a broader diet
compared to southern Thailand (11 species). Sonneratia alba (26.4%) and Musa truncata (16.9%)
had the highest percentage frequency, followed by Bombax valentonii (11.2%), Parkia speciosa
(9.8%) and Ceiba pentandra (6%). Sonneratia, Musa, Bombax and Parkia were present in the diet
nearly every month, whereas the presence and contributions of other species varied seasonally. Durio
spp. are variably important components of the diet in January-March (11.8–32.4%).Reproductive data
suggest that E. spelaea mainly gives birth in January and May-June in Southern Cambodia (10°N), in
contrast to North Vietnam (22°N) where birth peaks mainly occur in March–April and August–
September. Colonies of the species in Southern Cambodia are heavily threatened by hunting and cave
disturbance and these threats worsen each year during April, the Khmer new-year period.
The Role of Fruit Bats in Plant Community Changes in an Urban Forest in
West Java, Indonesia
Sheherazade Jayadi1*, Susan M. Tsang2,3, Yasman1, & Dimas Haryo Pradana1
1
Department of Biology, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, West Java, Indonesia; 2Department of Biology, City College and the
Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, New York, USA; 3Department of Mammalogy, American
Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, USA; *Corresponding author: sheherazade.jayadi@gmail.com
Urban forests act as important vegetative buffers and carbon sinks for one of the most densely
populated cities in Southeast Asia, Jakarta. Since the artificial planting of 19 species of angiosperms
on the campus of Universitas Indonesia (UI) for the greening program started three decades ago, the
urban forest has grown to over 100 species, covering approximately half of the campus’ total area.
Frugivorous bats, especially long-distance foragers, are suspected to be the cause of the urban forest’s
success. To investigate how fruit bats affect plant communities in urban forests, a host plant
association study was conducted from December 2013 to March 2014. Additional observations were
conducted during the day to identify bat guano and ejecta with seeds. The results showed that fruit
bats (Cynopterus brachyotis, C. horsfieldii, C. minutus, C. sphinx, C. titthaecheilus, Macroglossus
minimus, M. sobrinus, and Rousettus amplexicaudatus) consumed fruit, pollen, or nectar from 26
plants. A significant association among bat and plant species preference was found, though bat
species were differentially associated to each plant species. Plants from the greening program were
found outside the introduction area. A quarter of the plants consumed were Ficus, which were never
deliberately planted, suggesting that fruit bats introduced them to the urban forest. Cecropia were
found in UI, but was only planted in Bogor Botanical Garden. By acting as seed dispersers and
pollinators, fruit bats are not only increasing plant diversity, but also are connecting plant populations
that have been isolated by human development.
29
Population Dynamics and Diet of Lyle’s Flying Fox (Pteropus lylei) in
Cambodia
Hul Vibol1*, Huk Visal2, Neil M. Furey2,3, & Julien Cappelle1,4
1
Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, 5 Monivong Boulevard, BP 983, Phnom Penh, Cambodia; 2 Centre for Biodiversity
Conservation, Room 415, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Royal University of Phnom Penh, Confederation of
Russia Boulevard, Phnom Penh, Cambodia; 3Fauna & Flora International (Cambodia Programme), PO Box 1380, No. 19,
Street 360, BoengKeng Kong 1, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 12000; 4Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche
Agronomique pour le Développement (CIRAD), UR Animal et Gestion Intégrée des Risques (AGIRs), F-34398, Montpellier,
France; *Corresponding author: hvibol@pasteur-kh.org
Three flying fox species are thought to occur in Cambodia: large flying fox Pteropus vampyrus,
Lyle’s flying fox P. lylei and island flying fox P. hypomelanus. All three are listed in Appendix II of
CITES, but almost nothing is known about their conservation status, diet or population dynamics
nationally. We conducted field surveys between June 2013 and August 2014 to assess all of the
known or suspected Pteropus colonies in the country. We also conducted monthly surveys at one
roost in Kandal province between December 2012 and December 2014 to determine reproductive
phenology and population dynamics. Flying fox diets were assessed through analysis of feces
collected monthly at the Kandal roost from December 2013 to June 2014. A total of 13 roost sites
were assessed nationally and despite a measure of protection being provided by certain roost
locations (where roosts were near a religious or government building), hunting was commonly
reported. At the Kandal roost, monthly observations indicate that mating occurs in November and
parturition in April and also suggest that an immigration phase occurs before mating and an
emigration phase prior to parturition. Seven different plant species including mango and sapodilla
were identified in fecal samples from the Kandal roost. Additional ecological data, including
demographic data are needed to design effective conservation plans for Pteropus species in
Cambodia and Southeast Asia.
Local People Count: Using Citizen Scientists to Monitor Flying Fox Populations
Tammy L. Mildenstein1,2*, L. Scott Mills3, & Dave Patterson4
1
Bat Count Philippines, 2Department of Biology, Cornell College, Mount Vernon, IA 52314 USA; 3Department of Forestry and
Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA; 4Department of Mathematical Sciences,
University of Montana, Missoula, MT USA; *Corresponding author: tammy.mildenstein@gmail.com
Three quarters (143/196) of the world’s megabats (Old World fruit bats; Pteropodidae) are found on
islands, where they are ecological keystones as seed dispersers and pollinators. Although nearly half
of the species are considered threatened, the conservation status of most Pteropodids remains largely
unknown because of the lack of researchers on remote islands. We studied how local community
members could be engaged as citizen scientists to monitor and detect trends in populations. We
conducted fruit bat exit counts across the Mariana Islands and the Philippines to measure sampling
error due to differing levels of counting experience and to demonstrate the impact of observer error
on trend detection. As expected, field experience was inversely correlated with observer error;
average error was 70% among observers with no field experience, 11% among fieldworkers, and 5%
among experienced counters. However, even the largest error (from inexperienced observers) did not
greatly compromise trend estimation. In a projection model incorporating observer error from our
field data, we found estimates of exponential trend to be robust to the measured levels of observer
error. There were no misidentifications of trend direction after 20 years of counting even for amateur
counters and few misidentifications after only 5 years of counting. Fruit bat conservation in Oceania
and insular Southeast Asia is dependent on regular monitoring of populations of concern. Our
modeled success in trend estimation suggests that community-based fruit bat monitoring programs
may be scientifically valid in addition to being cost-effective, sustainable, and locally-relevant.
30
Conservation Status of the Palawan Flying Fox Acerodon leucotis in Calamian
Group of Islands, Philippines
Lisa J. Paguntalan* & Irish Bacuel
Philippines Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc. c/o Negros Forest Ecological Foundation Inc. South Capitol Road,
Bacolod City 6100, Philippines; *Corresponding author: lisamariep10@gmail.com
The Calamianes groups of Islands were surveyed last 3-20 March 2010, 3-15 May 2010, 15-19
October 2013, 28-31 August 2014 and from 21 – 30 March 2015 in search of the threatened endemic
Palawan flying fox Acerodon leucotis. Mist-netting, informal interviews and verifying reports of
roosting colonies of flying foxes were conducted during the surveys. A total of 24 species of bats
were identified including the poorly known Palawan flying fox. Of the 24 species, 11 were new
records for Busuanga, 20 additional records for Culion and one new country record. A total of 12
sites in Calamian Islands were surveyed for the Palawan flying fox. Only five of the 12 sites
positively recorded the presence of this species: two were in private island resorts and one is within
marine protected area. All remaining forests patches in the three islands are vulnerable to threats,
such as habitat conversion into cattle farms, timber poaching, hunting targeted species for wildlife
trade, game and food as well as intentional burning of remaining forests patches. On-going
conservation initiatives conducted in collaboration with local organizations, local communities and
the local government will also be presented.
Status of Indian Flying Fox, Pteropus giganteus, Brunnich, 1782 in National Capital
Territory of Delhi, India
Rajlakshmi Mishra*, Sumit Dookia, & Prodyut Bhattacharya
University School of Environment Management, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Sector 16-C, Dwarka, New
Delhi-110078, India; *Corresponding author: rajlakshmi.jha@gmail.com
The forest cover alone constitutes 11.91 per cent of the total 1483.01 sq. km. geographical area and
comprises 6.76 sq. km. very dense forest, 49.84 sq. km. moderately dense forest and 119.98 sq. km.
open forest, making Delhi one of the greenest capitals in the world. The avenue plantations of
Lutyens’ Delhi have variety of tree species which provide for both roosting and foraging of Pteropus
giganteus. Opportunistic surveys were undertaken to check the status of the species in the area and
also to ascertain whether the process of large scale urbanization was displacing traditional roosts
resulting in the fragmentation of the original population. The major threat to bat roosts is the
destruction of habitat and tree roosts. ‘Direct Roost Count’ method was followed in the survey. In
Delhi, roost trees included Ficus species, Terminalia arjuna, Neolamarckia kadamba, Polyalthia
longifolia, Artocarpus heterophyllus and Tamarindus indicus. Maximum roosting sites were found in
LBZ (Lutyens’ Bungalow Zone) area, a high security zone. If properly monitored it has huge
potential to be converted into a ‘Conserved Roosting site’ of the Indian Flying Fox. It supports dense
population of many tree species favored for roosting and foraging. These include both native trees
and species planted in the British regime more than 100 years ago. It could be seen that instead of a
very large roost on a single tree, they were scattered on several trees in the area, thereby indicating
that the number of smaller roosts are increasing and that of traditional roosts decreasing.
31
Filipinos for Flying Foxes: Protecting the Last Roost Sites of Giant Fruit Bats
in Northeast Luzon, Philippines
Marites Gatan-Balbas1*#, Joni T. Acay1#, Edmund D. Jose1, Dorina R. Soler1, Leonalyn C.
Tumaliuan2, Chic Mabell T. Batarao2, Myrna C. Cureg1,2, Tammy Mildenstein3, Merlijn van
Weerd1,4, & Rens Vogel4
1
Mabuwaya Foundation, Inc., CCVPED Bldg, Isabela State University Campus, Garita Heights, Cabagan, 3328 Isabela,
Philippines; 2Department of Development Communication and Languages, College of Development Communication and Arts
& Sciences, Isabela State University, Cabagan, 3328 Isabela, Philippines; 3Biology Department, Cornell College, Mount
Vernon, IA 52314 USA; 4Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands;
*Corresponding author: mikaela_tess@yahoo.com; #Co-authorship
Giant fruit bats or flying foxes have become rare throughout the Philippines as a result of hunting,
disturbance of their roost sites and disappearance of their forest habitat. With support from the
IUCN’s Save Our Species Fund, the Mabuwaya Foundation is implementing the Filipinos for Flying
Foxes Project in Luzon. The project is focused on three species found in the Northern Sierra Madre
Mountains in northeast Luzon: two endemic species, the Mottle-winged Flying Fox Desmalopex
leucopterus and the endangered Golden-crowned Flying Fox Acerodon jubatus, and the non-endemic
near-threatened Large Flying Fox Pteropus vampyrus. To support conservation of these species,
Mabuwaya is undertaking bat count surveys and social surveys to determine Flying Fox distribution
and population size, perceptions of bats and hunting pressure. Communication, Education and Public
Awareness campaigns are implemented and local governments are assisted to protect flying foxes and
their roost sites. As a result, mixed-species roosting sites were confirmed in the municipalities of
Baggao (Cagayan Province) and Divilacan (Isabela Province), with exit counts of at least 35,500 and
34,000 bats, respectively. Hunting and disturbance have led to the disappearance of roost sites
elsewhere, and remain a threat to the existing roost sites as well. Communication campaigns help in
generating support for Flying Fox conservation by both communities and local governments. This
presentation will show the results of bat counts and social studies, and will outline the conservation
strategy for Flying Foxes in northeast Luzon.
Creating Conservation Reserves for Philippine Flying foxes: Considerations
and Implications
Philip Godfrey C. Jakosalem1*, Lisa J. Paguntalan1, Ronald Allan G. Cesante2, & Tammy
Mildenstein3
1
Philippines Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc. NFEFI Compound, South Capitol Road, Bacolod City, Philippines;
2
Municipal Mayor Municipality of Dalaguete, Dalaguete, Philippines; 3Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa, USA;
*Corresponding author: godo.jakosalem@pbcfi.org.ph
Flying fox species in a small isolated forest fragments face demographic threats to their existence.
These concerns can be addressed by creating flying fox conservation reserves in which the threatened
species are protected. Here, we present some strategies to ensure the long term viability of the species
and ecosystems on which they depend, which are economically acceptable to the local government
units and the local communities adjacent to the flying fox colonies. Using legislation at the national
and local level, we have been able to create conservation reserves for threatened flying fox species.
One approach that has gained popularity in last few years is the local conservation area (LCA), which
attempts to link conservation to the local government agenda. The LCA initiatives provide the local
government units and local communities with a voice in the shared decision-making authority, as
well as employment and often revenue sharing. This paper describes different modalities and
strategies for conserving flying fox roosting colonies in different landscapes and with different
stakeholders.
32
Species Delimitation and Biogeography of Southeast Asian Hipposideros
Faisal Ali Anwarali Khan1, 2*, Caleb D. Phillips1, Mohd Tajuddin Abdullah2, Ibnu Maryanto3, Jacob
A. Esselstyn4, Jodi L. Sedlock5, & Robert J. Baker1
1
Department of Biological Sciences and the Museum, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA; 2Department of Zoology,
Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia;
3
Museum ZoologicumBogoriense, Research Center for Biology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Indonesia; 4Museum
of Natural Science, Louisiana State University, 119 Foster Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA; 5Biology Department,
Lawrence University, 711 E Boldt Way, Appleton, WI 54911, USA; *Corresponding author: fanwaral@gmail.com
The Round-leaf bats, genus Hipposideros are an exemplar lineage, being understudied, broadly
distributed throughout the biodiversity hotspots of Southeast Asia, and cryptic genetic diversity has
previously been identified through mitochondrial sequence analysis. The taxonomic description of
biodiversity is essential for conservation decisions, yet this description invariably relies on the
acceptance of divergence thresholds, which are strengthened by corroboration from different forms of
biological data. To provide a robust dataset for informed biodiversity assignment we used a
combination of echolocation data, mitochondrial cytochrome-b and NADH dehydrogenase subunit-2
sequence data, nuclear AFLPs, and a combination of phylogenetic and biogeographic tools. Together
these data were used to characterize Hipposideros biodiversity and to explore the utility of coalescent
stochastic modeling in identifying “species level lineages” as compared to those identified following
proposed mammalian percent divergence thresholds. The nuclear DNA phylogeny identified a total
of 27 lineages out of the 34 lineages with > 5% divergence in mtDNA. Echolocation data supported
mitochondrial clades for which maternal and nuclear phylogenies were discordant; these phylogenetic
contrasts describe recent gene flow among islands during the last glacial maximum. Biogeographic
reconstructions of Hipposideros suggest the Southeast Asian lineage studied here originated on the
Sunda Shelf ~19.2 mya and subsequently diversified into adjacent regions. Species identification
using coalescent stochastic modeling and the proposed mammalian percent divergence threshold of >
5% were concordant. The combined information from these decision-making criteria and data types
employed indicates the number of unrecognized species in Southeast Asian Hipposideros is about
half of that currently described.
