flora Şi fauna rezervaŢiei naturale „rÂul tur” the flora...

BIHAREAN BIOLOGIST 2008 - SUPPLEMENT

FLORA ŞI FAUNA REZERVAŢIEI NATURALE

„RÂUL TUR”

THE FLORA AND FAUNA OF THE TUR RIVER NATURAL

RESERVE

Redactori / Editors: SIKE Tamás, MÁRK NAGY János

Linguistically supervised by: SZODORAY - PARÁDI Abigél, ASZTALOS Ciprian, POPDAN Brăduţ, FETYKÓ Kinga

University of Oradea Publishing House -2008-

Descrierea CIP a Bibliotecii Naţionale a României

SIKE TAMÁS Flora şi fauna rezervaţiei naturale "Râul tur" = The flora and fauna of the Tur River natural reserve : Biharean Biologist 2008, supplement / Sike Tamás, Márk-Nagy János. - Oradea : Editura Universităţii din Oradea, 2008 Bibliogr. ISBN 978-973-759-528-7 I. Márk-Nagy János 581.9(498)"Râul tur"

TEHNOREDACTARE: Sike Tamás

TIRAJ: 200 ex.

ISBN 978-973-759-528-7

Biharean Biologist ISSN: 1843-5637

University of Oradea, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology

Journal Editors: Marius I. Groza & Noemi (Szeibel) Balint

Journal Associate Editors: Sara Ferenti, Anamaria David, Anamaria Toth & Nicoleta R. Radu Journal Reviewers: Sabin Burcă (Oradea, Romania), Cristian Blidar (Oradea, Romania),

Severus D. Covaciu-Marcov (Oradea, Romania), Diana Cupsa (Oradea, Romania), Carmen Gache (Iassy, Romania), Iordache Ion (Iassy, Romania), Ilie Telcean (Oradea, Romania),

Nicolae Tomescu (Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

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FAUNISTICAL DATA ON BATS IN THE TERRITORY OF TUR RIVER NATURAL RESERVE AND THE CONSERVATION STATUS OF THE

OCCURRED SPECIES

Szodoray–Paradi Abigel, Szodoray–Paradi Farkas Romanian Bat Protection Association, str. Ion Budai Deleanu, nr. 2, Satu Mare 440014, Romania

Abstract. This paper presents faunistical data on bats in the territory of the Tur River Natural Reserve due to the surveys made in the period 1999-2006. The occurrence of the listed 11 bat species (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, Rhinolophus hipposideros, Myotis daubentonii, Myotis myotis, Myotis blythii, Myotis emarginatus, Eptesicus serotinus, Nyctalus noctula, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Plecotus austriacus, Barbastella barbastellus) in the researched territory is presented, also their habitat preference is described. Their conservation status is mentioned using the criteria developed by IUCN. Due to the protection of the diversity and number of bat species found in the Tur River Natural adequate management measures are recommended. Rezumat. Date faunistice privind speciile de lilieci din Rezervaţia Naturală Râul Tur şi statutul lor de conservare. În acest articol sunt prezentate datele faunistice privind speciile de lilieci găsite în perioada 1999-2006 pe teritoriul Rezervaţiei Naturale Râul Tur şi împrejurimi. Prezenţa a 11 specii de lilieci a fost confirmată în cursul cercetărilor: Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, Rhinolophus hipposideros, Myotis daubentonii, Myotis myotis, Myotis blythii, Myotis emarginatus, Eptesicus serotinus, Nyctalus noctula, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Plecotus austriacus, Barbastella barbastellus, şi a fost descrisă şi preferinţa lor de habitate. Pentru descrierea statutului conservativ au fost utilizate criteriile UICN. Luând în considerare diversitatea şi abundenţa liliecilor pe teritoriul rezervaţiei şi împrejurimi este necesară luarea de măsuri adecvate de management.

Introduction

In this paper the authors will present the results of the faunistical researches made between 1999- 2006 in the Tur River Natural Reserve territory. No other data were found on the territory in literature concerning bats, in this way the data can not be compared with the older literature data.

The researched territory (due to its particular vegetation, landscape, climate and geographical position) serves as proper foraging habitats and shelters for building dwelling and forest dwelling bats.

