New information on the chiropterofauna of Eastern Crimea

Considered as tertiary keystone predators, insectivorous bats play essential roles in maintaining the functioning of ecosystems. Investigating how bat species’ diets vary across landscapes is crucial for understanding bat ecology and their role in ecosystem health. Here, we characterised the predator-prey interactions of two common bat species with different foraging strategies, the Brown long-eared bat (Plecotus auritus) and Soprano pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus), across the unique pastureland dominated landscape of Ireland. Over three years (2021-2023), faecal samples (n=4,627 in total) were collected annually at three time points (gestation, lactation, post-lactation) from twelve maternity roosts and analysed using metabarcoding and next-generation sequencing. Both bat species showed broad diet diversity, with 392 and 350 arthropod species identified for Brown long-eared bat and Soprano pipistrelle, respectively, primarily Lepidoptera and Diptera. The Brown long-eared bat exhibited a generalist diet demonstrating dietary flexibility. Lepidoptera interactions were more frequent overall (62%) compared to Diptera (31%), but interactions with Diptera species increased markedly at one specific roost, highlighting its capacity to adjust its diet to local prey availability. In contrast, the Soprano pipistrelle exhibited a more specialised diet, with 83% consisting of Diptera species. Both spatial and temporal factors significantly influenced dietary richness and composition in both species. Surrounding land cover, in particular, played an important role in shaping diet composition. Our findings suggest that the Brown long-eared bat exhibits a broad foraging strategy, acting as a generalist with a preference for Lepidoptera, while the Soprano pipistrelle shows a consistent reliance on Diptera. This study underscores the reliance of two widespread bat species, which play an important role in ecosystem well-being, on diverse insect taxa, highlighting the urgent need to conserve these insect populations.

Most of the available data on bats in the national park are related to the monitoring of their number in wintering sites, and the study of summering bat populations remains an important task for further monitoring of biodiversity of the Podilski Tovtry National Nature Park. Bats are an important indicator group of animals for assessing the state of conservation of faunal groups and studying the dynamics of biodiversity of nature reserves. Bats depend on the availability of suitable sites and are the first to respond to changes in the natural habitat. Acoustic monitoring was carried out using an Echo Meter Touch Ultrasonic Modules detector and a Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite smartphone. The analysis of sound signals was performed in the Echo Meter software (version 2.7.23) from Wildlife Acoustics, as well as in the Kaleidoscope bat software. Bats were also trapped using mist nets. Natural shelters were inspected using a Trotec BO26 professional endoscope. Ten species of bats were studied: Myotis nattereri, Myotis daubentonii, Plecotus auritus, Barbastella barbastellus, Nyctalus leisleri, Nyctalus noctula, Pipistrellus nathusii, Pipistrellus kuhlii, Pipistrellus pygmaeus, and Eptesicus serotinus. The most common are species of the genus Pipistrellus and the species Nyctalus noctula (47.5%). River valleys are important migration corridors for migratory animal species. Seasonal activity of bats on survey transects is characterized by two peaks: spring (May) and autumn (September) migration periods. Acoustic activity of bats on survey transects lasts for eight months, from March to November. Autumn migration activity is longer than in spring. In the first decade of October, several thousand individuals of Nyctalus noctula were recorded flying in the valley of the Muksha River, near Tarasivka village, Kamianets-Podilsky Raion. The obtained data will improve the performance of work on assessing the state of conservation of faunal groups and changes in natural ecosystems. Preliminary results of the study will contribute to the organization of the program of acoustic monitoring of bats of the Podilski Tovtry National Nature Park.

