First survey of cave dwelling bats of the Tigray highlands, northern Ethiopia
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Gebru Tadesse
,
Asmelash Abay
Abstract
Bats are among the most phylogenetically diverse and ecologically significant mammalian groups, comprising ca. 22 % of all mammal species. They provide ecosystem services, including insect pest control, pollination, and seed dispersal of agriculturally important plants. As bioindicators, their population status offers insight into ecosystem health, particularly in fragile environments such as cave systems. We investigated bat diversity and composition in sandstone and limestone caves in the Tigray Region, Ethiopia, based on surveys conducted from December 2016 to April 2017 and March to October 2020. Using morphological and genetic identification, from 15 sampling sites we recorded 151 individuals representing 10 species from five families. While four species, Nycteris macrotis 1, N. sp., Plecotus balensis, and Hipposideros megalotis, were restricted to either sandstone or limestone caves, Hipposideros tephrus, Rhinolophus blasii, and Nycteris thebaica occurred in both, suggesting broader ecological valence. Notably, P. balensis, the Ethiopian Highland endemic bat, was recorded in a cave for the first time, extending its known distribution northward. Given the extensive network of caves and rock-hewn churches in Tigray, a comprehensive inventory of the region’s bat fauna is essential for evidence-based conservation. With increasing anthropogenic pressure from tourism and habitat degradation, protecting key roosting sites is vital for sustaining bat populations.
Funding source: Mekelle University
Award Identifier / Grant number: Unassigned
Funding source: Norwegian Agency for Development (NORAD) via the Mekelle University-Norwegian University of Life Sciences (MU-NMBU) program
Funding source: Charles University (Czech Republic)
Award Identifier / Grant number: SVV260685/2024
Funding source: Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic
Award Identifier / Grant number: DKRVO 2024–2028/6.I.c, 00023272
Acknowledgments
Field facilities were supplied by the Rodent Research Unit at Mekelle University.
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Research ethics: Ethical clearance and research permits for specimen capture were granted by the Committee for Animal Care and Use of Mekelle University, Ethiopia. Mist-netting and handling procedures were performed by trained personnel to minimize stress and injury.
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Informed consent: Not applicable.
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Author contributions: Conceptualization: GT, TW, PH, YM. Funding acquisition: PH, PB, YM. Sample collection and identification: GT, TW, KW, AA, PB, PH, YM. Data analysis: GT, KW, YM. Draft writing: GT, YM. All authors critically reviewed the manuscript. All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
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Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: The authors occasionally used ChatGPT to improve the language.
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Conflict of interest: The authors state no conflict of interest.
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Research funding: Funding for fieldwork was obtained from the Norwegian Agency for Development (NORAD) via the Mekelle University-Norwegian University of Life Sciences (MU-NMBU) program. Field facilities were supplied by the Rodent Research Unit at Mekelle University. Funding for DNA barcoding was obtained from institutional grant SVV260685/2024 via Charles University (Czech Republic). The preparation was supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic (# DKRVO 2024–2028/6.I.c, 00023272).
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Data availability: Data supporting the findings of this study are included within the article. Raw datasets are available from the corresponding author upon request.
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