Acta Chiropterologica, 2(2): 127-144, 2000

PL ISSN 1508-1109 copyright Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS

The efficacy of Anabat ultrasonic detectors and harp traps for surveying microchiropterans in south-eastern Australia

ANGELA M. DUFFY, LINDA F. LUMSDEN¹, CATHERINE R. CADDLE, RYAN R. CHICK, and GRAEME R. NEWELL

Arthur Rylah Institute, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, P.O. Box 137, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia 1 Corresponding author: E-mail: Ten adres pocztowy jest chroniony przed spamowaniem. Aby go zobaczyć, konieczne jest włączenie w przeglądarce obsługi JavaScript.

Insectivorous bats were surveyed using harp traps and ultrasonic bat detectors at 284 sites in three regions of Victoria, south-eastern Australia. Ten species were recorded in the Box-Ironbark region, 16 species in North-east Victoria, and 14 species in Gippsland. Detectors yielded more species records per site in the Box-Ironbark region (where forests are dry, open and fragmented), whereas harp traps were more successful in the North-east and Gippsland (where forests are generally denser and taller). Results suggest that detectors are likely to be most effective where there are fewer potential species to be considered in call identification, and that harp traps are likely to be most effective in areas of relatively dense vegetation with discrete flyways. Overall the two techniques were complementary, as they were subject to different biases in the suite of species most likely to be recorded. A library of over 250 ultrasonic reference calls was compiled as the basis for the identification of unknown calls. There was a high level of variation in the search-phase calls produced by each species, and between 15 and 40 reference calls were considered necessary to gain an adequate representation of this variation within the study area. This high level of intra-specific variability, combined with a considerable inter-specific overlap in call characteristics, resulted in a conservative approach to call identification. The development of an identification key was useful in alleviating problems of subjectivity and lack of repeatability associated with qualitative methods of call identification. Investigation of optimal sampling periods revealed that between three and five hours of recording after sunset was required to obtain records of approximately 70% of the species identified from a complete night of detector data. Suggestions are provided for the design of future surveys using harp traps and detectors.

Key words: Microchiroptera, survey methods, ultrasonic detectors, Anabat, harp traps, Victoria, Australia

Acta Chiropterologica, 2(2): 145-153, 2000

PL ISSN 1508-1109 copyright Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS

The efficacy of acoustic techniques to infer differential use of habitat by bats

RICHARD E. SHERWIN¹, WILLIAM L. GANNNON², and SHAUNA R. HAYMOND³

1 Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA E-mail: Ten adres pocztowy jest chroniony przed spamowaniem. Aby go zobaczyć, konieczne jest włączenie w przeglądarce obsługi JavaScript. 2 Division of Mammals, Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA 3 Holistic Wildlife Services Biological Consulting, 104 Spring Drive SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124, USA

The use of acoustic detectors to investigate differential use of habitat by bats has become increasingly common. However, in many of these studies, authors failed to clearly articulate assumptions a priori. For example, spatial and temporal scales were rarely defined. True replication is rarely reported, suggesting that authors assume that these systems are both spatially and temporally static. In this study, we attempted to clearly identify underlying assumptions of this technique, thereby limiting level of inference to a clearly defined and repeatable degree. We followed strict assumptions beforehand and were able to classify bat calls into guilds based on acoustic data. Lack of experience in acoustic identification by technicians did not affect the outcome, as guilds were based on bat call sequences following strict rules of classification. Individuals in guilds were not randomly distributed across sample locations. However, distribution of guild members did not suggest differential use of habitat, as within habitat variation was often greater than that observed among types of habitat. Explicitly stating assumptions before surveys were conducted 'protected' us from making incorrect inferences. We suggest that care be taken when attempting to infer differential use of habitat by bats using acoustic techniques.

Key words: Microchiroptera, acoustic monitoring, community ecology, detector, guild

Acta Chiropterologica, 2(2): 155-170, 2000

PL ISSN 1508-1109 copyright Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS

We review how time-expanded recordings and direct sampling of sound can be used to identify some bat species from their vocalizations, and how such methods may be applied to field surveys of bat activity. Some species emit distinctive social calls that permit identification, and social calls may be individually distinctive within species. Analysis of echolocation calls can identify cryptic species that are very similar in appearance, but differ in echolocation calls. Echolocation calls vary according to ecology and morphology both across and within species. Although some species emit distinctive echolocation calls, great care must be used in the acoustic identification of other species, especially in cluttered habitats. Species identification from echolocation calls is best approached by quantitative analysis, such as discriminant function analysis (DFA) based on several measurements taken from calls. DFA gives an objective measure of confidence in species identification, and can be applied to surveys of habitat use providing that certain limitations are recognised. Discrimination of species from their echolocation calls may be improved by quantifying the shape of calls from their frequency-time course, and by using artificial neural networks. Feeding rates can be estimated in bat detector surveys, though not all terminal buzzes emitted prior to prey capture are associated with successful capture of prey. Time expansion and direct sampling methods retain more detail of individual echolocation calls than do other methods. Not only can these methods be used to a certain extent for species identification and habitat use studies, they remain the only suitable methods for describing call design in bats from a detailed bioacoustics perspective.

