Ecological and epidemiological plasticity of bats in an urban context
The goal of this project is to study the ecological plasticity of bats and the epidemiology of their infectious agents in the context of urbanization.
To better integrate bat conservation into urban development projects, the study relies on monitoring techniques for bats developed by the UMR PIMIT. These methods will be used to gather insights into the biology and behavior of the reunion free-tailed bat occupying an abandoned building and to assess the potential impacts of nearby urbanization on this species. The initial state of the colony will be evaluated and tracked over several consecutive years, focusing on:
1 | Demographic characteristics of the colony: Monitoring changes in colony size and assessing its composition by age, sex, and reproductive status.
2 | Habitat use in the surrounding area: Tracking individual movements and identifying alternative roosts used within the roosting network.
3 | Colony "health": Evaluating dietary patterns, stress levels, infection rates, and gut microbiota composition.
The project’s findings will contribute to assess the potential impact of developing an eco-district on the Reunion free-tailed bat population. They will also support recommendations for improving wildlife safety and quality of life, while encouraging responsible behavior among urban users. Additionally, the results will promote public awareness of bat conservation by simplifying scientific knowledge and incorporating it into a cultural and tourist trail.