Introduction. Holosiivskyi National Nature Park is a unique, by its location, protected area. Parts of the park are located within the administrative boundaries of the city of Kyiv and include extensive, by area, forest plots. The park consists of three parts: Central (Holosiivskyi forest and other tracts), Southern (Lisnyky), and, since 2014, Northern (Svyatoshyn-Bilychi). The latter has the largest area – 6462.62 ha. Data on the chiropterofauna of this massif were incomplete. Bats are an essential element of terrestrial ecosystems. All bat species in Ukraine have a protection status, according to the Red Book of Ukraine and three international treaties. For effective conservation measures for species of this group, it is necessary to own data on their distribution, number, status, etc. As well, the study and monitoring of fauna are one of the primary tasks of national nature parks. Серія «Біологічні науки», 202125Purpose. The aim of the work was to describe the bat fauna of the Svyatoshyn-Bilychi massif of the Holosiivskyi National Nature Park, based on results of the field research conducted in 2019–2020, with the involvement of data collected in 2000–2005.Methods. Catching was carried out with mist nets. Bats were examined by the standard scheme, immediately after their capture. The study was done without removing animals from the wild; bats were released immediately after their examination at the place of their capture. Ultrasonic detectors were used for acoustic observations. The search of roosts was done by social vocalization of bats, presence of feces, night and morning swarming; as well structures which might be potential shelters for bats were inspected.Results. During 2000–2020, at the territory of the Svyatoshyn-Bilychi massif, nine bat species were recorded: Eptesicus serotinus, Myotis dasycneme, M. daubentonii, Nyctalus leisleri, N. noctula,Plecotus auritus, Pipistrellus kuhlii, P. nathusii, P. pygmaeus. Thus, today the list of bat fauna of the Svyatoshyn-Bilychi massif includes 10 species: 9, recorded; 1 species, Nyctalus lasiopterus, known by the record of the first half of the 20th century, was not revealed. According to the results of the survey in 2019–2020, four species were found to be dominants, in terms of the number of record points and their representation in catches: P. nathusii, P. pygmaeus, N. noctula, N. leisleri. During the survey, six species were confirmed to breed at the study area. 11 bat roosts were found; most of them, in trees.Originality. A comprehensive inventory of the chiropterofauna of the large protected area of the Svyatoshyn-Bilychimassif of the Holosiivskyi National Park was carried out for the first time. The first and the only one known Myotis dasycneme maternity colony in Kyiv region was found.Conclusion. The initial description of the chiropterofauna of the Svyatoshyn-Bilychi massif of the Holosiivskyi National Nature Park is presented. The obtained data can be used in the development and further implementation of practical measures for the conservation of bats within the territory of the Holosiivskyi National Nature Park and represent the basis for bat monitoring in the future. Key words: bats, fauna, Holosiivskyi National Nature Park, Kyiv City, Central Ukraine.

ABSTRACTA study on the bat fauna in the Bulgarian part of Osogovska Planina Mountain was carried out in the period May to October 2008. Bats were captured by mist-nets or observed in known and potential roosts such as caves, artificial galleries and buildings. The existing literature data was reviewed. Altogether 21 species (64% of the bat fauna in Bulgaria) were recorded from 15 localities during the study period: Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, Rhinolophus hipposideros, Rhinolophus euryale, Myotis myotis, Myotis blythii, Myotis bechsteinii, Myotis emarginatus, Myotis nattereri, Myotis mystacinus, Myotis aurascens, Myotis brandtii, Myotis alcathoe, Plecotus auritus, Nyctalus noctula, Nyctalus leisleri, Pipistrellus kuhlii, Hypsugo savii, Eptesicus serotinus, Vespertilio murinus, Barbastella barbastellus, Miniopterus schreibersii. 13 species were found for the first time in Osogovska Planina Mt. With regard to roosting and hunting preferences of bats, 10 species belong to the forest- dwelling group, 7 species are typical cave-dwellers and the occurrence of 4 species is associated with the presence of rocks or human settlements. Clear-cuts in the beech forests are the major threat to occurrence and population density of bats in the mountain.