Key words: echolocation, social calls, discriminant analysis, neural networks, habitat use, feeding rates

Acta Chiropterologica, 2(2): 171-183, 2000

PL ISSN 1508-1109 copyright Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS

Contribution of acoustic methods to the study of insectivorous bat diversity in protected areas from northern Venezuela

JOSE OCHOA G.¹, MICHAEL J. O'FARRELL², and BRUCE W. MILLER³

1 Asociacion Venezolana para la Conservacion de Areas Naturales (ACOANA) / Wildlife Conservation Society, Apartado 69520, Caracas 1063-A, Venezuela; E-mail: Ten adres pocztowy jest chroniony przed spamowaniem. Aby go zobaczyć, konieczne jest włączenie w przeglądarce obsługi JavaScript. 2 O'Farrell Biological Consulting, 2912 North Jones Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV89108, USA 3 Wildlife Conservation Society, 185th and Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10460, USA

We present the results of an acoustic survey of aerial insectivorous bats conducted in four protected areas in northern Venezuela. These areas represent localities where the taxonomic composition of the bat communities was relatively well known. We conducted field surveys using the Anabat II detector and analysis system. We compared acoustic inventories with previous lists obtained with conventional sampling methods (principally mist nets). We identified 30 species acoustically (representing 15 genera of the families Emballonuridae, Noctilionidae, Mormoopidae, Vespertilionidae, and Molossidae) on the basis of vocal signatures. Nineteen of these were verified by capture and subsequent recording of released animals; the remainder were identified by comparison with verified vocalizations from other localities. An additional 11 unidentified but distinct taxa were recorded and are referred to here as 'sonotypes' (based on similarities in call structure to known species) representing eight genera of the families Emballonuridae, Vespertilionidae, and Molossidae. The short-term acoustic surveys nearly equaled or exceeded the known species richness at three of the four localities, and added two to nine species to previous lists from all locations; many of these bats correspond to taxa difficult to detect with conventional capture methods.

Key words: insectivorous bats, acoustic survey, Anabat, community inventory, technique comparison, Neotropics, protected areas, Venezuela

Acta Chiropterologica, 2(2): 185-196, 2000

PL ISSN 1508-1109 copyright Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS

Geographic variation in the echolocation calls of the hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus)

MICHAEL J. O'FARRELL¹, CHRIS CORBEN², and WILLIAM L. GANNON³

1 0'Farrell Biological Consulting, 2912 North Jones Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89108, USA E-mail: Ten adres pocztowy jest chroniony przed spamowaniem. Aby go zobaczyć, konieczne jest włączenie w przeglądarce obsługi JavaScript. 2 333 Enterprise Drive #16, Rohnert Park, CA 94928, USA 3 Division of Mammals, Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA

Use of bat detectors to perform inventories, determine activity, and assess differential use of habitats has become a generally accepted method. However, there has been vigorous disagreement as to the level of efficacy, primarily relating to the ability to distinguish certain species and groups of species. The primary explanation suggested for the inability to identify certain species is due to the magnitude of intraspecific variation resulting in overlap among species, presumably compounded by geographic variation. Lasiurus cinereus has been identified as exhibiting the greatest degree of geographic variation including recent findings of distinct variation between populations in Hawaii and Manitoba. We find that claims of geographic variation have not been proven because of small sample size and lack of adequate description of method, including the behavior of the bat and the context during which bats were recorded. Previous geographical comparisons of species have relied on standard statistical methods that do not allow a comprehensive examination of the range in variation of diagnostic call parameters. We present data from a broad range of sites throughout mainland United States and Hawaii, and compare a multivariate statistical approach with repertoire plots of characteristic frequency versus call duration. Although we demonstrated a statistical finding of geographic variation in L. cinereus, small sample size, context, and behavior could not be discounted as the proximal cause of observed variation. The perceived variation across the geographic range that we sampled did not affect our ability to identify the species by call structure. We suggest methods for future studies of geographic variation.

Key words: acoustic identification, Anabat, echolocation, call structure, geographic variation, Lasiurus cinereus

Acta Chiropterologica, 2(2): 197-207, 2000

PL ISSN 1508-1109 copyright Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS

Community level support for the allotonic frequency hypothesis

DAVID S. JACOBS

Department of Zoology, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa E-mail: Ten adres pocztowy jest chroniony przed spamowaniem. Aby go zobaczyć, konieczne jest włączenie w przeglądarce obsługi JavaScript.

The allotonic frequency hypothesis proposes that some insectivorous bats increase their access to moths that can hear echolocation calls by using frequencies to which the ears of the moths are less sensitive. The hypothesis predicts that the frequencies of bat echolocation calls are positively correlated with the incidence of moths in the diet of these bats. Studies that have provided evidence in support of the allotonic frequency hypothesis have relied on data collected by a number of researchers, in a number of different ways and at different times. The aim of this study was to test the allotonic frequency hypothesis on a single African bat community so that data for the different species could be collected at more or less the same time and in the same way. This community consisted of three high duty cycle species, Cloeotis percivali, Hipposideros caffer, and Rhinolophus simulator, and two low duty cycle species, Miniopterus schreibersii and Scotophilus borbonicus. As predicted by the hypothesis, echolocation frequency was positively correlated with the proportion of moths in the diet of these bats. Echolocation frequency was also a better predictor of diet than wing morphology suggesting that the selection pressure exerted by moth hearing might have acted directly on call frequency and secondarily on wing morphology, as part of the same adaptive complex. These results suggest that structure of bat communities might be determined by prey defenses rather than by competition.

