La Tour du Valat

Institut de recherche pour la conservation des zones humides méditerranéennes

Titre :	Will climate change leave some desert bat species thirstier than others?
Auteurs :	Lucas K. Hall, Auteur ; Connor T. Lambert, Auteur ; Randy T. Larsen, Auteur ; Robert N. Knight, Auteur ; Brock R. McMillan, Auteur
Type de document :	Article
Dans :	Biological Conservation (201 SEP 2016)
Article en page(s) :	284-292
Langues:	Anglais
Résumé :	The combined effects of global climate change and increased anthropogenic use of free water are likely to cause decreases in availability and surface area of water in arid environments. Climate change and water loss are predicted to alter community dynamics, but identifying mechanisms underlying differential responses of species remains a critical conservation challenge. Bats drink in flight and rely on accessible water sources, yet the ability to access water is a function of flight maneuverability. By reducing the size of water sources (to simulate predicted water loss due to climate change/increased human use), we demonstrated species-specific responses by desert bats based on differences in morphology and flight maneuverability. Under natural conditions, less-maneuverable bats selected larger water sources while maneuverable bats exhibited no preference. When we experimentally reduced surface area, larger, less-maneuverable bats experienced a 69% decrease in the proportion of drinking attempts that were successful (p

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