The Lithuanian bat fauna includes 14 species. Myotis daubentoni, Pipistrellus nathusii, Plecotus auritus and Eptesicus serotinus are the most abundant and widespread species, although recently P. auritus has disappeared from some hibernacula. There are still abundant populations of Myotis nattereri, Myotis brandti and Barbastella barbastellus in hibernacula, while their status in summer is unknown. Myotis dasycneme is probably very rare and endangered. The status of Myotis mystacinus and Nyctalus leisleri is not clear, but they are most likely very rare because very few specimens have been found. So far little is known about status of Nyctalus noctula, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Eptesicus nilssoni and Vespertilio murinus because these species are common only during autumn bat migration along the Baltic Sea coast. Two other species, Myotis bechsteini and Rhinolophus hipposideros, have been rejected from the list of bats of Lithuania, because old references to records of these species were not reliable.From what is currently known it seems that: (i) the northern limits of distribution of B. barbastellus and E. serotinus reach the middle of Lithuania between 55°N and 56°N, which may also be the southern limit of abundance of E. nilssoni; (ii) the wintering site with the largest numbers of bats in Lithuania is the vaults of Kaunas fortress, where every year eight species are found hibernating in numbers estimated as follows: M. daubentoni 400–500, M. nattereri 200–300, M. brandti 80–100, B.barbastellus 200–300, P. auritus 40–60, M. dasycneme 15–20 and a few E. serotinus and E. nilssoni.In Lithuania nine bat species have been protected by law since 1991, as species included in the Red Data Book. Also 11 bat reserves have been designated in Kaunas fortress to protect the most important hibernation sites in Lithuania.

The article presents the results of regional surveys of bats in 2010–2020 in places planned for the construction of wind farms. With the use of modern ultrasonic detectors, computer programs and an electronic library of voices, 15 species were found in the Ukrainian Azov Region. Their highest diversity (11–13 species) was revealed in places of intensive migration. First of all, these are the sites Armyansk, Chaplynka, and Askania-Nova, which are located between the Dnieper valley and the Crimean Peninsula. Probably, in this area, bats migrating from the northern and north-eastern regions cross the land and join those moving along the Azov coast. The movement of a significant number of animals is noticeable in the west of the Molochna River. A relatively large variety of bats occurs near the sites Botiyevo, Orlivka, and Primorsk, located directly on the northern shore of the Sea of Azov, along which the migratory movements of bats are particularly strong. During winter, with limited research in this period, 8 species were found, whereas 13 species during spring and autumn migrations and 11 species in summer. The almost complete transformation of the steppe into agrocoenoses bordered by forest belts and irrigation canals undoubtedly affected bats in addition to global warming. In recent years, in all places of the Ukrainian Azov Region, there has been a decline in the number of the common pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) and serotine bats (Eptesicus serotinus), and an increase in the abundance of the noctule bat (Nyctalus noctula), Kuhl's pipistrelle (Pipistrellus kuhlii), Nathusius' pipistrelle (Pipistrellus nathusii), and parti-coloured bat (Vespertilio murinus). In all seasons, the least common species were the brown long-eared bat (Plecotus auritus), Daubenton's bat (Myotis daubentonii), greater noctule (Nyctalus lasiopterus), lesser noctule (Nyctalus leisleri), Savi's pipistrelle (Hypsugo savii), and western barbastelle (Barbastella barbastellus).

Little is known about the diversity, distribution, and relative abundance of bats in northeastern Alberta, Canada. Between 1999 and 2007, we conducted summer bat surveys in the Athabasca and Cold Lake oil sands regions of northeastern Alberta, in response to increased industrial development and a need for greater understanding of species occurrences. We used mist nets (242 sites over 157 nights) and acoustic monitoring (920 sites over 126 nights) to determine the diversity and distribution of bats in the region. We captured 577 bats, representing 5 species, including: 260 Northern Myotis (Myotis septentrionalis); 193 Little Brown Myotis (M. lucifugus); 101 Silver-haired Bats (Lasionycteris noctivagans); 12 Hoary Bats (Lasiurus cinereus); and 11 Eastern Red Bats (L. borealis). Data from Anabat™ echolocation detectors indicated the highest activity for unclassified Myotis, Little Brown Myotis, Big Brown Bats (Eptesicus fuscus)/Silver-haired Bats, and Northern Myotis. Results suggest that the Northern Myotis may be more common in northeastern Alberta than previously thought. Based on the combined capture and echolocation data, Eastern Red Bats and Hoary Bats may be more common, or have increased ranges, than previously considered. Although expected to be relatively common, our failure to capture Big Brown Bats suggests that this species may be absent from the study area. Captures of adult males for all 3 migratory bat species (Eastern Red Bats, Hoary Bats, and Silver-haired Bats) represent the most northerly records in western Canada of adult males. This paper demonstrates the value in combining short-term, localized survey data such that more regional trends in the diversity, distribution, and relative abundance of bats can be better understood.

