Diversity and abundance of hibernating bats in Vilnius hibernation sites Dikonosparnio avairove ir gausumas Vilniaus miesto piemavietese

Baranauskas, K.; Mickevieius, E.; Mickevieiene, I.

Diversity and abundance of hibernating bats were investigated in the Paneriai tunnel, Pavilniai, Dilas, Deokyne, Kai renai and Verkiai bats hibernation sites (Vilnius, Lithuania) in 1997-2004. Six bat species were found to hibernate: Daubenton's bat (Myotis daubentonii), pond bat (Myotis dasycneme), brown long-eared bat (Plecotus auritus), barbastelle (Barbastella barbastellus), serotine bat (Eptesicus serotinus) and northern bat (Eptesicus nilssonii). It was established that about 300 bats roost in the Vilnius hibernaculasevery year, Daubenton's bats consistuting 43%, barbastelles 39% and pond bats 8%. That is the largest known hibernating clusters of Daubenton's bats, pond bats and barbastelles in southeastern Lithuania. Under the EU Habitats Directive, barbastelles and pond bats are considered to be mammals of European importance. The Paneriai tunnel is protected as an engineering monument. It is recomendedthat the Paneriai tunnel and Silas bat hibernation site should be granted the status of bat reserves.