Research interests

• Bat ecology
• Functional diversity
• Community ecology
• Bat taxonomy

 

 

 

 

 

Scientific projects

I am generally interested in the following topics: (1) systematic and cryptic diversity of African bats, especially Pipistrellus-like species (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) and (2) functional diversity of bats within the Old World Tropics (Tanzania) and the Neotropics (Brasil).

My PhD study is embedded within the Subproject 6 of large scale DFG Research Group Kilimanjaro (http://www.bayceer.uni-bayreuth.de/kilimanjaro/) in tight collaboration with Prof. Dr. Katrin Böhning-Gaese and Stefan Ferger (Biodiversität und Klima - Forschungszentrum in Frankfurt am Main, http://www.bik-f.de/root/index.php and University of Mainz, http://www.community-ecology.uni-mainz.de/index.php). I am intrigued by the consequences that arise from human interference and altitude on bat assemblages in comparison with bird assemblages. Bats as well as birds deliver crucial ecosystem services, i.e. seed dispersal and predation on arthropods. Both vertebrate taxa are highly mobile and reach their highest species richness in the subtropics and tropics. Furthermore the two groups complement each other through their divergent activity patterns (bats mainly nocturnal, birds mainly diurnal). Despite the similarities of bats and birds, they are rarely considered together in studies linking biodiversity and ecosystem function. Within the SP6 of the “Research Group Kilimanjaro” we study bats and birds in parallel with similar methods, at the same place and the same time along a land use and an elevation gradient.

My PhD thesis focuses on biodiversity as well as ecosystem functioning of bats within 12 pre-defined habitat types along an altitudinal gradient with both degraded and natural habitats at the Kilimanjaro, as well as a land use gradient. By using standardised mist-netting procedures and acoustic monitoring methods I assess local bat assemblages. With feeding experiments and by measuring seed rain the functional role of bats as seed dispersers will be estimated. Furthermore exclosure experiments will be realised to determine their role as arthropod predators. As final analysis I plan to quantify relationships between different abiotic and biotic factors (climatic factors, habitat structure variables and food availability), bat assemblages and their associated ecosystem services (seed dispersal and arthropod predation) with path analysis.

Publications

Knörnschild M, Ueberschaer K, Helbig M, Kalko EKV (2011) Sexually selected infanticide in a polygynous bat. PLoS ONE 6:e25001

Conference contributions

Ferger S W, Helbig M, Dulle H I, Howell K M, Kalko E K V, Böhning-Gaese K (2011) KiLi project SP6: Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning - birds and bats as seed dispersers and arthropod predators. Poster presented at the joint international meeting ATBC & SCB Africa, 12.-16. June 2011, Arusha, Tanzania

Helbig M, Heer K, Mello MAR, Kalko EKV (2011) Responses of bats to habitat disruption in a plantation-forest mosaic in Bahia, Brazil. Joint international meeting ATBC & SCB Africa, 12.-16. June 2011, Arusha, Tanzania

Helbig M, Fahr J, Mayer F (2009) Phylogeny and Cryptic Diversity of the bat genus Pipistrellus s.l. (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae). Poster presented at the German meeting of bat researchers, Frauenwörth, Chiemsee, Germany

Helbig M, Datzmann T, Mayer F, Fahr J (2010) Molecular phylogeny of African "pipistrelle" bats (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) suggests new clades, rearrangement of genera, and extensive cryptic diversity within species. Poster presented at the 15th International Bat Research Conference, 23.-27. August 2010, Prague, Czech Republic