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Diversity and Morphometry of Chiropteran Fauna in Jahangirnagar University Campus, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Anik Saha
Department of Zoology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka

Md Kamrul Hasan
Department of Zoology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka

Mohammed Mostafa Feeroz
Department of Zoology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was conducted to know the diversity of Chiropterans as well as their status and morphometric measurements in Jahangirnagar University campus between July, 2014 and April, 2015. Eight species of bats from three families were identified where Common Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) and Pouch Tomb Bat (Saccolaimus saccolaimus) were recorded for the first time in Bangladesh. A total of 31bat individuals of 8 species were captured during 15 netting nights for morphological studies. Skull preparation was carried out for taking cranial measurements to identify the Pipistrelle species. No roosting colony of Pteropus gigantius was found in the study area but it visits the area only for foraging while the other species roost permanently. The old buildings in the study area provide suitable habitats for a significant number of insectivore bats. Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus gigantius) was the largest (mean head body length 23.33±1.86cm) and Least Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus tenuis) was the smallest (mean head body length 39.45±1.66 mm) species observed from the study area.

Keywords: Chiroptera, Diversity, Morphometric measurements, Cranial measurements, Jahangirnagar University.

Location: Jahangirnagar University campus

Start Date: 00-07-2014

End Date: 00-04-2015

Program Area: Conservation and Biodiversity

Commodity: Bat

Objectives:

The present study was focused on the status and diversity of bat species with their morphometry. The habitat preference was also considered for their future conservation.

Methodology:

The total area of the campus is covering 280 hectares and it is placed on the distal patches of Sal (Shorea robusta) forest as well as grasslands (Hossain et al. 1995). The mixed vegetation consisted of wetlands, grasslands, cultivated lands, woodlands, bushes and human settlements as well as many old buildings providing habitats for bats. There are 233 species of plants belonging to 168 genera from 62 families in the study area (Hossain et al. 1995). The diverged vegetation and habitat supported a significant number of wildlife species. Even new species were recorded in each and every year in the checklist. There are180 species of birds including 61 migrants are known to occur in the study area (Mohsanin and Khan 2009) and even this number is increasing day by day. The climatic conditions of the university campus significantly varied in different months of the year. During the study period, humidity was maximum in the August (89.15%) and minimum in the March (48.96%), whereas the highest temperature recorded in April (31.17?) and lowest found in December (17.71?) (Weather station, Jahangirnagar University). Study period: The study was carried out for 10 months from the July, 2014 to April, 2015. As the bats were nocturnal flying mammals it was not possible to identify easily by direct observation. Capturing was essential to take necessary measurements in different parameters for proper identification. Method: Mist nets were used to capture bats from the natural habitats such as fruit gardens, open fields, grasslands and old buildings. After removing from the mist net, the bats were kept in a cotton bag. The sexes were differentiated by the presence of external genital organs and reproductive stages (adult/ Juvenile) were determined on the basis of ossification of finger bones (Kunz, 1988). Skulls were also prepared to identify Pipistrelle species. Morphometric measurements: Morphometric measurements were taken by using digital slide calipers (CD-6'' CSX). The weight was taken by electric balance (EK600I). Data were taken on the following parameters: Head body (HB), Forearm (FA), Third metacarpal (3mt), First phalanx of third metacarpal (1ph3mt), Second Phalanx of third metacarpal (2ph3mt),Tibia length Cranial Measurements: Skull preparation was carried out for cranial measurements on following parameters. The greatest length of skull (GTL), condylobasal length (CBL), condylocanine length (CCL), breadth of braincase (BB), mandibular length (ML), maxillary tooth row (C-M3), mandibular tooth row(C-M3), anterior palatal width (C1-C1), and posterior palatal width (M3-M3). Identification: Identification of bats was carried out analyzing the morphometric measurements as well as some external key characters. The data were compared with Bates and Harrison (1997) and Srinivasulu et al. (2010). In case of Pipistrelle species, cranial measurements and dental formation were used along with the external measurements for confirmation.

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Zool. 43(2): 201-212, 2015 ISSN: 0304-9027 (Print) 2408-8455 (Online)

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

It was assumed that five species of bats are found in the Jahangirnagar University campus (Akther 2011). During the study period, eight species of bats were recorded from this study area. Among them Common Pipistrelle (P. pipistrellus) and Pouch Tomb bat (S. saccolaimus) were recorded for the first time in Bangladesh. The bat individuals were identified by morphometric measurements and some external features. Though the morphometric measurements were greatly overlapping in Pipistrelle species, skull preparation was carried out for taking cranial measurements to identify them. P. gigantius was a very common species in the study area though there was no roosting colony observed. The larger head body (23.33±1.86cm), forearm (15.6±1.01cm), ear (4.13±0.15cm) and other measurements ensured the confirmation of P. gigantius. C. sphinx was differentiated from other fruit bats on the presence of pale white border on the edges of the ear and the ear lengths (greater than 18mm in this species) (Bates and Harrison 1997). The forearm length of S. heathi was measured 58.49mm which was greater than 55mm was a key component to identify from S. kuhlii (Francis 2008). Though the forearm length of S. kuhlii was found 56.46mm but it was very nearer to 55mm. Again the head body length and other measurements of S. heathii were greater than S. kuhlii. The brain case (BB) of P. coromandra and P. tenuis were flattening and comparatively straight whereas domed shaped and robust brain case was found in P. pipistrellus. The condro-canine (CCL=11.17mm) and condro-basal (CBL=11.38mm) length of P. pipistrellus were greater than P. coromandra. But the anterior palatal (C1-C1=3.86mm) width as well as posterior palatal width (M3- M3=5.24mm) of P. coromandra was greater than P. pipistrellus and P. tenuis. The upper canine of P. coromandra and P. tenuis contained distinct secondary cusps where P. pipistrellus had well defined angle on the posterior cutting edge. Even the tragus shapes were different among the three Pipistrelle species. The deep narrow groove under the chin and irregular white patches on the dorsal portion were given the strong confirmation of S. saccolaimus. All the external measurements of S. saccolaimus were fallen in the range given by Bates and Harrison (1997).

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