Key words: echolocation, diet, moths, wing loading, Hipposideridae, Rhinolophidae, Vespertilionidae

Acta Chiropterologica, 2(2): 209-213, 2000

PL ISSN 1508-1109 copyright Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS

Variability in sensitivity of Anabat II bat detectors and a method of calibration

DAVID J. LARSON and JOHN P. HAYES

Department of Forest Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA E-mail: Ten adres pocztowy jest chroniony przed spamowaniem. Aby go zobaczyć, konieczne jest włączenie w przeglądarce obsługi JavaScript.

Use of bat detectors can be an effective method of comparing relative amounts of activity of bats among areas. If multiple detectors are used, differences in sensitivity of detectors could bias results. We investigated the variability in sensitivity and field of detection of 14 Anabat II bat detectors. Levels of sensitivity varied among detectors, greatly affecting relative sizes of the fields of detection. Calibration using an ultrasonic signal source can minimize variability in sensitivity among detectors.

Key words: Anabat II, bat detectors, calibration, echolocation calls

Acta Chiropterologica, 2(2): 215-224, 2000

PL ISSN 1508-1109 copyright Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS

Choosing the 'correct' bat detector

M. BROCK FENTON

CBCB, Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen's Park, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2C6, Canada E-mail: Ten adres pocztowy jest chroniony przed spamowaniem. Aby go zobaczyć, konieczne jest włączenie w przeglądarce obsługi JavaScript.

Direct field comparisons revealed that in any time period, a bat detecting system using zero-crossing period meter analysis (the Anabat II Bat Detector with Anabat ZCAIM and Anabat 6 software) detected significantly fewer bat echolocation calls than a time-expansion bat detecting system (Pettersson D980 detector with BatSoundPro software). Furthermore, the features of 81 echolocation calls (highest frequency, in kHz; lowest frequency, in kHz; duration, in ms) recorded and analyzed on both systems differed significantly. Regression analyses indicated no consistent, frequently unpredictable differences between Anabat and Pettersson values for the lowest frequencies in echolocation calls, but a significant correlation for their highest frequencies and durations. In a variety of field settings in Israel and in southern Ontario, Canada involving both foraging bats and bats emerging from a cave roost, the Pettersson system recorded echolocation calls not detected by the Anabat system. When many Myotis bats were emerging from a cave roost in Israel, the Anabat system did not detect the calls of a Rhinolophus species or those of another vespertilionid which were detected by the Pettersson system. The differences in performance between the two kinds of systems reflect differences in sensitivity and operation between zero-crossing period meters and time-expansion systems. Data on bat activity or echolocation calls detected and analyzed by a zero-crossing period meter system like Anabat are not as consistent or as reliable as those obtained by a time-expansion system like the Pettersson. Differences in performance of bat detectors coincide with considerable difference in costs, from about US$ 650 for an Anabat system, to over US$ 2,000 for a Pettersson system, which involves digital time-expansion. A time-expansion system involving a high speed tape recorder will cost over US$ 30,000. When it comes to bat detectors and analysis systems, the quality of data that will be obtained is a direct reflection of cost - buyers get what they pay for.

Key words: bat activity, echolocation calls, time-expansion, zero-crossing period meters

Acta Chiropterologica, 2(2): 225-236, 2000

PL ISSN 1508-1109 copyright Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS

Assumptions and practical considerations in the design and interpretation of echolocation-monitoring studies

JOHN P. HAYES

Department of Forest Science, 321D Richardson Hall, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA E-mail: Ten adres pocztowy jest chroniony przed spamowaniem. Aby go zobaczyć, konieczne jest włączenie w przeglądarce obsługi JavaScript.

Bat detectors increasingly are used in studies of the ecology and behavior of bats. A number of assumptions are implicit to these studies, although these assumptions rarely are stated explicitly and sometimes are not recognized by researchers. The strength of inference resulting from echolocation-monitoring studies is, in part, a function of the extent to which underlying assumptions are met. Recognition of underlying assumptions is thus an important facet of the design and interpretation of echolocation-monitoring studies. In this paper, I outline and discuss six key assumptions underlying most echolocation-monitoring studies. Accounting for sources of temporal, spatial, and sampling variation is key for designing robust studies and for meeting the assumptions underlying echolocation-monitoring studies.