Exploring Genetic and Echolocation Call Variations within Hipposideros
galeritus Species Complex (Cantor’s Roundleaf Bat)
Sultana Parvin Habeebur Rahman1*, Tan Jo Ann1, A.R. Mohd Ridwan2, V.K. Jayaraj3, S.
Badiozaman1, Mohd Tajuddin Abdullah4, & Faisal Ali Anwarali Khan1
1
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, 2Centre for Pre University Studies, Universiti Malaysia
Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia; 3Faculty of Earth Science, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, 16100 Kota
Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia; 4Center of Kenyir Ecosystems, Institute of Kenyir Research, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu,
21030 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia; *Corresponding author: habeebursultana@gmail.com
The taxonomy status of Hipposideros galeritus remains to be exposed, as earlier finding suggest that
currently recognized species may represent a composite species. Recent molecular studies showed
that H. galeritus was paraphyletic with H. cervinus and high intra-specific divergence were found
between currently recognized H. galeritus lineages. Thus, the objective of our study is to evaluate the
taxonomy of H. galeritus species using genetics, morphometric and echolocation datasets.
Phylogenetic analyses revealed deep genetic variations between different biogeographic regions (5.014.0% for cytochrome-band, 2.9-18.4% for cytochrome oxidase-I). Discriminant Function Analysis
was carried out on samples from Sarawak and Sabah using external and craniodental datasets. This
morphometric analyses indicate that distance between cochleae and second molar tooth crown length
as the best resolving characters, but no significant clusters were formed to discriminate the assigned
groups. Echolocation call analysis suggests that H. galeritus from several localities in northern and
southern Sarawak exhibit a range of call frequencies from 100-115 kHz, contrast to Peninsular
Malaysia (Kelantan) samples as the call recorded were in the range of 90-95 kHz. The combination of
genetic, morphometric and echolocation data from this study provide a better understanding on the
cryptic lineages within currently recognised H. galeritus and provide support to elevate H. galeritus
labuanensis to specific rank (H. labuanensis). Interestingly, we also present preliminary data
suggesting that population from Southwestern Borneo may represent a separate species from those in
Sabah. Our finding emphasise the importance of past biogeographic event in shaping the species
diversity in Southeast Asia.
33
Molecular Phylogeny of Rhinolophid Bats from Malaysia Based on
Mitochondrial DNA (Cytochrome Oxidase I and Cytochrome b)
Nurul Farah Diyana Ahmad Tahir1*, Charlie J. Laman1 and Jayaraj Vijaya Kumaran2, Rosli Hashim3,
Roberta Chaya Tawie Tingga4, Mohd Ridwan Abd Rahman4, Mohd Tajuddin Abdullah5, & Faisal Ali
Anwarali Khan1
1
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan,
Sarawak; 2Faculty of Earth Sciences, University Malaysia Kelantan, 17600 Jeli, Kelantan; 3Institute of Biological Sciences,
Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur; 4Centre of Pre-University, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak,
94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak; 5Centre for Kenyir Ecosystem Research, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala
Terengganu, Terengganu; *Corresponding author: farahdiyanatahir@gmail.com
Horseshoe bats (Rhinolophidae) are among the most widely distributed and ecologically diverse
group of insectivorous bats in the Old World. Genus Rhinolophus is a monotypic genus in the family
Rhinolophidae that consist of at least 71 species in the Old World region. The lack of phylogenetics
data of family Rhinolophidae in Malaysia has encouraged us to study the phylogeny of this family.
The phylogenetic relationship among 10 species from Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia were inferred
from two mitochondrial (mtDNA) genes; full cytochrome (cyt b) - 1140 bp and cytochrome oxidase I
(COI) – 687 bp. The phylogenetic trees were constructed using neighbor-joining (NJ), unweighted
maximum parsimony (MP) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods. From this phylogenetic study, it
has adding new information regarding family Rhinolophidae. Further study for this family can add
other genes especially the nuclear gene.
Phylogenetics and Taxonomy of Nectar Bats (Genus: Macroglossus spp.) in
Malaysia
Jayaraj Vijaya Kumaran1,2*, Faisal Ali Anwarali Khan3, Siti Hajjar Mohd Daud4, Joshua Anantham2,
& Seri Intan Mokhtar4
1
Faculty of Earth Science, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, UMK Jeli Campus, 17600 Jeli, Kelantan, Malaysia; 2School of
Biological Science, UniversitiSains Malaysia, 11800 Minden, Penang; 3Department of Zoology, Faculty of Resource Science
and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia; 4Faculty of Agro Based Industry,
Universiti Malaysia Kelantan UMK Jeli Campus, 17600 Jeli, Kelantan, Malaysia;
*Corresponding author: jayaraj@umk.edu.my
The taxonomic status of nectar bats of the genus Macroglossus in Malaysia is debatable as previous
assignment of Macroglossus representatives from Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo were based on
inconclusive evidence and this warrants taxonomic revision. Thus the aim of this study was to infer
the phylogenetic relationships and review the taxonomic status of Macroglossus in Malaysia.
Morphometric analysis using 28 characters and phylogenetic analysis using DNA sequences of partial
cytochrome b gene were performed and our findings indicate that M. sobrinus and M. minimus
lagochillus may probably be conspecifics, with variations previously described were morphological
variations that exist between populations. However, our findings suggest that M. minimus minimus
(Bornean form) was divergent and should be elevated to a species. The results are useful for
zoologists, conservationists and taxonomists that manage and conserve this important bio-resource in
Malaysia.
34
Dispersal is a Significant Biogeographic Mechanism in Pteropus in the IndoAustralian Archipelago
Susan M. Tsang1,2*, Sigit Wiantoro3, Maria Josefa S. Veluz4, Norimasa Sugita5, Nancy B. Simmons2,
& David J. Lohman1
1
Department of Biology, City College and the Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, USA;
Department of Mammalogy, American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA; 3 Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense,
Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Cibinong, Indonesia; 4 Mammalogy Section, National Museum of the Philippines,
Manila, Philippines; 5 Department of Zoology, National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo, Japan;
*Corresponding author: susan.m.tsang@gmail.com
2
Pteropus is a highly mobile genus native to the islands of the Indo-Australian Archipelago (IAA).
Islands provide opportunities for isolation from sister taxa, promoting speciation. However, most of
the landmasses in the IAA are oceanic in origin, and the ability of organisms to disperse to these
islands varies. For volant taxa in the IAA, dispersal and founder-event speciation should then be the
observed dominant biogeographic forces instead of vicariance. To empirically test this hypothesis, a
multilocus species tree was reconstructed using *BEAST for Pteropus with representative species
from each biogeographic region. We implemented the DEC and DEC+J model in BioGeoBears and
the BBM model in RASP 3.0 to determine what biogeographic forces shaped the genus Pteropus.
Wallacea was found to be the origin of the genus, with dispersal as the most common scenario
through which lineages diverged. Founder-event speciation was the mechanism for expansion of
Pteropus into Micronesia and Africa. The estimated rate of dispersal for Pteropus is an order of
magnitude higher than any other volant taxa, highlighting the significant role of dispersal. The degree
and potential for colonization of islands or subsequent in situ speciation are generally dependent on
island area, age, and distance from mainland, but Pteropus do not seem to act as models predicted.
The data presented here have shown dispersal to be a powerful mechanism that should be considered
of greater importance than vicariance when studying the biogeography of volant taxa in the IAA.
Taxonomy of Flying Foxes and Free-Tailed Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) with
an Investigation into Ecology of Pteropus lylei in Vietnam
Vu Dinh Thong
Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology 18 Hoang Quoc Viet road, Cau
Giay district, Hanoi, Vietnam; Corresponding author: vietnambat@gmail.com
Flying foxes (Pteropodidae) and free-tailed bats (Molossidae) have been known from Vietnam for
almost 100 years. However, their taxonomy and ecology are poorly studied. Between 2013 and 2014,
the author examined all specimen collections of flying foxes and free-tailed bats in the country and
investigated the ecology of flying foxes. Vietnamese Flying foxes comprise three distinct taxa
(Pteropus cf. hypomelanus, P. lylei and P. vampyrus), whereas results of taxonomic assessments
confirm one genus and one species of free-tailed bats new to Vietnam. Pteropus lylei daily forages
distances of over 40 km from the roost; feeds on at least five plant species: Tropical almond
(Terminalia catappa), Brown-woolly Fig (Ficus drupacea), Calabur tree (Muntingia calabura) and
Sacred Fig (Ficus religiosa); and mates in August and gives birth in April. The current range of
flying foxes in Vietnam is limited to five provinces within the Mekong Delta region. Only two
permanent roosting sites exist: Can Gio Biosphere Reserve of Ho Chi Minh city and Soc Trang city
of Soc Trang province. Colony size in Soc Trang varies monthly and seasonally with a total number
of individuals ranging between 453 individuals in April and 1,753 individuals in February.
Vietnamese flying foxes are critically threatened by illegal hunting, habitat loss and other factors. In
the absence of conservation actions throughout southern Vietnam, they face extinction in the wild.
This presentation concludes with recommendations for research and conservation of bats in Vietnam.
35
Gene Flow in Species of Bats Differing in Ecology and Morphology: A
Comparative Study from the Andaman Islands
Rohit Chakravarty 1,2*, Balaji Chattopadhyay1, & Arjun Sivasundar1
1
National Centre for Biological Sciences, GKVK Campus, Bangalore- 560 065, India; 2Wildlife Conservation Society- India
Program, Centre for Wildlife Studies, Bangalore, India; *Corresponding author: rohit.chakravarty77@gmail.com
Gene flow is the transfer of genetic material between separate populations and is one of the driving
forces of evolution. While the capability to move among populations is an essential pre-requisite for
gene flow, there is growing evidence that it may be more strongly determined by ecological traits
(such as mating systems, diet, habitat preference and ability to tolerate disturbance). We compared
genetic and morphometric differentiation in four species of bats — Eonycteris spelaea, Cynopterus
sphinx, Rhinolophus yunanensis and Hipposideros pomona —which differ in their flight capability
and roosting requirement to understand their effects in shaping genetic structure. Hypervariable
region I of the mitochondrial control region was amplified from 40 E. spelaea, 28 C. sphinx, 45 R.
yunanensis and 57 H. pomona sampled from locations spread across the Andaman archipelago. We
found that populations of E. spelaea were nearly panmictic; R. yunanensis were differentiated into
two groups, and H. pomona were differentiated into three groups. Consistent genetic and
morphometric clusters were obtained for C. sphinx and the genetic break for C. sphinx occurs
between Middle and South Andaman Islands, coinciding with the Jarawa Tribal Reserve. In
conclusion, the lowest-dispersing, cave-roosting species shows highest population structure, but when
flight capability is very well-developed, the effect of disjunct roost availability is offset. The genetic
structure of C. sphinx for which panmixia was expected, is possibly confounded by the colonization
history of its two genetic lineages and its habitat use which may prevent significant gene flow
between the two lineages.
A Test of Non-Allopatric Divergence in Putative Island Endemic Sister Bat
Species – A Case of Taiwanese Murina
Hao-Chih Kuo1, Shiang-Fan Chen2, Yin-Ping Fang3, James Cotton 4, Joe Parker5, Gábor Csorba6,
Burton Lim7, Chia-Hong Chen8, Cheng-Han Chou9, & Stephen J Rossiter1*
1
School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK; 2Center for General
Education, National Taipei University, New Taipei City 23741, Taiwan; 3Department of Biological Resources, National
Chiayi University, Chiayi City 60004, Taiwan; 4Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus,
Cambridgeshire CB10 1SA, UK; 5Department of Zoology, Hungarian Natural History Museum, 1083 Budapest, Hungary;
6
Department of Natural History, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, ON M5S 2C6, Canada; 7Shei-Pa National Park
Headquarters, Miaoli County 36443, Taiwan; 8Division of Zoology, Endemic Species Research Institute, Nantou County 552,
Taiwan; *Corresponding author: s.j.rossiter@qmul.ac.uk
Cases of geographically restricted sister taxa are rare and may suggest potential non-allopatric
divergence. Murina gracilis and M. recondita are both endemic to Taiwan and, based on morphology
and mtDNA evidence, have been proposed as sister species. To test for non-allopatric divergence and
gene flow in these taxa, we generated sequences using Sanger and Next Generation Sequencing, and
combined these with microsatellite data for coalescent-based analyses. MtDNA phylogenies
unambiguously supported the reciprocally monophyletic sister relationship between M. gracilis and
M. recondita, however, clustering of microsatellite genotypes indicated several individuals with
signatures of species admixture suggesting possible introgression. Sequencing of microsatellite
flankers revealed that apparent admixture stemmed from microsatellite allele size homoplasy, and
also uncovered an unexpected sister relationship between M. recondita and the continental species M.
eleryi, to the exclusion of M. gracilis. To investigate these conflicts between ncDNA and mtDNA, we
analysed sequences from 10 anonymous ncDNA loci with *BEAST and isolation-with-migration
(IM) and found two distinct clades of M. eleryi, one of which was sister to M. recondita. We
conclude that Taiwan was probably colonized by the ancestor of M. gracilis first, followed by the
ancestor of M. recondita after a period of allopatric divergence between these two taxa. After
colonization, the mitochondrial genome of M. recondita has been replaced by that of the resident M.
gracilis via introgressive hybridization. Apparent signatures of sympatric divergence can thus arise
from complex histories of allopatric divergence, colonization and hybridization, highlighting the need
for rigorous analyses to distinguish among such scenarios.
36
Genome-Wide SNP-Based Next Generation DNA Sequencing and 3D
Geometric Morphometrics Helps to Resolve Long Standing Issues in Bat
Taxonomy
Kyle N. Armstrong1,2*, Bastien Llamas3*, Terry B. Reardon2, & Stephen C. Donnellan1,2*
1
Department of Genetics and Evolution, The University of Adelaide, South Australia; 2South Australian Museum, Adelaide,
South Australia; 3Australian Centre for Ancient DNA, The University of Adelaide, South Australia;
*Corresponding authors: kyle.armstrong@adelaide.edu.au, bastien.llamas@adelaide.edu.au,
steve.donnellan@samuseum.sa.gov.au
Taxonomic ambiguities persist in certain bat groups because earlier studies were either limited by the
available technology or sampling extent. The application of new genetic methods based on next
generation DNA sequencing can provide the necessary power to resolve species boundaries,
especially in combination with morphological datasets incorporating information on both size and
shape. Preliminary observations are available for two cave-roosting taxa in arid northern Australia,
which have remained taxonomically problematic despite studies over more than 20 years. In the case
of an isolated southern population Rhinonicteris aurantia, which has been investigated previously
using mitochondrial, microsatellite and traditional morphometric analyses, there is now sufficient
information to make a decision about the taxonomy below the species level based on SNPs from a
standardised gene capture probe set comprising hundreds of exon fragments. The presence of
reproductive isolation between two cryptic sister taxa of Taphozous over a 1000 km long zone of
potential sympatry and hybridisation was established using a second technique—Restriction site
associated DNA markers (RADSeq). Three-dimensional geometric morphometrics based on
microCT scans of skulls was useful for defining differences in cranial morphology between the two
taxa. The cost of these investigations was only slightly higher than the older standard approach of
sequencing one or more markers, and relegates capillary sequencing to a supporting role in DNA
barcoding to confirm field-based identifications of groups where species boundaries have been
resolved with genome screens.
