What question did this study set out to answer?

To document and evaluate the lethal impacts of climate change-driven heatwaves on temperate forest-dwelling bats.

May 1, 2025Ecology and EvolutionOpen Access

Climate Change‐Driven Heatwaves Pose Lethal Risks to Newborn Forest Bats

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Authors

DRDanilo RussoMuseum für Naturkunde AMAnne MäenurmSèleco (Italy)LCLuca CistroneCa' Foscari University of Venice

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Implication

Observational study reveals heatwave-induced mortality in juvenile forest bats, indicating that extreme temperatures and habitat fragmentation create lethal ecological traps.

Key Points

To document and evaluate the lethal impacts of climate change-driven heatwaves on temperate forest-dwelling bats.
Field monitoring conducted in a forest fragment in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, northeastern Italy, during the summers of 2023 and 2024 during periods of extreme heat (Tmax ≥ 30°C).
Laboratory necropsies performed on collected carcasses of juvenile common noctules (Nyctalus noctula) to assess viral infections, nutritional status, and signs of heat-induced physiological stress.
Identified 17 dead juvenile common noctules recovered beneath roost tree cavities during extreme heat periods (Tmax ≥ 30°C).
Necropsies confirmed cause of death was consistent with heat-related stress, with no viral infections present and evidence of recent feeding in several individuals.
Documented mortality represents an undercount due to carcass scavenging and undetected deaths within cavities, suggesting fragmented forest edges may act as ecological traps.

Cite This Study

Russo et al. (2025) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aad0caff627e811e2dc0850 https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71350

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Implication

Observational study reveals heatwave-induced mortality in juvenile forest bats, indicating that extreme temperatures and habitat fragmentation create lethal ecological traps.

Climate Change‐Driven Heatwaves Pose Lethal Risks to Newborn Forest Bats

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Climate Change‐Driven Heatwaves Pose Lethal Risks to Newborn Forest Bats

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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