Author: Thierry Helminger

Bat Scatology: Analysis of the regional core prey spectrum of two bat species using eDNA metabarcoding for targeted prey species enhancement

Summary

Geoffroy’s bat (Myotis emarginatus) is a strictly protected species under European law (Habitats Directive; 92/43/EEC, Annexes 2 and 4), and is classified as a priority species in Luxembourg. The PNPN3 refers to improving its national population situation by 2030. To this end, various national projects (e.g. LIFE project Bats & Birds) and implementation measures (e.g. by SICONA and SIAS) are already underway to create suitable roosting opportunities and hunting grounds by purchasing land, or to adapt existing areas by redesigning structural elements. One topic that has received comparably little attention and that could lead to a significant improvement in the population status is the targeted improvement of the food supply.

This project aims to fill this knowledge gap on the core prey spectrum to improve the specific habitats of the main food sources and thus ultimately increase the food supply for the target bat species. We will employ a DNA-based metabarcoding analysis of faecal pellets to identify the prey at a species level. This means that the core prey spectrum can be used to draw conclusions about structural elements to be promoted, for example to create favoured plant communities (as host plants) or suitable landscape structural elements (for habitat heterogeneity). In addition to the nursery roosts of the Geoffroy’s bat, the only nursery colony of the greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) in Bech-Kleinmacher is also analysed. The additional analysis of historical faecal pellets will make it possible to identify main prey species that may have disappeared.

In spring 2025, the project results on the core prey spectrum and their ecological requirements will be passed on to the relevant environmental actors on whose areas the mother roosts or the structural measures to be implemented are located (natur&ëmwelt, SICONA, SIAS, Natur- & Geopark Mëllerdall) in order to jointly develop prey species-specific proposals for measures.

Project status

  • Project granted by the Fonds d’environnement of the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Biodiversity (MECB). Duration: 18 months (04/2024 – 09/2025).
  • Host institution: Fondation faune-flore @ Centre de recherche scientifique, Musée national d’histoire naturelle.
  • Postdoctoral researcher : Anna Schleimer
  • Partners: MECB, SICONA, Jacques Pir & Marie Kayser (Freelancers, Scientific collaborators of MNHNL)

Contacts

PsyPhy Paths²

Ecological assessment and improvement of high trunk orchards (BK09) from a phyto-sanitary perspective, focussing on psyllid-vectored phytoplasma pathogens and their pathways

Summary

High trunk orchards (“Bongerten”) are a national heritage and strictly protected open-land biotope (BK09) in Luxembourg. Local cultivars of apple, pear, plum, cherry and mirabelle are growing witnesses of fruit production in the last 600 years. They combine multiple functions like food production, living gene bank, recreation area and habitat for insects, birds and mammals which are of significant importance in ecosystem services and protected under national and European law. However, these orchards are in danger from several stressors. One of them are plant pathogens, among which a prominent place is occupied by phytoplasmas transmitted by insects belonging to Psylloidea, also known as “psyllids” or jumping plant lice (Insecta, Hemiptera). Phytoplasmas are widespread pathogens and responsible for numerous plant diseases like Pear Decline, Apple Proliferation and European Stone Fruit Yellows. The pathogens can cause severe and economically important damages to fruit trees as obligate intracellular parasites of plant phloem tissues. All mobile stages of psyllids (nymphs and adults) can feed on the phloem sieve elements from which phytoplasmas will be taken up by the vector when ingesting plant sap, making it infectious for its entire life.

So far, no data-sets are available for Luxembourg concerning the distribution of phytoplasma infections in orchards, while many of their vectors were recently detected in a scientific, country-wide assessment. However, the role that these vectors play, and even the epidemiology of the phytoplasmas they transmit, remain unclear in the context of Luxembourg’s agriculture. According to what is known from neighboring countries, we hypothesize that these pathosystems are present in unmanaged orchards in Luxembourg and may be already established in traditional meadow orchards as well as in dwarf-tree orchards for commercial fruit and cider production. As vector insect control is rare in non-commercial orchards, they often become a continuous source of inoculum and lead to a number of pesticide applications in commercial orchards. Here we will provide the first assessment of the distribution of phytoplasmas and their psyllid vectors in national orchards. 

Project status

  • Proposal accepted by the Ministre de l’Environnement, du Climat et de la Biodiversité in the context of the funding line Appel à projets « Structures 2023 ». Duration: 21 months (04/2024-12/2025).
  • Host institution: Fondation faune-flore @ Centre de recherche scientifique, Musée national d’histoire naturelle.
  • Partners: MECB, LIST

Funding

With financial support from the Fonds pour la protection de l’environnement

Contact

National Museum of Natural History (MNHNL)
Research center
Life science department
25, rue Münster
L-2160 Luxembourg