Foraging requirements of the endangered long-fingered bat: the influence of micro-habitat structure, water quality and prey type

摘要: Myotis capaccinii is one of the most endangered Mediterranean bats. We radio tracked 21 adult individuals to assess foraging range and analyse micro-habitat selection around a nursery roost in central Italy. Habitats were characterized by development riparian vegetation, distance between banks, degree water clutter levels pollution (expressed macro-benthic bioindicators). Diet was also analysed see whether prey rarity might account for species decline. proved highly mobile: maximum straight line location farthest fix recorded on night c. km, whereas this variable averaged 7.5 km entire study. In general, preferred calm waters bordered well-developed vegetation large (45 m) inter-bank distances. Such factors determined overall quality sites. Although diet dominated pollution-tolerant insects such as Chironomus midges, bats less polluted waters. Our study confirmed occurrence piscivory bat. Of potentially responsible endangerment, likely are general habitat degradation, that alteration pollution, cave loss. Given ecological niche overlap, increasing daubentonii may be outcompeting M. capaccinii. The urgent actions preserve extensive restoration strict protection. offers indications about where, how, translate into best conservation results.