Diet and prey selection in Kuhl’s pipistrelle Pipistrellus kuhlii (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in south-western Europe

摘要: The trophic ecology of Kuhl’s pipistrellePipistrellus kuhlii (Kuhl, 1817) was investigated monthly from May to October 1999. Nine insect and two arachnid orders were identified in faeces classified 24 different categories. most frequently occurring prey categories Culicidae, Lepidoptera, Chironomidae/Ceratopogonidae, Hymenoptera, unidentified Brachycera, Tipulidae Coleoptera decreasing order. Other exhibited seasonal importance, such as the coleopteranRhizotrogus sp. Prey availability evaluated using Malaise traps known feeding areas. Bats preyed selectively through a temporarily changing pattern. Some taxa constituted an important part diet positively selected either or months. Many them largest featuring changes their relative profitability across time would determine selection index. small size some well asP.kuhlii’s morphofunctional constraints flight echolocation could explain underexploitation rejection. Our results suggest thatP. be regarded ‘selective opportunist’ species.