The Nathusius's pipistrelle, a rare breeding bat species known for its long-distance migrations between the UK and Europe, has been found roosting near a reservoir in South Yorkshire. This marks the first confirmed discovery of the species in the area.
The finding was made possible through the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis, a technique that detects genetic material left behind by species in their environment. Product ecologist Dr. George Muscatt of Nature Metrics, the biodiversity intelligence company involved, described eDNA as "tiny traces or fingerprints of DNA that species in that ecosystem have left behind."
This method proved more efficient than traditional visual checks, which often involve time-consuming climbs to inspect bat boxes at night. "By taking a surface swab approach, we've been able to monitor a far larger number of bat boxes in a very short space of time," Dr. Muscatt stated.
Working in collaboration with the South Yorkshire Bat Group and Yorkshire Water, Nature Metrics analyzed eDNA collected from bat boxes. The subsequent detection of the Nathusius's pipistrelle was later confirmed through follow-up surveys. Company officials noted that monitoring bat boxes at the site not only confirmed the success of conservation measures but also yielded unexpected and valuable results.
The Nathusius's pipistrelle is described by the Bat Conservation Trust as being similar in appearance to, though slightly larger than, the common bat, with longer fur on its back. The company suggested that eDNA techniques could broadly enhance knowledge of species distributions, thereby enabling more effective and targeted conservation efforts.