Key words: echolocation, bat detectors, experimental design, inference, monitoring

Acta Chiropterologica, 2(1): 1-5, 2000

PL ISSN 1508-1109 copyright Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS

Nectar feeding behavior in the short-nosed fruit bat Cynopterus sphinx (Pteropodidae)

VADAMALAI ELANGOVAN¹, GANAPATHY MARIMUTHU¹ and THOMAS H. KUNZ²

1 Department of Animal Behaviour and Physiology, School of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai 625 021, India; E-mail of GM: Ten adres pocztowy jest chroniony przed spamowaniem. Aby go zobaczyć, konieczne jest włączenie w przeglądarce obsługi JavaScript. 2 Center for Ecology and Conservation Biology, Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA

Nectar feeding behavior of the short-nosed bat, Cynopterus sphinx, was observed under natural conditions in South India. Nectar production of 'steady-state' flowers of Musa ´ paradisiaca and 'big-bang' flowers of Bassia latifolia was quantified. Cynopterus sphinx typically foraged alone on flowers of M. ´ paradisiaca and as groups on B. latifolia, largely in response to the availability of these floral resources. Peak visits on flowers of M. ´ paradisiaca by C. sphinx occurred at 2000 h and on B. latifolia at 2100 h. Peak visits coincided with the maximum nectar production and sugar concentration of these floral resources. In addition to feeding on nectar early in the evening, C. sphinx acquired additional energy by feeding on carbohydrate-rich fruit. In return for these food resources, C. sphinx provides important pollination and seed-dispersal services to the plants that they visit nightly, and thus can profoundly influence the co-evolution of plants and bats.

Key words: Cynopterus sphinx, nectar-feeding, plant-visiting, group foraging, solitary foraging, co-evolution

Acta Chiropterologica, 2(1): 7-14, 2000

PL ISSN 1508-1109 copyright Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS

Social dominance and cluster formation in Chaerephon pumilus (Molossidae)

CHRISTOPHER M. SOMERS^{1, 2} and SYLVIE BOUCHARD¹

1 York University, Department of Biology, 4700 Keele St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada M3J 1P3 2 Present address: McMaster University, Department of Biology, 1280 Main St. West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1; E-mail: Ten adres pocztowy jest chroniony przed spamowaniem. Aby go zobaczyć, konieczne jest włączenie w przeglądarce obsługi JavaScript.

The sequestering of resources by dominant individuals is commonly observed in group-living mammals. Most bats are gregarious, yet we do not know what impact social dominance may have on the way they share roosts, a common limiting resource for many species. We videotaped a captive group of 10 little free-tailed bats (Chaerephon pumilus) to examine the relationship between social rank and ability to become part of clusters during roosting. Overall, bats of higher social rank were more successful in joining clusters. When the sexes were analyzed independently, males successfully joined clusters more often against lower ranked individuals, whereas females did not. Contrary to predictions, the most dominant male did not exclude subordinate males from joining clusters containing females. The nature of female relationships is unclear, however they probably do not exert dominance over one another while roosting because of the metabolic benefits of clustering.

Key words: Chaerephon pumilus, cluster, dominance, roosting, captivity

Acta Chiropterologica, 2(1): 15-22, 2000

PL ISSN 1508-1109 copyright Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS

Dietary composition and habitat use in a desert insectivorous bat community in Israel

RACHELI FELDMAN¹, JOHN O. WHITAKER, JR.², and YORAM YOM-TOV^{1, 3}

1 Department of Zoology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel 2 Department of Life Sciences, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN 47809, USA 3 Corresponding author: E-mail: Ten adres pocztowy jest chroniony przed spamowaniem. Aby go zobaczyć, konieczne jest włączenie w przeglądarce obsługi JavaScript.

Diet and habitat selection of several species of insectivorous bats were studied in the Dead Sea area, Israel. Significant differences in diet composition were found among the species studied. Long-eared bats (Plecotus austriacus and Nycteris thebaica) tended to feed on Lepidoptera, and N. thebaica also on Diptera; Asellia tridens and Rhinolophus clivosus on Coleoptera and Hymenoptera; Rhinolophus hipposideros on Lepidoptera and Diptera; Eptesicus bottae on Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera; Pipistrellus bodenheimeri and Pipistrellus kuhlii on Diptera and Lepidoptera; and Pipistrellus rueppellii on Diptera. Dietary niche breadth (B%v) was widest for P. bodenheimeri and narrowest for P. austriacus. There were significant species-related differences in habitat utilization. Tadarida teniotis and Rhinopoma hardwickei foraged almost exclusively in open areas; 'over water' habitat was preferred by P. rueppellii and utilized extensively also by P. bodenheimeri; 'near street lights' and 'edges of vegetation and cliffs' by P. kuhlii; 'edges of vegetation and cliffs' by P. bodenheimeri and E. bottae, and 'cluttered environment' by A. tridens, R. hipposideros, and R. clivosus. Community structure of these bats is discussed.

Key words: Microchiroptera, diet, niche breadth, habitat selection, Israel

Acta Chiropterologica, 2(1): 23-36, 2000

PL ISSN 1508-1109 copyright Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS

The bat fauna of the Saül region, French Guiana

NANCY B. SIMMONS¹, ROBERT S. VOSS¹, and HEATHER C. PECKHAM²

1 Department of Mammalogy, Division of Vertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY 10024, USA; E-mail of NBS: Ten adres pocztowy jest chroniony przed spamowaniem. Aby go zobaczyć, konieczne jest włączenie w przeglądarce obsługi JavaScript. 2 Yale School of Forestry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA

