In February 2005 clear evidence was found of extensive hunting by local people of microchiropteran bats in south-western Madagascar. Hipposideros commersoni (Family Hipposideridae) accumulates heavy fat deposits during this period, weighing on average about 50 g, and is the targeted species. The capture of other smaller species of microchiropterans appears to be incidental. The exploitation of bats for bushmeat in this region takes place during a period of food shortage, and because the level of collection surpasses the breeding potential of these animals it may over time result in extirpation of local populations.

The presence of haemoparasites from the Order Piroplasmida and the genera Bartonella and Trypanosoma was assessed in the blood of 60 bats, belonging to 7 species, inhabiting sites across Cornwall in southwest England. DNA extracted from macerated heart tissue was incorporated into taxon-specific polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) and amplification products were sequenced as a means of identifying, or assigning an identity, to detected haemoparasites. A Piroplasmida species was detected in 6 Pipistrellus spp., whereas Bartonella infections were detected in 5 bats belonging to 4 different species. Trypanosoma dionisii was detected in 1 Pipistrellus spp. Phylogenetic inference from alignment of a partial 18S rRNA-encoding gene sequence of the pipistrelle-associated Piroplasmida species with homologous sequences available for other members of the Order indicated that this organism was unique but specifically related to members of the genus Babesia, a phylogeny that would be in keeping with the organism being Babesia vesperuginis. Alignment of partial citrate synthase gene sequences from the bat-associated bartonellae revealed 5 distinct genotypes that were probably derived from 2 distinct Bartonella species. The study demonstrates the utility of molecular methods for detecting haemoparasites in dead bats and provides, for the first time, tangible identities for bat-associated Babesia and Bartonella species.

Large-scale anthropogenic habitat degradation is taking place in the Negev Desert and such degradation is considered to be the primary cause of population decline in many bat species. A study of bat community structure in the central Negev Desert Highlands was undertaken to examine habitat associations, activity patterns and the distribution of bats in relation to landscape structure. During 1999 and 2000, mist-nets and bat detectors were used to capture bats and to monitor their presence in natural and artificial sites. In total, 12 species of insectivorous bats were found. Communities of insectivorous bats were divided into three guilds based on foraging space: open space foragers, background-cluttered space foragers, and highly cluttered space foragers. Bats of the background-cluttered space guild foraged over a variety of habitats while bats from the other guilds were more restricted with regard to their foraging spaces. In both years, season had a significant effect on bat activity. Despite there being significantly more bat activity in artificial sites than in natural sites, bat species richness was least in the artificial sites. For most species of desert-dwelling bats, areas that are typified by dense vegetation cover and have a perennial water source are of primary importance.