Autumn population of Chiroptera and its ecological features in the “Delta Samura” cluster
of the national park “Samursky” (Dagestan, Russia) 

Dmitriy G. Smirnov, Doctor of biological sciences, associate professor, professor of the sub-department of zoology and ecology, Penza State University (40 Krasnaya street, Penza, Russia), eptesicus@mail.ru
Agaragim G. Dzhamirzoev, Student, Dagestan State University (41 Magomet Gadzhiev street, Makhachkala, Russia); researcher, State Nature Biosphere Reserve “Dagestanskiy” (120 Gagarina street, Makhachkala, Russia), veozrimahzd@mail.ru

Background. In the Republic of Dagestan, 19 species of bats were found in the “Delta Samura” cluster of the national park “Samursky”.The data obtained is mainly summertime, although bat activity continues in the autumn and even in the early months of winter, but there is very little data on this. Therefore, the aim of our work was to study the autumn population of bats in the “Delta Samura” cluster and to identify some of its ecological features related to activity during this period of the year. Materials and methods. The work was carried out from October 29 to December 4, 2024 in a small area of coastal deciduous forest near the village of Primorsky, Magaramkent district. The surveys were carried out along a specially laid out route of approximately 2.5 km in length. A BATLOGGER M ultrasonic detector was used to record bats and determine their flight activity. Signals were manually classified using BatSound and verified by comparison with voucher records using statistical methods. Results. During autumn surveys, echolocation calls were recorded and attributed to 10 bat species: Myotis daubentonii, Plecotus auritus, Barbastella barbastellus, Nyctalus lasiopterus, N. noctula, N. leisleri, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, P. pygmaeus, P. nathusii и Vespertilio murinus. The relative abundance of species, their nocturnal activity patterns and the biotopic distribution of individual species along the route were revealed. Conclusions. In autumn, P. pygmaeus and P. nathusii were background species in the study area. N. leisleri, N. noctula and P. pipistrellus were common and numerous on some survey days. Pl. auritus and V. murinus were recorded only once each. In autumn, the onset of nocturnal activity is earlier and its duration is shortened to one hour. The ratio of signals for some species varies from day to day and is related to changes in ambient temperature. The species recorded preferred to hunt in uncluttered (open habitat) moderately cluttered (edge) areas and avoided cluttered (closed) areas.

Samur delta, echolocation calls, detector surveys, species composition, nocturnal activity of bats, relative abundance, spatial distribution

Smirnov D.G., Dzhamirzoev A.G. Autumn population of Chiroptera and its ecological features in the “Delta Samura” cluster of the national park “Samursky” (Dagestan, Russia). Izvestiya vysshikh uchebnykh zavedeniy. Povolzhskiy region. Estestvennye nauki = University proceedings. Volga region. Natural sciences. 2025;(1):51–64. (In Russ.). doi: 10.21685/2307-9150-2025-1-5