Pilot Study of Hibernation Patterns in Noctule Bats (Nyctalus noctula): Influence of Group Size

Authors

  • Anton S. Vlaschenko Educational and Research Bat Biology Laboratory, H.S. Skovoroda Kharkiv National Pedagogical University, Kharkiv, Ukraine; Ukrainian Bat Rehabilitation Center, NGO “Ukrainian Independent Ecology Institute”, Kharkiv, Ukraine; National Scientifi c Center “Institute of Experimental and Clinical Veterinary Medicine”, Kharkiv, Ukraine; Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0616-8050
  • Marharyta A. Moiseienko Institute of Botany, Jagiellonian University, Krakow https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7307-4014
  • Valeria D. Bohodist Educational and Research Bat Biology Laboratory, H.S. Skovoroda Kharkiv National Pedagogical University, Kharkiv, Ukraine; Ukrainian Bat Rehabilitation Center, NGO “Ukrainian Independent Ecology Institute”, Kharkiv, Ukraine https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3068-6127
  • Anastasia D. Domanska Ukrainian Bat Rehabilitation Center, NGO “Ukrainian Independent Ecology Institute”, Kharkiv, Ukraine; Veterinary Clinic “Center of Clinical Veterinary”, Kharkiv, Ukraine
  • Anatolii V. Goltvyanskiy V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Kharkiv https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3484-8053
  • Oleksandr V. Nahlov V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Kharkiv

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15407/cryo34.04.251

Keywords:

torpid state, thermoregulation, arousal dynamics, energy conservation, clustering effect, temperature cycles

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of group size on the hibernation patterns of adult males of Nyctalus noctula during hibernation. Bats were divided into three categories (solitary, groups of six, and groups of sixteen) and nine experimental groups comprising one individual with temperature logger per group (iButton). Skin temperature (Ts) was monitored every five minutes. The results showed that bats in larger groups (the group of sixteen) entered longer and more stable torpor, with no instances of full arousal (Ts >20°C). In contrast, solitary bats exhibited more frequent arousals. All bats entered deep torpor after the first nine days. No significant differences in body mass loss were found between the groups. The findings highlight the importance of group size in reducing arousals during hibernation, and the role of social thermoregulation in conserving energy.

 

Probl Cryobiol Cryomed 2024; 34(4):251–260

Author Biographies

Anatolii V. Goltvyanskiy, V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Kharkiv

Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

Oleksandr V. Nahlov, V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Kharkiv

Department of Biochemistry

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Published

2025-04-04

How to Cite

Vlaschenko, A., Moiseienko, M., Bohodist, V., Domanska, A., Goltvyanskiy, A., & Nahlov, O. (2025). Pilot Study of Hibernation Patterns in Noctule Bats (Nyctalus noctula): Influence of Group Size. Problems of Cryobiology and Cryomedicine, 34(4), 251–260. https://doi.org/10.15407/cryo34.04.251

Issue

Vol. 34 No. 4 (2024): Probl Cryobiol Cryomed

Section

Theoretical and Experimental Cryobiology

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