Acta Zoologica Cracoviensia, 14() 1969
Migratory and stationary bats (Chiroptera) of the European part of the Soviet Union
Abstract:
All materials available to the author and concerning the hibernation and migrations of bats in the European part of the U.S.S.R. were used as the basis for the present study. The bat species occurring in this region may be divided into two groups: the group of stationary bats and that of migratory ones. The first group includes bats (Rhinolophus, Myotis, Barbastella, Plecotus and Eptesicus) found in more than 90 natural and artificial caves in winter. Its subgroup of Boreal species living in the severe climate of Central and Northern Russia was analysed most closely. It is supposed that the winter shelters of these bats embrace not only caves and that the bulk of the population winters in other hiding places, unknown as yet. Six migratory species (Nyctalus, Pipistrellus, Vespertilio) leave the central and northern regions of the European part of the U.S.S.R. for their winter quarters in Central and South-Eastern Europe. The data on the phenology of migration based on visual observations and results of banding were also analysed; 39 long flights, covering 350-1600 km were noted. In summer a strong quantitative predominance of females and even complete lack of males were observed in most of the migratory species. The causes of long migrations of bats in Eastern Europe, the relation of the geographical ranges of hibernation to the climate, and the biological differences, connected with the adaptation to shelters of various types, between the stationary and migratory species were considered.
