Species composition, distribution and ecology of cave bats in Kosovo

In this study, bat fauna of caves in Kosovo was investigated. Studies were carried out within the borders of 11 municipalities, located in seven regions that make up Kosovo. As a result of the examinations carried out between 2019-2021, were identified 14 caves with bats. The height of these caves above sea level are 473-1064m. varies in between. Apart from population counts, 227 live bat specimens were caught in the investigated caves and their external measurements were taken before they were released. 46 bat samples found dead in the caves were also added to the measurements. In addition, 1798 ultrasonic sound analyzes were made and the species compositions of the bats in the Kosovo Caves were revealed. As a result of the research, 12 bat species belonging to three families were identified in the Kosovo caves. These are, from Rhinolophidae Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, R. hipposideros, R. euryale, and R. blasii from Vespertilionidae Myotis myotis, M. blythii, M. emarginatus, M. capaccinii/daubentonii, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, P. kuhlii/nathusii, Plecotus austriacus and Miniopteridae, Miniopterus schreibersii.