Aim.The aim of this work is to summarize the available data on zoogeographic analysis and fauna of the bats of the Altai-Sayan region.Discussion.The chiropterofauna of the AltaiSayan highlands includes the representatives of 13 species. The obtained data on the distribution of bats in the region made it possible for the first time to carry out a zoogeographic analysis of the chiropterofauna of the Altai-Sayan highland. The faunal complex of bats in the study area and adjacent territories is represented by boreal, European and Central Asian species. The cluster analysis by Jaccard coefficient allowed us to distinguish two main chiropterological complexes: Altai-Sayan and Ubsunur. Our boundary between these complexes coincides or is close to the biogeographic boundaries drawn for various groups of vertebrates and invertebrates, as well as plants.Conclusion.Altai-Sayan territory is inhabited by 13 bat species of six genera belonging to Vespertilionidae family. The most common species are the following: eastern water bat –Myotis petaxHollister, 1912; Siberian bat –Myotis sibiricusKastschenko, 1905; Ikonnikov's bat –Myotis ikonnikovOgnev, 1912; Northern bat –Eptesicus nilssoniiKeyserling, Blasius, 1839; Parti-coloured bat –Vespertilio murinusLinnaeus, 1758; Ognev's long-eared bat –Plecotus ogneviKishida, 1927. In the fauna of the region, the boundary between two chiropterological complexes (Altai-Sayan and Ubsunur) runs through Kurtushibinsk-Usinsk province.

Artificial lighting is a particular problem for animals active at night. Approximately 69% of mammal species are nocturnal, and one-third of these are bats. Due to their extensive movements-both on a nightly basis to exploit ephemeral food supplies, and during migration between roosts-bats have an unusually high probability of encountering artificial light in the landscape. This paper reviews the impacts of lighting on bats and their prey, exploring the direct and indirect consequences of lighting intensity and spectral composition. In addition, new data from large-scale surveys involving more than 265 000 bat calls at more than 600 locations in two countries are presented, showing that prevalent street-lighting types are not generally linked with increased activity of common and widespread bat species. Such bats, which are important to ecosystem function, are generally considered 'light-attracted' and likely to benefit from the insect congregations that form at lights. Leisler's bat (Nyctalus leisleri) may be an exception, being more frequent in lit than dark transects. For common pipistrelle bats (Pipistrellus pipistrellus), lighting is negatively associated with their distribution on a landscape scale, but there may be local increases in habitats with good tree cover. Research is now needed on the impacts of sky glow and glare for bat navigation, and to explore the implications of lighting for habitat matrix permeability.

A complete list of bat records available from Northern Cyprus is presented, based on both limited literature and new records, resulting from a recent field survey conducted mainly in 2018. This review is complemented by distribution maps and summaries of the distributional status of particular species. From the northern part of the island of Cyprus, at least 451 records of 21 bat species are available; viz. Rousettus aegyptiacus (26 record localities), Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (19), R. hipposideros (21), R. euryale (5), R. mehelyi (1), R. blasii (12), Myotis blythii (4), M. nattereri (10), M. emarginatus (3), M. capaccinii (1), Eptesicus serotinus (5), E. anatolicus (1), Hypsugo savii (6), Pipistrellus pipistrellus (50), P. pygmaeus (9), P. kuhlii (265), Nyctalus leisleri (1), N. lasiopterus (1), Plecotus kolombatovici (3), Miniopterus schreibersii (4), and Tadarida teniotis (5). The number of records increased elevenfold and 1.5 times more bat species were found compared to the last review published in 2007. Seven bat species (Rhinolophus euryale, Myotis emarginatus, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, P. pygmaeus, Nyctalus leisleri, N. lasiopterus, and Miniopterus schreibersii) are reported from Northern Cyprus for the first time; also, R. euryale is confirmed for the first time from the whole island. With the exception of Nyctalus noctula, for which doubtful records exist only from Southern Cyprus, the complete known bat fauna of the island was documented in Northern Cyprus. Moreover, three bat species, Rhinolopus mehelyi, Myotis capaccinii and Eptesicus anatolicus, were reported only from the northern part of Cyprus, although the record of M. capaccinii is considered as problematic and the occurrence of this species on the island is unlikely. For the first time, a population trend in a bat population is reported in Cyprus; smaller colonies of Rousettus aegyptiacus, even abandonment of roosts, were observed during the recent survey compared to numbers recorded in the mid-2000s.