The area around Saül, French Guiana, offers easy access to undisturbed lowland primary rainforest as well as cleared and disturbed areas near human settlements. Fieldwork conducted at Les Eaux Claires (a homestead 7 km N of Saül) in July and August 1999 resulted in capture of 40 species of bats, including 17 species previously unknown from the area. Together with records from prior studies, this brings the known bat fauna of the Saül region to 54 species. Consideration of collecting methods and comparisons with faunas from elsewhere in French Guiana suggest that the present faunal list is strongly biased in favor of understory gleaners and frugivores (members of the phyllostomid subfamilies Phyllostominae, Carolliinae, and Stenodermatinae). During our sampling period, bat capture rates were higher in modified habitats (manmade clearings, secondary growth, ad disturbed forest) than in primary forest, but species accumulation rates were higher in primary forest than in modified habitats. Phyllostomines accounted for the majority of captures in primary forest, while stenodermatines accounted for most captures in modified habitats. Analysis of faunal relationships indicates that the at list is most similar to those from the lower Arataye region and neighboring sites in French Guiana. French Guianan bat faunas cluster with those from other sites in the Guiana subregion of Amazonia, and are distinct from those of southeastern and western Amazonian localities.

Key words: Chiroptera, French Guiana, inventory, sampling bias, habitat preference, biogeography

Acta Chiropterologica, 2(1): 37-51, 2000

PL ISSN 1508-1109 copyright Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS

Noteworthy records of bats from Ecuador

FIONA A. REID, MARK D. ENGSTROM, and BURTON K. LIM

Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen's Park, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2C6, Canada; E-mail of MDE: Ten adres pocztowy jest chroniony przed spamowaniem. Aby go zobaczyć, konieczne jest włączenie w przeglądarce obsługi JavaScript.

We surveyed mammals at a site in Napo Province, eastern Ecuador, in 1995 and 1996. We recorded 66 species at the site, including four species new to the fauna of Ecuador (Cynomops paranus, Eumops hansae, E. maurus, and Molossus coibensis), two species recorded for the first time from eastern Ecuador (Lichonycteris obscura and Promops centralis), and a new record for Napo Province (Artibeus gnomus). Although species richness of bats is among the highest recorded in any single area in western Amazonia, the inventory still probably considerably underestimates total species-level diversity.

Key words: Chiroptera, distribution, Ecuador, Napo Province, species richness

Acta Chiropterologica, 2(1): 53-82, 2000

PL ISSN 1508-1109 copyright Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS

A review of bat research in Myanmar (Burma) and results of a recent survey

PAUL J. J. BATES¹, TIN NWE², MALCOLM J. PEARCH¹, KHIN MAUNG SWE², SI SI HLA BU², and THANDA TUN²

1 Harrison Institute, Centre for Systematics and Biodiversity Research, Bowerwood House, St. Botolph's Road, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 3AQ, Great Britain; E-mail: Ten adres pocztowy jest chroniony przed spamowaniem. Aby go zobaczyć, konieczne jest włączenie w przeglądarce obsługi JavaScript. 2 Department of Zoology, University of Yangon, Yangon, Myanmar

Although the systematic research of bats in Myanmar (Burma) began some 140 years ago, relatively few studies were conducted in the latter half of the 20th century. This paper seeks to review previous published research (1863-2000). It lists the 88 species currently recorded from the country and provides a baseline for further studies. Additionally, it includes the results of a recent bat survey in Mon and Kayin States and Mandalay Division during which voucher specimens of 14 species were collected. Rhinolophus malayanus is recorded from Myanmar for the first time and its diagnostic characters are compared with other taxa in Rhinolophus ferrumequinum group. The survey also confirmed the presence of Miniopterus pusillus, included the second record of Taphozous theobaldi and a major range extension for Miniopterus magnater. Taxonomic notes and data on national and extralimital distributions, ecology and conservation status are included for each of the 14 species.

Key words: Chiroptera, Myanmar, Burma, systematics, distribution, ecology, conservation, Rhinolophus malayanus

Acta Chiropterologica, 2(1): 83-96, 2000

PL ISSN 1508-1109 copyright Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS

The bat fauna of Bali and Nusa Penida, Lesser Sunda Islands: corrections and additions (Mammalia: Chiroptera)

DIETER KOCK¹ and KLAUS DOBAT²

1 Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg, Senckenberganlage 25, D-60325 Frankfurt a. M., Germany E-mail: Ten adres pocztowy jest chroniony przed spamowaniem. Aby go zobaczyć, konieczne jest włączenie w przeglądarce obsługi JavaScript. 2 Botanischer Garten, Universität Tübingen, Hartmeyerstr. 123, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany

Reviewed is the Chiropteran fauna of Bali Island. A previous checklist is up-dated by recent publications and complemented by an additional collection, comprising new species records. Bat records for neighbouring Nusa Penida are included, because species collected from this island are erroneously quoted for Bali. A total of 40 and ten species are documented for Bali and Nusa Penida, respectively. Of 35 species on a previous checklist for Bali, four should be deleted (including a Miniopterus species recorded by two different species names), ten others have been listed for Bali, but one of these erroneously, and at least two are doubtful, as no collected specimens are documented. Of the ten species on Nusa Penida, three are unrecorded from Bali, though often erroneously cited for this island.