Host Specificity of Bat Flies (Diptera: Nycteribiidae and Streblidae) in
Malaysia
Isham Azhar1,2*, Norwahidah Ismail1, Faisal Ali Anwarali Khan1, & Mohd Tajuddin Abdullah2
1
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan,
Sarawak; 2Centre for Kenyir Ecosystems, Kenyir Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 20130 Kuala
Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia; *Corresponding author: ishamzhar@gmail.com
Host specificity is a common trait in host and parasite association. The level of specificity exist at
different levels, from the one that parasitise a particular host to the one that can be found on a range
of hosts. A survey was conducted at different localities throughout Malaysia to investigate the host
specificity of the bat flies. The survey had resulted in a total of 984 individuals of bat flies comprising
of 15 species collected from 24 species of bats. The results showed that eight species of bat flies have
monoxenous association with their hosts. Moreover, there were three species of bat flies having
stenoxenous association while the rest were more of generalists. The results also confirmed that
majority of the bat flies were highly specialised. Information on bat flies is very scarce in Malaysia
and the findings from this study are crucial to add to the knowledge for these understudied taxa.
37
Convergence in Eavesdropping Behavior? Responses to Frog Mating Calls by
Old and New World Bats
Majorie May Dixon1,2*, Rachel A. Page2, & Jodi L. Sedlock3
1
Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Texas, USA; 2Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute,
Gamboa, Panama; 3Department of Biology, Lawrence University, Appleton, Wisconsin, USA;
*Corresponding author: m.m.dixon@utexas.edu
When animals call for mates, they also betray their location to potential predators. Eavesdropping on
prey sexual advertisement signals is a widespread strategy across taxa, including for many species of
hunting bats. Males advertising to attract mates experience opposing selection pressures acting on
different components of fitness. To attract females, males must produce conspicuous advertisement
signals, but to avoid predation they must evade notice by eavesdropping predators. Only one species
of bat is currently known to capture frogs using their mating calls: Trachops cirrhosus, a
phyllostomid bat occurring from Mexico through Brazil. The investigation of T. cirrhosus and its
sexually advertising prey is a rich system that has been informative to both the study of sexual signal
evolution and to the understanding of the influence of foraging strategy on behavior and cognition.
Because this is the only species currently documented with this behavior, however, it is difficult to
generalize results to other systems. The lesser false vampire bat, Megaderma spasma, is known to use
prey-generated sounds to hunt (Tyrell, 1990), and frogs have been documented in its diet (Davison
and Zubaid, 1992). Recent studies also suggest that M. spasma can use katydid calling song to
approach prey (Raghuram et al., 2015), but it is currently unknown whether or not M. spasma
approaches frog mating calls. I propose to test whether Philippine M. spasma use frog and insect
calling song to capture prey, and whether this foraging strategy has resulted in behavioral and
cognitive convergence between T. cirrhosus and M. spasma.
Correlative 3D Imaging of Bat Genital Micromorphology
Anna Nele Herdina1*, Hanns Plenk Jr.2, & Brian D. Metscher1
1
Department of Theoretical Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; 2Bone and Biomaterials
Research, Institute of Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria;
*Corresponding author: annanele.herdina@univie.ac.at
This ongoing study provides new insights into the 2D and 3D micromorphology of the Pipistrellus
pipistrellus penis, as a foundation for further functional research. Histomorphological details can be
studied non-destructively by x-ray microtomography (microCT) imaging, which is especially
valuable after destructive evaluation of very few specimens by light microscopy of ground sections.
Thus, quantitative and comparative studies of valuable or rare museum specimens are possible.
Serial, surface-stained, undecalcified ground sections of the penes of 3 P. pipistrellus (1 sub-adult)
were compared with microCT images of the bacula of P. pipistrellus (n=42, 3 sub-adult), P.
pygmaeus (n=24), P. hanaki (n=9), and P. nathusii (n=11). The baculum in these species consists of a
proximal base with two club-shaped branches, a long, slender shaft, and a small, forked distal tip. The
baculum consists of lamellar bone around a central marrow canal, surrounded by woven bone.
Entheses connect the distal ends of the corpora cavernosa to the proximal ends of the baculum. The
urethra, surrounded by the corpus spongiosum, lies ventral of the corpora cavernosa and the baculum.
The dorsal half of the urethral meatus is encased by the forked distal tip of the baculum. In the subadult bats, the baculum appeared not to be fully developed. The proximal branches of the baculum
where shorter and did not contain a marrow cavity, while distal tip seemed to be fully developed. The
combination with histomorphological techniques enabled a more precise interpretation of the
histological structures shown in microCT images from all four Pipistrellus species.
38
Bat Cave Vulnerability Index (BCVI): A Tool for Equating Bat Caves for
Conservation Prioritization and Protection
Krizler C. Tanalgo1*, Alice Catherine Hughes2, & John Aries G. Tabora1
1
Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan, Cotabato,
Philippines; 2Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences,
Menglun, Yunnan, People’s Republic of China; *Corresponding author: tkrizler@gmail.com
Identification of key habitat for wildlife is an essential step to plan and promote strategies for longterm conservation. Caves are an often overlooked habitat which harbour large numbers of
ecologically important species and which require serious attention to protect effectively. These
species include a wide suite of taxa, which are adapted to cave environments, but within cave systems
bats are key providers of energy for other cave dependant species. In the Philippines about 78 species
of bats are currently known and at least 30 of these depend on caves for their life history and survival.
The Bat Cave Vulnerability Index (BCVI= P bPg) attempts to create a standard index for evaluating
bat caves for conservation based on two criteria, the biological (P b) and geophysical (Pg) potential of
caves. The biological potential is represented by cave bat’s community attributes such as population
sizes, richness, endemicity, conservation status, species-site commonness. On the other hand, the
geophysical potential is represented by the bat cave’s physical and geographical features
(accessibility of the cave, cave openings, effort of exploration, tourism potential, presence and
intensity of cave internal and external disturbances). Pilot testing in the Philippines revealed that the
index has effectively suggested bat caves for conservation priorities. Furthermore, the use of BCVI in
bat cave assessment could be valuable rapid assessment tool in cave conservation with special
concern to bats and cave geological features. We are now trying to apply and adapt the index to
evaluate cave vulnerability more widely and develop appropriate protection and management
strategies.
Prioritizing Caves to Conserve Bats: Identifying Factors that Influence Cave
Use
Kendra L. Phelps1*, Reizl Jose2, Marina Labonite2, & Tigga Kingston1
1
Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas USA; 2Research & Development, Bohol Island
State University, Bilar, Philippines; *Corresponding author: kendra.phelps@ttu.edu
Caves represent critical roosting sites for many bat species, housing some of the largest and most
diverse aggregations of bat species in the world. However, cave-dependent bat populations are
declining globally, with cave disturbance identified as the leading cause of these declines. In the
Philippines, caves are protected under the National Cave Act, yet implementation of the Act is
hindered by a lack of information to identify caves to protect. Thus, to prioritize caves to conserve
cave bat assemblages, it is vital to identify factors that influence bat diversity in caves. No studies to
date have explicitly quantified factors, both anthropogenic and environmental, that may shape
assemblages of cave-dependent bats in the Philippines. Anthropogenic (visitation rate, hunting
intensity, mining, etc.) and environmental (cave dimensions, microclimate, roost area) factors were
assessed at 60 caves on Bohol Island in the central Philippines, and compared with species diversity
and composition of bat assemblages documented over two consecutive nights at each cave. Between
July 2011 and June 2013, we captured 7,419 individuals comprising 24 bat species. Using non-metric
multidimensional scaling and generalized linear modeling, we elucidated the primary drivers that
shape cave bat diversity and composition. Results are used to evaluate the significance of individual
caves for maintaining viable populations of cave-dependent bats, a priority under the National Cave
Act.
39
Application of LiDAR Technology to Count Cave-Dwelling Bats Roost in Wind
Cave Nature Reserve, Malaysian Borneo
Nursyafiqah Shazali1*, Teong Han Chew2, Mohd Ridwan Abd Rahman3, Mohd Shahir Shamsir2,
Roberta Chaya Tawie Tingga3, & Faisal Ali Anwarali Khan1
1
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan,
Sarawak, Malaysia; 2Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Universiti Teknologi
Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia; 3Centre for Pre-University Studies, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota
Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia; *Corresponding author: shazalisyafiqah@gmail.com
Introduction of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) scanning system, an optical remote sensing
technology into biological scientific purposes have open many conceivable research especially on
cave wildlife surveys. Information on bats’ roost inside a cave is an example of such surveys and
essential for conservation management and practice. Conventionally, bats roost count is potentially a
disruptive, repetitive method and are time consuming. To this end, terrestrial LiDAR able to generate
images of high resolution, precise and yet accurate three dimensional (3D) features of roosting bats
together with their spatial distribution pattern and topological structure of the cave. We utilize this
technology to census bats that roost inside the cave which include direct roost count for species that
roost individually and estimated based on laser return intensity value from the LiDAR images for bats
in larger clusters. LiDAR data were analyzed to identify colony size of bat population, and determine
surface area of their roosts. The group of bats that roosts in large clusters, Penthetor lucasi were
determined by automated counting using connected components labelling. For bats’ that roost
separately from other individual, automated direct count was performed by differentiating bats and
cave surfaces based on the reflectance values. We successfully count 979 individuals of P. lucasi and
1907 individual of insect bats of nine species from four families. Terrestrial LiDAR provided a novel
way to survey cave bats population that is precise and accurate, for less amount of time.
Cataloguing Malaysian Caves using LiDAR: Bats Included
Teong Han Chew1*, Nursyafiqah Shazali2, Faisal Ali Anwarali Khan2, Liz Price3, Wan Juliana Wan
Ahmad4, & Mohd Shahir Shamsir1
1
Bioinformatics Research Group, Faculty of Biosciences and Medical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81300
UTM Skudai, Johor, Malaysia; 2 Department of Zoology, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia
Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia; 3 International Union of Speleology; 4 School of Environmental and
Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor,
Malaysia; *Corresponding author: teonghan@gmail.com
Conventional cave surveying methods involve extensive manual measurements and sketches that can
only produce two-dimensional (2D) images. Although these 2D images can be converted into threedimensional (3D) maps, the resulting output is only good as an estimation (extrapolation,
interpolation) given that this manual measurements are done only at certain intervals. Light Detection
and Ranging (LiDAR) technique can be applied to cave surveying, producing a true 3D model
without the intermediate 2D maps. Since LiDAR operates based on the principle of light, the device
(known as a laser scanner) is able to capture any surface that has the ability to reflect light (typically
laser). Apart from capturing the cave structure and morphology, LiDAR can be utilized to show cave
fauna within range (notably bats and swiftlets). Interactive data visualization can then be converted
from the raw point clouds and hosted online for reaching a bigger audience and raising awareness as
well as interest. We have applied this methodology to study several cave complexes in Peninsular
Malaysia. We aim to show that LiDAR is versatile in representing caves in various formats for
various purposes (high resolutions for accurate measurement, low resolutions for overview and online
interactive maps for observation). Temporal cave mapping is also possible as we show in our case
study. Most importantly, the accuracy of LiDAR eliminated the need for revisiting the cave in order
to do any further relevant data analysis.
40
Review of Bats of the Limestone Karst of Northern Chin State, Myanmar
Moe Moe Aungˡ,3*, Soe Soe Tun2, Khin Aung Myint3, Van Neih Mang3, & Lal Duat Lian3
1,3
Department of Zoology,Yangon University, Yangon,Myanmar; 2Department of Zoology, Yadanarpon University,
Mandalay, Myanmar; 3 Department of Zoology, Kalay University, Kalay, Myanmar;
*Corresponding author: moeaung189@gmail.com
Although systematic research of bats in Myanmar has been conducted since 1863, very few studies
were conducted in Chin state. A total of 97 species of bats has been recorded in Myanmar. It includes
the results of a recent bat survey in Northern Chin State during which 11 species of bats were
collected. Taxonomic approach based on the external characters, morphology of skull, teeth, baculum
characters and echolocation call frequency have been applied to confirm the specific and generic
status. Morphometric characters of all species of skull and teeth and seven species of baculum were
examined. Echolocation call frequency of the species of Taphozous melanopogon, Rhinolophus
affinis, Rhinolophus thomasi, Rhinolophus luctus, Hipposideros pomona and Hipposideros armiger
were recorded. Among the collected species, Rhinolophus luctus and Hipposideros armiger were
found over 90 years ago in Chin hills. Therefore all the bat species were collected as the first time
record for Chin State. Ecology, distribution and conservation status were also studied.
Cave Selection and Reproductive Phenology of Insectivorous Bats in Southern
Cambodian Karst and their Conservation Implications
Lim Thona1*, Julien Cappelle2, Hoem Thavry1, Hul Vibol3, & Neil M. Furey4
1
Centre for Biodiversity Conservation, Room 415, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Royal University of Phnom
Penh, Confederation of Russia Boulevard, Phnom Penh, Cambodia; 2Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche
Agronomique pour le Développement (CIRAD), UR Animal et Gestion Intégrée des Risques (AGIRs), F-34398, Montpellier,
France; 3Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Virology Unit, BP983, Phnom Penh, Cambodia; 4Fauna & Flora International
(Cambodia Programme), PO Box 1380, No. 19, Street 360, BoengKeng Kong 1, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 12000;
*Corresponding author: lim.thona@yahoo.com
The ecology and conservation status of cave-dwelling bats is almost unknown in Cambodia. We
evaluated cave selection, reproductive phenology and conservation threats to insectivorous bat
species inhabiting three limestone caves (Bat Khteas, Vihear-Tuk Bonn and Trai Lak) in Kampot
province, southern Cambodia. Caves were compared in terms of their internal dimensions and
sampled monthly for variation in species composition and flight maneuverability from February to
July 2014.Bat reproductive phenology was investigated by live-trapping and threats were identified
from direct observation, interviews with guano collectors and cave visitor data. Bat Khteas cave had
higher bat species richness (nine species) and larger populations than the Vihear Tuk-Bonn and Trai
Lak caves (five species apiece) due to its greater size and complexity providing a wider range of
environmental niches for different bat species. Reproductive data from 735 bats of two insectivorous
species (Taphozous melanopogon and Hipposideros larvatus) suggest that birth peaks largely occur
in April-May and lactation from April-July, the beginning of the wet season. As this period of
heightened vulnerability coincides with the Khmer new year (April) when cave visitation is greatest,
this is likely to affect bat population recruitment. Hunting of bats for bush meat, opportunistic
recreation and unregulated guano collection also threaten the local bat fauna. Improved law
enforcement, public education and promotion of sustainable guano collection techniques are needed
to conserve the cave bats of southern Cambodia.
