Abstract
Bat research in Nepal is limited and most areas remain to be explored. Sparse research has been conducted in the Banpale forest and to improve the understanding of bat diversity, an updated species checklist was prepared. Trapping surveys using mist nets were conducted at four different locations in the forest from March to May 2018. This survey identified 55 individuals belonging to eight species within eight genera and four families. Trapping locations near less disturbed forest edges and water resources were found to have higher bat diversity compared to highly disturbed areas (e.g., landslides and logging areas). With information from survey and secondary source, we conclude that Banpale forest harbours 10 of the 53 bat species found in Nepal. We recommend adopting practices to conserve the forest from landslides and minimizing illegal logging to conserve bat forest habitats.
Highlights
Bats (Chiroptera) are highly diverse (Hutson et al 2001; Voigt & Kingston 2016) and found throughout the globe, except in the Antarctic and a few oceanic Islands (Mickleburgh et al 2002)
Cynopterus sphinx was the most captured (42%) followed by Pipistrellus sp. (18%), Rousettus leschenaultii (13%), Hipposideros armiger (9%), Rhinolophus affinis (9%), and Nyctalus noctula (3.6%); Eonycteris spelaea, Rhinolophus luctus, and Myotis sicarius were each captured once (Table 2)
Pteropus giganteus was uncaptured, it was observed travelling to fruiting sites through the edge of Banpale forest around 18.45h hours during the study period
Summary
Bats (Chiroptera) are highly diverse (Hutson et al 2001; Voigt & Kingston 2016) and found throughout the globe, except in the Antarctic and a few oceanic Islands (Mickleburgh et al 2002). They provide many ecological and economic services such as pollination, seed dispersal, agricultural pest suppression, and material & nutrient distribution (Fujita & Tuttle 1991; Kunz et al 2011). Incorporating species revisions and recent findings, we ensure a current count of 53 valid bat species in Nepal
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