Supplementary information from: A systematic review of trace elements in the tissues of bats (Chiroptera)

Bats constitute about 22% of known mammal species; they have various
ecological roles and provide many ecosystem services. Bats suffer from
several threats caused by anthropization, including exposure to toxic
metals and metalloids. In our systematic review, we analyzed 75 papers to
investigate how species, diet, and tissue type impact bioaccumulation in
bat species all over the world. Most studies documented element
accumulation in fur, liver, and kidney; at least 36 metals and metalloids
have been measured in bat tissues, among the most studied were mercury and
zinc. Comparisons with known toxicological thresholds for other mammals
showed concerning values for mercury and zinc in bat hair, lead and some
essential metals in liver, and iron and calcium in kidneys. Moreover,
accumulation patterns in tissues differed depending on bat diet:
insectivorous bats showed higher metal concentrations in fur than in liver
and kidney while frugivorous species showed higher values in liver and
kidney than in fur. This review points out several information gaps in the
understanding of metal contamination in bats, including a lack of measured
toxicity thresholds specific for bat tissues. Data on trace element
bioaccumulation and its associated health effects on bats is important for
conservation of bat species, many of which are threatened.