41
Bat Viral Diversity in Different Anthropogenic Disturbance Gradients in
Kinabatangan, Sabah, Malaysia
Mei Ho Lee1*, Tom Hughes1, Jimmy Lee1, Simon J. Anthony1, Kris Murray2, Carlos ZambranaTorrelio1, Elizabeth Loh1, Senthilvel Nathan3, Benoit Goossens3,4,5, Jonathan H. Epstein1, & Peter
Daszak1
1
EcoHealth Alliance, New York, USA; 2Faculty of Natural Sciences, The Grantham Institute For Climate Change, Imperial
College London, London, UK; 3Sabah Wildlife Department, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia; 4Danau Girang Field Centre,
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia; 5Organisms and Environment Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff,
UK; *Corresponding author: lee@ecohealthalliance.org
Bats are reservoirs of many viral zoonoses. Anthropogenic changes can have major influences on
emerging zoonoses through changes in bat ecology. We conducted viral surveillance as part of the
USAID PREDICT Deep Forest project. Three sites at three levels of human disturbance (disturbed,
intermediate and pristine) along the Kinabatangan River were chosen. Each site was sampled once
per season (wet, dry) for 5 nights. Swabs and blood were collected prior to the bats release. Samples
were screened at the Sabah Wildlife Department, Wildlife Health, Genetics and Forensics
Laboratory, and the Centre for Infection and Immunity, Columbia University, New York using PCRs
and were confirmed by sequencing. In disturbed sites (n=65 bats), viral DNA was detected in 12.30%
of sampled bats – one coronavirus, two adenoviruses, one astrovirus and three herpesviruses. In
intermediate sites (n=186 bats), we found one astrovirus, three adenoviruses and 7 herpesviruses,
totaling 5.88% of sampled bats. In pristine sites (n=482 bats),we found two coronaviruses including
one related to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), two paramyxoviruses,
one adenovirus and one herpesvirus, totaling 2.01% of sampled bats. Z-test for proportions showed
pristine sites results are significantly different from the other two, while intermediate and disturbed
sites results are not significantly different from each other. Lower number of viruses from pristine site
bats might indicate healthier environments due to less human disturbance. The SARS-CoV-related
strain from a pristine site further support the importance of protected habitats as buffer zones to
reduce human-bat contact and therefore reducing disease transmission risk.
Hematological Profile of Bats in Musuan, Bukidnon, Philippines
Jessica L. Gamolo*, Heidi C. Porquis, Reggie Y. Dela Cruz, Florfe M. Acma, Alma B. Mohagan, &
Lorelei Gloria A. Samaniego
Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Central Mindanao University, University Town, Musuan, 8710,
Bukidnon, Philippines; *Corresponding authors: 40ppy.essie@gmail.com
This study focused on the profiling of hematocrit, hemoglobin, total white blood cell and differential
white blood cell counts. Blood samples were from one hundred fifty (150) bat individuals captured
between August to September, 2014 through mist netting. Bats were marked after sampling.
Individual bats were given sugar syrup before release. A total of nine species belonging to family
Pteropodidae, Vespertilionidae and Megadermatidae were recorded in the present study. Among the
nine species, three are endemic to the Philippines; Eonycteris robusta is listed as nearly threatened by
the IUCN Red List; and Megaderma spasma appears as a new record in Musuan, Bukidnon,
Philippines. Hematological values were 39-51% for hematocrit, 13-17 % for hemoglobin, 3,45011,150 mm3for total white blood cell, 32-76% for neutrophils, 21-68% for lymphocytes, 0-5% for
both eosinophil and monocyte, and 0% for basophil. A weak positive correlation was noted between
eosinophil and monocytes and a strong positive correlation between Hct and Hb. A weak negative
correlation between TWBC and eosinophils and a strong negative association between lymphocytes
and neutrophils were observed. Other hematological values were found to have no association.
Hematological values among species with respect to age and sex variations did not exhibit any
difference.
42
Blood Serum Glucose and Potassium Profiles of Frugivorous Bats (Ptenochirus
jagori Peters) in Central Mindanao University, Bukidnon Philippines
Enjyl Jay A. Soriano, Alma B. Mohagan, Zeus S. Elumba, & Heidi C. Porquis*
Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Central Mindanao University, University Town, Musuan, 8710,
Bukidnon, Philippines; *Corresponding author: dingbiocmu@yahoo.com
A profile of blood serum glucose and potassium in frugivorous bats, Ptenochirus jagori Peters, 1861
was done on 45 individuals captured through mist netting after prior permission. The colorimetric and
ion selective electrolyte methods were used respectively to get the profiles. The relationship between
these values to each other and with age and sex was determined. The 45 bat samples included 77.8%
males (M) and 22.2% females (F); 35.6% juveniles (J) and 64.4% adults (A). Mean values (in
mmol/l) were,J (3.67), A ( 3.62), F ( 6.36), and M (6.32) for glucose, and J (4.38), A ( 4.50); F
(4.40), M (4.47) for potassium. Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r= - 0.180) for glucose and
potassium is not significant. Furthermore, results show that variation in blood serum glucose and
potassium levels is not linked to their age and sex.
What’s on the Menu for Hungry Mums? Food Availability for Malaysian
Insectivorous Bats
Nurul-Ain Elias1,2*, Rosli Hashim3, & Tigga Kingston1
1
Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA; 2School of Biological Sciences,
UniversitiSains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia; 3Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia; *Corresponding author: ain.elias@ttu.edu
Patterns of insect availability in tropical and subtropical forests are not as distinct as those of flower
and fruit resources. However, previous studies report that many tropical insectivorous bat species
exhibit a seasonal pattern in their annual reproduction, although few studies have related the timing of
reproduction to the availability of insect resources. We hypothesized that peaks in annual bat
reproduction will reflect the availability of species-specific dietary resources, and predicted that
insectivorous bats from Krau Wildlife Reserve, Malaysia would synchronize their breeding season
with the fluctuation of certain insect Orders. To test this prediction, we tracked reproductive
phenology of nine insectivorous bat species simultaneously with nine dominant insect Orders and
local weather variables (temperature and rainfall) for 21 months. All insect Orders differed in their
peak of abundance except Orthoptera. While Coleoptera, Homoptera, and Blattodea were highly
abundant from March-May, Isoptera recorded its highest peak from October-November. Lepidoptera,
Hymenoptera, Hemiptera and Diptera were at their highest abundances during the dry season. Most
lactating bats were recorded April – June. Hymenoptera and Homoptera were positively correlated
with lactation in a single species, Kerivoula pellucida and Rhinolophus lepidus, respectively. Peak
abundance of Isoptera was associated with lactating K. intermedia and K. papillosa. Only Hemiptera
abundance correlated with lactation in the cave bat species Hipposideros cervinus, H. bicolor 142
kHz, R. stheno and R. lepidus. Overall, insectivorous bats matched their critical stage in reproduction
with the maximum availability of certain insect Orders.
43
Food Habits of Rhinolophus affinis, Emballonura monticola and Hipposideros
diadema roosting in an Agricultural Landscape at Kota Gelanggi, Malaysia
Jin Sia Ting*, Yong Foo Ng, & Akbar Zubaid
School of Environmental and Natural Resources, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600
Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia; *Corresponding author: jinsia87@yahoo.com
Insectivorous bats are major consumers of nocturnal insects, many of which are economically
important pests. Despite Malaysia being the centre of Old-World bat diversity little is known about
the diets of most of these species. Faecal analysis gives us an insight into the feeding ecology and
food preferences of bats. Diets of three species of insectivorous bats, namely Rhinolophus affinis,
Emballonura monticola and Hipposideros diadema were analysed based on faecal pellets. Two
hundred fifty faecal pellets for R. affinis and H. diadema, and 200 pellets for E. monticola were
collected from two caves in the Kota Gelanggi Limestone complex, Pahang from April to August
2014. The percentage of occurrence of prey for each species was calculated. The diet of R. affinis
consisted of 36.0% Lepidoptera, 32.8% Coleoptera, 15.2% Isoptera, 8.0% Hymenoptera, 4.4%
Hemiptera, and 3.6% Diptera which suggests it preyed both on soft-bodied and hard-bodied insects.
For E. monticola, the diet consisted of 59.5% Hymenoptera, 8.0% Isoptera, 4.0% Coleoptera and 3.5
% Hemiptera which suggests a preference for small and soft-bodied insects. The diet of H. diadema,
consisted of 43.6% Isoptera, 24.8% Coleoptera, 6.0% Hemiptera, 3.2% Lepidoptera and 0.4% Diptera
which showed a preference for insects with a hard and thick exoskeleton but switched
opportunistically to termites during the swarming season. The dietary profile of these bats suggest
that they may play an important role as biological control agents in the agroecosystem.
Comparison of Food Habits of the Lesser Asiatic Yellow Bat (Scotophilus
kuhlii) in an Agricultural and Urban landscape
Nur Atiqah Abd Rahman*, Ng Yong Foo, & Akbar Zubaid
School of Environmental Science and Natural Resources, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan
Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia; *Corresponding author: nursyiqa@gmail.com
Scotophilus kuhlii is a widespread species frequently associated with human habitation and can be
found roosting in large colonies but little is known of its food preferences. This dietary study was
conducted in 2 different landscapes: an agricultural landscape in the Tasik Chini catchment and an
urban landscape in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). Six hundred faecal samples from 120
individuals were examined over six months. Seven insect orders were recorded in the diet namely,
Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Isoptera, Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera and Orthoptera. The diet
expressed as percent volume, consisted largely of Coleoptera in Tasik Chini and UKM followed by
Hemiptera, while Diptera formed the lowest percentage in both areas. Chi-square tests showed that
there were no significant differences in diet preferences between males and females in each locality.
We also found no significant differences in the diet of Scotophilus kuhlii between Tasik Chini and
UKM. Cluster analysis showed 69.9% similarity of food items selected between Tasik Chini and
UKM. The results suggest that although there were landscapes differences between Tasik Chini and
UKM, prey selection by the bats showed a high degree of similarity.
44
Observations on the Ecology, Echolocation & Foraging Behaviour of the
Emballonurid bat, Saccolaimus saccolaimus, in Australia & Southeast Asia
1
Roger Coles1,2*, Richard Meutstege3, Chris Clague4, David Lane5, & Hugh Spencer3
School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; 2 School of Earth,
Environmental & Biological Sciences, QUT, Brisbane QLD 4000; 3Cape Tribulation Tropical Research Station, Cape
Tribulation, QLD 4873, Australia; 4PO Box 901, Edmonton, QLD 4865, Australia; 5Dept. of Biology, Faculty of Science,
Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Brunei; *Corresponding author: r.coles@uq.edu.au
The Bare-rumped sheath tail bat Saccolaimus saccolaimus is centrally distributed in SE Asia but it
has a wide range extending from India and as far eastwards as the Solomon Is. Extralimitally, it
inhabits the northern tropical regions of Australia with two populations separated geographically on
either side of the Gulf of Carpentaria: they have morphological variation (pelage) but are genetically
almost identical. Over most of its range S. saccolaimus is considered a common species but relatively
few records exist although. Few roosts are known but it is a colonial species living in trees and will
occupy buildings. Preferred habitat can be considered tropical rainforest although Australian records
extend to adjacent savannah woodlands. In Australia we have recently made the first detailed
observations of foraging behavior in S. saccolaimus. It is a large open foraging emballonurid species
and so far in Australia it has not been live captured whilst foraging. Therefore we have relied on a
species-specific duplet or triplet frequency alternating calling pattern (most energy in the 11- 25 kHz
band, see Coles et al.(2012 Aust. Bat Soc. Newsletter 38:35-36) to identify individuals foraging at
night. It has been possible to visually observe S. saccolaimus commuting at dusk and dawn in the
Cape Tribulation area of north Queensland. A roosting area has been located in lowland tropical
rainforest, near the top of a ridge about 150m above sea level and only 1km inland from the coastline.
Individual bats from this roost area have been found to be foraging along a narrow coastal strip just
above canopy height along a 2km section of mangrove and littoral forest immediately adjacent to the
beach. Bats have been tracked in another 10 locations between Cape Tribulation, and the Daintree
River, and up to 15km inland. Ultrasound detectors (Nanobat) on a pole above canopy height in the
foraging areas, have recorded detailed echolocation calling behaviour for this species, including all
phases of prey capture. By monitoring the alternating call to initially track individuals, considerable
flexibility was noted in the temporal patterning and changes in pulse structure during flight and
foraging. Social interactions and calling between individuals was observed and a very peculiar ‘flight
song’ has been identified. Further studies of S. saccolaimus in Southeast Asia (Indonesia, East
Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore) show that there are variations for this unusual alternating call
pattern compared to the Australian population. Individuals have been captured from a breeding
colony in the roof of a house in Brunei to examine morphology and genetics and echolocation
behaviour.
Echolocation Calls and Diet Analysis of Michrochiropteran Species from
Northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra
Kranti Yardi & Swapnil Girade*
Institute of Environment Education and Research Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune, India;
*Corresponding author: swapnilgirade88@gmail.com
The NorthernWestern Ghats of Maharashtra are a part of the globally recognized biodiversity hotspot.
They are characterized by elevated mountain peaks, plateaus, semi evergreen forest, forts, old
temples, large crevices and caves. For many species of bats these sites provide excellent roosting
conditions in these areas. At the preliminary phase of the study, distribution of Michrochiropteran
species was investigated. Preliminary study identified 20 sites for different bat species in the area.
Further study consisted of collection of morphological data, fecal samples, and echolocation calls for
selected species. The time expanded echolocation calls were recorded using Peterson “D240X”
detector and analyzed using “Bat Sound” software. Discriminant function analysis was applied to
classify and describes the echolocation calls. This paper presents the echolocation calls for R.
beddomei, R. rouxii, R. lepidus, M. lyra, M. spasma, H. speoris, H. fulvus, P. javanicus, and P.
tenieus from Northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra. Dietary analysis was performed for H. speoris,
and R. beddomei by examining prey items in fecal pellets using methods described in Whitaker
(1988) and the prey taxa were identified to order level. Percent volume and percent frequency
occupied by each prey order in the pellets of R. beddomei shows, Coleoptera (34 % by volume),
Lepidoptera (7%), Diptera (18%) as major prey composition while H. speoris shows Lepidoptera: 65
%, Coleoptera: 9 %, Diptera: 6.28 % as major prey items and other prey items in trace amounts
during the dietary analysis.
