Variation in the diet of Mehely’s Horseshoe Bat,Rhinolophus mehelyi, in three contrasting environments in western Iran

Abstract

The diet of Rhinolophus mehelyi was investigated through analysis of droppings collected from three maternity roosts in northern Zagros, mid-Zagros and the northern Mesopotamian plain. Moths (Lepidoptera) dominated in all areas (34.9-69.5% volume). The second most important food items in the northern Mesopotamian plain and the mid-Zagros are beetles (Coleoptera, 12.6-28.2% volume), while in northern Zagros Homoptera (16% volume) are the next important food items. The diet of R. mehelyi in northern Zagros is characterized by a low proportion of Coleoptera (10%) and the presence of more diverse prey species (12 categories). In the northern Mesopotamian plain and in mid-Zagros, the food items consist mainly of lepidopteran and coleopteran species with fewer additional prey species. Species groups occurring only in the diet of Mehely's Horseshoe Bat in the northern Zagros are Odonata, Trichoptera, Dictyoptera and Acarina.Kurzfassung. Die Nahrung von Rhinolophus mehelyi wurde mittels Kotanalysen in drei Höhlen im nördlichen Zagrosgebirge, im mittleren Zagros und im nördlichen Mesopotamien untersucht. Nachtschmetterlinge (Lepidoptera) waren in allen drei Gebieten dominant (34,5% Volumenanteile). Die nächsthäufigste Gruppe in der Nahrung stellen in der nordmesopotamischen Tiefebene und im mittleren Zagros Käfer (Coleoptera: 12,6-28,2% Volumenanteil) dar, während im nördlichen Zagros Homoptera (16% Volumenanteil) folgen. Die Nahrung von R. mehelyi im nördlichen Zagros kann durch einen geringen Anteil an Coleoptera (10%) und durch ein breites Nahrungsspektrum (12 Artengruppen) charakterisiert werden. In der nordmesopotamischen Tiefebene und im mittleren Zagros besteht die Nahrung hauptsächlich aus Nachtfaltern und Käfern, mit geringeren Anteilen an anderen Insektengruppen. Artengruppen, die nur in der Nahrung im nördlichen Zagros vorkommen, sind Odonata, Trichoptera, Dictyoptera und Acarina.

What mechanism of niche segregation allows the coexistence of sympatric sibling rhinolophid bats?

“…mehelyi and R . eurale , the bulk of the diet of both species in sympatric and allopatric conditions consist of moths [34,39,46,47]. Moreover, in sympatry we found that intra-specific trophic overlap of R .…”

“…mehelyi and R . euryale observed elsewhere can also be explained by local variability of available prey [34,37,44-47]. …”

Variation in ectoparasite load in the Mehely’s horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus mehelyi (Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae) in a nursery colony in western Iran

“…In several emerge counts performed in this cave it was seen that a population of approximately 700 bat of at least four species including Myotis blythii, Rhinolophus mehelyi, Miniopterus schreibersii, and Myotis cappachinii, roost in this cave. Kermanshah is amongst the medium-size cities in Iran which still support a diverse bat populations and most bats emerging from Mahidasht Cave were observed to heading toward the city (Sharifi and Hemmati 2004).…”

Bat guano and historical evidence of climate changes in the west of Iran during the Late Holocene (Meghalayan Stage)

“…7 and 8). The bats of the study region are from Rhinolophidae and Rhinolophus Mehely species and their food includes insect and mainly Lepidoptera and herbal material (Sharifi & Hemmati 2004). There is a very strong relationship between the prevailing climate conditions, the growth and the number of bat accumulation regarding the density and frequency of insects as food (Hoying & Kunz 1998;Hood et al 2002).…”