Key words: Chiropteran fauna, Bali, Nusa Penida, Lesser Sunda Islands, bibliography, checklist

Acta Chiropterologica, 2(1): 97-105, 2000

PL ISSN 1508-1109 copyright Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS

Complete albinism is a rare phenomenon that occurs in all vertebrate groups. In bats, albinism has been recorded in several species but this information has not previously been reviewed in detail nor has there been an analysis of its importance. In this study, cases of albinism from the literature are checked and new cases are presented. Complete albinism in bats is documented in eight families, 38 species, and at least 64 individuals (47.4%++ and 52.6%>>; n = 38). Of these, 39 individuals were observed and/or captured in sheltered roosts, such as caves (51.3%), mines and galleries (20.5%), buildings (17.9%), and hollow-trees and bird boxes (7.7%). Only one albino bat (2.6%) was captured in an external roost (foliage). This individual is the fruit bat, Artibeus planirostris, which is recorded here for the first time. Information on four additional cases of albino individuals of the common vampire bat, Desmodus rotundus, is also presented. It is suggested that sheltered roosts favour survival of albino bats, offering protection against sunlight, water loss, and visually hunting predators.

Key words: albinism, Desmodus rotundus, Artibeus planirostris, Brazil

Acta Chiropterologica, 2(1): 107-122, 2000

PL ISSN 1508-1109 copyright Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS

Of the family Pteropodidae (Megachiroptera), only the placentae of Rousettus and Pteropus have been examined ultrastructurally. Recently, the interhemal membrane characteristics of some members of this family have been questioned. We report here on the fine structure of the interhemal membrane of Rousettus leschenaulti and Cynopterus sphinx gangeticus. Contrary to earlier reports of a consistent endotheliochorial nature of the membrane until mid-gestation in Rousettus, such a condition is found to be restricted to the trilaminar blastocyst stage. Thereafter, the placental membrane was hemodichorial. We also document how the trophoblast surface has been modified to create honeycombed intrasyncytial desmosomes in Rousettus. The intrasyncytial lamina and maternal endothelium are lacking in the hemodichorial interhemal membrane of Cynopterus.

Key words: Megachiroptera, Pteropodidae, Cynopterus sphinx, Rousettus leschenaulti, interhemal membrane, placenta

Too often biologists use terms such as constant frequency (CF) and frequency modulated (FM) to describe the echolocation behaviour of bats or the bats themselves. While CF and FM describe echolocation calls or their components, they do not accurately depict the bats or their echolocation behaviour. By definition, over some period of time a CF signal has no bandwidth (0 kHz), while an FM signal has bandwidth (> 0 kHz). The echolocation calls produced by a wide range of species reveal that aerial feeding bats (those that use echolocation to detect, track and assess airborne prey, usually flying insects) produce high intensity echolocation calls that may include both CF and FM components. Depending upon the frequencies dominating the echolocation calls of these bats, they are detectable by most bat detectors at distances of 5 to > 10 m. In contrast, gleaning bats (those that take prey from surfaces), species that eat blood, and those that visit plants, produce low intensity echolocation calls detectable at distances of < 2 m; those of many species at " 1 m. Each of these general categories of echolocation call intensities appears in a variety of families of bats. While most echolocating bats produce their echolocation calls at low duty cycle (signal on ca. 10% of the time), separating pulse and echo in time, a few (Rhinolophidae, Hipposideridae, and the mormoopid Pteronotus parnellii) separate pulse and echo in frequency, producing echolocation calls at high duty cycle (signal on > 30% of the time). These bats can broadcast and receive at the same time. Although 'CF' accurately describes the components of some echolocation calls, it does not accurately portray the echolocation behaviour or the bats themselves. Variation in the calls of echolocating bats complicates the business of identifying species by these features alone.

Key words: Chiroptera, echolocation, constant frequency, frequency modulated, high duty and low duty cycle

Acta Chiropterologica, 1(2): 137-150, 1999 PL ISSN 1508-1109 copyright Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS

Since 1978 we have used ultrasound detectors for field studies of European bat species and large scale mapping and monitoring in Denmark and Sweden. The method has revolutionized the field studies of bats with great possibilities and advantages. Most of the 31-32 European bat species can be identified with bat detectors, but in practical work a few species pairs may have to be lumped, e.g., Myotis mystacinus/brandtii. The species are not equally easy to find and identify, and some may need considerable time to be identified. No single variable of bat sound can be used to separate all species, and identification is often based on a number of characters in combination. Both acoustic and visual clues are of importance. Analyses of recorded sounds are valuable but do not stand alone; it is important to gain as much information as possible on the spot from the total situation in the field. We use ultrasound detectors equipped with heterodyne and time expansion systems in combination. This combination has many advantages for instant identification as well as subsequent analysis.

Key words: ultrasound detectors, heterodyning, time expansion, Chiroptera, field identification, surveys, monitoring, Europe

Acta Chiropterologica, 1(2): 151-164, 1999 PL ISSN 1508-1109 copyright Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS

Biology and management of the grey-headed flying-fox, Pteropus poliocephalus

CHRISTOPHER R. TIDEMANN

Forestry Department, School of Resource Management and Environmental Science, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia; E-mail: Ten adres pocztowy jest chroniony przed spamowaniem. Aby go zobaczyć, konieczne jest włączenie w przeglądarce obsługi JavaScript.

