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The European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) is a widely distributed freshwater species inhabiting much of Europe, but it is often in population decrease or is locally extinct. In this study, we sampled five central European populations, of which four were autochthonous and one was introduced outside the native range. Moreover, two of the native populations were relatively isolated and at the periphery of the species, range. Using the frequency of shell anomalies, a geometric morphometric framework and an analysis of fluctuating asymmetry, we aimed to determine the degree of morphological differentiation among different populations. Significantly, a smaller number of individuals with a malformed shell or scutes occurred in the native core range population, which potentially has a high level of gene flow (Hungary). Although neither canonical variate analysis nor the morphological disparity analysis showed distinct differences between populations, we found significantly higher shell asymmetry in the two marginal populations (Austria and Slovakia) compared with the core range populations. Our results might thus support the central–marginal hypothesis and indicate potential genetically based conservation problems owing to demographic bottlenecks and/or isolation in marginal populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bat survey in the Greek part of the Prespa basin in 2018-2020 confirmed, despite the limited methods used, its extraordinary importance for bat diversity. The study documented the presence of 22 bat forms (20 species) by acoustic surveys and a favourable status of some roosts including several nursery colonies. Three of the recorded species are here reported for the first time, Eptesicus nilssonii (the first record for Greece), Nyctalus lasiopterus, and Barbastella barbastellus, however, confirmation by a capture or direct observation of an individual is still needed. The collected data showed that bats do not avoid the urbanized parts of the study area and underlined the importance of old houses, churches, and ruins providing suitable roosting and foraging opportunities. The measurements of light pollution in villages revealed a high amount of light diffusion caused by the used type of shieldless luminaires. Heat maps of light intensity revealed a slightly higher bat activity in almost all villages in 2020, upon the situation in 2018. Bat passes were recorded not only in the peripheries of the highest illumination zones but also inside them, although some of the bat passes may belong to bats flying enough in the dark above the light levels of the installed lamps. The study provides application of mitigation actions for the Municipality of Prespa with the main aim to reduce the current level of the ALAN (Artificial Light At Night). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During several hours of acoustic survey of bats in Borgo Maggiore, San Marino, on 30 August 2020, foraging activity of at least six bat species was recorded. Five of them (Eptesicus serotinus, Hypsugo savii, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, P. kuhlii, and Tadarida teniotis) are common and widespread across the Apennine Peninsula and are already known members of the bat fauna of San Marino. The sixth species, Nyctalus noctula, is here reported from this country for the first time and the bat fauna of San Marino increases to 18 species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current climate changes have shifted the breeding and wintering ranges in Pipistrellus nathusii, similarly as in some other European bat species. Mainly the originally woodland species undergo the process of synurbanisation and occur more frequently in urban areas today. This short note describes two records of nursery colonies of P. nathusii from towns in eastern Slovakia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Only thirteen records of four bat species belonging to three families have been known from the Bahrain Archipelago until now, Asellia tridens, Taphozous nudiventris, Pipistrellus kuhlii, and Vansonia rueppellii. Here the results of a short-time systematic survey of bats in Bahrain are presented. During an acoustic survey (15 bat detector sessions, ca. 190 km of car transects, ca. 17 hours of recordings in total), 456 bat call sequences were recorded that contained 12,051 particular bat call pulses. A majority of the recorded calls was represented by the calls of Pipistrellus kuhlii (96.1%), followed by Rhyneptesicus nasutus (3.5%), Otonycteris hemprichii (0.06%), and Taphozous nudiventris (0.01%). Combining the new and published data, 63 records (species / site) of five bat species are currently available from the Kingdom of Bahrain. While the occurrence of two species was confirmed (Taphozous nudiventris - 3 records, Pipistrellus kuhlii - 46 records), two species were discovered newly in Bahrain (Otonycteris hemprichii - 1 record, Rhyneptesicus nasutus - 8 records), one species was not recorded by the recent survey although certainly present (Asellia tridens - 5 records), and one species was suggested to be deleted from the faunal list of the country (Vansonia rueppellii). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hibernation is an extraordinary phenomenon evolved in many animals including some mammals, allowing them to survive unfavorable environmental conditions. This period represents a phase of fasting, which is known to affect the gut microflora in nonhibernating mammals. Since during hibernation the physiological parameters (e.g., body temperature) differ from values in nonhibernating individuals, the food starvation is not the only parameter affecting the gut microflora. However, little is known about gut microflora in hibernating mammals. This study is focused on the examination of the gut microflora of Mediterranean horseshoe bat ( Rhinolophus euryale) during hibernation. Faecal samples were collected during the winter from November 2014 to March 2015 and subsequently subjected to cultivation, non-cultivation analyses and morphological examination. Cultivation analysis revealed that the numbers of total cultivable bacteria, enterobacteria and enterococci in the faecal samples decreased during the hibernation and restored to pre-hibernation numbers at the end of hibernation. Results of non-cultivation analysis showed time-dependent (but surprisingly almost not individual-specific) changes in the gut microflora and decrease in bacterial variability dependent on hibernation stage. Changes in microflora were accompanied by changes in faecal content identified by morphological analysis. Our results demonstrate that hibernation affects the gut microflora of bats in significant degree in both quantitative and qualitative scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During 2008-2011, nine juvenile Saker Falcon Falco cherrug females were tagged with satellite transmitters in Slovakia. Satellite telemetry provided new insights into the juveniles' movements. In this study we present the use of temporary settlement areas (TSAs) during the movement of the tracked juveniles. We characterized natal areas (NAs, the first TSA in the life cycle of juvenile, restricted to the nest) and TSAs as areas where the distance between the all-night perches did not exceed ten kilometres and where a particular bird spent at least five consecutive days. In these areas 3 types of polygons were identified in relationship to the area of use - a home range (95% kernel polygons), a core area (50% kernel polygons) and an overall used area (100% minimum convex polygons). The overall used areas were highly variable and probably influenced by exploratory flights, when sakers fly out of their home ranges and come back at night. Habitat preference was then analysed in the TSAs for a better understand of juvenile habitat requirements. For habitat preference a CORINE raster image (version 13/2006) with a resolution of 100 × 100 m was used. In the TSAs 14 habitat categories were recorded, but for statistical analysis only 8 habitat categories were used. Conservation status of the NAs and TSAs was also described. Arable land represented the dominant habitat category in the TSAs (mean 67.64% for overall used areas, and 80.94% for core areas). A significant difference was found in the habitat structure of the overall used areas, the home ranges and the core areas. All of the tracked Saker Falcons preferred arable land, while avoiding two habitat categories - forests and scrub and/or herbaceous vegetation associations. The number of days spent in the TSAs (9-139 days, mean = 46.7 days) and in the NAs (36-134 days, mean = 62.3 days) varied by different individuals. Most of the NAs and TSAs are at least partially covered by protected areas, only four areas had no conservation status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid range expansion of Kuhl's pipistrelle ( Pipistrellus kuhlii) has been observed throughout Europe, and in addition to its natural habitats of temperate grasslands and agricultural areas, the species is common in city centres, where it roosts in human-made structures. It has been suggested that the flexibility of this species in regard to different human-induced changes, such as climate change and urbanization, is responsible for the apparent range shift. Although P. kuhlii exhibits one of the highest degrees of synanthropy among bat species in Europe, its ecology has thus far not been thoroughly studied. This study aims to describe its foraging and roosting selection in Central Europe (eastern Slovakia), where the northernmost maternity colony of P. kuhlii roosts in human settlements. Radio-tracking was conducted during the pre-parturition and post-lactation periods. We identified six artificial roosts within the study area that were interlinked, with bats switching between them. Ten individuals were used for modelling foraging-habitat utilization, which revealed that bats were highly selective. The only habitat type that bats clearly preferred, regardless of season, was an urban illuminated area close to a river. Only slight avoidance - of open areas - was observed during the pre-parturition period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Savi's pipistrelle Hypsugo savii is a Mediterranean faunal element among the bats; it occurs in southern Europe, the Canary Islands, north-western Africa, most of the Mediterranean islands, in the northern part of the Middle East, in the Crimea, Caucasus, West Turkestan, and northern Afghanistan. The northern margin of its geographical range in Europe reaches the Pyrenees, Massif Central, southern Alps, Dalmatia, Balkan Mountains and southern Crimea, like that of other similar biogeographical elements. 2. Since the 1990s, Hypsugo savii started to be found in inland areas of southeastern Europe and in Central Europe as far northwards as in central Bohemia and southern Poland. These numerous new occurrences seem to be either 1) connected to environmental changes caused by the current climate change; 2) evidence of an intrinsic expansion process powered by the species' synanthropic tendency, including passive human-mediated transport; or 3) a reflection of the increase in field survey efforts. 3. Distributional data on Hypsugo savii from central and south-eastern parts of Europe were gathered and evaluated. 4. We provide a detailed review of all records available by the end of 2013. The assessment of temporal distribution of the data clearly shows an ongoing and relatively fast expansion of Hypsugo savii from southern to Central Europe, which represents a shift of almost 800 km northwards in the last 20-25 years. 