Abstract:
Diversity and distribution of bats was determined in four
vegetation types in and around Meru National Park, Kenya
between September 2000 and February 2001. Bat-habitat
studies were based on plant species dominance, cover and
farming activities. Bats were captured using standard mist
nets (18 m long · 2 m high) erected on poles averaging
3 m. Vegetation was broadly grouped as Acacia or Combretum
wooded grassland, or Acacia–Commiphora bushland
and studied using the Braun-Blanquet method. Analysis of
floristic similarity showed five vegetation species assemblages
in the three broad categories. Four hundred and
ninety-five bats representing eleven genera in seven families
were recorded. These were Epomophorus labiatus,
E. wahlbergi, Cardioderma cor, Lavia frons, Myotis welwitschii,
Scotoecus hirundo, S. leucogaster, Pipistrellus kuhlii, Mops
condylurus, Chaerephon bemmeleni, Mormopterus sp., Hipposideros
caffer, H. commersoni, Nycteris arge and Rhinolophus
landeri. This was the first record of N. arge, M. welwitschii,
C. bemmeleni and a Mormopterus species in eastern Kenya.
The Combretum community was most equitable (E ¼ 0.51)
with nine bat species records, while farming areas had only
four. The low species richness and increased dominance of
a few generalist species on farms may be indicative of different
levels of disturbance.
