In the case of giant noctule bats, it was for sure the description by Ibañez et al. (2001) of a so far totally unrecognized, outstanding predator-prey relationship that triggered so much initial scepticism. ❋ Unknown (2007)
The extraordinary predatory specialization of the giant noctule may be shared by the few other big aerial-hawking bat species which exist elsewhere in the world. ❋ Unknown (2007)
To elucidate the mysterious habits of giant noctule bats, an ambitious investigation led by young scientist Ana Popa-Lisseanu, under Prof. Ibañez 'supervision, was launched by Spanish research teams based in Sevilla (Doñana Biological Station) and Granada (Zaidín Experimental Station) thanks to funding from the Spanish Environmental Ministry. ❋ Unknown (2007)
The unique ecological niche of the giant noctule may in turn explain some of its peculiar natural history traits. ❋ Unknown (2007)
In 2001, Carlos Ibáñez and his colleagues at the Doñana Biological Station in Seville, Spain, suggested that the giant noctule bat (Nyctalus lasiopterus), a rare European species occurring principally in the Mediterranean, may feed to a large extent on birds (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 98, 9700-9702). ❋ Unknown (2007)
Carnivory in the greater noctule bat (Nyctalus lasiopterus) in Italy. ❋ Darren Naish (2006)
Greater noctule wing morphology indicates fast flight in open areas, as they have high wing loading and high aspect ratios. ❋ Darren Naish (2006)
A contribution to debate on Great noctule carnivory. ❋ Darren Naish (2006)
The echolocation calls of the Greater noctule, being long in terms of pulse duration with a low frequency and narrow bandwidth, are suited for long-range target detection in open air. ❋ Darren Naish (2006)
Unlike those of megadermatids (see previous post), Greater noctule roosts are never littered with bird remains (which partly explains why this behaviour was overlooked for so long). ❋ Darren Naish (2006)
They eat relatively large prey, being particularly fond of beetles, and Nowak (1999) mentions a remarkable case where a Eurasian noctule (N. noctula) was observed to catch and eat mice. ❋ Darren Naish (2006)
They also noted that other noctule species prey on insects and not birds, and that, suspiciously, Greater noctule droppings lack bird bone fragments. ❋ Darren Naish (2006)
Anyway, how did Bontadina & Arlettaz (2003) account for the presence of all those feathers in the Greater noctule droppings? ❋ Darren Naish (2006)
The excellent Greater noctule photo used above is from the Slovak Academy of Science site. ❋ Darren Naish (2006)
A new study shows that the giant noctule bat, Nyctalus lasiopterus, exploits eats the billions of Eurasian songbirds when the birds' flight routes converge around the Mediterranean basin, such as the Iberian Peninsula. ❋ Staq Mavlen (2007)
Incidentally, Matt, the red bat is a Lasiurus like the hoary and noctule, but probably too small to get birds. ❋ Unknown (2007)
What wasn't known until recently is that the giant noctule may be the only bat that eats birds on the wing. ❋ Unknown (2007)
Self-revelation is [annihilation] of self...[Count] Noctule will see [you now]. ❋ Basin City (2004)
