Marisia - Maros Megyei Múzeum Évkönyve 35/2. (2015)
Zoology
NISTREANU Victoria, ANDREEV Sergiu, LARION Alina, POSTOLACHI Vlad, CALPARI Vlad individual was already an adult of at least 2-3 years old when it was ringed, thus in 2014 it was at least 21 years old. The maximum life span of this species is considered 21 years, but its tooth wear was not very pronounced, so we expect to find this individual in the future studies. This record also confirms that serotine bat does not migrate at long distances and is loyal to its wintering roost. In the previous studies performed in 60-70’s of the past century in Saharna quarries the quantitative and qualitative structure of hibernating bat community was different. Up to 70’s of the past century the dominant species was M. blythi, which formed large colonies ranging from 200 to 800 individuals [5, 7]. This species represented more than 93% of hibernating bat community. Unfortunately, its number decreased constantly and toward middle of 70’s the number of individuals constituted only few dozen. The whole community consisted of 4—6 species depending on the year of study. The lesser horseshoe bat was constantly recorded in the quarries, being the second species after M. blythi [5]. The barbastelle bat was registered only one time in Saharna quarries [5], the species being more widely distributed than nowadays [2]. In the 90’s the studies on bat fauna from Saharna site continued and the community of bats in autumn period comprised 6 species [14] including Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, a very rare species that wasn’t found in the last years. Few years later, during a 5-year monitoring, 10 bat species hibernating in Saharna underground shelters were registered, of which Myotis nattereri wasn’t recorded in our study. The lesser horseshoe bat was dominant in during the whole year and it is still rather abundant at present, while the barbastelle bat was one of the dominant species in winter period. For the first time the species P. austriacus and E. serotinus were recorded and the highest bat diversity among all hibernation roost was mentioned for this site [13]. The abandoned stone quarries from Saharna represent an important bat hibernation roost, where hundreds of individuals from about 9 species, including rare and endangered species, spent the winter and we recommend to assign a special protection status for this site. Conclusions In abandoned stone quarries from Saharna during 2 years 325 individuals from 9 species were registered. In 2013 we recorded only 112 individuals from 7 species, while in 2014 — 213 individuals from 9 species. During both years the dominant species was E. serotinus with about 65% in 2013 and only 40% in 2014, followed by M. daubentonii and R. hipposideros in the first year and by R.hipposideros then M. daubentonii in the second year of study. The rest of the species were registered in low number, between 0.5% and 7%. It must be mentioned the presence of B. barbastellus species with approximately 2% in each study period. It is a very rare, endangered species of our fauna and the Saharna site represent the only known hibernation place of this species in R. Moldova. The abandoned stone quarries from Saharna represent an important bat hibernation shelter, with the highest bat diversity among all hibernation roost and this site need special protection. Acknowledgements The work was performed under the fundamental 11.817.08.14F and applied 11.817.08.16A projects at the Institute of Zoology of A.S.M. financed by Supreme Council for Science and Technological Development of Academy of Sciences of Moldova. 78