45
Roost Selection by Bats in the Anthropogenic Areas along the West Coast of
Peninsular Malaysia
Lee-Sim Lim1*, Syarafina Ramli2, Mohd Rani Ismail Hashim1, Sheema Abdul Aziz3,4,5, Christine
Fletcher6, Jin Sia Ting2, Nur Atiqah Abdul Rahman2, Nur Izzati Abdullah1, Shahrul Anuar Mohd
Sah7, & Akbar Zubaid2
1
School of Distance Education, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia; 2School of Environmental Science and
Natural Resources, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia;
3
Rimba, 4 Jalan 1/9D, 43650 Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia; 4Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (MNHN), Paris,
France; 5University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC), Malaysia; 6Forest Research Institute Malaysia, 52109 Kepong,
Selangor, Malaysia; 7School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia;
*Corresponding author: leesim.lim@usm.my
Intense developments in Peninsular Malaysia in the last few decades have caused rapid loss of natural
habitat in the country. Wildlife need to either immediately adapt to their shrinking habitat or to live
in the anthropocene in order to survive. Bats have a long history in sharing habitat with human,
especially frugivorous bats and open-space bats. Here, we report bat species detected to live in
anthropogenic areas and describe their roosts. In the last three years, we focused our survey along the
west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, which is the most developed and highest populated zone in
Malaysia. Each of the detected sites was visited once every fortnight for a minimum period of two
months to confirm that it is a permanent bat roost. Physical and micro climatic measurements of the
roost were recorded. At least four species of insectivorous bats (Taphozous melanopogon, T.
longimanus, Hypsugo macrotis, and Scotophilus kuhlii) and three species of frugivorous/nectar bats
(Cynopterus brachyotis, C. horsfieldii and Eonycteris spelaea) were identified to permanently roost
in the man-made structures; the basement of high-rise building, historic school building and
abandoned wooden houses. Some of these bat species are known to be forest-dependent. Detailed
conditions of the detected roosts will be discussed. This preliminary study shed light on the roosting
ecology and diversity of bats in the Malaysian anthropocene landscape which would allow us to
further assess the adaptability of bats towards habitat change and facilitate future research on bathuman mutual co-existence.
How a Pitcher Plant Facilitates Roosting of Mutualistic Woolly Bats (Kerivoula
hardwickii)
T. Ulmar Grafe1*, Yen Shan Lim1, Caroline R. Schöner2, Michael G. Schöner2, & Gerald Kerth2
1
Faculty of Science and Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Tungku Link,
Gadong 1410, Brunei Darussalam; 2Zoological Institute and Museum, Greifswald University, J.-S.-Bach-Str. 11 / 12, D-17489
Greifswald, Germany; *Corresponding author: ulmar.grafe@ubd.edu.bn
Mutualistic interactions between animals and plants play a key role in the organization of ecological
communities. The strength of mutual dependencies between interacting species will depend, in part,
on the physical fit between the two partners that is the result of evolutionary, ecological, and
functional specialization. This study investigates how small morphological changes in pitcher
structure of the carnivorous pitcher plant Nepenthes hemsleyana facilitates the roosting of the woolly
bats Kerivoula hardwickii that in turn use the pitchers as toilets and provide the plants with valuable
nitrogen. Field observations in Brunei Darussalam, Borneo showed that numerous morphological
traits of N. hemsleyana set it apart from its close relative Nepenthes rafflesiana that is not visited by
bats. Aerial pitchers of N. hemsleyana were more elongate, cylindrical, and strongly tapered.
Furthermore, digestive fluid levels and fluid volume were lower increasing the habitable space within
the pitcher. The bats’ body length and body width were well matched to the length and diameter of N.
hemsleyana aerial pitchers. Pitchers wider at fluid level than the largest bat were never occupied. Our
study demonstrates that several key features of the N. hemsleyana aerial pitchers facilitate bat
roosting and suggest that Nepenthes nitrogen-acquisition strategies have evolved by modifying and
prioritizing different pitcher structures. We discuss how using pitchers as roosts has allowed K.
hardwickii to exploit habitats that offer few roosting sites to other species of bats.
46
Acoustic Lure Enhances Capture Rates of Echolocating Bats in Forest and Open
Habitats in Australia
David A. Hill1,2*, Paul A. Barden3, & Kyle N. Armstrong4,5
1
Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Aichi, 484-8506, Japan; 2Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University,
Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8203, Japan.; 3Ecological Management Services, Coolum Beach, Queensland 4573, Australia; 4School
of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia.; 5South
Australian Museum, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia; *Corresponding author: hill.david.2u@kyoto-u.ac.jp
Capture is an essential part of field research and surveys for echolocating bats where acoustic
monitoring alone is not sufficient. While some species can be captured fairly readily, others are much
more elusive, even at sites where they are abundant. The Autobat acoustic lure has greatly increased
both numbers and diversity of bats captured in a variety of forest and woodland habitats in U.K.,
Japan and Malaysia. Here we report preliminary assessments of the effectiveness of this technique in
various habitats in Australia, including tropical, subtropical and warm temperate forests, as well as a
more open landscape (the Mulga zone, S.W. Queensland). Capture rates in harp traps with lures were
significantly higher than in control traps in all habitat types. The lure was particularly effective for
three species of Nyctophilus, which typically fly in forest interiors, but also attracted large numbers of
two species of Miniopterus, which most frequently fly in open spaces and along edges. Smaller
numbers of several other edge and open habitat species (including Chalinolobus spp., Falsistrellus
tasmaniensis, Saccolaimus saccolaimus and Mormopterus petersi) were also captured more
frequently, or exclusively, in traps with lures. Our results indicate that the Autobat acoustic lure has
great potential for improving capture efficiency (both numbers and diversity) of echolocating bats in
Australia. Promising areas for further investigation include targeting the lesser known species of
Nyctophilus, which include several Critically Endangered and Data Deficient species, and the
development of more effective stimuli for attracting open-sky bats.
Quantifying Bat Activity through Acoustic Sampling in a Riverine Forest at
Gunung Mulu National Park, Malaysian Borneo
Ellen McArthur1*, M. T. Abdullah2, & Faisal Ali Anwarali Khan1
1
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan,
Sarawak, Malaysia; 2Center For Kenyir Ecosystems Research, Kenyir Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu,
21030, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu; *Corresponding author: ellenmcarthur@gmail.com
Habitat loss and fragmentation have been identified as the major factors contributing to the decline of
bat populations in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. Therefore, there is an urgent need to improve
the efficiency of surveys to document the diversity, distribution and habitat requirements of bats in
both protected and disturbed areas. In Gunung Mulu National Park, a tropical karst landscape, with
high diversity and large populations of bat species, passive acoustic sampling with a SM2Bat detector
is being conducted at rivers, trails and gaps in riverine forest. Recordings from 36 nights have been
analysed and compared to the reference echolocation calls recorded for 22 species that were
previously captured from the same area. Preliminary results suggest that insectivorous bat activity,
measured by the number of passes, is highest in forest gaps, followed by rivers and trails. However,
higher diversity of species and call types have been detected at rivers. The most frequently detected
species was Miniopterus australis followed by Rhinolophus creaghi, Hipposideros galeritus, H.
cervinus, a Myotis species and an unidentified call type similar to M. australis but lower in frequency.
Evidence of foraging activity, in the form of feeding buzzes was detected at both gaps and rivers.
Acoustic sampling is currently emerging as an essential component in a variety of sampling methods
used to provide crucial information on the conservation needs of bats in the threatened forests of this
region.
47
Operationalizing Bat Conservation Education Program in Bangladesh with a
Special Focus of Nipah Encephalitis Outbreak
M. N. Islam1*, A. H. Shaikat2, S. A. Khan2, Ariful Islam3, M. M. Hassan2, & M. A. Hoque2
1
One Health Fellow, Massey University, New Zealand; 2Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Khulshi,
Chittagong-4202, Bangladesh; 3Eco Health Alliance, NY, USA; *Corresponding author: nurul.dvm@gmail.com
Bats are fascinating mammals group plays role in pollination, seed dispersal and control of insect
pests. Unfortunately, they are considered as natural reservoirs of public health zoonotic diseases such
as Nipah encephalitis, Hendra, SARS, Rabies etc. Due to recent and rapid destruction of their natural
habitats bats are more often coming in close contact with humans who pose serious public health
threats to transmit zoonotic diseases. Nipah encephalitis is a highly fatal zoonotic disease causing
human mortality up to 100%. Bangladesh has been experiencing outbreaks of Nipah encephalitis
since 2001 resulted in several human deaths. Date palm sap contamination by bat feces and urine has
been identified as an important risk factor for transmission of Nipah infection in human. Very
specifically the Nipah outbreak in 2014 drew high media attention and government intervention.
Therefore, selling and consumption of date palm sap has been banned to prevent the Nipah problem
in this country. Nipah associated with bats and different myths and misconception about bats in this
country have created some negative impressions on bats which is threatening bat conservation
attempt. Therefore, a bat conservation education program was urgently needed to change the attitude
of peoples in Bangladesh. We are conducting conservation education program with focusing on
prevention method of Nipah and informing positive role of bats to the nature. The method of
conservation education program applied under the study along with some important findings will be
presented in the conference. The method can implicate in bat education program of other disease
outbreak country in the world.
An Assessment Conservation Status of Bats in India and the Impacts of Bats on
Public Health
D. Pilot Dovih1*, Reeta S. Mani2, M. A. Ashwini2, Balaji Chattopadhyay3, Kritika Garg3, Uma
Ramakrishnan1, & S. N. Madhusudana2
1
Department of Ecology and Evolution, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore, India; 2Department of
Neurovirology, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Rabies, National Institute of Mental Health and
Neurosciences, Bangalore, India; 3National University of Singapore, Singapore; *Corresponding author: pilot@ncbs.res.in
Bats are critical elements in maintaining the ecosystem. However of late, bats are recognized as
important reservoirs for many viruses. Nagaland, a north-eastern state in India, falls in the IndoMyanmar biodiversity hotspot. Every year thousands of cave-dwelling bats are harvested for
consumption in villages as a tradition in Nagaland. One-third of the emerging human infectious
diseases are zoonotic. Studies on different species of bats in China and Thailand have given important
insights into zoonotic diversity of viruses in this region. But there is a dearth of credible reports from
India, not due to the lack of infectious pathogens in Indian bats, but probably reflecting the absence
of systematic surveillance studies. We collected 250 tissue samples of three species from the
harvested bats to determine potential population decline using molecular techniques. We found
signature of population decline, suggesting hunting pressure might be driving the trend. As a
preliminary study, we examined brain samples of 110 harvested bats for the presence of rabies viral
RNA by molecular methods and blood (serum) samples from 65 bats for presence of neutralizing
antibodies against rabies virus. None of the 110 brain samples were positive for rabies viral RNA
suggesting the absence of an active rabies infection. However 5/65 (7.6%) serum samples had
evidence of rabies virus specific neutralizing antibodies, suggestive of recent exposure to rabies virus.
This indicates the necessity of extensive surveillance studies in bats for presence of rabies virus as
well as other pathogens that may impact public health.
48
Batting Trekkers – A Unique Citizen Science Initiative Documenting Bat
Diversity and Roosts in Maharashtra, India
Rahul Prabhukhanolkar1,2*, Saili Palande-Datar3,4, Anvith K.S.1,2, & Avishkar Munje1
1
Indian Bat Conservation Research Unit, H.No 762, 1st cross Bhagyanagar, Belgaum -590006, India, Belgaum; 2Mhadei
Research Centre, c/o Rachana Infotech, 1st floor, mahalaxmi Plaza, PRD corner, Tilakwadi, Belgaum- 590006, India; 3Malabar
Nature Conservation Club, Village Amboli, Sawantwadi, Dist.Sindhudurg, Mharashtra; 4Samvidya Institute of Cultural
Studies, c/o Ambarish V. Khare, Khunya Murlidhar Temple, Sadashiv Peth, Pune 411030, India;
*Corresponding author: pkrahul85@gmail.com, info@ibcru.org
The state of Maharashtra in India possesses a unique landscape of historical significance. Due to the
vast coastline on the western side, along with the parallel Western Ghats mountain range, the region
has always been of strategic importance for colonialists, traders and rulers. Rulers of different rulers
and religious communities throughout the history have built infrastructure like forts, fortress,
buildings, caves (manmade and natural), temples, tunnels, water tanks etc. Many of these abandoned
structures, spread across landscape, now provide roosting sites for several species of bats and
simultaneously attract a large trekking community (formal and informal –regional groups). Since
trekkers frequently visit these historical sites, we decided to channelize their enthusiasm into an
opportunity to document roosts of bats in the state by conducting regional workshops. Trekkers were
explained the basics of bat ecology, diversity and the functioning of an internet based application to
share their observations, photographs of the roosts, bat colonies, site details, etc. This is helping us
create a large state-wide database on the bat roosts. Out of an estimated >80,000 trekkers in the state,
> 400 members in different regions have started sharing information and building the roost site
database. Spatial data on over 150 bat roosting sites (occupied/abandoned) are now available through
these ‘batting trekkers’. This network is slowly growing to different parts in the state and will cover
diverse landscapes across region.
Ten Years at A Glance - An Overview of Bat Conservation in Hong Kong
Wing Chi, Tsui
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region;
Corresponding author: wing_wc_tsui@afcd.gov.hk
Hong Kong is mostly known as a metropolitan city full of hustle and bustle. Little do people realise
that it also has large stretches of countryside and a rich biodiversity. Since 2002, the Agriculture,
Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Government has been conducting regular ecological surveys to take inventory and update the status
of local biodiversity in order to better understand the natural assets in Hong Kong, and hence
facilitate nature conservation work. The Mammal Working Group under AFCD has been monitoring
the bat populations in Hong Kong through conducting various surveys across the territory, with the
use of mist nets, harp traps, acoustic devices or by direct observation since then. Advanced
technologies including DNA barcoding technique and radio-tracking are used to supplement survey
findings. To date, 27 species of bats have been recorded within the territory. This overview looks into
the work carried out so far and the results of different surveys which help identify challenges and
opportunities lying ahead of bat conservation in Hong Kong.
49
Analysis of Spatial Clustering in Southeast Asian Bat Sampling Effort
Marina Fisher-Phelps* & Tigga Kingston
Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409;
*Corresponding author: m.fisher-phelps@ttu.edu
Species distribution models are widely used in species conservation, but model effectiveness depends
on data biases and model uncertainty. When data are spatially biased, for example if they are
clustered or overly dispersed, the true distribution of a species is not represented. Spatial cluster
detection is assessed using density estimators and local statistics, which describe how count data
spatially vary across an area of interest. The most common spatial bias in occurrence data is an oversampling of easy-access sites such as protected areas, urban areas, and sites near roads. Our objective
was to identify clusters in Southeast Asian bat sampling effort. We identified spatial clusters using
kernel density estimation and two local statics: Getis-Ord G and Local Moran’s I. Point data were
aggregated to equal-sized polygons to avoid aggregation biases related to size differences in
province-level aggregation. The local statistics were able to identify both clusters of low values
(polygons with few sampling localities) and clusters of high values (polygons with many sampling
localities). The Getis-Ord G and Moran’s I statistics identified similar high value clusters but cluster
extent differed between method thus it is important to utilize multiple cluster detection methods
during analysis. Clustering and bias can increase uncertainty in species distributions models for
Southeast Asian bats, thus steps should be taken to remove data clustering and bias through a priori
or a posteriori methods.
