Volume 68, Issue 4

The presence of the Maghrebian bat, Myotis cf. punicus Felten, 1977, is reported from Corsica where it is found in low numbers throughout the island, at altitudes between 0 and 1480 m. Most of winter roosts and all breeding colonies are recorded at the lowest altitudes in bridges, caves, mines and buildings. Maghrebian bats forage in open habitats and prey up on Orthoptera, Coleoptera and Lepidoptera (caterpillars). The conservation status is discussed.

The Palearctic Myotis daubentonii and the Nearctic M. lucifugus have traditionally been included into the subgenus Leuconoe due to their similar ecology and morphology. Recent molecular genetic analysis did not support this view since each of the two species was found to belong to another clade. The present paper is based on the analysis of eight external and 12 cranial characters in a sample of 158 M. daubentonii and 113 M. lucifugus , both species being represented by their nominate subspecies. Student t-test and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to test the variability and the impact of characters on interspecific differences. Significant sexual dimorphism was found mainly in M. daubentonii (females larger), hence in further analyses, males were separated from females. In both sexes, significant specific differences were found in most of the measurements, M. lucifugus having higher population averages than M. daubentonii . Only ca. 50% of variability was observed on the first two principal component axes in external characters but positive loadings suggested longer ears and tragi in M. lucifugus and negative loadings – longer feet and toe claws in M. daubentonii . PCA performed on cranial measurements provided ca. 70% of variability in each sexe. Insignificant specific differences on the first axis, influenced mainly by length variables of the skull including toothrows and mandible, suggest adaptations to analogous foraging strategies and diets. The projection of specimens onto the second and third principal components demonstrated significant differences between the species; these two axes were dominated by breadth and height of braincase, and interorbital constriction, respectively. The difference in the shape of neurocrania suggests different phylogenetic history in each of the species. The two bats are typical vicariants but their hunting habits do not seem to be identical, M. daubentonii appears to be more adapted to glean the water surface than M. lucifugus .

The length of the forearm, the body mass and the length of the total gap of the fourth metacarpal-phalangeal joint were measured in order to develop empirical growth curves for a free-ranging population of the lesser mouseeared bat Myotis blythii in a maternity colony in western Iran. Length of forearm and body mass followed a linear pattern of growth until day 14 (at mean rates of 1.44 mm/day and 0.43 g/day respectively), and subsequently decreased to reach a stable level. The length of the total gap of the metacarpalphalangeal joint increased up to 10 days and decreased when it closed at over 70 days. Initiation of flight occurred 3-4 weeks after birth. A method of estimation of age was derived from values of length of forearm and the total gap of the fourth metacarpal-phalangeal joint during the preflight and post flight periods.

Body mass changes of adult and juvenile male Daubenton’s bats were studied in a summer habitat in Hesse (Germany) in the years 1998-2001. Animals from the resident population were regularly captured along the flight path from April to October, and body mass was determined using a digital balance. Body mass of adult individuals differed significantly among fortnightly periods (Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA by ranks: H = 141.75, p < 0.001). Body mass increased significantly from the second half of April (median: 7.0 g) to the first half of May (median: 7.8 g). Between the second half of May and the first half of August, median body mass fluctuated between 7.8 g and 8.3 g. From the second half of July (median: 7.9 g) to the second half of August (median: 8.4 g), and the second half of September (median: 9.3 g) body mass again significantly increased. The highest median body mass (9.6 g) was recorded in the second half of October. Median body mass of juvenile males ranged between 6.5 g in the first half of July and 8.5 g in the second half of October. Differences in body mass over the studied period were significant (H = 21.70, p < 0.01). During the months July, August, and September, body mass of adult males was significantly higher than that of juveniles, whereas in October the difference was no longer of statistical significance. It is suggested that the decrease in body mass observed in some adult males in September was related to their reproductive activity.

Myotis daubentonii is one of the most widely distributed bat species. According to our investigations this species may be divided into two groups of forms, referable to as the "Western" and "Eastern" groups. The oldest name for the latter is M. d. petax Hollister, 1912. These groups differ in several measurements and morphological features, particularly craniodental traits. Animals from the South of Central Siberia belong to the eastern complex. No significant differences were found between specimens from Central Europe and European Russia. On the contrary, animals from Western Siberia and, probably Ural mountains, slightly differ from the European ones. In the eastern complex three forms appear to occur: Sayan- Transbaikalian, Amur-Mantjurian ( chosanensis ? = loukashkini ) and Ussurian ( ussuriensis ). The Altai population (" petax ") is highly variable. On the whole, the " daubentonii " species group includes at least seven Eurasian species (including the newly described Vietnamese M. annamiticus ), plus four forms of uncertain taxonomic position. Amongst these species, small montane forms with low rostrum and deep fronto-nasal flexure may be separated into their own subgroup or group, " longipes ".

