Bats of Jebel Mghilla National Park (central Tunisia): first survey and habitat-related activity

Abstract

We surveyed the bat fauna of the Jebel Mghilla National Park (central Tunisia) in the five main habitats from the lowland to the summit: cultivated area, open juniper (Juniperus spp.) forest, Stipa tenacessima steppe, open and dense forest of Pinus halepensis, with a special emphasis on water bodies. We mist-netted three bat species: Eptesicus isabellinus, Myotis emarginatus and Myotis punicus. We also identified echolocation calls of Rhinolophus blasii, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, Rhinolophus hipposideros, Tadarida teniotis, Miniopterus schreibersii, Pipistrellus kuhlii, Plecotus gaisleri and Hypsugo savii. Pipistrellus kuhlii and E. isabellinus were the most active and widely distributed species. The bat fauna was richer in the dense and open pine forest than in cultivated area and open juniper forest, but water bodies are also very attractive for bats.