Smirnov D., Dzhamirzoev G., Bykov Yu.
RJEE Vol. 9 (2). 2024 | DOI: 10.21685/2500-0578-2024-2-5
Abstract | PDF (Rus) | Additional files
Receipt date 10.03.24 | Publication date 26.06.2024
EASTERN BARBASTELLE, BARBASTELLA LEUCOMELAS (CHIROPTERA: VESPERTILIONIDAE), IN DAGESTAN
D.G. Smirnov1, G.S. Dzhamirzoev2, Yu.A. Bykov3
1 Penza State University, Penza, Russia
2 Institute of Ecology of mountain territories of A.K. Tembotov of Russian Academy of Sciences, Dagestan National nature reserve, Makhachkala, Russia
3 Meshchora National Park, Gus-Khrustalny, Russia
1 eptesicus@mail.ru, 2 dzhamir@mail.ru, 3 bykov_goos@yahoo.com
Abstract. Barbastella leucomelas is a peripheral species for Russia, whose occurrence is known only in Dagestan. Before 1980, the species was known only from single finds and for the next 50 years there was no confirmation of its occurrence in the region. The research we have undertaken since 2018 has allowed us to collect a large amount of factual material on the distribution, taxonomy and ecology of the species. Some of this material has already been published, but a great deal remains inaccessible to the reader. The aim of this publication was to summaries all available information on this species in the region. Another objective of our study was to construct a probabilistic model of the species’ habitat in Dagestan and to establish the key factors of this habitat. Material for the work was collected in all seasons from 2018 to 2024. Bats were captured with spider nets and searched in potential refuges. Echolocation signals were recorded using a BATLOGGER M detector, which were then analyses manually in BatSound 3.31 software. Statistical processing was performed using the STATISTICA 6.0 package. Bioclimatic modeling of probabilistic propagation was done using MaXent. The external structure, skull and dental system are described. During the research it was found that B. leucomelas in Dagestan is found from its southernmost borders to the latitude of Khasavyurt in the north, from the Primorskaya lowland in the east to the mountainous areas in the west. In the mountains it rises to a height of 2000 m above sea level. The main habitats are arid foothill and mountain-steppe landscapes, which are confirmed by the results of bioclimatic modeling. Areas with low winter temperatures, medium isothermally and minimum precipitation during the driest period of the year are predicted to have a high probability of habitat. Analysis of echolocation signals showed that B. leucomelas emits loud narrow-band FM calls (Type 1) with a peak frequency of about 29 kHz and weak frequency-time qCF-FM calls (Type 2) with a peak frequency of about 38 kHz. In this work, the signals of B. leucomelas are carried out with those of B. barbastellus. The species hunts usually close to refuges, using intermountain valleys, dry river terraces, gorges, steppe slopes of ridges and cliffs. Three food categories were recorded in food samples: Coleoptera (97,5 %), Lipidoptera (1,9 %) and Ephemerodea (0,6 %). All wintering sites found for the species are generally in areas of summer habitat. As summer and winter refuges it uses various dungeons. In colonies, individuals are usually not crowded, but may congregate up to several dozen individuals in one shelter. Limiting factors limiting the existence of the species in Dagestan are indicated and recommendations are given for the conservation of a large aggregation of individuals known to occur in the vicinity of the village of Miatli.
Keywords: Barbastella leucomelas, morphology, echolocation, distribution, bioclimatic modeling, habitats, feeding, migration, roosts, Dagestan
For citation: Smirnov D.G., Dzhamirzoev G.S., Bykov Yu.A. Eastern barbastelle, Barbastella leucomelas (Chiroptera: vespertilionidae), in Dagestan. Russian Journal of Ecosystem Ecology. 2024;9(2). (In Russ.). Available from: https://doi.org/10.21685/2500-0578-2024-2-5