Pattern recognition algorithms offer a promising approach to recognizing bat species by their echolocation calls. Automated systems like synergetic classifiers may contribute significantly to operator-independent species identification in the field. However, it necessitates the assembling of an appropriate database of reference calls, a task far from trivial. We present data on species specific flexibility in call parameters of all Swiss bat species (except Nyctalus lasiopterus and Plecotus alpinus ). The selection of "training-calls" for the classifier is crucial for species identification success. We discuss this in the context of echolocation call variability differing between species and its consequences for the implementation of an automated, species specific bat activity monitoring system.

The reproductive cycle of male and female Pipistrellus kuhlii are described. Sexual activity is based on the degree of testicular and cauda epididymal development and on histological examination of both male and female reproductive organs. During the study spermatogenesis took place during summer and spermatozoa were released from the testis in August and September. Although no more spermatozoa were produced during late summer and early autumn, they continued to be stored in the cauda epididymides for winter. Endometrial sperm storage in the uterus of females in mid-December together with packing and perpendicular orientation of spermatozoa toward the endometrum indicate that Pipistrellus kuhlii mate in winter and store spermatozoa until spring when the fertilization takes place. This study indicates that the reproductive cycle of Pipistrellus kuhlii involves asynchrony between primary and secondary sexual function which is typical of vespertilionid bats inhabiting temperate latitude.

The paper summarises the investigation of roost-selection of Nyctalus noctula in prefabricated panel buildings and trees. The noctule bats occupy only special man-made constructions which are similar in many ways to the natural hollows, providing the same or better climatic conditions than in a treehollow. The bats prefer similar height and width of entrances both in the trees and in the panel buildings. In summer the noctule bats prefer roosts situated on the western walls of panel buildings. The rhythm of temperature fluctuation in that side best corresponds to the daily life cycle of the bats. Because of the good roosting possibilities, the density is higher in housing estates than in natural forests. The noctule bats occupy buildings with well determined characteristics. When talking about urbanization, we do not refer to adaptation but only to the use of roosts having more advantageous conditions.

Monthly surveys of bat dynamics, temperature, and humidity were performed for the duration of one year in a Romanian cave (Măgurici Cave). Myotis myotis/Myotis blythii, Miniopterus schreibersii, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum , and R. hipposideros were observed. The locations of the bat colonies in the cave are dependent on the temperature, humidity, on the wall structure, and underground ventilation. The air microorganisms present are in direct relation with the location of the bat colonies, showing a pronounced air infestation near the nursing colony during summer.

Inspections of 521 small cellars inhabited by bats in Poland revealed the occurrence of 10 species: Myotis myotis, M. nattereri, M, brandtii, M. dasycneme, M. daubentonii, Eptesicus nilssonii, E. serotinus, Plecotus auritus, P. austriacus , and Barbastella barbastellus . P. auritus was the most frequent and abundant (410 sites, 54.5% records). M. daubentonii dominated in cellars of the NW and NE regions of the country, while P. austriacus was the most abundant in the SW region. Communities of bats hibernating in small cellars and large underground hibernacula differed significantly. Plecotus spp. clearly preferred small hibernation sites, while M. myotis large ones. Species richness and diversity were highest in NW and NE region where this type of roost had greatest importance to bat hibernation. Despite the fact that only single individuals occurred in 44.7% of cellars, these roosts, common and numerous in Poland, could be in total inhabited by tens of thousands of bats yearly.

Many timber framed barns are used by bats that roost in mortice joints within the timber structures. Most of these barns are now redundant and are being converted into dwellings. Attempts have been made over the last ten years to give advice on how to accommodate bats in these conversions. This paper examines what has happened at 40 farms where bats have been previously recorded. I have considered the original 40 farms as 63 units because many of the sites have been sub-divided into a number of individual dwellings by the contractors. Of the 51 units that were resurveyed, 36 units had been developed. Only eight of these 36 units were being used by bats ( Myotis nattereri , Plecotus auritus , Pipistrellus spp. and Eptesicus serotinus ); fifteen units had no evidence of use by bats but there was access for bats to return in the future; and thirteen units had no bat use with no potential for bats to return. Fifteen of the 51 resurveyed units had not been developed; all were still being used by bats. The influence of barn conversions on each bat species is discussed. Recommended improvements and an explanation of DEFRA licensing are provided.

