关键词: 太行山南段, 洞栖蝙蝠, 栖息地

Abstract:

Populations and underground habitats of cave-dwelling bat species were investigated in the south of Taihang Mountain. Data were collected during 76 surveys in 38 underground sites, 28 of which had not been surveyed previously by bat researchers. Between August 2009 and September 2010, approximately 17 000 bats were recorded. They represented nine species which belonged to four genera of two families. The most abundant species was Rhinolophus ferrumequinum. Data were collected on many cave variables such as the total length of passages (L), the maximal width (W)and the maximal height (H). A conservation scoring system was proposed for the sites investigated, and the roosts were evaluated for their conservation importance. Each site was assigned a combined total by adding scores for the species observed in the cave. Scores for the individual species were obtained by multiplying the species abundance (Ai)and the species points (Mi). The most important sites in the area were Huanglianshu Tunnel and Jianhe Caves. The former served as hibernaculum and nursery roost to c 2 500 bats representing eight species and the latter to c 2 100 bats representing five species. Based on cluster and principal component analyses, there were no significant difference between the two sides of the southern Taihang Mountain in terms of either bat species and population sizes. There were significant difference in the total length of passages, the maximal width, the maximal height and canopy cover between hibernation and non-hibernation sites. Principal component analysis indicated that topographic condition, concealment and human disturbance were the first three components of bat habitat selection. The load of the first three components was 85. 96%. At present, many big caves which contained large bat populations and several species of concern have been, or will be, developed as tourist sites. Cave-dwelling bats in the region are a facing serious crisis of survival The data will help local governments and policymakers develop suitable strategies to promote local tourism sites while protecting important habitats of animal species.

Key words: Cave-dwelling bats, Habitat, The south of Taihang Mountain