Why it's no last orders for the Tequila bat

Date:
July 6, 2020
Source:
University of Bristol
Summary:
Scientists studying the 'near threatened' tequila bat, best known
for its role in pollinating the Blue Agave plant from which the
drink of the same name is made from, have analyzed its DNA to help
inform conservationists on managing their populations.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Native to the Americas, the tequila bat (Leptonycteris yerbabuenae) lives
in caves in some of the hottest desert areas in Mexico. Given that bats
are highly mobile, and that migratory species tend to mix constantly
with other bat populations, it is hard for conservationists to know
whether they are protecting the best sites for the tequila bats to roost.


========================================================================== While known that some tequila bat populations migrate in Mexico's spring
months to the Sonoran Desert to give birth to their pups and pollinate
a variety of plants iconic to the region, including the economically
important Blue Agave plant. Other tequila bat populations inhabit Southern Mexico year-round, forming large breeding colonies in the winter months.

This study aimed to help better inform conservationists of the species' breeding and migratory patterns by determining whether the bats inhabiting Southern Mexico year-round have a similar ancestral origin to those that migrate to the Sonoran Desert.

DNA analysis was necessary to understand how historical events may have
shaped current tequila bat populations. But first, an international team, comprising researchers from the University of Bristol, the Centro de Investigacio'n Cienti'fica y de Educacio'n Superior de Ensenada and
the Universidad Nacional Auto'noma de Me'xico, had to track down the
elusive creatures by travelling to remote caves in Mexico to collect
DNA skin samples.

Bat expert, Angelica Menchaca (PhD) from Bristol's School of Biological Sciences who led the study, said: "Tequila bats are beautiful,
especially after they arrive back from feeding as they return covered
in pollen, completely yellow, a sign of how important they are to this ecosystem. They are easy to handle, not like other bat species that can
be more aggressive.

"However, our expedition to the desert was not without hitches and
dangers. We were often hiking in temperatures routinely exceeding 40DEGC
and encountering desert wildlife such as rattle snakes, scorpions, hares, reptiles and ring- tailed cats along the way.



========================================================================== "Once we located the bat colony, our aim was to collect DNA skin samples
from the bat's wing which heals quickly and doesn't harm them. We
would wait until the bats went out to forage at around midnight and
then enter the caves that were filled with thousands of baby bats, all
packed together in nurseries, waiting for their mums to return." Bats are subject to many threats around the world. Their populations are threatened
by habitat loss, their roosts are often disturbed, and people fear them
both from myths and as potential disease carriers. Bat-phobia is only increasing in our current climate. However, despite their often-negative
press, bats are very valuable to ecosystems and the benefits they bring
to our societies including the popular beverage tequila.

After analysing samples, the team were able to identify the bats'
mitochondrial DNA and use this to trace the maternal line of the different populations to understand the ancestral descent of the species.

Explaining the findings, Dr Menchaca added: "Contrary to current
practice, our study demonstrates that the species must be managed as
two conservation units (CUs) in Mexico. We have shown that tequila bat populations that establish maternity colonies in the Sonoran Desert in
northern Mexico show a distinct migratory behaviour, breed during the
summer, have specific habitat requirements and belong to a maternal line distinct to their southern counterparts.

"In the present context of an accelerated rate of habitat loss, increased
fear of bats and decreased appreciation as ecosystem service providers, understanding how we can help support this important species survive
these threats is even more relevant.

"We are studying other differences related to their behaviour and
morphology that will also help us understand how these bats adapt to
diverse habitats." Importantly, this research will be used to help inform conservation management strategies, as the tequila bat is considered
"Near Threatened" by the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Bristol. Note: Content
may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Angelica Menchaca, Maria Clara Arteaga, Rodrigo A. Medellin, Gareth
Jones. Conservation units and historical matrilineal structure in
the tequila bat (Leptonycteris yerbabuenae). Global Ecology and
Conservation, 2020; 23: e01164 DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01164 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200706113931.htm

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