Seasonal and overnight changes in flight activity and habitat use of Pipistrellus pygmaeus were studied in the floodplain forest in south-eastern Moravia (Czech Republic) during the season 2001 using bat detectors. The night was divided into thirds; during each one bat activity was recorded in selected habitats, i.e. ecotones, water bodies, meadows inside the forest, forest paths and dense forest. The season was also divided into four parts with respect to the reproduction of bats, i.e., pregnancy, lactation, post-lactation and movement period. The highest activity was recorded at the beginning of the night (1 st third). During the 2 nd third, flight activity was very low throughout the whole season. The level of activity increased after the parturition during the 3 rd third. The seasonal course in activity showed a bimodal pattern along edges and inside the forest with the first peak in spring (May) and the second one at the end of summer (August). On the contrary, the level of foraging activity varied at water surfaces although it was permanently higher in comparison with activity in other habitats. Flight activity was well-balanced in the close forest and over forest paths and was much lower than over water. Very low activity was also registered over the meadows throughout the season.

The summer distribution of the Pond bat Myotis dasycneme in the west of Flanders was assessed by bat detector surveys and a radiotracking project focusing on hunting activity as well as commuting activity. A preliminary attempt was made to relate hunting activity to water quality data and some field observations of nocturnal insect activity. This study revealed new records of pond bats in the area including a small maternity roost. Recorded activity was high over broad waterways, lower over large ponds and medium sized waterways and very low over small waterways. Pond bats were observed hunting over waterways with different pollution levels from mild to heavier pollution. However more activity was recorded over waterways with mild and moderate pollution than over polluted waterways, whereas Daubenton’s bat Myotis daubentonii was found hunting over all waterways regardless the pollution level.

In Central Europe, greater mouse eared bats ( Myotis myotis , Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) are simultaneously reliant on man (for maternity roosts) and adversely affected by him (e.g. landscape destruction). This is a common situation for most of the Central-European bat species. In South Tyrol, however, large maternity colonies of mouse eared bats are often situated amidst zones of intensive apple growing and they usually thrive. A radiotracking study conducted in July 2000 and 2001 shows strong foraging activity in the valley bottom and nearby slopes. The elongation of the home range was 15 km, core areas ranged from 2 to 6 km away from the nursery. The greater mouse eared bats mainly used intensively cultivated orchards and deciduous shrub forests. Mature forests, meadows and pastures were scarcely used. Unfortunately intensification in apple growing; eliminating high trees and covering orchards with hail nets, is an ongoing process. To preserve greater mouse eared bats it is necessary for them to continue using the orchards in the future. So it seems necessary to convince farmers that bats in the orchards are beneficial.

In May 2001 we collected droppings of Rhinolophus euryale from a colony located in the Basque Country (souhtwestern Europe). Simultaneously, we used Malaise traps to determine prey availability in different habitats, weighting it according to the habitat use of bats. Prey categories found in droppings were then compared to availability to perform the selection analysis. The main consumed prey were by far small lepidopterans (5-11 mm long), followed by tipulids, and scarabaeid beetles (entirely Rhizotrogus sp.). Moths and beetles were selected positively, whereas the other categories were underrepresented in the diet. These results suggest the importance of small moths in the pre-breeding diet of this species, although other items might seasonally play an important role.

Earlier radio tracking studies have shown that woodlands are key foraging habitats of the endangered lesser horseshoe bat. Hence, the location of maternity roosts should be influenced by the availability of woodland. I studied the distribution of maternity roosts in Austria with respect to the availability of woodland at different scales. Based on digital maps I compared the percentage of woodland cover within a radius of 0.5 and 2.5 km around maternity roosts with that of randomly selected churches and castles. I also measured the distance from maternity roosts to the nearest patch of woodland. Comparing different Austrian provinces, the relative number of maternity roosts tended to be greater in provinces with greater woodland cover. Woodland was more abundant around existing maternity roosts than around randomly selected churches and castles. These patterns were found within 0.5 km in both Carinthia and Salzburg, and within 2.5 km in Salzburg only. Furthermore, the distance to the nearest patch of woodland was shorter at existing maternity roosts than at randomly selected churches and castles in Salzburg. Colony size increased with the proportion of surrounding woodland: small areas of woodland supported only small colonies, while bigger colonies were only located in the vicinity of larger proportions of woodland. I conclude that woodland is an important factor explaining the distribution and selection of maternity roosts and should therefore strongly be considered when conservation measures for this species are required, designed and put into action.

