Bat species richness and activity in Dghoumes National Park (Southwest Tunisia): a preliminary survey

Bat fauna in eight of the main habitat types of Dghoumes National Park was inventoried using mist?netting, acoustic detection and roost search. Bats were active at night and recorded near water bodies and streetlamps. We recorded the echolocation calls of six bat species: Eptesicus isabellinus, Pipistrellus kuhlii, Vansonia rueppellii, Asellia tridens, Tadarida teniotis and Rhinopoma cystops. Two bat colonies containing 111 individuals of R. cystops were found roosting in Jebel Morra cave and 54 individuals of A. tridens were found roosting in the ceiling of the Ecomuseum. Due to potential disturbance by visitors to the museum, we suggest strengthening management practices to ensure the usage of this roosting site in order to promote the conservation of A. tridens.