Pteropus poliocephalus is endemic to coastal eastern Australia (20-28°S), where infrequent, but extreme droughts and floods, commonly across large parts of the range, cause major swings in the availability of forage - primarily eucalypt blossom, supplemented with fruits and leaves. It can establish camps in most types of closed vegetation > 3 m in height and it can breed opportunistically. Nevertheless, camp occupation is persistent in most areas in most years, and most births coincide with the southern spring. Mean (ą SD) age at recovery of banded animals was 40.4 (ą18.8) months; the oldest was 96 months (30 recovered/1840 banded). Seventy-six percent of foraging records (n = 433) were within 20 km of the camp of origin. Pteropus poliocephalus has experienced a range reduction since European settlement and it is widely believed to be vulnerable to extinction. Possible causes of a decline are climate change, competition with congenerics, habitat loss and modification, and pest control. Conservation effort has been expended primarily on protective legislation, reservation, and promotion of the benefits of P. poliocephalus as well as other flying-foxes; the problems they cause (mostly off-reserve) have been poorly addressed and monitoring has been inadequate. Collaborative management by major stakeholders (= cost-bearers) would facilitate both the development of cost-effective and benign methods for excluding flocks from inappropriate areas, and monitoring of population status. Measures developed to manage P. poliocephalus could inform management of other flying-foxes for most problems are generic.

Key words: Pteropodidae, Pteropus, off-reserve conservation, adaptive management, biology

Acta Chiropterologica, 1(2): 165-178, 1999 PL ISSN 1508-1109 copyright Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS

A live-trapping study was conducted to determine relative abundance, seasonality of activity, movements, and breeding season in the rare golden-tipped bat Kerivoula papuensis. All records of the species in Australia between its 'rediscovery' in 1981 and this study were the result of chance captures. Populations of the species were investigated at three sites, one in subtropical north-eastern New South Wales and two in tropical north-eastern Queensland. The species was only captured in harp traps. A total of 233 individuals were recorded at a capture rate of 14.8 individuals/100 harp trap-nights in the Richmond Range, New South Wales. Twenty-six individuals were captured in the two Atherton Tableland sites in north-eastern Queensland at a combined capture rate of 7.4 individuals/100 harp trap-nights. The sex ratio did not significantly differ from parity across all sites. The species displayed a distinct seasonal pattern in activity with capture rates peaking from mid-spring to mid-autumn when diurnal temperatures are high and nights are mild. The species was monoestrous in the Richmond Range and appeared to follow a similar strategy in north-eastern Queensland. A recapture rate of 38.4% was recorded for banded individuals in the Richmond Range, with maximum distances recorded between trap sites of 1,255 m in males and 875 m in females.

Key words: Vespertilionidae, Kerivoula papuensis, relative abundance, seasonality, capture rate, breeding season, movements

Acta Chiropterologica, 1(2): 179-190, 1999 PLISSN 1508-1109 copyright Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS

First records of 10 bat species in Guyana and comments on diversity of bats in Iwokrama Forest

BURTON K. LIM¹, MARK D. ENGSTROM¹, ROBERT M. TIMM², ROBERT P. ANDERSON², and L. CYNTHIA WATSON³

1Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen's Park, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2C6, Canada; E-mail: Ten adres pocztowy jest chroniony przed spamowaniem. Aby go zobaczyć, konieczne jest włączenie w przeglądarce obsługi JavaScript. 2 Natural History Museum and Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045-2454, USA 3 Centre for the Study of Biological Diversity, University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus, East Coast Demerara, Guyana

Ten species of bats (Centronycteris maximiliani, Diclidurus albus, D. ingens, D. isabellus, Peropteryx leucoptera, Micronycteris brosseti, M. microtis, Tonatia carrikeri, Lasiurus atratus, and Myotis riparius) collected in the Iwokrama International Rain Forest Programme site represent the first records of these taxa from Guyana. This report brings the known bat fauna of Guyana to 107 species and the fauna of Iwokrama Forest to 74 species. Measurements, reproductive data, and comments on taxonomy and distribution are provided.

Key words: Chiroptera, Neotropics, Guyana, Iwokrama Forest, inventory, species diversity

Acta Chiropterologica, 1(2): 191-200, 1999 PL ISSN 1508-1109 copyright Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS

Problems with the identification of southern African Chaerephon (Molossidae), and the possibility of a cryptic species from South Africa and Swaziland

PETER J. TAYLOR

Durban Natural Science Museum, P.O. Box 4085, Durban 4000, South Africa E-mail: Ten adres pocztowy jest chroniony przed spamowaniem. Aby go zobaczyć, konieczne jest włączenie w przeglądarce obsługi JavaScript.

