Sharing Abode with Two Thousand Vivo Bats: The Tlaxcala Family's Learning Experience
In the high-altitude plains of Nativitas, Tlaxcala, located in the Puebla-Tlaxcala Valley, approximately 2,200 meters above sea level, a unique collaboration is underway. This collaboration, involving Mexico's Environment Ministry (Semarnat), the Altiplano Zoo, Zoonosis, the state's health services department, and other organizations, aims to promote the importance of bats, protection measures, and harmonious coexistence.
At the heart of this initiative is the lesser long-nosed bat, scientifically known as Leptonycteris yerbabuenae. Once considered endangered, this species has been thriving recently due to conservation efforts. Previously listed as endangered, successful conservation and increased awareness have helped its population recover [3].
This bat plays a crucial ecological role, particularly in the pollination of agave plants, essential for tequila and mezcal production. As primary pollinators for agave plants, these bats feed on the nectar of night-blooming agave flowers, collecting and transferring pollen on their fur, thereby facilitating cross-pollination. This pollination is vital for the reproduction and health of agave populations, directly supporting the sustainability of tequila and mezcal production [5].
The lesser long-nosed bat migrates seasonally to follow the bloom periods of agave, demonstrating a specialized adaptation for this role. Their strong and agile flight allows them to hover like hummingbirds, effectively accessing nectar from these flowers. Their feeding not only supports their nutrition but also maintains the agave ecosystems key to these traditional spirits [5].
Mexico, home to 138 bat species, almost 10% of the world's bat diversity, is a global hotspot for bat biology. However, the accumulated droppings of bats, known as guano, can promote the growth of harmful fungi such as Histoplasma capsulatum. When disturbed, guano's airborne spores can cause serious respiratory illnesses in humans.
To address this, municipal services are responsible for the disposal of the first round of accumulated bat waste, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. A plastic sheeting field has been installed for future guano monitoring and nighttime cleanups. Additionally, Profepa, along with local and state organizations, has provided training and awareness-raising sessions for the family and municipal civil protection personnel.
The family will remain living inside the house during the bats' temporary stay, but the exact room they have settled in has not been specified. This collaboration not only highlights the importance of bat conservation but also underscores the interconnectedness of various ecosystems and the species within them.
- In the context of environmental science, the importance of education on the role and protection of bats, such as the lesser long-nosed bat (Leptonycteris yerbabuenae), is highlighted by this collaboration.
- The lesser long-nosed bat, once regarded as endangered, has seen a recovery due to increased awareness and successful conservation strategies.
- This unique collaboration, taking place in Nativitas, Tlaxcala, focuses on the crucial ecological role of bats, particularly the lesser long-nosed bat, in pollinating agave plants necessary for the production of tequila and mezcal.
- By feeding on the nectar of night-blooming agave flowers, these bats indirectly support the sustainability of traditional spirits production.
- Despite the benefits bats provide, it is essential to address potential health risks posed by their droppings (guano), which can cause respiratory illnesses like those caused by Histoplasma capsulatum.
- To mitigate these risks, municipal services dispose of accumulated bat waste, adhering to environmental regulations, and training sessions are provided to local and state organizations for effective management of this issue.
