| Summary: | The role of bats in nature is undoubtedly significant. A huge contribution to seed dispersal (fruit bats) and insect reduction (carnivorous bats) have a very important impact on the ecosystem balance around the world. In addition, bats are primarily associated with being vectors for a number of diseases of global importance. Given the obvious impact of bats on the balance of ecosystems and the health of animals, including humans, it seems that a thorough understanding of the biology of these mammals has a great value to the life of the entire planet. Research on the parasitic fauna of bats is certainly of particular importance - understanding the morphology of external and internal parasites, their physiology, life cycles and the possible consequences of the presence in the bat’s body. This knowledge is not only helpful in increasing the effectiveness of the protection of these mammals but also makes it possible to predict the effects on the health and life of animals and humans, whose ecosystems are increasingly intertwined with bat roosts, which closely aligns with the popular and integrated One Health approach. The main objective of this study was to demonstrate whether there are differences in the structure and type of parasites of bat’s in their maternity colonies, depending on the species and geographic region of Poland.
|
|---|