Advances in Biological Research of Chiroptera

A special issue of Biology (ISSN 2079-7737). This special issue belongs to the section "Zoology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 500

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China
Interests: behavior ecology; conservation biology; developmental biology; zoology; genetics; molecular ecology; evolutionary biology

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China
2. Jilin Provincial International Cooperation Key Laboratory for Biological Control of Agricultural Pests, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China
3. Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, School of Environment, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, Ministry of Education, Changchun 130117, China
Interests: behavior ecology; conservation biology
College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Interests: evolutionary ecology; conservation biology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, entitled "Advances in Biological Research of Chiroptera", aims to collate cutting-edge research on Chiroptera biology, thereby bridging molecular, developmental, ecological, and behavioral disciplines. We seek studies that unravel the mechanisms behind their extraordinary phenotypes. Moreover, we welcome contributions that address novel methodologies (e.g., genomic tools, bioacoustics, or movement tracking), evolutionary adaptations (e.g., flight mechanics and immune system specialization), and responses to anthropogenic threats (e.g., habitat loss and climate change). By synthesizing interdisciplinary perspectives, this Special Issue will advance foundational knowledge and inform conservation strategies for these enigmatic mammals. By integrating fundamental and applied perspectives, this Special Issue will advance both scientific knowledge and conservation strategies for these indispensable yet often misunderstood mammals.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Evolutionary and Genomic Adaptations: Studies on bat-specific traits such as echolocation, longevity, and viral tolerance.
  • Ecological and Behavioral Dynamics: Research on behaviors, physiology, foraging strategies, social structures, and ecosystem services.
  • Conservation and Anthropogenic Impacts: Assessments of threats like white-nose syndrome, urbanization, and climate change.
  • Methodological Breakthroughs: Advances in tracking technologies, omics approaches, or computational modeling applied to bat research.

We are pleased to invite you to push the boundaries of Chiroptera research. By fostering collaboration across disciplines, this Special Issue aims to catalyze solutions for global bat ecology while elucidating the fundamental biology characteristics of this extraordinary group.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Jiang Feng
Prof. Dr. Ying Liu
Dr. Hui Wang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • individual development
  • ecolocation
  • powered flight
  • high-frequency hearing
  • pest control
  • bat ecosystem service
  • habitat suitability
  • evolutionary adaptations

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 2177 KB  
Article
Warning Before a Fight: The Role of Distance and Ritualized Agonistic Behaviors in Minimizing Aggression in the Jamaican Fruit Bat
by Orlando R. Vivanco-Montané, Jorge E. Morales-Mávil, Laura T. Hernández-Salazar, Jairo Pérez-Torres and Edgar Ahmed Bello-Sánchez
Biology 2025, 14(10), 1449; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14101449 - 20 Oct 2025
Abstract
In many vertebrates, ritualized behaviors serve to settle conflicts while minimizing the risk of injury. The Jamaican fruit bat (Artibeus jamaicensis) is a polygynous species that roosts in caves, where dominant males form and defend harems by displaying agonistic behaviors against [...] Read more.
In many vertebrates, ritualized behaviors serve to settle conflicts while minimizing the risk of injury. The Jamaican fruit bat (Artibeus jamaicensis) is a polygynous species that roosts in caves, where dominant males form and defend harems by displaying agonistic behaviors against satellite males attempting to mate with females. We examined how the distance of satellite males from the harem and the number of females influenced the latency of approach by dominant males during agonistic encounters, and whether these encounters follow a defined behavioral sequence. We analyzed 50 agonistic interactions from video recordings of A. jamaicensis harems collected between May and October 2021 in “Cantil Blanco” cave, Veracruz, Mexico. We quantified the number of females per harem and measured the distance of satellite males to the nearest female just before the dominant male initiated an approach. Our results show that satellite male distance determined dominant male approach latency, reflecting a minimum tolerable distance, whereas harem size had no effect. Furthermore, the succession of behaviors observed indicates that these encounters are sequential, escalating from ritualized displays to physical aggression. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Biological Research of Chiroptera)
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20 pages, 11687 KB  
Article
Novel 3D Scanning and Multi-Angle Analysis Uncover the Ontogenetic Developmental Dynamics of the Skull in Vespertilio sinensis
by Xintong Li, Mingyue Bao, Yang Chang, Hui Wang and Jiang Feng
Biology 2025, 14(10), 1389; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14101389 - 11 Oct 2025
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Abstract
The mammalian skull, which surrounds and protects the brain, is one of the most morphologically diverse and functionally important structures in the vertebrate body. As one of the most ecologically diverse mammals, the developmental dynamics of morphological and structural changes and functional diversity [...] Read more.
The mammalian skull, which surrounds and protects the brain, is one of the most morphologically diverse and functionally important structures in the vertebrate body. As one of the most ecologically diverse mammals, the developmental dynamics of morphological and structural changes and functional diversity in the skull of bats need to be revealed. Here, we focused on the developmental characteristics of the Vespertilio sinensis skull, and used statistical analysis, spatial morphology visualization, and comparative analysis of the Stretch Factors (SF) of the masticatory muscles to better understand the connection between the morphology of the skull and the development of the body size during the developmental process of V. sinensis, the changes in the three-dimensional (3D) spatial morphology and structure, and the correlations between opening capacity and the transformation of feeding habits. This study not only provides a new perspective for understanding the morphological adaptive mechanism of ecological niche expansion that accompanies the transition of mammalian skulls from juvenile to adult feeding but also provides a crucial scientific basis for an in-depth understanding of the growth and developmental mechanism of bats’ skull and even vertebrates as a whole, which is potentially useful for the development of ecological conservation and evolutionary biology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Biological Research of Chiroptera)
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