Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) of the Osogovska Planina Mountain-Results from a Survey Carried in 2008

(Uploaded by Plazi for the Bat Literature Project) A study on the bat fauna in the Bulgarian part of Osogovska Planina Mountain was carried out in the period May to October 2008. Bats were captured by mist-nets or observed in known and potential roosts such as caves, artificial galleries and buildings. The existing literature data was reviewed. Altogether 21 species (64% of the bat fauna in Bulgaria) were recorded from 15 localities during the study period: Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, Rhinolophus hipposideros, Rhinolophus euryale, Myotis myotis, Myotis blythii, Myotis bechsteinii, Myotis emarginatus, Myotis nattereri, Myotis mystacinus, Myotis aurascens, Myotis brandtii, Myotis alcathoe, Plecotus auritus, Nyctalus noctula, Nyctalus leisleri, Pipistrellus kuhlii, Hypsugo savii, Eptesicus serotinus, Vespertilio murinus, Barbastella barbastellus, Miniopterus schreibersii. 13 species were found for the first time in Osogovska Planina Mt. With regard to roosting and hunting preferences of bats, 10 species belong to the forestdwelling group, 7 species are typical cave-dwellers and the occurrence of 4 species is associated with the presence of rocks or human settlements. Clear-cuts in the beech forests are the major threat to occurrence and population density of bats in the mountain.