5. Most of the records (65%) originate from urban habitats. This suggests that the synanthropic habits of the species are the most plausible explanation for the northwards shift of the range limits of Hypsugo savii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual dichromatism has been reported for several amphibian species. Generally, in the animal kingdom, males are more colourful than females. This more pronounced colouration in either quantitative (area of pigmentation) or qualitative (hue, saturation, brightness) form probably plays a role in courtship or mate attraction, but one common polytypic species Salamandra salamandra is still unexplored in this conjunction. We investigated the dorsal patterns of wintering salamanders captured from December 2012 to April 2013 in six underground shelters in Slovakia. We recorded significant size differences between the sexes in all of the morphometric characteristics evaluated, and using free image analysis software, we provide first evidence of the existence of sexual dichromatism in this species, as males exhibit significantly larger yellow spots on the dorsum and tail than females. No significant sex-related differences in the number of spots and their qualitative colour parameters (hue, saturation, brightness) were detected, though. In both sexes, spots along the vertebral line predominate. The dominance in colouration in females on the left-hand side and the weak correlations between snout-vent lengths and spot characteristics were also surveyed, as was the total area covered with spots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Underground sites play a significant role in the life cycle of the fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra). Despite the known importance of such roosts during winter, there is still a lack of information on salamander biology inside such roosts. We studied the wintering of Salamandra salamandra from November 2011 to April 2012 in an artificial gallery near the village of Ticha Voda (eastern Slovakia) in a population composed predominantely by males. Their weight was higher at the end of December, though we did not record any significant weight change in females. On the other hand, mobility was significant in females, while the majority of males were immobile. We also observed a high frequency of changes in the position of wintering salamanders. Most individuals preferred a free position in the roost or a half-hidden position within crevices in the gallery walls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black colouration of the iris is considered anomalous in some amphibian species. In Rana temporaria only few particular cases were reported in France, Russia and Poland. Here, one new photographic observation of this syndrome in central Slovakia is described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the winter food of Mediterranean horseshoe bats ( Rhinolophus euryale) in four winter cave roosts in southern Slovakia and northern Hungary and investigated the relationship between food and ambient temperature. The bats were active during the whole winter period and they produced excrement throughout the entire hibernation period, even when outside temperatures dropped below zero. The guano was in two forms, containing (1) prey items and (2) non-prey items. The identifiable items belonged to lepidopteran species, but only one was identified, on the basis of the genital fragments, the moth Colotois pennaria, which was the main prey species in autumn and early winter. Our results shed light on the extraordinarily high level of activity in this bat species during winter hibernation, which in temperate regions is a strategy that enables bats to survive when prey is reduced or absent. In R. euryale, the torpor in the course of hibernation is not continuous and our results help to explain how energy losses caused by bat movements are covered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The morphometric comparison of two similar species fromSpinturnix myotigroup,S. myotiandSpinturnix andegavinabased on the records from Romania and Ukraine was undertaken. Discriminant characteristics for nymph stadium are provided. Morphometric features of adult stages of these two species are discussed with respect to their applicability for species determination. Description and key features of nymphal stages ofS. andegavinawere compiled using metric and non-metric body characteristics. Records ofS. andegavinafrom Romania and Ukraine are reported for the first time and previous records of spinturnicid mites fromMyotis daubentonii(Kuhl, 1817) in northern Europe and Asia are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Winter bat census in hibernacula of the Muránska planina National Park was carried out in 2002-2013 and its results are presented here. In 37 roosts (out of 41 potential roosts checked, i.e. 90.2%) hibernating bats were found; altogether 19 bat species were recorded. Rhinolophus hipposideros was the most abundant and most frequent (D=62.6%, F=70.7%), followed by Myotis myotis s.l. (D=25.3%, F=75.6%). Four species with less than ten individuals recorded are considered to be rare in the respective region: Miniopterus schreibersii, Myotis bechsteinii, Plecotus austriacus, and Rhinolophus euryale. Three groups of sites could be determined based on the analysis of species dominance: (A) hibernacula situated mostly at lower altitudes with the dominance of Rhinolophus hipposideros, (B) hibernacula mainly with the presence of Pipistrellus pipistrellus and Barbastella barbastellus aggregations, and (C) hibernacula with higher species diversity situated mostly at higher altitudes. In the study period, an increase in numbers could be clearly observed in Rhinolophus hipposideros, while no obvious population trends were recorded among other species. Possible reasons of disappearance of the Barbastella barbastellus and Pipistrellus pipistrellus mass aggregations are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study that presents the sequences of the mitochondrial control region of mouse-eared bats, Myotis myotis, obtained from localities in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Northwestern Romania. The greater mouse-eared bats are non- or regionally migratory species endemic to Europe and the Levant. The researchers conclude that M. myotic bats colonised Central Europe through the western colonisation route conforming to the previously suggested Bear Paradigm of post-glacial colonisation.