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Materials and methods

The faunistical data collection of the Tur River Natural Reserve has been effected since 1999. For this reason were combined different methods of surveys.

Surveys were made in buildings by checking attics, towers of churches, cellars, attics of old buildings in 10 communities on the territory of the natural reserve. (Szodoray-Paradi & Szodoray-Paradi 2000). These building were checked annually since 1999. (Szodoray-Paradi et al. 2004). The surveys have included estimation of the colony size in day time and counting of the emerging bats in sunset. Pettresson D200 bat detectors were used in order of species identification.

Surveys using bat detectors (Pettersson D100, Pettersson D200, Bat Box Duet) were made in open edge and cluttered habitats as follows: near oxbows, ponds, along the river bank, forests, crossing agricultural lands, wet habitats and pastures. (Limpens 1993)

In order to survey of 4 species (Eptesicus serotinus, Nyctalus noctula, Pipistrellus pipistrellus and Myotis daubentonii) were used the combination of two methods (BCT, National Bat Monitoring Programme Report, 2001): the line count method: walking along 1 km rout with a bat heterodyne detector tuned at 25KHz, (to hear Eptesicus serotinus and Nyctalus noctula) and the spot count method: observation in spots in a rout walked 100 m and stop in every 100 m during 2 minutes with bat detector tuned at 45 KHz (to hear Pipistrellus pipistrellus and Myotis daubentonii). For the identification of morphology (size, colour), flight line, flight high of the bats were used reflectors.

During the field work two type of bat detectors were used: heterodyne and time expansion (with the help of this one were recorded the sounds). The data obtained were resulted from the analyzing of data of both detectors.

For identification of the inter- and intra-species diversity mist nettings were applied (identifying the taxonomy, age, weight, forearm length, parasite presents/absence for each captured individuals). Ornithological mist nets were mounted randomly near oxbows, in the forests, and across the river after the sunset.

The field works were started in the sunset when the bats finished their daily torpor and went out for hunting. During the survey the bat records were localised by GPS.

Results and discussion:

As a result of the surveys can be listed the following species:

Rhinolophus ferrumequinum This species is widespread throughout in Romania, it uses as hibernation sites

caves, mines and cellars. During the reproduction period it stays in attics, randomly in caves.

The species forms nursery colonies about 1000 individuals.

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The conservation status of the species assessed using criteria developed by IUCN – The World Conservation Union (Hutson et al. 2001) is LR: nt (Lower Risk near threatened) after Murariu: V (vulnerable).

The species is very sensible to disturbance; it needs large rooms for shelter. Rhinolophus hipposideros The species can be found in all territory of Romania, using caves and mines during

hibernation period and attics during reproduction period. The nursery colonies of this species are formed usually by few ten individuals but in the buildings of the territory of the natural reserve only few females were found in reproduction period. Not know the nursery colonies exact location and their migration routs.

The conservation status of the species assessed using criteria developed by IUCN – The World Conservation Union (Hutson et al. 2001) is VU: A2c (Vulnerable, decline in area of occupancy, extent of occurrence or quality of habitat), after Murariu is V (vulnerable). The species is very sensitive to disturbance especially the nursery colonies. The most threatened factor is considered to be the building restorations during their reproduction period.

Myotis daubentonii The species is rare in Romania (Dumitrescu et al. 1962-1963; Valenciuc 1992-1993;

Valenciuc 2002) and it strongly connected with the presence of water. In the researched territory it hunted exclusively over the water (river, oxbows, ponds). Daubenton’s bats are typical tree dwellers. In summer occurs in hollow trees often than in buildings in winter usually are located in caves or mines. Suitable roosts for establishing nursery colonies are found in the surrounding forests and usually it is formed by 20-50 females. They easily cover distances of few kilometres between roost and hunting area. Nevertheless, tree holes (like woodpecker holes or cracks in stems, often in living trees) are more suitable when they are located at forest edges and no further away than 1.5 km from the nearest water. (Meschede et al. 2001; Meschede & Heller 2000).

The conservation status of the species assessed using criteria developed by IUCN – The World Conservation Union (Hutson et al. 2001) is lc (Lower Risk: least concern), after Murariu: Ex (reported before 1950).