50
ABSTRACTS OF
POSTER PRESENTATION
51
Bat Souvenir Trade in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Nguyen Dang Hoang Vu1*, Nguyen Ngoc Tuan1, Nguyen Tran Vy1, & Joe Chun-Chia Huang2,3
1
Department of Biological Resources, Institute Tropical of Biology, Viet Nam Academy Science and Technology, Ho Chi
Minh City, Vietnam; 2Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, USA; 3Southeast Asia Bat
Conservation and Research Unit, Lubbock, USA; *Corresponding author: nguyendanghoangvu888@gmail.com
With the 125 species recorded, Vietnam represents one of the countries with highest bat richness
among the world. Tragically, bat fauna in Vietnam is currently threatened by various anthropogenic
activities, including bat souvenirs trade that recently reported by Lee et al. (2015) on Oryx. To further
understand bat souvenir trade in the country, we surveyed souvenir shops at five localities in Ho Chi
Minh City, southern Vietnam, from December 2014 to April 2015. Bat souvenirs were found in four
of which, namely Ben Thanh Market, Ben Thanh Night Market, Nguyen An Ninh Street, and Nguyen
Hue Street. At least four species, including the woolly painted bat (Kerivoula picta), a small tubenosed bat (Murina sp.), a small whisker bat (Myotis sp.), and a small Pteropodidae species, were
found. A bat pup of the family Vespertilionidae was also recorded. Bat souvenirs were made as dry
skin specimens preserved in woody boxes with nametags, usually two bats or a single bat mixed with
large arthropod specimens per set. The prices of bat souvenirs per set ranged from 20 to 37 USD.
Noteworthy, these shops were all located in the core tourism area in the city, and some of the owners
reported that they have sold the product for more than ten years. Moreover, although not documented
yet, all bat specimens were reported originally from nearby regions. We urgent that local authorities
should immediately react to the bat souvenir trading and associated hunting activities for mitigating
impacts to the target species in Vietnam.
BatCode: Integrating Education and Biodiversity Research Through DNA Barcoding
in Bats Across Southeast Asia
Susan M. Tsang1,2* & Stephen Harris1
1
Department of Biology, City College and the Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, USA;
2
Department of Mammalogy, American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA;
*Corresponding author: susan.m.tsang@gmail.com
DNA barcoding is increasingly used as a teaching tool for molecular biology at the secondary and
post-secondary level in the Americas. Through a combination of teaching theoretical background
knowledge and practical skills necessary to carry out a barcoding project, we have successfully
guided students in New York City and Belize to develop research questions to investigate their local
biodiversity. We have spent several years developing a portable DNA barcoding lab that functions in
tropical climates and requires no refrigeration. We aim to improve on this model for biodiversity
education by creating a unifying pipeline from education to long-term research objectives. We will
accomplish this by providing a taxonomic and regional framework—bats in Southeast Asia—an
ecologically important but taxonomically understudied group. The benefit of BatCode is that it will
provide opportunities for capacity building to local students, but also generate preliminary data for
local researchers to stimulate more in-depth taxonomic research. By bringing in a local expert, we
aim to increase project accountability and continuity since they too will be able to benefit from the
project. These data can also be repurposed for addressing questions related to biodiversity,
conservation, wildlife crimes, and more. Additionally, this project will allow for collection of
assessment data to determine the effectiveness of conservation education.
52
Guidelines for Describing the Structure of Echolocation Calls from Southeast Asia
Bats
Joe Chun-Chia Huang1,2*, Benjamin P. Y-H. Lee2,3,4, Matthew Struebig2,3, & Tigga Kingston1,2
1
Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, USA; 2Southeast Asia Bat Conservation and Research
Unit, Lubbock; USA; 3Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of
Kent, Canterbury, UK.; 4National Parks Board, Singapore; *Corresponding author: chun-chia.huang@ttu.edu
Acoustic techniques are a powerful tool for assessing spatio-temporal patterns of echolocating bat
diversity, responses to disturbance, behavioural interactions between individuals, and resolving
evolutionary relationships among closely-related species. One of the basic requirements to achieve
those goals is to describe echolocation calls adequately for estimating within-species plasticity and
between-species differentiation. This is challenging for Southeast Asia’s bat biologists because the
diversity of echolocation calls is among the highest in the world. Moreover, current descriptions of
echolocation calls come mainly from the Hipposideridae and Rhinolophidae, with broader species
coverage from only a handful of localities within the region or/and with small sample sizes. Even
within these limited studies, call parameters and structures vary within and among studies of the same
species. Furthermore, reviews of the existing studies reveal two issues that can substantially mislead
researchers in cross-study comparisons, namely: 1) lack of standard definitions of call descriptions
and measurements; 2) data presented without sufficient information of within-species variability (e.g.
mean with standard deviations; failure to report distinct phonic types). Moving forward, it is essential
that researchers in the region describe calls and present measurements in a consistent way for future
comparisons. Here we present guidelines for classifying call types and phonic types, defining call
parameters, and describing intra-specific variation. Lastly, we demonstrate how changes in the size of
Fast Fourier Transformation, a setting in time-expansion analysis, affect some common quantitative
measurements and phonic type assignment. A more detailed and complete guidelines will be provided
in a workshop during the conference.
Use and Characteristics of Plant Roosts of Cynopterus Bats in a Sumatran Coffee
Agriculture Landscape, Indonesia
Eka Sulpin Ariyanti1*, Elly L. Rustiati1, Meyner Nusalawo2, & Joe Chun-Chia Huang3
1
Department of Biology, College of Mathematics and Natural Sciences University of Lampung, Indonesia; 2Wildlife
Conservation Society Indonesia Program, Indonesia; 3Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, USA;
*Corresponding author: ekasulpina@yahoo.com
Roosts play critical roles for bats’ survival and reproduction. Understanding of roosting ecology is
essential, especially for species in human-modified landscapes. We studied the use and characteristics
of plant roosts of fruit bats in coffee plantations of Bukit Barisan Selatan Landscape, Sumatra,
Indonesia, in June - October 2012. Roosts were searched with a walking transect line design. We
assigned roost types by the utilization time (day, night), roost plant species, and canopy cover,
diameter at breast height (DBH), canopy height, height of the first main branch, and the distance to
the nearest trail. One hundred and twenty-two roosts of 21 plant species were found, including 110
night roosts and 12 day roosts. All bats found in the roosts were belonging to genus Cynopterus.
Campaka trees (Magnolia campaca) were most common for night roosts (n = 42) and coconut trees
(Cocos nucifera) (n = 8) for day roosts. Day roosts had higher canopies (10.9 ± 4.1 m) and first main
branches (7.6 ± 3.9 m), larger DBH (34.0 ± 11.3 cm), and shorter distances to trails (9.9 ± 15.8 m)
than night roosts (8.1 ± 2.7 m for canopy height, 3.7±2.3 m for first main branch, 19.0 ± 10.0 cm for
DBH, 26.3 ± 25.7 m for distance to trail) but similar in canopy cover (87.7% for day roosts and 96.0
% for night roosts). Since all roost plant species were grown by farmers, we conclude that high floral
diversity cultivation is a win-win management strategy for local people and fruit bats.
53
Roosting Behaviour of Lesser Dog-Faced Fruit Bats (Cynopterus brachyotis) in
Relation to Height and Surface Shade for Man-Made Structures
Zong Xian Lim*, W. M. Linn, Y. J. Chong, Rachel C. Y. Lim, & Kenneth Y. S. Kua
Faculty of Life Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore; *Corresponding author: zongxlim@gmail.com
There have been many studies done to investigate the roosting behaviours and site selection by bats in
the wild. Some of the common parameters considered are height, size of roost openings and the
surrounding environment of the roost site. However studies of roosting behaviours of fruit bats in
urban and manmade structures are still relatively scarce. We report on the roosting behaviour of
Cynopterus brachyotis observed at the Singapore Zoo. Data was collected to investigate the effect of
height and surface shade in the choice of bat roost selection. Bats were found to be roosting singly, in
harems and extremely large clusters. Using binary logistical regression analysis, it is found that
height plays a significant role in roost selection and whereas surface shade did not. The bats were
found to concentrate at heights of 3.5 m and 5.0 m whereas no association with surface shade.
Harems make up the majority of the sampled bat population and were found mainly at 3.5 m and 5.0
m. A particular large roost was observed at the orang utan enclosure, numbering at 136 bats with a
height of 6.3 m. Infrastructure in the Singapore Zoo at heights of 3.5 m and 5.0 m are probably ideal
for the establishment of harems. This study can perhaps help to inform the design and encouragement
of fruit bat roosts away from urban areas, so as to reduce human-wildlife conflict.
Present Status and Conservation Issues of the Daito Flying Fox, a Subspecies of the
Ryukyu Flying Fox, Endemic to Small Oceanic Islands
Masako Izawa* & Atsushi Nakamoto
Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, Senbaru 1, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan;
*Corresponding author: izawa@sci.u-ryukyu.ac.jp
The Daito flying fox (Pteropus dasymallus daitoensis) is one of the two endangered subspecies of the
Ryukyu flying fox (P. dasymallus) that is distributed in the Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan, and Philippines
and has 5–6 subspecies. It is listed as Critically Endangered (CR) in the Red List (RL) of Japan
(2012), and the Ryukyu flying fox is listed as Near Threatened (NT) in the IUCN RL (2008). The
population status of the Ryukyu flying fox varies among the islands. The Daito flying fox is endemic
to two small islands (total area, 42.5 km2) of the Daito Islands, which have a unique history of human
activity. These islands had been inhabited since 1900, and almost all the natural forests were cut and
converted to farmlands, which caused many native animals, including endemic species, to become
extinct due to habitat loss. However, the flying foxes survived by utilizing the remaining forests,
partly because of the lack of native predators and food from the artificially planted trees. A recent
survey showed that the population size was 300–400 individuals, which seems to be a stable range for
the past 10 years. The only natural threat to the population of the Daito flying fox is the direct and
indirect effects of typhoon. To further ensure stable population numbers, some artificial threats such
as decrease of natural habitats, predation by introduced animals, and accidental death by introduced
palms must be eliminated.
54
Economic Value and Challenges of Harvesting Guano Fertilizer from Bat Houses in
the MeKong Delta, Vietnam
Nguyen Dang Hoang Vu1*, Nguyen Ngoc Tuan1, Nguyen Tran Vy1, Joe Chun-Chia Huang2,3, &
Tigga Kingston2,3
1
Department of Biological Resources, Institute Tropical of Biology, Viet Nam Academy Science and Technology, Ho Chi
Minh City, Vietnam; 2Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, USA; 3Southeast Asia Bat
Conservation and Research Unit, Lubbock; USA; *Corresponding author: nguyendanghoangvu888@gmail.com
Recent conservation efforts suggest large artificial roosts, such as “bat houses”, may not only serve as
alternative sources of guano fertilizer but also provide opportunities to re-establish bat populations
and associated ecological services in disturbed landscapes. To achieve this goal, it is essential to
evaluate the economic benefits of harvesting guano fertilizer from the artificial roosts and the costs of
managing the roosts. In our pilot study, we surveyed bat houses in the Mekong Delta region of
southern Vietnam in April 2015. We recorded construction materials and dimensions of the houses
and bat species in the roosts. We also interviewed householders about the costs of roost construction,
the yield of guano, and the income from selling guano fertilizer. To date, we have surveyed seven bat
houses in the region. All houses were made of dry leaves of sugar palm (Borassus flabellifer) placed
in traditional thatched roof at a height of 6-7 m above the ground. The lesser yellow house bat
(Scotophilus kuhlii) was the only bat species observed in the roosts. The construction of one bat
house cost 400 – 450 USD. On average, every householder collected 1–3kg of guano/day/house and
sold it for 2 USD/kg, which brought a monthly income of 50 USD/householder. Noteworthy, threats
of in situ hunting activities for bush meat, population declines, and male-biased mortality were
reported by householders. Our next step is to seek solutions to prevent hunters from accessing the
houses and find other possible causes of the population declines.
Do Anthropogenic Disturbances of Habitats Promote the Transmission Risk for
Viruses?
Seltmann Anne1*, Struebig Matthew2,3, Czirjak Gábor A.4, Dehnhard Martin5, Kingston Tigga6,
Bernard Henry7, Drosten Christian8, Kurth Andreas9, & Voigt Christian C.1
1
Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Dept. of Evolutionary Ecology, Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315 Berlin,
Germany; 2University of Kent, Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation,
University Road, CT27NR Canterbury, UK; 3Queen Mary University of London, School of Biological & Chemical Sciences,
E14NS London, UK; 4Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Dept. of Wildlife Diseases, Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17,
10315 Berlin, Germany; 5Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Dept. of Reproduction Biology, Alfred-KowalkeStraße 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany; 6Texas Tech University, Dept. of Biological Sciences, 2500 Broadway, TX 79409 Lubbock,
USA; 7Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Institute of Tropical Biology & Conservation, Jalan UMS, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia;
8
University of Bonn, Institute for Virology, Sigmund-Freud-Straße 25, 53127 Bonn, Germany; 9Biosafety Level 4 Laboratory,
Robert-Koch Institute, Nordufer 20, 13353 Berlin, Germany; *Corresponding author: Seltmann@izw-berlin.de
Bats are pivotal partners in many plant-animal interactions and make up a large portion of the
mammalian biodiversity in Asian tropical forests. Yet, they may also carry pathogens and it is so far
poorly understood what factors may facilitate the transmission of bat-mediated pathogens. Here, we
ask if habitat disturbance causes stress-induced immune-suppression and increased virus prevalence
in bats according to their roosting habit and sociality. We work at the Stability of Altered Forest
Ecosystems project in Sabah, Malaysia, and sample old growth, selectively logged forests as well as
locations of future fragments before, during and after logging. We use a comparative approach in
congeneric bat species (Rhinolophus, Hipposideros and Kerivoula), where species differ either in
roost choice (caves versus plant structures) or sociality (group versus solitary living). Bats are
captured in harp traps to collect blood, faecal and urine samples as well as throat swabs. This study
will elucidate the role of physiological drivers in promoting the spill-over of viral diseases, and will
contribute to a better understanding of the bat fauna in Sabah in particular and Southeast Asia in
general.
55
Pollination Partners on Chiropterophilous-Like Mucuna macrocarpa
Shun Kobayashi1,2*, Tetsuo Denda3, Chi-Cheng Liao4, Yu-Hsiu Lin5, Atsushi Nakamoto3, & Masako
Izawa3
1
Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan;
Research Fellow of Japan Society for the Promotion of Science; 3Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru,
Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan; 4Department of Life Science, Chinese Culture University, 55 Hwa-Kang Road, YangMing-Shan, Taipei 11114, Taiwan; 5Endemic Species Research Institute, Taiwan, 1 Ming-Shen East Road, Chichi, Nantou 552,
Taiwan; *Corresponding author: cheirotonus.jambar@gmail.com
2
Mucuna flowers follow explosive opening mechanism in the first step of pollination. This process
exposes the stamens and pistil from the hard carina and is entirely dependent on animals (explosive
openers), because it cannot be initiated by plants. Explosive openers are considered as pollinators
because a large amount of pollen attaches to them when flowers open. Most Mucuna species have
specific openers, such as fruit bats. We investigated whether Mucuna macrocarpa, distributed from
Southeast Asia to Japan, specifically adapts to fruit bats. This study was conducted in three regions:
Okinawa-jima with living population of fruit bat; Kyushu with no recorded population of fruit bats;
and Taiwan where fruit bats are restricted only to small islands at present. The explosive opener in
Okinawa-jima is the Ryukyu flying-fox (Pteropus dasymallus), and those in Kyushu and Taiwan are
the Japanese macaque (Macac afuscata) and red-bellied squirrel (Callosciurus erythraeus),
respectively. The manner in which the squirrels caused the explosive opening of flowers was similar
to that by the flying-foxes, but varied from that by the macaques. Furthermore, macaques and
squirrels conducted diurnal visits, while flying-foxes did nocturnal visits. The proportion of
explosively opened inflorescence was lower in Kyushu than in the other two regions. These results
indicate that M. macrocarpa is possibly not chiropterophilic but mammal pollinated, because it
depends not only on fruit bats, which occurs only in the tropical and subtropical zone, but also on
other mammals. This flexibility can enable further widespread distribution of M. macrocarpa, even to
temperate zones.
