Bats of the Left-Bank Dnipro Region in the northern part of Ukraine

Abstract

A description of the bat fauna of the Left-Bank Dnipro Region within four administrative regions of Ukraine (Kyiv, Chernigiv, Poltava, and Cherkasy) is given. The study was carried out during 2001–2017 in 94 localities and supplemented by data from literature and museum collections. 11 species of bats have been recorded: Myotis dasycneme, M. daubentonii, Nyctalus leisleri, N. noctula, Plecotus auritus, P. austriacus, Pipistrellus kuhlii, P. nathusii, P. pygmaeus, Eptesicus serotinus, and Vespertilio murinus. In total, 1579 bat individuals were examined contactly; 188 roosts were recorded. An annotated species list with maps of their records in the region is provided. Data on the ratio of species by the number of their record localities, description of their seasonal presence, data on roost preferences both in warm and winter seasons are presented. Data on the relative abundance of species, their reproductive status and sex ratio during breeding season are reported as well. A special attention is given to the bat species lists of protected areas within the study area (n = 19). Issues of bat conservation in the region are outlined.

Keywords

• bats
• fauna
• distribution
• left bank of the Dnipro River
• Ukraine