Prevalence and Severity of Alopecia Lesions on Gray Bats, Myotis Grisescens, Peaks During Lactation
December 2024
in “
PLoS ONE
”
Studysummary In this study, researchers observed that alopecia prevalence varies in gray bats throughout the summer, with higher rates in lactating females, who also exhibit more severe lesions, but found no link between subcutaneous mites and fur loss.
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The study on gray bats (Myotis grisescens) found that alopecia is most prevalent in lactating females, with 6.3% affected compared to 1% of males, suggesting that reproductive stress and nutritional demands during lactation contribute to fur loss. The research involved 1,179 bats and ruled out subcutaneous mites as a cause, finding no difference in body condition between affected and unaffected bats. Alopecia severity was assessed based on redness, skin condition, and fur loss, with some bacteria and fungi identified, though no direct link to stress hormones or microbiota was established. The study highlights the importance of monitoring alopecia prevalence for conservation, as environmental pressures like urbanization and climate change may exacerbate the condition.