Myotis myotis/blythii These two species are discussed together as their distinguishing in the field is not

all the time possible. (Szodoray-Paradi, F., 1997). These species are widespread in Romania, form colonies both in caves and in

buildings during their reproduction period, in winter time they hibernate mostly in caves.

The conservation status of the species assessed using criteria developed by IUCN – The World Conservation Union (Hutson et al. 2001) is LR: nt (Lower Risk: near


150

threatened), after Murariu is R (rare). Has high tolerance on human presence, but the affected colony could be vanished or leave for other roost.

Myotis emarginatus Rare species, only sporadic data were reported on the species, no data on big

breeding colonies, isolated individuals have been found only. The conservation status of the species assessed using criteria developed by IUCN

– The World Conservation Union (Hutson et al. 2001) is VU: A2c (vulnerable, decline in area of occupancy, extent of occurrence or quality of habitat) after Murariu: E (endangered).

Eptesicus serotinus The species is adapted perfectly to the human environment. In summer forms

nursery colonies exclusively in attics or in the crevices of buildings. It hibernates in underground habitats, caves, cellars, building crevices. Low temperatures are well supported by the species. It can be considered frequent species in the Reserve territory, has been detected in both in buildings forming colonies with 35-50 females (Szodoray-Paradi & Szodoray-Paradi 2000). The species do not form big colonies but these are widespread. (Barti 2005). Data collected with bat detector shows that their hunting areas are located close to human localities.

The conservation status of the species assessed using criteria developed by IUCN – The World Conservation Union (Hutson et al. 2001) is LR: lc (Lower Risk: least concern), after Murariu V (vulnerable).

Nyctalus noctula The species is considered to be a cosmopolitan species, finding shelters in crevices

of buildings, house attics, cellars and mines. This species known that forms nursery colonies in hollowed trees with 20-50 females, in the case of the present study it was found in buildings, also has been frequently detected by bat detector in different territory of the reserve.

The conservation status of the species assessed using criteria developed by IUCN – The World Conservation Union (Hutson et al. 2001) is LR: lc (Lower Risk: least concern), after Murariu: V (vulnerable).

Pipistrellus pipistrellus This species is the smallest one in Europe. Prefers both meadows and mountains

as well as. It is well adapted to human environment. It roosts in hollows and tree branches or in building crevices. Often hibernates in big colonies in caves, it has no special needs concerning temperature and humidity. The presence of the species was detected using bat detector in its hunting area: near the floodplain’s shrubbery, edge of forests, into the margin’s vegetation of the localities, near the oxbows, above


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fishponds, near channels. Nursery colonies were found in the churches of the localities lies in the territory of the natural reserve.

The conservation status of the species assessed using criteria developed by IUCN – The World Conservation Union (Hutson et al. 2001) is LR: lc (Lower Risc: least concern) after Murariu: V (vulnerable).

Plecotus austriacus The species is associated with human localities; it forms reproduction colonies in

buildings. In the territory of the reserve it was found in the attic of churches, in crevices of the wall. It seems that the species does not need large space for shelter. This species was the most frequented one in buildings during the hibernation.

The species is hardly can be detected by bat detector, taking into account its special hunting strategy (low intensity sounds, hunting among the dense vegetation).

The conservation status of the species assessed using criteria developed by IUCN – The World Conservation Union (Hutson et al. 2001) is LR: lc (Lower Risk. least concern) after Murariu is E (endangered).

Barbastella barbastellus This species is associated with forests, find shelter in hollowed trees or in crevices

in its breeding period. In winter time the species use caves for hibernation. Sporadic data about the species were obtained by mist nets in the territory of the natural reserve. Further research is needed concerning this species.

The conservation status of the species assessed using criteria developed by IUCN – The World Conservation Union (Hutson et al. 2001) is VU; A2c (Vulnerable, decline in area of occupancy, extent of occurrence or quality of habitat), after Murariu: R (rare).