Examination of recent collections of bats from KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa) and Swaziland, provisionally referred to Chaerephon cf. pumilus, reveals considerable variability in pelage colour (either greyish-brown or reddish-brown) and certain diagnostic characters of the skull and teeth from previous keys, in particular the degree of emargination of the anterior edge of the palate and the length of the maxillary toothrow. Based on the previously used key for southern African Molossidae, some specimens show diagnostic characters attributed to Chaerephon ansorgei and C. nigeriae, but in other characters, such as colour, forearm length, skull size, and relative mandible thickness, they clearly do not belong to either of these species. The obtained results suggest that the previously widely used key is inadequate for southern African Chaerephon, and a cryptic species, closely related to C. pumilus but with a partially or completely emarginated palatal condition, slightly larger forearm and skull size, better developed postaural crest, and high frequency of reddish-brown-coloured individuals, may occur in South Africa and Swaziland. A more extensive review is required to determine the relationships of this cryptic form to other African forms of the highly variable C. pumilus species-complex. A revised key to southern African Chaerephon species is presented.

Key words: Molossidae, Chaerephon, South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, Swaziland, morphology, taxonomy

Acta Chiropterologica, 1(2): 201-208, 1999 PL ISSN 1508-1109 copyright Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS

Sugar composition of fruit and nectar and preferences of bats: causes and consequences

L. GERARDO HERRERA M.

Universidad Nacional Autonóma de México, Instituto de Biologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Apartado Postal 70-153, 04510 Mexico DF, México; E-mail: Ten adres pocztowy jest chroniony przed spamowaniem. Aby go zobaczyć, konieczne jest włączenie w przeglądarce obsługi JavaScript.

Fruits and nectars vary in their sugar composition according to the kind of animals that ingest them. It has been hypothesized that the preferences and physiological characteristics of animals have influenced the evolution of sugar composition of plant products associated with certain groups of seed dispersers and pollinators. I review studies conducted on bats to test the generality of this hypothesis, in particular in the neotropics. The hypothesis is not supported for plants consumed by New World bats. Some alternatives to explain evolution of sugar composition in bat flowers and fruits in the neotropics are discussed.

Key words: Chiroptera, frugivory, nectarivory, sugars

Acta Chiropterologica, 1(2): 209-214, 1999 PL ISSN 1508-1109 copyright Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS

This study was designed to determine the chemical composition of leaves consumed by the lesser dog-faced fruit bat, Cynopterus brachyotis. Our results indicate that the mean protein content in leaves was 11.59%, whereas the mean calcium content was 7.21 mg/g dry mass. Mean tannins and phenols values were 4.13 and 8.01%, respectively. Levels of tannins and phenols were not correlated with concentrations of protein or calcium. Our results suggest that the chemical composition of leaves consumed by C. brachyotis is sufficient to meet daily protein and calcium requirements, especially during late pregnancy and lactation when energy and nutrient demands are expected to be the highest.

Key words: Pteropodidae, Cynopterus, nutrition, folivory, protein, calcium

Acta Chiropterologica, 1(2): 215-221, 1999 PL ISSN 1508-1109 copyright Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS

Growth, development, and histology of the calcar in the little brown bat, Myotis lucifugus (Vespertilionidae)

RICK A. ADAMS¹ and KATHERINE M. THIBAULT²

1 Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, WI 53190, USA E-mail: Ten adres pocztowy jest chroniony przed spamowaniem. Aby go zobaczyć, konieczne jest włączenie w przeglądarce obsługi JavaScript. 2 Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA

Relative growth and development of the calcar of the little brown bat, Myotis lucifugus, are described. In addition, histological analyses are performed to determine the microstructure of the calcar. Results indicate that the calcar of this species is composed of hyaline cartilage that first appears prenatally and is the last cartilage condensation of the skeleton to form. The calcar is of adult proportions at about the time of first volancy. During juvenile development, the calcar becomes infused with calcium salts that are distributed throughout its core, from its proximal articulation with the calcaneal tuberosity to approximately one half its terminal length. The composite structure of the calcar of both hyaline cartilage and calcified cartilage provides strong yet pliable support for the uropatagium.

Key words: Vespertilionidae, Myotis lucifugus, calcar, development, histology

Acta Chiropterologica, 1(2): 223-230, 1999 PL ISSN 1508-1109 copyright Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS

Ovarian steroidogenesis in the vespertilionid bat, Scotophilus heathi: role of melatonin

ABHILASHA and AMITABH KRISHNA¹

Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India 1 E-mail of AK: Ten adres pocztowy jest chroniony przed spamowaniem. Aby go zobaczyć, konieczne jest włączenie w przeglądarce obsługi JavaScript.

The aim of present study was to establish the role of melatonin in ovarian steroidogenesis in vitro during the reproductive cycle of Scotophilus heathi. Melatonin suppressed the synthesis of androstenedione during quiescence and recrudescence and had no effect during the period of delayed ovulation. It, however, significantly enhanced LH-induced androstenedione synthesis during the preovulatory period. It suppressed the LH-induced testosterone synthesis during winter dormancy and the preovulatory period but not during the quiescence and recrudescence phases. It enhanced LH-induced estradiol productions by the ovary during the quiescence and recrudescence phases. Melatonin also enhanced LH-induced progesterone production during recrudescence but suppressed this during the preovulatory period. The results of the present study suggest that melatonin may be involved in maintaining high circulating androstenedione concentration in S. heathi by suppressing testosterone production during the period of delayed ovulation.

Key words: Chiroptera, Scotophilus, melatonin, androstenedione, delayed ovulation, testosterone