Ecoimmunology
The Mammalian Ecology Group studies the immune system of bats using an assay combination (e.g. blood smears, bacterial killing assay and hemagglutination-hemolysis assay) analyzing an overview over the immune responses. We focus on the immune responses of bats to common ectoparasites and interpret differences based on phylogeny, energy demand, sex and age of individuals. By establishing this assay combination for the measurement of immune responses in bats, the health condition of bat population can be assessed and conservation efforts can be optimised.
Knowledge about the immune system of European bat species is essential for interpreting the occurrence of parasite infestations and diseases. Most European bat species are infested with ectoparasites whose diversity and association with their hosts must be explained by a combination of phylogenetic, immunological, ecological and physiological aspects. The immunocompetence is the ability to raise an immune response following a pathogen contact. It is very variable in mammals. We analyze if
- The time of coexistence of bat and parasite species influences the immunocompetence of hosts’.
- Closely related host species show a similar immunocompetence.
- Intraspecific differences based on individual energy demand, gender and age influence immunocompetence.
To assess the immunocompetence, we use an innovative multiparameter blood test to analyse the overall picture of the immune response of different bat species.
We investigate intra- and interspecific differences in immunocompetence of European bats species. Furthermore, the influence of the evolutionary history on immunocompetence with regard to the ectoparasites is determined. With these results it is possible to identify the importance of the immunocompetence of bat host concerning host specificity of ectoparasites. In addition, they give fundamental insights into immunocompetence of several bat species and into the evolutionary strategies of the hosts to regulate the energy budget and parasite infestation.