Capturing Records of Old Aged Individuals of the Ryukyu Flying Fox Pteropus
dasymallus
Atsushi Nakamoto1*, Kazumitsu Kinjo2, & Masako Izawa1
1
Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, Senbaru 1, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan; 2Faculty of Law, Okinawa
International University, Ginowan 2-6-1, Ginowan, Okinawa 901-2701, Japan;
*Corresponding author: dasymallus@gmail.com
The lifespan of the target species constitutes critical information when planning a conservation
strategy for an endangered bat species. However, it is difficult to determine ecological longevity in
the wild because most chiropteran species generally have a long lifespan and low recovery rate in
capture-recapture surveys. The Ryukyu flying fox, Pteropus dasymallus, is a medium sized fruit bat
(BW = 450 g, FAL = 140 mm) that inhabits small islands in the Philippines, Taiwan, and the Ryukyu
archipelago of Japan, and is listed in the IUCN Red List as a Near Threatened species. We analysed
290 capture/collection records from long-term capture-recapture surveys with microchip
identification, which were conducted between 1995 and 2009, and obtained records for the maximum
ecological longevity of this species; the ages of two long-lived individuals were estimated at 7.5 and
at least 12 years, respectively. We discussed the ecological longevity of this species based on the
tooth-wearing patterns of captured individuals, maximum longevity records for captive individuals,
and information from the literature. We also confirmed that the degree of tooth wear is useful for
estimating approximate age in this species.
56
Elevation Gradients in Bat Diversity along the Southern Cross-Island Highway in
Yushan National Park, Taiwan
Ying-Yi Ho*, Chiung-Chen Cheng, Ya-Li Huang, Ming-Hung Hsu, Chi-Yu Huang, Shih-Yu Liang,
Jia-Ming Tsao,Hsien-Chung Lee, Hung-Yu Wang, Sin-Han Chen, & Hsueh-Wen Chang
Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan;
*Corresponding author: yho@staff.nsysu.edu.tw
Understanding the elevational gradient of variation in bat diversity is crucial for conservation action
in montane ecosystems. However, the patterns and underlying mechanisms were not well understood
so far. We compared patterns of species richness, relative abundance and distribution range of bats
and their presumably insect prey, Lepidoptera and Coleoptera, along the Southern Cross-Island
Highway in Yushan national park in Taiwan. From May to November in 2013, we used harp trapping,
mist netting, roost checking and sound recording to survey the bat fauna along a 1000-2700 m a.s.l
altitudinal gradient. Insects were also surveyed by hand net and light trap at ten sites. In total, we
recorded 12 species of bats (Hipposideridae, Rhinolophidae and Vespertilionidae), 178 Lepidopteran
species (21 families), and 24 Coleopteran species (15 families). Both bat and insect species richness
and abundance peaked at intermediate altitude. Rhinolophus formosae, Pipistrellus montanus and
Miniopterus schreibersii fuliginosus occurred at all elevational gradients and seasons, while some
species were restricted to the high or low altitude, or specific season. The results by harp trap and
sound recording were inconsistent. Most bat species were recorded by acoustic monitoring while
Murininae and Kerivoulinae were only documented by harp trap, suggesting the necessary of the
implementation of multi-approach for bat survey. Our results indicated an apparent elevational
variation in the geographical distribution of bats, and the high diversity of bats and insects may
reflect the intact and various montane forest habitats along the southern cross-island highway.
Systematics and Phylogeny of SE Asian Bats and Their Viruses – An Introduction to
Our Research Program
Tamás Görföl1,2, Gábor Kemenesi3, Ferenc Jakab3, Péter Estók4, & Gábor Csorba1*
1
Department of Zoology, Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest, Hungary; 2Institute for Veterinary Medical Research,
Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary; 3Virological Research Group,
JánosSzentágothai Research Center, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary; 4Department of Zoology, EszterházyKároly College,
Eger, Hungary; *Corresponding author: csorba@nhmus.hu
The exploration of tropical areas that are most heavily impacted by the biodiversity crisis is one of
the most urgent and most important basic research areas of our times. For several reasons, mammals
generate remarkable attention and bat taxonomy and systematics is one of the most important
research fields. One aim of our program is the systematic and phylogenetic investigation of tropical
Vespertilionids. This taxon is characterized by a high number of cryptic species and methods of
multi-variate statistics and molecular biology provide the necessary grounds for applied research such
as physiology, parasitology, virology and conservation biology. The other main asset of our program
is the virological analysis of bat samples. During the past decade, several groups of viruses with
human health hazard or interesting evolutionary relevance turned out to originate from bat hosts
(Hepadnaviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, Coronaviridae, Astroviridae, Caliciviridae etc.). There are three
directions of our virological examinations: PCR and real-time PCR screening of samples; virus
isolation procedure on multiple cell lines in appropriate biosafety level conditions; metagenomic
analyses on multiple sequencing platforms. Besides detecting and characterizing novel viruses, our
another important objective is the examination of local bat associated virological problems affecting
the local human and bat populations (i.e. Nipah virus).As knowledge distribution is an important task
of our program and we cannot be successful without the cooperation of local researchers, colleagues
working in SE Asia are welcome for collaboration.
57
Roost Characteristics and Group Composition of the Woolly bat (Kerivoula titania) in
Central Taiwan
Chia-Wei Hsu1*, Cheng-Han Chou2, Hsi-Chi Cheng2, & Jian-Nan Liu1
1
Department of Forestry and Natural Resource, National Chiayi University, Chiayi, Taiwan; 2Endemic Species Research
Institute, Nanton, Taiwan; *Corresponding author: s1030105@mail.ncyu.edu.tw
The woolly bat, Kerivoula titania, was first discovered in Taiwan in 1998. It was considered to roost
inside bamboos. Recently, woolly bats have been recorded in several occasions to roost in small
groups inside the furled leaves of plantains. In this study, we investigated the roost characteristics and
group composition of woolly bats in central Taiwan. From July 2014 to May 2015, with the aid of a
thermal imager, we found 105 out of 1,275 plantain leaf tubes used by woolly bats as day roosts. The
average height of plantain trees used by bats was 4.3±1.6 m and the average diameter size of the leaf
tube opening was 14.0±7.0 cm. We captured and banded 67 individuals, including 30 adult females,
15 adult males, 11 juvenile females and 11 juvenile males. By using a capture-recapture model
(CARE-2), the population size was estimated about 79 individuals in our study area during the period
of July-November 2014. The group size in each leaf tube varied between 1 to 13 individuals, with an
average of 4.0±2.6. The group composition varied among months.
Study of Georgian Bats on Reemerging Lyssavirus by DFA testing
Lela Urushadze1,3, Tamar Kutateladze1*, Tsiuri Tushishvili1, Magda Dgebuadze1,
IosebNatradze3,Lillian Orciari2, & A. Velasco-Villa2
1
NCDC Lugar Center, Georgia; 2 CDC Atlanta, USA; 3Ilia State University, Georgia;
*Corresponding author: tamar_kutateladze@yahoo.com
Bats are increasingly recognized as reservoirs of emerging zoonotic pathogens, such as Lyssaviruses,
Coronaviruses, Filoviruses. Decade ago, the West Caucasian Bat Virus was isolated from an
insectivorous bat (Miniopterus schreibersii), in ~300 km from the Georgian border. Commercially
available rabies biologics do not provide protection against WCBV. Rabies virus is a genus of
Lyssavirus and is listed as a priority pathogen by the Georgian ministries of Health and
Agriculture.Our goal was implementation of DFA testing methodology in Georgian Lugar Center for
detection different type of Lyssaviruses in Georgian bats. Bat Surveillance was conducted in five
regions of Georgia in June, 2012 and June 2014. 336 bats of 8 species were sampled. The BSL2+
facility at NCDC Lugar Center provided possibility for the Lyssavirus DFA study in Georgian Bats.
The most common diagnostic method used for rabies diagnosis is serological method such as the
direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) test. Brains from 336 bats were tested on presence of Lyssavirus
antigen by DFA. Samples were prepared, fixed in cold acetone, and stained with florescent
isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated anti-rabies monoclonal antibodies and examined under a
fluorescent microscope for Lyssavirus antigen. Study was supported by ISTC G-2101 project and
Atlanta, CDC collaborators stuff. None of the studied bats had detectable antigen consistent with an
active infection of rabies or a related Lyssavirus. Current study and correct interpretation of test
results, implementation of new diagnostic methods will improve surveillance system, control and
response measures for emerging pathogens in Georgia.
58
Epidemiological Overview of Rabies in Georgia
Ts.Tushishvili1*, T.Kutateladze1, L. Urushadze1,3, P. Imnadze1, & A. Velasco-Villa2
1
NCDC Lugar Center, Georgia,; 2CDC Atlanta, USA; 3Ilia State University, Georgia;
*Corresponding author: c.tushishvili@ncdc.ge
Rabies is among the urgent notifiable diseases in Georgia. Rabies data have been registered since
1930. Until 2011, rabies diagnosis in humans was based only on clinical symptoms. From 2011 saliva
samples from 8 human rabies cases were tested and laboratory confirmed by conventional PCR.
Annually ~ 40, 000 people receive rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Approximately 7-10
human rabies cases are documented in Georgia every year. In 2005 – 2014 years were registered 59
cases of Rabies. Among reported cases 76.3% (45 cases) were caused by bites of stray dogs, by
cat, wolf, fox -3.4% (2 cases) each, 1.7% (1 case) jackal and in 11.8% ( 7 cases) source is
unknown. Epidemiological for roosting investigation is conducted for all reported cases. Seven
unrecognized cases involved resulted in fatalities, as PEP was not administered. Rabies is caused not
only by RABV, but also other Lyssavirus. Decades ago West Caucasian Bat Virus (WCBV) was
isolated from an insectivorous bat (Miniopterus schreibersii) in ~ 300 km from the Georgian border.
Commercially available rabies biologics do not provide protection against WCBV. These and other
bat Lyssaviruses may be present in Georgia, with the opportunity for spillover infections to humans,
domestic animals and wild carnivores. Bats in Georgia use a variety of places for roosting including
house roofs. There is suspicion that unknown cases may be caused from bats exposure. Under
ongoing project supported by ISTC and CDC Atlanta we investigate bats collected during 2014
survey in various regions of Georgia. Study information is needed to develop Lyssavirus prevention
and control strategies for epidemiologists in future.
Population Dynamics of Black Bearded Tomb Bat Taphozous melanopogon at
Samaesarn Islands, Thailand
Kasidit Rison & Thongchai Ngamprasertwong*
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand;
*Corresponding author: thongchai.n@chula.ac.th
This study aims to monitor population dynamics of Black bearded tomb bat Taphozous melanopogon
in caves at Kham and Changkleua islets which located at Samaesarn islands, eastern Thailand,
between May 2014 and May 2015. Emergence count indicated that the population size of T.
melanopogon in both caves were quite stable throughout the year. The number of bats in caves at
Kham and Changkleua islets ranged between 230-315 individuals and 126-178 individuals,
respectively. Both male and female resided together in caves all year round. The beard character can
be found all year round in male. Females gave birth once a year between April and May and reared
their offspring during May to July. Flyable juveniles were found only in July. Few recapture rate
indicated high mobility of roosting bats in this area.
59
Morphological Analysis of Spotted-winged Fruit Bat (Pteropodidae: Balionycteris
maculata) in Malaysia
Nur Mukminah Naharuddin1*, Mohd Tajuddin Abdullah4, Faisal Ali Anwarali Khan2, Mohd Zacaery
Khalik2, Roberta Chaya Tawie Tingga3 & Mohd Ridwan Abd. Rahman3*
1
Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, 2Department of Zoology, Faculty Resource Science and
Technology, 3Centre for Pre University Studies, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia;
4
Centre for Kenyir Ecosystems, Kenyir Research Institute, University Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Terengganu,
Malaysia; *Corresponding authors: nurmukminah@gmail.com; ridwanrahman2@gmail.com
The spotted-winged fruit bat, Balionycteris maculata, is among the smallest fruit bats that inhabit
Southeast Asia. Currently, two subspecies of B. maculata is recognised. Balionycteris maculata
maculate is restricted to Borneo, whereas B. maculata seimundi are distributed in Peninsular
Malaysia, Sumatra, and adjacent Indonesian Islands. Although genetic data support high genetic
divergence between Peninsular Malaysia and Bornean samples, data on morphological variation
between these localities are still lacking. To further test on this subspecific rank status, samples of B.
maculate from Sarawak (N=16), Sabah (N=7) and Peninsular Malaysia (N=7) were subjected to
analysed using 14 external and 18 craniodental characters. Discriminant function analysis (DFA) was
performed on external and craniodental characters separately. Three clusters corresponding to their
geographic origin were able to be recovered in canonical discriminant plot for craniodental characters
but not for external characters. The third digit metacarpal length (D3MCL) for the external character
and dentary length (DL) for the craniodental characters were chosen as the predictors to differentiate
between the B. maculata group studied here. This finding shows that the morphological variation
exist among the different population of B. maculata in Malaysia, thus support the recognition of
separate lineages as recognised through the high mitochondrial genetic variation between Peninsular
Malaysia and Borneo.
Roost Site Preferences for Cave-Dwelling Bats in Wind Cave Nature Reserve, Bau,
Sarawak
Muhd Amsyari Morni1*, Qhairil Shyamri Rosli1, Julius William Dee1, Mohd Tajuddin Abdullah2,
Roberta Chaya Tawie Tingga3, Faisal Ali Anwarali Khan1, & Mohd Ridwan Abdul Rahman3
1
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan,
Sarawak, Malaysia; 2Kenyir Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu;
3
Center for Pre-University, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia;
*Corresponding author: amsyari.morni92@gmail.com
Cave roost plays a major role in supporting complex diversity of bats. Roosting sites in general
provides protection to the bats from their predator, unfavourable weather condition and a place to
enter into torpor and hibernation as the environment change for a long period of time. Studies on
roost ecology provide important knowledge on how bats partition their roost specifically cave
microhabitat among different species. To understand the role of cave microhabitat, we have
conducted roost preferences studies in Wind Cave Nature Reserve (WCNR), Bau, Sarawak. The
parameters that were recorded include roost temperature and humidity, distance of the roosting site
from the nearest cave entrance, light intensity at the roosting site and sound intensity at the bat’s roost
site. HOBO data logger was used for taking temperature and humidity reading, Leica Disto D3 range
finder was used to measure the roost distance, light intensity were determined by the level of
brightness observed by researcher and sound intensity were recorded by using Decibel Meter Version
1.6 application. There were 10 species of bats from five families that were found roosting in WCNR.
