THE ROLE OF BATS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HARMFUL ORGANISMS AND THE USE OF BATS AS BIOINDICATORS

Year 2025, Volume: 16 Issue: 1, 22 - 27, 05.05.2025

Adem Teke

https://doi.org/10.38137/vftd.1574232

Abstract

Bats are the second most species-rich group of mammals after rodents. Compared to other mammals of similar body size, they exhibit greater longevity. The majority of bat species are insectivorous. Exclusion experiments allow for the assessment of bats' effectiveness in controlling insect populations in specific regions. Molecular diet studies facilitate the identification of insect species consumed by bats. In some countries, bat houses have been established as a biological control strategy against harmful insect species. However, there is insufficient scientific research regarding the effectiveness of these bat houses. Studies suggest that bats could serve as bioindicators for certain habitats, particularly those associated with their foraging areas, such as rivers and agricultural ecosystems. Furthermore, due to their sensitivity to ecological changes, bats are considered potential indicators for monitoring climate change. Their long lifespan compared to other mammals, combined with dietary exposure to pesticides, highlights their significance in biomonitoring studies. This exposure makes bats valuable bioindicators of environmental pollution. This review aims to discuss the role of bats in controlling harmful insect populations and to highlight their potential as bioindicators. Additionally, it seeks to identify new scientific research areas related to bats.

Keywords

Bioaccumulation , bioindicator , pesticide , bat , bat house

ZARARLI ORGANİZMALARLA MÜCADELEDE YARASALARIN ROLÜ VE YARASALARIN BİYOİNDİKATÖR OLARAK KULLANILMASI

Abstract

Yarasalar, kemirgenlerden sonra en çok türe sahip memelilerdir. Vücut büyüklüklerine göre diğer memelilerden daha uzun yaşarlar. Yarasa türlerinin büyük çoğunluğu böcekçildir. Dışlama deneyleri ile belirli bir bölgede böceklerle mücadelede yarasaların etkinliği ölçülebilmektedir. Moleküler diyet çalışmaları yarasaların tükettikleri böcek türlerinin belirlenmesini sağlamaktadır. Bazı ülkelerde yarasa evleri kurularak zararlı böcek türleriyle biyolojik mücadelede yapılmaktadır. Ancak yarasa evlerinin etkinliği konusunda yeterli bilimsel çalışma mevcut değildir. Yarasaların bazı habitatlar için biyoindikatör olarak kullanılabileceğine yönelik araştırmalar mecvuttur. Bu habitatların yarasaların beslenme alanları olan nehirler ile tarımsal ekosistemler olabileceği görüşü mevcuttur. Aynı zamanda yarasaların ekolojik değişimlere olan hassasiyetlerinden dolayı iklim değişikliğinin takibinde de kullanılabileceği düşünülmektedir. Öte yandan diğer memelilere göre uzun ömürlü olması ve diyetlerinden kaynaklı pestisitlere maruz kalmaları yarasaların biyobirikim çalışmaları için önemini göstermektedir. Bu durum yarasaları çevre kirliliği için önemli bir biyoindikatör kılmaktadır. Bu derleme ile zararlı böceklerle mücadelede yarasaların etkinliğini tartışmak ve biyoindikatör olarak potansiyelini ortaya koymak hedeflenmiştir. Ayrıca yarasalarla ilgili yeni bilimsel çalışma alanları belirlenmeye çalışılmıştır.

Keywords

Biyobirikim , biyoindikatör , pestisit , yarasa , yarasa evi

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