THE PRESENCE OF EPTESICUS NILSSONII AND VESPERTILIO MURINUS IN THE CROATIAN BAT FAUNA CONFIRMED

(Uploaded by Plazi for the Bat Literature Project) In 2002 specimens of Eptesicus nilssonii and Vespertilio murinus were caught in mist-nets in mixed forests of spruce, fir and beech in two localities on Mt Velebit. These are the first records in Croatia for 130 years for E. nilssonii, and for 68 years for V. murinus. Considering all the available data from Croatia and neighbouring countries, we discuss the possible status of these species in the mountain area of the Dinaric Alps. Although all the new findings were males caught in the migratory period (August and September) which indicates the possibility of hibernation in the karstic area of the Dinaric mountains, we do not exclude the possible existence of resident populations.