wyandottecaver wrote:Here in the US cave temps certainly play a role, but the bigger factor is likely outside temps. First, warmer areas have longer feeding seasons and shorter hibernating seasons. This means a bats period of vulnerability is *presumably* shorter while their period for recovery longer. Second, it means that G.D. on summer bats must endure an enviroment at least marginally poorer for it, while being much better for it's other competitors.
Europe should be used with caution when making comparisons. Not only is the morphology of many of their bats different, but there has been time for those bats, and perhaps competitors to G.D. to evolve. Finally, the MUCH lower density of bats in Britian and other parts of Europe means that the whole dynamic of G.D. spread will likely be different. Think about the flu trying to move between people in southern FL vs the southern Saraha.
I agree with you 100%.