Ancient spotted bat samples help researchers understand present-day population dynamics
Understanding changes in North American bat populations is critical to measuring the risk of extinction from emerging threats such as habitat loss, climate change, white-nose syndrome and other disturbances. A study published Oct. 7, 2026, in the journal PLOS One by Faith M. Walker of Northern Arizona University in the U.S. and colleagues describes a research design involving the genetic analysis…
A recent study published in PLOS One on October 7, 2026, sheds light on the population dynamics of the North American spotted bat (Euderma maculatum) through the analysis of ancient, modern, and contemporary biological samples. The research, led by Faith M. Walker from Northern Arizona University, examines the genetic diversity and structure of spotted bats across three time frames and their range in western North America.
The study collected samples from 121 individual bats, encompassing live captures, historical specimens from museum collections dating from 1904 to 1991, contemporary specimens from 1994 to 2025, and six ancient specimens retrieved from a northern Arizona cave, with carbon-14 dating placing their ages between approximately 120 and 2,100 years before 1950.
By integrating genetic data from these diverse samples, researchers were able to discern the genetic differences between northern and southern spotted bat populations, highlighting the importance of preserving genetically diverse core populations and isolated relict lineages.
The southwestern United States emerged as a critical reservoir of genetic diversity for the species, while northern populations exhibited lower genetic diversity, potentially making them more vulnerable to environmental changes. This finding underscores the need for targeted conservation efforts to protect the genetic variability and resilience of spotted bat populations across their range.
The research emphasizes that genetic analysis provides valuable insights into the connectivity, isolation, and long-term persistence of elusive species like the spotted bat, informing more effective conservation strategies.
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