Diversity and Conservation of Chiropteran Fauna

Abstract

Bats are the second largest order of mammals, accounting for about 1240 species. Bats utilize almost all the niches and make up a quarter of all known mammals on earth. India is known for its rich biodiversity and its natural history abound, but the bats of India are hardly ever mentioned, and very little is known about them. In India, about 119 species of bats incorporated in nine families, namely, Pteropodidae, Emballonuridae, Megadermatidae, Rhinolophidae, Hipposideridae, Vespertilionidae, Miniopteridae, Rhinopomatidae, and Molossidae. The present study was conducted at different districts of Uttar Pradesh. The present study was aimed to assess the diversity and conservation status of chiropteran fauna in Uttar Pradesh. Visual observations were conducted in old abandoned building, caves, crevices, historical monuments, and forest areas to assess the distribution of bats. A total of 15 species of bats were identified from the study area. Out of which, 3 species belong to suborder Megachiroptera, namely, Rousettus leschenaulti, Cynopterus sphinx, and Pteropus giganteus, and the remaining 12 species belong to the suborder Microchiroptera, namely, Rhinopoma microphyllum, R. hardwickii, Hipposideros fulvus, H. lankadiva, Megaderma lyra, Pipistrellus coromandra, P. dormeri, P. tenuis, P. ceylonicus, Scotophilus heathii, S. kuhlii, and Taphozous nudiventris. The colonies of P. giganteus were observed on tall trees such as Mangifera indica, Ficus religiosa, F. glomerata, F. benghalensis, Eucalyptus sp., Azadirachta indica, Dalbergia sissoo, Madhuca indica, and Bambusa spinosa. The medium-sized fruit bat R. leschenaulti occupied the abandoned buildings or old monuments such as Chunar Fort at Mirzapur and Bari Mosque at Jaunpur. The short-nosed fruit bat, C. sphinx, preferably occupied tree canopy, palm fronts, tree holes, and flower cluster; however, few colonies of C. sphinx were observed at abandoned buildings or monuments. The colonies of microchiropteran bats were observed at tree cleft, abandoned buildings, caves, and crevices throughout the study area. The results of field survey showed that H. lankadiva and P. ceylonicus were not earlier reported in Uttar Pradesh. The IUCN red list of threatened species 2011 categorized all 15 species of bats as least concern (LC version – 3.1). Scientific research coupled with education and awareness is a key to success for any conservation program. During field surveys, a number of discussions were held with students, teachers, forest officials, and public to increase the level of understanding on conservation of bats. The current study reveals the highest distribution of bats in eastern Uttar Pradesh due to the presence of a large number of old monuments, palaces, caves, deep well, and forests which harbor bats. These permanent structures give stable roosting sites to the bats. In general, there was no major threat to the bats in the study area, except sporadic observations at times. Another support is that a maximum of bat colonies are located in old monuments which are governed by the Archaeological Survey of India, while few more colonies are located in caves. Thus, the state Uttar Pradesh provides a range of suitable habitats for the distribution of both frugivorous and insectivorous bats.