A large abandoned cellar as roost for bats in western Romania

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Artificial structures and shelters are in some cases important for bats. In Romania there are many data about the natural roosts used by bats, which are generally related with mountains, where caves shelter large colonies. The information about artificial roosts is brief.

Materials and Methods: Field observations were made in the winter of the years 2015 / 2016, in an abandoned wine cellar, near Mocrea locality, western Romania. The bats were directly observed and numbered. The cellar was identified accidentally.

Results: Miniopterus schreibersii, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum and Myotis myotis were found in 2015 / 2016 winter in an abandoned wine cellar from Mocrea. M. schreibersii has the largest colony. The number and location of bat species and individuals in the cellar changed during the winter.

Conclusions: The three cave dwelling bat species identified in the cellar use this artificial roost because in the region there are no natural caves. Even in a country with many natural roosts, artificial underground habitats can be important for cave dwelling bats.