The summer populations of cave-dwelling bat species of Çatalca-Kocaeli region and environmental region and environmental factors that influence their distribution

Abstract

The summer population of cave dwelling-bat species in Catalca-Kocaeli Region was surveyed between May-August 1999. The effects of geographical location, habitat, and temperature were studied as possible factors in determining the distribution patterns of the bat species in these caves. Nine out of the 11 caves were studied for the first time with regard to the assessment of bat populations inside. Three maternity colonies were identified for Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, R euryale and Minioptems schreiberszi in three different caves. The statistical analysis based on geographical coordinates, and species distribution hinted that Bosphorus might be acting as a natural barrier limiting migration and gene flow between Catalca and Kocadi regions. Hence it may be more correct to treat Catalca and Kocaeli regions separately in terms of species occupancy. The critical habitat types influencing species distribution were traditional arable land, pond, heathland, and maquis. River, riparian treeline, pasture, broadleaved woodland md broadleaved woodmd/pasture edge were the common habitat types recorded for all of the bat species. Habitat surveys around the caves indicated that M. schreibersii might be able to utilize a greater number, and Large Myotis a lesser number of different habitat types, compared to the other species studied. Average temperature in the caves was the weakest contributing factor far explaining the distribution patterns of the species.|Keywords: Chiroptera, Cave, Habitat, Temperature, Turkey