Fragmentation of the landscape is one of the greatest problems for animals which use large home ranges and/or different habitats within a landscape. Even in the case of undisturbed hunting habitats and roosts, disconnection of flight paths could lead to a decline in the populations of bats. Tunnels connecting both sides of a barrier, allowing exchange, can be used to minimise the impact of e.g. motorways. Results of studies in different parts of Germany and anecdotal observations in other parts of Germany demonstrate the use of tunnels for nine species of bats. Data are analysed with respect to different types of tunnels. Although our data do not allow quantitative analysis, observations suggest smaller bats like Myotis nattereri , and M. daubentonii can use relatively low and narrow tunnels, whereas the larger M. myotis , was only observed using larger tunnels. The results support the role of tunnels as effective for the conservation of the connectivity of landscapes.

Migration routes and migration strategies of Pipistrellus nathusii in Europe may suggest that there are several different populations of this species. This pilot project aimed to check if genetic variability of mitochondrial DNA could support this hypothesis. Hair samples were taken from individuals from Lithuania, Northern Poland and The Netherlands. PCR amplifications of mtDNA control region and subsequent restriction analysis provided data that were computed using Arlequin and Treecon softwares for AMOVA analysis and UPGMA clustering.. Fourteen mtDNA haplotypes (lineages) have been found that were grouped into four main clusters. Interestingly individuals from Rotterdam and Darzlubska forest clustered together, while individuals from Lithuania and Sobieszewo Island were grouped in another cluster, nearby clusters including the other Polish samples (Vistula Split and Wdzydze Landscape Park). According to these preliminary results Poland could be the meeting place of western and eastern populations.

The castle Grad na Goričkem lies on the western hills surrounding the Pannonian basin. Its cellars provide a unique underground habitat, which is rare in the surrounding region. The cellars were found to shelter highly lithophilic species Miniopterus schreibersii , Rhinolophus hipposideros , Myotis myotis and occasionally at least four additional bat species. Approximately one hundred individuals of Miniopterus schreibersii use the cellars from spring to autumn. During winter Rhinolophus hipposideros is the most abundant bat species. Myotis myotis uses the castle mostly as autumnal mating quarters. The most serious threat to these bats, besides vandalism, is an imminent collapse of the castle wing above the cellars with the highest concentration of bats. Some conservation measures are already being implemented. The crucial element of the conservation of the bats, with special emphasis on Miniopterus schreibersii , is the correct renovation of the castle's cellars.

Aerial deposition of cadmium has been monitored from 1994-1995 to the present by extraction of cadmium from petroleum jelly coated onto ceramic tiles placed near two nursery roosts and in the foraging area of greater horseshoe bats, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum . The mean cadmium deposit from aerial precipitation recorded in the area from 1994-1995 at locations which were upwind of the power station was 0.11 ± 0.05 mg/kg/mm rain per day compared with 1.01 ± 1.60 mg/kg/mm rain per day at locations downwind. After the oil-fired power station closed in 1996 subsequent analysis from 1998-2000 showed a slight increase in cadmium precipitation at upwind locations (0.22 ± 0.06 mg/kg/mm rain per day) but a decrease at the downwind locations (0.32 ± 0.07 mg/kg/mm rain per day). After closure of the oilfired power station near the bat roosts the aerial deposition of cadmium downwind was reduced but continued monitoring of the cadmium precipitation in the area is indicated since cadmium deposition still occurs. The deposits of cadmium have not had a major impact on the number of adult bats which have increased from 1994 to 2000. The findings made in this study have implications for conservation of the greater horseshoe bats which are at the Northern limit of their distribution.

This study concerns comparison of bat activity in five mixed coniferous forest areas, exposed to different degree of air pollution. Forest age at every study plot was 70-100 years. The main census method was the detection of ultrasound signals along line transects. A significant difference was found in bat diversity and activity between these areas. Median flight activity varied between 21 flights/1 control (Biebrza Valley) and 1 flight/1 control (Upper Silesia). The largest bat diversity was found at the less disturbed and less polluted forests in Białowieża Primeval Forest and Biebrza Valley, the lowest was recorded at the Upper Silesia region in South-West Poland, the area of highest impact of heavy industry. The possible reasons for these results are analyzed and discussed.