The occurrence and distribution of bats in Qatar

Abstract

The distributions of bat species in Qatar have not previously been recorded. We conducted the first nation-wide survey of bats in Qatar. Based on sonogram analysis, we identified Asellia tridens, Otonycteris hemprichii, and Pipistrellus kuhlii. The most commonly recorded species was Asellia tridens, the only species recorded in the northern half of the country. Contrary to our prediction, the likelihood of recording bats was not higher in the northern half of the country where there are many irrigated farms. The distributions of the bat species may result from differences in human land use and disturbance, and from the distance to the main body of the Arabian Peninsula. A key habitat feature for Asellia tridens and Otonycteris hemprichii may be the presence of roosting sites in less disturbed sinkholes/caves, which are therefore crucial for bat conservation