Relating bat species presence to habitat features in natural forests of Slovakia (Central Europe)

Oak woodlands and urban green spaces: Landscape management for a forest-affiliated bat, the Leisler's bat (Nyctalus leisleri).

In May — August, bats were mist-netted along an altitudinal gradient of 350–1350 m a.s.l. in the Pol’ana Mts area, to verify the correlation of species number decrease and the increase in elevation, to find which species could be predictors of certain altitude levels and to compare the sexual occurrence of species in various altitudes. Seventeen bat species were recorded. The most abundant mist-netted species were Myotis daubentonii (16%), M. myotis (13%) and M. mystacinus (12%). Otherwise, the most frequently caught species were M. mystacinus (40%), Eptesicus serotinus, M. myotis (26%) and Nyctalus leisleri (23%). In this study at a local scale, from oak to spruce vegetation stages, decreasing number of species with increasing altitude was found. Species dominance of the individual altitudinal levels was significantly different (15 species up to 600 m a.s.l., six species over 1100 m a.s.l.). The results indicated that the occurrence of some bat species, due to their ecological adaptations, is more or less characteristic for higher or lower altitudes of the Western Carphathians. The “lowland” species were considered to be mainly E. serotinus, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, N. noctula, N. leisleri and M. daubentonii. In higher elevations (more than 850 m), the presence of reproductive females was not found, of all but one, N. noctula, of the “lowland” species which are breeding in the area. The “mountain” species were considered to be E. nilssonii and Plecotus auritus. The general occurrence and reproduction of M. mystacinus and Barbastella barbastellus, was not limited by elevation.

The development of a rapid method for identification of the fifteen common species of British bat is described: Barbastella barbastellus, Eptesicus serotinus, Myotis bechsteinii, Myotis daubentonii, Myotis mystacinus, Myotis nattereri, Nyctalus leisleri, Nyctalus noctula, Plecotus auritus, Plecotus austriacus, Pipistrellus nathusii, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Pipistrellus pygmaeus, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum and Rhinolophus hipposideros. A single multiplex PCR containing five fluorescently-tagged primers and fifteen species-specific primers targeting the mitochondrial control region and genes for cytb and ND1 produces clear peaks that are unique to each species when visualised on a DNA sequencer. The multiplex also includes primers to test for PCR-amplifiable bat DNA. This method will facilitate high throughput species identification of British bats, particularly in cases where phenotypic identification is difficult.

Mammal diversity investigations in Vilnius were carried out in 1992, 1998–2004. The following 51 mammal species were registered in the city: five species of insectivores (Insectivora), 11 of bats (Chiroptera), 18 of rodents (Rodentia), two of hares (Lagomorpha), 11 of carnivores (Carnivora) and four of ungulates (Artiodactyla). Fourteen mammal species are included into the Red Data Book of Lithuania, namely pond bat, Brandt's bat, barbastelle, brown long-eared bat, noctule, Leisler's bat, serotine bat, northern bat, particoloured bat, northern birch mouse, mountain hare, stoat, brown bear and otter. All insectivorous mammals in the city are common. During the warm span of the year we registered nine, and in hibernacula seven species of bats. The most widely spread and the most abundant small rodents of Vilnius were bank and common voles and yellow-necked mice, whereas muskrats and water voles were less frequent. The most numerous city carnivores were pine martens, with otters and badgers, and in particula...