Our study revealed that there were preferences between bat species based on these five parameters
that dictate where these bats roost in the cave. Knowing these parameters provide better
understanding of cave dwelling bats roost selection, thus enable us to monitor these parameters for
the conservation of the bats in WCNR.
60
Bats Assemblage in Wind Cave Nature Reserve
Julius William Dee1*, Muhd Amsyari Morni1, Qhairil Shyamri Rosli1, Mohd Tajuddin Abdullah2,
Roberta Chaya Tawie Tingga3, Faisal Ali Anwarali Khan1, & Mohd Ridwan Abdul Rahman3
1
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan,
Sarawak, Malaysia; 2Kenyir Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu;
3
Center for Pre-University, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia;
*Corresponding author: julius9214@yahoo.com
Limestone areas in Borneo have been the main attraction for researchers to study the diversity of bats
as they support a large colony of bats. Information on what species is presence in an area is crucial
for developing conservation plan and management and also helps in promoting ecotourism in Wind
Cave Nature Reserve. Thus, a species diversity study of chiropteran was conducted at the limestone
cave of WCNR using harp traps, mist nets and hand-net. The study was conducted starting from
September 2013 to March 2014. A total of 296 individuals from 22 species and six families were
recorded in this study. The most abundance species recorded was Penthetor lucasi, with 138
individuals followed by Hipposideros cervinus (49 individuals). P. lucasi and H. cervinus comprised
46% and 16% of the total individuals caught respectively. Megaderma spasma was caught using
hand-net while roosting in the cave. Five species of bats, H. bicolor, K. papillosa, K. pellucida, M.
montivagus, and N. tragata, were caught as singletons. New record for WCNR, namely Kerivoula
papillosa, Myotis montivagus, Myotis ater, Nycteris tragata, M. spasma, H. ater, and H. bicolor
making it 26 species known inhabited WCNR.
Roost Site Mapping of Cave-Dwelling Bats in Wind Cave Nature Reserve, Bau,
Sarawak, Malaysia
Qhairil Shyamri Rosli1*, MuhdAmsyari Morni1, Julius William Dee1, Mohd Tajuddin Abdullah2,
Roberta Chaya Tawie Tingga3, Faisal Ali Anwarali Khan1, & Mohd Ridwan Abd Rahman3
1
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan,
Sarawak, Malaysia; 2Kenyir Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu;
3
Center for Pre-University, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia;
Terengganu, Malaysia; *Corresponding author: qhairilshyamri@yahoo.com
A roost survey of cave-dwelling bats in Wind Cave Nature Reserve (WCNR) was conducted for 11
days from July 2013 until April 2014. This study aims to locate and describes the roosting ecology of
cave-dwelling bats. The null hypothesis being tested was there is no association between roosting
ecology and bats assemblages. Observation of bats roost was conducted during the day between 0900
until 1400 hours using transect method. EM3+ dial bat detector was used to record bats echolocation
calls for species identification. Roosting ecology parameter was recorded for each roost comprises of
colony sizes, spatial arrangement of bats, roost posture and also position of roost. A total of 462
observations were made and recorded five families of bats comprising of 11 species of bats. This
species includes Penthetor lucasi, Megaderma spasma, Myotis horsfieldii, Rhinolophus borneensis, R.
affinis, Hipposideros ater, H. diadema, H. larvatus, H. cervinus, H. coxi and H. galeritus. The most
abundant species observed was P. lucasi, most roost observations was M. horsfieldii with 136
observations and Hipposideridae with the highest number of species with 6 species. Chi-square test
obtained p=<0.05 shows association exist between roost behaviour with bats assemblages. Finally, a
location map was produced based on the data obtained showing the range of roosting bats for each
bats assemblages.
61
Preliminary Study on Population Genetic of Spotted-Winged Fruit Bat (Pteropodidae:
Balionycteris maculata) in Sarawak
Rafik Murni1*, M. T. Abdullah2, Faisal Ali Anwarali Khan3, Mohd Ridwan Abdul Rahman4, Mohd
Zacaery Khalik3, & Roberta Chaya Tawie Tingga4
1
Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak,
Malaysia; 2Kenyir Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Terengganu; 3Department of Zoology,
Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, 4Centre for Pre University Studies, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota
Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia; *Corresponding author: rafikmurni@gmail.com
The study of population genetic of Balionycteris maculata in Sarawak was conducted from 14 April
2012 until 12 May 2013. The aims of this study were to investigate the intraspecific relationship of B.
maculata populations using the partial mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b (cytb) gene sequence and to
examine the population structure of B. maculata populations in Sarawak. A total of 25 individuals
were examined and were grouped into three populations in Sarawak namely north, middle and south
Sarawak. From the phylogenetic analyses and minimum spanning network, there were no major
cluster within the species and suggest that this species underwent a recent population expansion. The
Ho is accepted where there are no significant differences in genetic variations of B. maculata from
three populations in Sarawak.This suggest that all samples from Sarawak represent single lineage.
Identifying bats in an unknown acoustic realm using a semi-automated approach to
the analysis of large scale full spectrum datasets
Kyle N. Armstrong1* & Ken P. Aplin2*
1
Specialised Zoological; Department of Genetics and Evolution, The University of Adelaide, South Australia; South Australian
Museum, Adelaide, South Australia; 2Ken Aplin Fauna Studies Pty Ltd; Smithsonian Institution;
*Corresponding authors: kyle.n.armstrong@gmail.com, aplin.ken@gmail.com
Identifying bat species from acoustic recordings of echolocation made on environmental impact
assessments in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is the “perfect storm” of challenges, but brings the
opportunity to overcome some obstacles common to acoustic surveys in poorly surveyed areas. Prior
to several recent development projects, the acoustic realm of the PNG bat fauna was almost
completely undocumented. Adding to the challenge, recent models of autonomous ultrasonic
acoustic recorders provide information-rich full spectrum data, though in considerable amounts,
which precludes analysis by manual inspection on all but the smallest projects. There are various
commercial software options for analysing such data, but some underlying analysis systems are not
available for developing protocols for new assemblages, and feedback outputs for verification or
further analysis can be disappointingly limited. Alongside a steadily growing reference call
collection and understanding of echolocation call types in PNG, we developed a semi-automated
approach using a combination of commercially available software, custom R language scripts and
statistical analysis to allow expedient analysis of massive datasets, efficient manual checking of all
identifications and the means to completely avoid spurious outputs representing false positive
identifications. The approach is adapted readily to new geographic regions and bat assemblages,
takes advantage of a new classification nomenclature for bat call types in undocumented faunas and
provides complete transparency and control over the analysis process. By reducing the effort
required for acoustic analysis, the approach eradicates any associated encumbrance that would limit
site replication, which is fundamental in inventory surveys striving for completeness, and provides
more power for community-level analysis in combination with other site, phylogenetic and trait data.
62
A Global Online Bat Call Database: Updates and Progress
Simon K.A. Robson1*, Kyle N. Armstrong2*, & Jeremy Vanderwal1,3*
1
Centre for Tropical Biodiversity and Climate Change, College of Marine and Environmental Science, James Cook University;
2
Department of Genetics and Evolution, The University of Adelaide, South Australia; South Australian Museum, Adelaide,
South Australia; 3eResearch, College of Marine and Environmental Science, James Cook University;
*Corresponding authors: simon.robson@jcu.edu.au, kyle.armstrong@adelaide.edu.au, jeremy.vanderwal@jcu.edu.au
The ability to access and contribute to an online reference library of bat echolocation calls represents
a tremendous opportunity for scientists, government, industry and NGO’s, capitalising on the value
of remote sensing combined with big data and new data analytical techniques. The Atlas of Living
Australia and CSIRO, in collaboration with the Australasian Bat Society, have taken the first key
steps and collated a call library of over 1.5 million files in a prototype database. A new WWW portal
providing access to this database is currently under construction at James Cook University and will
be maintained by the Centre for Tropical Biodiversity and Climate Change and eResearch. The
database will allow not only for both uploading and downloading of example reference and
representative calls, but also the curation of bulk raw recordings. The latter category can
accommodate data collected as part of environmental impact studies, and also long term research
projects that collect data continuously, such as at the Daintree Rainforest Observatory in Queensland
and a planned project in Sabah, Malaysia. The existence of a global database is providing exciting
opportunities for large-scale collaborations and echolocation recording networks, and we are in the
process of inviting colleagues to beta-test and provide feedback on this system.
Using Metabolic and Thermal Profiles to Assess Climate Change Vulnerability in an
Arboreal Tropical Bat: Does Heterothermy Provide a Pre-adaptive Advantage?
Shaun Welman1*, Andrew Alex Tuen2 , & Barry G. Lovegrove1
1
School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa; 2Institute of Biodiversity and
Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia, Sarawak, Malaysia;
*Corresponding author:shaun.welman@gmail.com
Given that recent climate change models suggest an unprecedented rate at which the average global
temperature (Ta) will increase, establishing a robust pragmatic approach to evaluating species
thermoregulatory capabilities and tolerances is paramount. Although predictions indicate that the
tropics will experience less severe T a increases, many tropical endotherms are already exposed to T as
close to their body temperatures (Tbs). Of these, arboreal species are potentially most vulnerable to
heat stress. We investigated the concurrent effect of T a (22°C – 36°C) on metabolism and core T b in
an arboreal tropical bat species, using wild caught lesser dog-faced fruit bats (Cynopterus brachyotis).
Bats typically entered into torpor at T as below 30°C and maintained a T b-Ta gradient of ca. 4-6°C
while torpid. At higher T as, an abrupt increase in metabolism at 33°C, suggested 32°C as the upper
critical limit of thermoneutrality (T uc), above which bats maintained a T b-Ta gradient of < 2°C.
Thermal conductance remained relatively low and stable at T as below 34°C, where after a massive
increase was observed, indicating the possible onset of heat stress. However, the low T b-Ta gradients
observed at Tas above Tuc, in combination with a Q10 value of < 2 between Tuc and 36°C, suggests
that bats were be able to respond to the heat stress by entering into a hypometabolic state or
“hyperthermic torpor”. The potential of these bats (and possibly other heterotherms) to down-regulate
metabolism at high Tas would retard increases in T b and may aid them in better coping with global
warming.
63
Mitochondrial DNA Structure of Lyles's Flying Fox Pteropus lylei
Thongchai Ngamprasertwong1*, Vibol Hul2, Julien Cappelle3,4, & Somsak Panha1
1
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; 2Institut Pasteur du Cambodge,
Virolgy Unit, Phnom Penh, Cambodia; 3CIRAD, AGIRs, Montpellier, F-34398, France; 4Institut Pasteur du Cambodge,
Epidemiology and Public Health Unit, Phnom Penh, Cambodia; *Corresponding author: thongchai.n@chula.ac.th
Lyle’s flying fox Pteropus lylei is one of the major reservoirs for Nipah virus in Southeast
Asia. Several outbreaks of this virus occurred in many areas of South East Asian and South Asia in
the last decade. More than 200 people in those areas have died due to this viral infection since
1998. An accurate understanding of the potential for epidemiology spread and disease risk requires
an understanding of population ecology and population genetic structure of the primary host. This
study investigated the spatial distribution of mitochondrial DNA diversity among Lyle’s flying fox
populations in order to clarify their population genetic structure and characterize the potential
epidemiology spread of Nipah virus among bat populations. The current mitochondrial DNA survey
suggested the genetic homogeneity of mtDNA among Lyle’s flying fox populations in Thailand and
Cambodia.
Values of Forest Patches in Conserving Bat Diversity on Penang Island, Malaysia
Nur Izzati Abdullah1, Joe Chun-Chia Huang2, Faisal Ali Anwarali Khan3, Mohd Abdul Muin Md
Akil4, Shahrul Anuar Mohd Sah4, & Lee-Sim Lim1*
1
School of Distance Education, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Penang, Malaysia; 2Department of Biological Sciences,
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA; 3Department of Zoology, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology,
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia; 4School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia,
11800, Penang, Malaysia; *Corresponding author: leesim.lim@usm.my
The natural habitats on Penang Island has been largely transformed for urban and industry
developments over the past century. Only few relative large forests are remained as reserves and the
other forest patches are usually small and discontinuously distributed within agricultural and urban
landscapes. The values of these forest patches and forest-like habitats (e.g. orchard) in conserving the
island’s bat diversity are understudied. We surveyed bat diversity with harp traps and mist nets at five
forest sites and two orchard sites in continuous forest, agriculture, and urban landscapes from
November 2014 to May 2015. A total of 398 individuals from 22 bat species of six families were
recorded. Cynopterus brachyotis was the most abundant species across sites, followed by
Rhinolophus affinis. The two sites in agriculture landscapes, regardless habitat types, had higher
values of Simpson Index (0.16 for the forest site and 0.37 for the orchard site) than sites in forest
landscapes (0.41-0.46, n = 3) and urban landscapes (0.46 and 0.50, n = 2). The results suggest that
species compositions in agriculture landscapes were more even than other landscapes. With an
estimate of over 60 species, we suggest that the small sample size in our study may underestimate the
overall species diversity for Penang Island. We will include more sample sites to justify the patterns
reported here and more comparisons of bat assemblage structure in forest patches among the three
study landscapes. The values of forest patches within each landscape on conserving Penang’s forest
bats will be discussed.
64
Species Abundance and Body Size Relationship of Volant Mammal (Chiroptera) in
Western Sarawak
Noorshazlin M. Samsudin, Ahmad F. Aziz, & Charlie J. Laman*
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan,
Sarawak, Malaysia; *Corresponding author: cjlaman@frst.unimas.my
Data for body size abundance relationship came from two sources; primary and secondary sources.
The sampling was conducted at Permai Rainforest Resort on 2nd of November until 6th of November.
The study area was divided into two different sites, Site A (1°45.415’ N and 110°19.032’ E) and Site
B (1°45.491’ N and 110°18.967’ E). Meanwhile, secondary data were retrieved from published and
unpublished data. The secondary data consists of data from sampling done at Damai Golf and
Country Club, Sarawak Golf Club, Gunung Gading National Park, Mount Jagoi, Mount Singai and
Wind Cave Nature Reserve. Regression analysis was used as statistical technique for modelling the
relationship between a dependent variable and one or more independent variables were analysed
using SPSS version 21.0. A total of 1024 individuals consist of 35 bat species from six families were
recorded. The most dominant species was Dusky Fruit Bat (Penthetor lucasii) with total of 410
individuals. All the localities show positive relationship which means the abundance of bats increases
as the body mass increases. The results shown were opposite to the one proposed by Energetic
Equivalence Rule.
65
66
67
68
69
70