The first record of European free-tailed bat, Tadarida teniotis Rafinesque, 1814, and note on probable elevational movement from Nepal

Abstract

Out of the four Molossidae species from South Asia, the distribution of the European free-tailed bat, T. teniotis is most poorly known. This species has been occasionally reported from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and India; however, no records exist in Nepal. Here we report the first record of T. teniotis from Nepal and comment on its possible elevational movement in the Himalaya. Active acoustic surveys were conducted in the Kali Gandaki canyon during autumn and winter seasons at two elevational zones, 800–1200 m and 2100–2500 m, in three habitat types (forest, agricultural land, and human settlements). Echolocation calls of T. teniotis were easily distinguished by their low frequency, shallow frequency modulation, and long duration. During autumn, the activity was recorded only at 2100 to 2500 m and varied significantly from winter activity, while T. teniotis was observed at both elevational zones during winter. The result confirms the presence of T. teniotis from Nepal. Based on our observations of differential activity at different elevation zones in two seasons, we recommend more intensive studies to confirm seasonal migration and to understand seasonal demographics along the Kali Gandaki landscape and in the entire Himalayan range at large.