Characterizing wing tears in common pipistrelles (Pipistrellus pipistrellus):investigating tear distribution, wing strength, and possible causes
Bats have large, thin wings that are particularly susceptible to tearing. Anatomical specializations, such as fiber reinforcement, strengthen the wing and increase its resistance to puncture, and an extensive vasculature system across the wing also promotes healing. We investigated whether tear posi...
Published in: | Journal of Mammalogy |
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Online Access: | https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/publications/99044f63-7711-4ac0-91c4-3e76594789c7 https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyz081 |
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ftumanchesterpub:oai:pure.atira.dk:publications/99044f63-7711-4ac0-91c4-3e76594789c7 2023-11-12T04:24:43+01:00 Characterizing wing tears in common pipistrelles (Pipistrellus pipistrellus):investigating tear distribution, wing strength, and possible causes Khayat, Rana O S Shaw, Kirsty J. Dougill, Gary Melling, Louise M Ferris, Glenn Cooper, Glen Grant, Robyn A 2019-06-04 https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/publications/99044f63-7711-4ac0-91c4-3e76594789c7 https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyz081 eng eng info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess Khayat , R O S , Shaw , K J , Dougill , G , Melling , L M , Ferris , G , Cooper , G & Grant , R A 2019 , ' Characterizing wing tears in common pipistrelles (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) : investigating tear distribution, wing strength, and possible causes ' , Journal of Mammalogy . https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyz081 bat wing collagen elastin healing material testing plagiopatagium wing tear article 2019 ftumanchesterpub https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyz081 2023-10-30T09:17:44Z Bats have large, thin wings that are particularly susceptible to tearing. Anatomical specializations, such as fiber reinforcement, strengthen the wing and increase its resistance to puncture, and an extensive vasculature system across the wing also promotes healing. We investigated whether tear positioning is associated with anatomy in common pipistrelles (Pipistrellus pipistrellus). Wing anatomy was described using histological techniques, imaging, and material testing. Tear information, including type, position, time in rehabilitation, and possible causes, was collected from rehabilitators of injured bats across the United Kingdom. Results suggest that the position of the plagiopatagium (the most proximal wing section to the body), rather than its anatomy, influenced the number, location, and orientation of wing tears. While material testing did not identify the plagiopatagium as being significantly weaker than the chiropatagium (the more distal sections of the wing), the plagiopatagium tended to have the most tears. The position of the tears, close to the body and toward the trailing edge, suggests that they are caused by predator attacks, such as from a cat (Felis catus), rather than collisions. Consistent with this, 38% of P. pipistrellus individuals had confirmed wing tears caused by cats, with an additional 38% identified by rehabilitators as due to suspected cat attacks. The plagiopatagium had the lowest number of blood vessels and highest amounts of elastin fibers, suggesting that healing may take longer in this section. Further investigations into the causes of tears, and their effect on flight capabilities, will help to improve bat rehabilitation. Article in Journal/Newspaper Pipistrellus pipistrellus The University of Manchester: Research Explorer Journal of Mammalogy 100 4 1282 1294 |
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Open Polar |
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The University of Manchester: Research Explorer |
op_collection_id |
ftumanchesterpub |
language |
English |
topic |
bat wing collagen elastin healing material testing plagiopatagium wing tear |
spellingShingle |
bat wing collagen elastin healing material testing plagiopatagium wing tear Khayat, Rana O S Shaw, Kirsty J. Dougill, Gary Melling, Louise M Ferris, Glenn Cooper, Glen Grant, Robyn A Characterizing wing tears in common pipistrelles (Pipistrellus pipistrellus):investigating tear distribution, wing strength, and possible causes |
topic_facet |
bat wing collagen elastin healing material testing plagiopatagium wing tear |
description |
Bats have large, thin wings that are particularly susceptible to tearing. Anatomical specializations, such as fiber reinforcement, strengthen the wing and increase its resistance to puncture, and an extensive vasculature system across the wing also promotes healing. We investigated whether tear positioning is associated with anatomy in common pipistrelles (Pipistrellus pipistrellus). Wing anatomy was described using histological techniques, imaging, and material testing. Tear information, including type, position, time in rehabilitation, and possible causes, was collected from rehabilitators of injured bats across the United Kingdom. Results suggest that the position of the plagiopatagium (the most proximal wing section to the body), rather than its anatomy, influenced the number, location, and orientation of wing tears. While material testing did not identify the plagiopatagium as being significantly weaker than the chiropatagium (the more distal sections of the wing), the plagiopatagium tended to have the most tears. The position of the tears, close to the body and toward the trailing edge, suggests that they are caused by predator attacks, such as from a cat (Felis catus), rather than collisions. Consistent with this, 38% of P. pipistrellus individuals had confirmed wing tears caused by cats, with an additional 38% identified by rehabilitators as due to suspected cat attacks. The plagiopatagium had the lowest number of blood vessels and highest amounts of elastin fibers, suggesting that healing may take longer in this section. Further investigations into the causes of tears, and their effect on flight capabilities, will help to improve bat rehabilitation. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Khayat, Rana O S Shaw, Kirsty J. Dougill, Gary Melling, Louise M Ferris, Glenn Cooper, Glen Grant, Robyn A |
author_facet |
Khayat, Rana O S Shaw, Kirsty J. Dougill, Gary Melling, Louise M Ferris, Glenn Cooper, Glen Grant, Robyn A |
author_sort |
Khayat, Rana O S |
title |
Characterizing wing tears in common pipistrelles (Pipistrellus pipistrellus):investigating tear distribution, wing strength, and possible causes |
title_short |
Characterizing wing tears in common pipistrelles (Pipistrellus pipistrellus):investigating tear distribution, wing strength, and possible causes |
title_full |
Characterizing wing tears in common pipistrelles (Pipistrellus pipistrellus):investigating tear distribution, wing strength, and possible causes |
title_fullStr |
Characterizing wing tears in common pipistrelles (Pipistrellus pipistrellus):investigating tear distribution, wing strength, and possible causes |
title_full_unstemmed |
Characterizing wing tears in common pipistrelles (Pipistrellus pipistrellus):investigating tear distribution, wing strength, and possible causes |
title_sort |
characterizing wing tears in common pipistrelles (pipistrellus pipistrellus):investigating tear distribution, wing strength, and possible causes |
publishDate |
2019 |
url |
https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/publications/99044f63-7711-4ac0-91c4-3e76594789c7 https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyz081 |
genre |
Pipistrellus pipistrellus |
genre_facet |
Pipistrellus pipistrellus |
op_source |
Khayat , R O S , Shaw , K J , Dougill , G , Melling , L M , Ferris , G , Cooper , G & Grant , R A 2019 , ' Characterizing wing tears in common pipistrelles (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) : investigating tear distribution, wing strength, and possible causes ' , Journal of Mammalogy . https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyz081 |
op_rights |
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyz081 |
container_title |
Journal of Mammalogy |
container_volume |
100 |
container_issue |
4 |
container_start_page |
1282 |
op_container_end_page |
1294 |
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1782339195416608768 |