Investigation of Bats in the Darkhad Wetlands

Authors

Jargalsaikhan Ariunbold, Mongolian State University of EducationFollow

Date of this Version

2016

Document Type

Article

Citation

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei (2016) band 13: 377-186.

Comments

Copyright 2016, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle Wittenberg, Halle (Saale). Used by permission.

Abstract

The Darkhadyn Khotgor wetlands are located in the northern part of Mongolia and are transected by both small and large rivers such as the Shishged and the Tengis. Many small lakes are present and the large lake ‘Tsagaan nuur’ (English: White lake) is upstream of the Yenisei river. It is a land rich in biodiversity with pristine waters and an extreme continental climate. The Darkhadyn Khotgor wetlands are composed of three ecological zones, Siberian Taiga, forested steppe, and meadow valley. The area is surrounded by Ulaan Taiga strictly protected area (SPA) in the western part, Khoridol Saridag Mountains SPA in the eastern part, the Khuvsgul National Park (NP), and the watershed of Tengis and Shishged rivers in the northern part. The bat survey was conducted at Dood Tsagaan lake, Usariin Am, Tengis river, and in the Khuit cave at 21.06. - 07.07.2010, 16.09. - 30.09.2010 and 15.10.2012. In our study areas, we recorded five species of Vespertilionidae Gray, 1821, including Myotis brandtii (Eversmann, 1845), Myotis petax Hollister, 1912, Myotis ikonnikovi Ognev, 1912, Plecotus ognevi Kishida, 1927, and Eptesicus nilssonii Keyserling et Blasius, 1839. Ikonnikov’s bat (Myotis ikonnikovi) is recorded for the first time in this region. In the Darkhadyn Khotgor wetlands, in addition, our study shows that bats go into hibernation very early in the fall due to the short summer-season in the wetlands. Our study of the Huit cave of Mongolia showed that Ognev’s long eared bat, Brandt’s bat and the Northern bat were all hibernating in this cave. We provide the first evidence that these bat species hibernate in a cave in Mongolia. In addition, bones of the Northern bat, Ognev’s long eared bat, Ikonnikov’s bat, eastern Daubenton’s bat and Brandt’s bat were found in this cave, indicating that all these bats occupy this cave either simultaneously or have occurred there in the very recent past. The Darkhad Khotgor has more extreme cold and wet climate compared to the northern forest areas of Mongolia. The species structure of bat community near Darkhad wetland is similar to that of Yakutia.