Changes in the bat fauna of Ukrainian Carpathians Mts. in the last 50 years

(Uploaded by Plazi for the Bat Literature Project) Considerable changes in the chiropterofauna of the Ukrainian Carpathians have been recorded in the last 50 years. In particular, Myotis bechsteini, M. dasycneme, Plecotus austriacus, Nyctalus leisleri were added to the list worked out by V. Abelencev in 1950 and 1956 which included 18 species. Recently, 21 species of bats have been recorded in the Ukrainian Carpathians ( Rhinolophus hipposideros , R. ferrumequinum, Myotis bechsteini, M. blythi, M. myotis, M. daubentoni, M. dasycneme, M. emarginatus, M. nattereri, M. mystacinus, Plecotus auritus, P. austriacus, Barbastella barbastellus, Miniopterus schreibersi, Nyctalus leisleri, N. noctula, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, P. nathusii, Vespertilio murinus, Eptesicus nilssoni, E. serotinus). The occurrence of Myotis brandti is also possible. However, the occurrence of Myotis ikonnikovi recorded by V. Abelencev in Transcarpathia is most likely a mistake. The occurrence of M. schreibersi is not sure, and this species has possibly disappeared. Significant changes were observed also in the quantitative composition. Several species which were observed in large colonies and had a wide range in the 1970', are observed in small groups or solitary individuals nowadays (M. blythi, M. mystacinus, E. serotinus). Some species have become uncommon (M. emarginatus, M. nattereri, B. barbastellus, V. nilssoni, V. murinus). The fast reduction in numbers caused that 9 species of bats were included in the Ukrainian Red Book (R. hipposideros, R. ferrumequinum, M. bechsteini, M. dasycneme, M. nattereri, M. emarginatus, M. schreibersi, B. barbastellus, N. leisleri). The main reason for the decrease in bat numbers is the degradation of habitats as well as enviromental pollution.