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14 February 2019 Foraging Habitat, Home-Range Size and Diet of a Mediterranean Bat Species, Savi's Pipistrelle
Marina Kipson, Martin Šálek, Radek Lučan, Marcel Uhrin, Edita Maxinová, Tomáš Bartonička, Michal Andreas, Karolina Kipson, Ana Pušić, Dina Rnjak, Ladislav Naďo, Ivan Horáček
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Abstract

The Mediterranean is considered one of the richest biodiversity regions in Europe, and bats contribute to this species richness. Within the last two decades, certain bat species traditionally considered as representatives of the Mediterranean have spread northwards and colonized areas outside this region. In our study, we focused on ecological requirements of one of these bat species, the Savi's pipistrelle (Hypsugo savii). We used radio-telemetry and diet analysis to describe habitat use, home-range size and diet composition of reproductive females of Savi's pipistrelle in the traditional core of its distribution range in the Mediterranean region. Our results indicate that Savi's pipistrelle is able to fly long distances and utilize a wide range of habitats within its home-range, with affinities for particular habitats depending on its reproductive status. In particular, pregnant females favoured rocky pastures and forest areas, followed by meadows and riparian habitat, whereas the affinity for riparian habitat increased in lactating females, followed closely by meadows, forest and rocky pastures. The larger affinity for riparian habitats during lactation might indicate its importance for successful rearing of young, which could be influenced in the future by increasing droughts and water shortage in the Mediterranean region. Nevertheless, based on our radio-telemetry and diet analysis the species shows a high degree of flexibility, as an opportunistic forager that flies across large areas on a nightly basis, which may be a good predisposition for colonizing new areas.

© Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS
Marina Kipson, Martin Šálek, Radek Lučan, Marcel Uhrin, Edita Maxinová, Tomáš Bartonička, Michal Andreas, Karolina Kipson, Ana Pušić, Dina Rnjak, Ladislav Naďo, and Ivan Horáček "Foraging Habitat, Home-Range Size and Diet of a Mediterranean Bat Species, Savi's Pipistrelle," Acta Chiropterologica 20(2), 351-360, (14 February 2019). https://doi.org/10.3161/15081109ACC2018.20.2.007
Received: 9 March 2018; Accepted: 4 October 2018; Published: 14 February 2019
KEYWORDS
Chiroptera
habitat affinity
Hypsugo savii
Mediterranean Region
radio-telemetry
reproductive status
Riparian vegetation
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