All available data on distribution of the lesser mouse-eared bat, Myotis blythii (Tomes, 1857) in Slovakia are summarised and some ecological notes are added. In total more than 260 occurrence sites and almost 1,000 records (obtained by various survey methods, e.g. roost checks, nettings, winter census, analyses of owl pellets and osteological remains from caves) coming from the period 1924-2008 were included in the evaluation of distribution pattern. The species was recorded in 106 mapping squares making up 24.7% of the area of Slovakia. M. blythii was never evidenced in the northwestern (Kysuce region) and northeastern (Šariš region) parts of the country. Most of the records are concentrated to the karstic regions in the south of central Slovakia (Slovenský, kras Mts., Muránska planina Mts., Slovenský, raj Mts.) and to the mountains of eastern Slovakia (Slanské vrchy Mts.). In other parts of Slovakia, its distribution has a rather patchy character. While the breeding range has a northern margin at appr. 48° 50′ N (upper Hron river basin) and does not exceed the mountain range of the Nízke Tarry Mts., hibernacula were recorded northward up to appr. 49° 05′ N. The nursery colony in the Turčianska Štiavnička manor house (49° 05′ N) is reported here as the northernmost site of reproduction within the whole area. Generally, the distribution on range of M. blythii is well correlated with climatic regions and (at least for the breeding range) it could be described as the area with the maximum mean January temperature -3 °C and the minimum mean July temperature of 16 °C. M. blythii in Slovakia reaches elevations of up to 1200 m, summer roosts occur at lower altitudes (81% are situated below 400 m a. s. l.) than hibernacula (91% in the altitude range of 200--1000 m a. s. l.). As revealed from netting data, the date of parturition in Slovakia is estimated at the end of May and/or the beginning of June. Most usually, the species creates mixed nursery colonies with its sibling, Myotis myotis; only four monospecific breeding colonies were evidenced in the country. Long-term population changes of the species were shown using the winter census data from artificial hibernacula in the Slanské vrchy Mts. (E Slovakia), however, we do not report any obvious trend in its population numbers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mediterranean horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus euryale, creates in the pre-hibernation period an aggregation in the Domica cave (Slovakia) and despite the harsh winter conditions displays a certain amount of flying activity. The goal of the study was to find out whether some environmental factors influence these conspicuous aggregation dynamics. We used image and statistical analysis of pictures of the aggregation taken automatically in the cave along with atmospheric pressure, humidity, outside and inside cave temperature and oxygen and carbon dioxide contents in the cave. These environmental variables were assumed to explain the observed activity. We hypothesised that the number of bats in particular time periods would correlate with some of these variables, but this was not confirmed. The only significant relations confirmed were those between bat numbers and humidity and carbon dioxide values in the cave. No trend in the spatial positioning of the bats was observed, and no environmental factors influenced the numbers, movements or groupings of bats. On the contrary, bats by their presence (breathing), activity and production of excrements may significantly influence the microclimate of the cave environment.The Mediterranean horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus euryale, creates in the pre-hibernation period an aggregation in the Domica cave (Slovakia) and despite the harsh winter conditions displays a certain amount of flying activity. The goal of the study was to find out whether some environmental factors influence these conspicuous aggregation dynamics. We used image and statistical analysis of pictures of the aggregation taken automatically in the cave along with atmospheric pressure, humidity, outside and inside cave temperature and oxygen and carbon dioxide contents in the cave. These environmental variables were assumed to explain the observed activity. We hypothesised that the number of bats in particular time periods would correlate with some of these variables, but this was not confirmed. The only significant relations confirmed were those between bat numbers and humidity and carbon dioxide values in the cave. No trend in the spatial positioning of the bats was observed, and no environmental factors influenced the numbers, movements or groupings of bats. On the contrary, bats by their presence (breathing), activity and production of excrements may significantly influence the microclimate of the cave environment.The Mediterranean horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus euryale, creates in the pre-hibernation period an aggregation in the Domica cave (Slovakia) and despite the harsh winter conditions displays a certain amount of flying activity. The goal of the study was to find out whether some environmental factors influence these conspicuous aggregation dynamics. We used image and statistical analysis of pictures of the aggregation taken automatically in the cave along with atmospheric pressure, humidity, outside and inside cave temperature and oxygen and carbon dioxide contents in the cave. These environmental variables were assumed to explain the observed activity. We hypothesised that the number of bats in particular time periods would correlate with some of these variables, but this was not confirmed. The only significant relations confirmed were those between bat numbers and humidity and carbon dioxide values in the cave. No trend in the spatial positioning of the bats was observed, and no environmental factors influenced the numbers, movements or groupings of bats. On the contrary, bats by their presence (breathing), activity and production of excrements may significantly influence the microclimate of the cave environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]