title

Monitoring of bats in key wintering shelters of the Northern Black Sea region (Ukraine)

author(s)

Mykhailo Drebet (orcid: 0000-0002-7639-8815)

affiliation

Podilski Tovtry National Nature Park (Kamianets-Podilskyi, Ukraine)

bibliography

Theriologia Ukrainica. 2022. Vol. 23: 11–19.

DOI

language

English, with Ukrainian summary, titles of tables, captures to figs

abstract

Based on the results of winter monitoring of bats conducted in 2020–2022 in key wintering shelters—limestone mines located within the continental part of the Back Sea area and the steppe area of Ukraine (Mykolayiv and Odesa oblasts)—we have recorded 7 species of bats: Myotis daubentonii, M. dasycneme, M. aurascens, M. mystacinus, Plecotus auritus, P. austriacus, and Eptesicus serotinus. Compared to results of monitoring conducted between 2008 and 2011, the number of bats that winter in the mentioned mines has doubled, from 702 to 1421 specimens. One individual of M. aurascens, which was ringed in the mine KVL-K in 2008–2011, was recorded there for the second time. The ring number is VТ 03492, Kyiv, Ukraine. All 5 species of bats were recorded in each of the three monitored caves. The results of the two monitoring sessions appear to be almost identical both by species composition and abundance. The dominating species in the inspected caves and, apparently, generally for winter aggregations of the same type in the region is M. daubentonii. The species’ share in the total sample was 77%. In Kovalsky (KVL-K) and Illyinsky (ILN-K) caves, the co-dominance of two species—M. daubentonii and M. aurascens—was observed (23.3% and 26.8%, respectively). The species M. mystacinus was recorded only in the Kovalivsky caves (9.6%), whereas P. auritus was found only in Novo-Odesky caves (0.1%). The Novo-Odesky mines play a key role in preserving the rare M. dasycneme in Ukraine harbouring the most abundant and widely known accumulation of this species. All investigated caves are particularly important for the preservation of bat populations in the region and their support during critical stages of their life. Granting the Kuyalnik Estuary the status of nature reserve will contribute to the conservation of habitats important for bats. Monitoring of key habitats for conservation of bat species is an important task for the implementation of EUROBATS agreement, which was signed by Ukraine. The obtained data are especially crucial considering the invasion of the Russian Federation to Ukraine since it is unclear when there will be a chance to continue the monitoring of bats in these key winter shelters and what is their current condition.

keywords

monitoring, bats, hibernation, win-tering shelters, Northern Black sea region.

references

Dietz, C., O. von Helversen. 2004. Illustrated Identification Key to the Bats of Europe. On-line: https://goo.gl/2BmzPg, 1–144.
Domashlinets, V. 2018. The role of international treaties in conservation of Chiroptera. Theriologia Ukrainica, 16: 11–16. https://doi.org/10.15407/pts2018.16.011
Gayko, G., V. Biletskiy, T. Mikos, J. Chmura. 2009. Mining Engineering and Underground Structures in Ukraine and Poland: sketches from history, UCCenter, Donetsk Branch NTS, Edition Mining Encyclopedia, Donetsk, 98–101. [In Ukrainian]
Godlevska, O., I. Parnikoza, V. Rizun, [et al.]. 2010. Fauna of Ukraine: conservation categories. Reference book. The 2nd edition. Eds: O. Godlevska, H. Fesenko. Kyiv, 1–80. [In Ukrainian, with English summary]
Godlevska, E. V., M. A. Ghazali, V. N. Tyschenko. 2011. The results of the first full-scale census of bats in the underground sites of the Continental Black Sea region of Ukraine. Reserve Business in Ukraine, 17 (1-2): 34–41. [In Russian]
Godlevska, E., P. Panchenko, S. Rebrov, [et al.]. 2018. Findings of bats in the territory of the Black Sea region of Ukraine (AR Crimea, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Kherson regions). In: Materials for the 4th edition of the Red Book of Ukraine. Fauna. Kyiv, 196–203. (Series: Conservation Biology in Ukraine; Issue 7, pt. 1). [In Ukrainian]
Panchenko, P., L. Godlevska. 2018. Data on the bat fauna of the Northern Black Sea Region based on results of the work of bat contact centres. Theriologia Ukrainica, 16: 120–126. [In Ukrainian] http://doi.org/10.15407/pts2018.16.120
Zagorodniuk, I., L. Godlevska, V. Tyshchenko, Ya. Petrushenko. 2002. Bats of Ukraine and Adjacent Countries: a guide for field investigations. Natl. Mus. Nat. Hist., NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, 1–110. (Series: Proceedings of the Theriological School; Vol. 3). [In Ukrainian]
Zagorodniuk, I. (ed.). 2004. Cave Fauna of Ukraine. National Museum of Natural History, NAS of Ukraine. Kyiv, 1–248. (Series: Proceedings of the Theriological School; Vol. 6). [In Ukrainian]
Zagorodniuk, I. V., I. G. Emelyanov. 2012. Taxonomy and nomenclature of mammals of Ukraine. Proceedings of the National Museum of Natural History, 10: 5–30. [In Ukrainian]