Zoltn Bihari
The roost preference of Nyctalus noctula (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) in summer and the ecological background of their urbanization
The paper summarises the investigation of roost-selection of Nyctalus noctula
in prefabricated panel buildings and trees. The noctule bats occupy only special
man-made constructions which are similar in many ways to the natural
hollows, providing the same or better climatic conditions than in a treehollow.
The bats prefer similar height and width of entrances both in the trees
and in the panel buildings. In summer the noctule bats prefer roosts situated
on the western walls of panel buildings. The rhythm of temperature fluctuation
in that side best corresponds to the daily life cycle of the bats. Because of
the good roosting possibilities, the density is higher in housing estates than in
natural forests. The noctule bats occupy buildings with well determined characteristics.
When talking about urbanization, we do not refer to adaptation
but only to the use of roosts having more advantageous conditions.
Mammalia, Walter de Gruyter
Print ISSN: 0025-1461
Volume: 68, 12/2004
Pages: 329 - 336
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