Recommendations: As conservation measurement is recommended the monitoring

of the researched bat population in the territory. Bat friendly measures are highly recommended during restoration of the buildings

where bats are roosted. The diversity and number of bat species found in the Tur River Natural Reserve is a good indicator of the habitat quality. These species are associated especially with old undisturbed forests, wetlands and pastures. The decline in number and species of bats informs about loosing the natural habitats. The most threatened factors like drainage, extended agricultural activities, intensive forestry production and many other human activities have to be diminished, or controlled in order to prevent the decline of the valuable bat populations.


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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank to the administration of the Tur River Natural Reserve to assure all the conditions necessary for the research. Special thanks to Sike Tamas and Mark-Nagy Janos, who joined us in the field.

References Barti L. 2005. Cartarea şi inspecţia efectivelor de chiroptere gregare din zonele agro-

antropice, ale judeţului Covasna şi estimarea beneficiului adus agriculturii cu ajutorul analizei spectrului trofic – diplomă de licenţă: Universitatea de Ştiinţă Agicolă şi Medicină Veterinară, Facultatea de Agricultură, p: 1-150

Dumitrescu, M. Tanasachi, J., Orghidan T. 1962-1963. Răspândirea chiropterelor în R.P. Română., Trav. Inst. Spéol. „Emile Racovitza”, Bucureşti, vol XXXIV., pp 509-575.

Hutson, A. M., Mickleburgh, S. P., Racey, P. A. 2001. Global Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan - Microchiropteran Bats, IUCN/SSC Chiroptera Specialist Group, p 272.

Limpens H.J.G.A. 1993. Bat detectors in a detailed bat survey: a method. Proceedings of the first European Bat Detector Workshop: K. Kapteyn (ed.), Netherlands Bat Research Foundation, Amsterdam, 79-90

Meschede, A., Güthler, W., Boye, P. 2001. Bats in Forests - Information and recommendations for forest managers, ”Landschaft als Lebensraum”, vol. 4;. German Association for Landcare and Federal Agency for Nature Conservation; pp 20.

Meschede, A., Heller, K.G. 2000. Ökologie und Schutz von Fledermäusen in Wäldern. (Ecology and conservation of bats in forests) Schriftenreihe für Landschaftspflege und Naturschutz Vol. 66, Landwirtschaftsverlag, Münster; pp 374.

Murariu, D. 1995-1996. Mammal species from Romania. Categories of conservation., Trav. Mus. Hist. Nat. "Grigore Antipa", vol. XL., pp 609-621.

Szodoray-Parádi F. 1997. Átfedéses csonttani adatok a közönséges egérfülű denevér és hegyesorrú egérfülű denevér koponyaméreteiben. - Múzeumi Füzetek, Kolozsvár (Cluj), 6: 161-164.

Szodoray-Paradi F., Szodoray-Paradi A., Sike T. 2004. Building dwelling bat survey in Satu Mare County, Romania. Studii şi Comunicări Ştiinţele naturii, Vol. IV-V (2003-2004):196-200

Szodoray-Paradi F., Szodoray-Paradi A., 2000. The survey of the building dwelling bats in Satu Mare County, Romania. State and prospects of the Carpathians bats investigations in the verge of millennium. Abstracts of the 3rd International Conference of Carpathian Bats, Rakhiv, September 8-12, 2000:6

Valenciuc, N. 1992-1993. The distribution of some species of Chiroptera (fam. Rhinolophiidae) in Romania and their representation in the UTM system., An. Şt. Univ. “Al. I. Cuza”, Ser. Biol An., Iaşi, vol. XXXVIII/XXXIX., pp 93-101.

Valenciuc, N. 2002. Chiroptera, Mammalia, Fauna României, vol. XVI., fasc.3. Ed. Acad. Rom., p 171.

The Bat Conservation Trust, the UK’s National Bat Monitoring Programme, Final Report, 2001: 57-60


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Annex The distribution maps of the surveived bat species int he Tur valley region ( = building dwelling bat

survey; ■ = survey with bat detector; ● = mist netting)

Rhinolophus ferrumequinum


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Rhinolophus hipposideros


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Myotis daubentonii


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Myotis myotis, Myotis blythii


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Myotis emarginatus


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Eptesicus serotinus


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Nyctalus noctula


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Pipistrellus pipistrellus


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Plecotus austriacus


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Barbastella barbastellus

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