TY  - CONF
AU  - Budinski, Ivana
AU  - Montauban, Cecilia M
AU  - Ketola, Christopher T
AU  - Hillier, Lewis P
AU  - Kirkby, Christopher A
AU  - Lloyd, Julia N
AU  - Kwarija Innocent
AU  - Kityo, Robert
PY  - 2023
UR  - http://radar.ibiss.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/6257
AB  - Uganda is recognised as a biodiversity hotspot, but knowledge gaps remain, especially for lesser-known
taxonomic groups like bats. More comprehensive taxonomic studies and combined monitoring methods
are needed to assess bat species' distributions and populations. In early 2023, NGO Fauna Forever
partnered with local biologists, rangers and community members to conduct a rapid bat diversity
assessment at eight privately-owned sites across Uganda, mostly in close proximity of National Parks.
We used a combination of ground mist nets, a triple high mist net system, and a 2-bank harp trap to
survey bats. We captured 664 bats of 44 species from 8 families. Each method revealed unique captures,
with 38% of individuals caught in the triple high net (including 8 species not trapped elsewhere), all but
one of the Nycterid bats caught in ground nets, and the only individual of Kerivoula smithii trapped in
the harp trap. We emphasize the importance of using a combination of methods to assess the bat
community, and advocate for training local conservationists in diverse survey techniques. Furthermore,
we share our experience delivering workshops at Sadhguru School to showcase the diversity and
importance of local bat fauna. Our study yields significant contributions, including new species
distribution records, genetic and morphometric data, and hand-release echolocation call recordings.
These findings will contribute to conservation efforts, taxonomic assessments, and the growth of a bat
call reference library in Uganda. Undoubtedly, continuous monitoring of biodiversity is crucial for
understanding population trends, detecting threats, and formulating effective conservation strategies.
PB  - Windhoek: University of Namibia
C3  - Programme and Abstract: 14th African Small Mammal Symposium; 2023 Sep 17-22; Swakopmund, Namibia
T1  - Exploring Uganda’s bat diversity: a rapid assessment utilizing a combination of techniques
SP  - 13
UR  - https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6257
ER  - 

@conference{
author = "Budinski, Ivana and Montauban, Cecilia M and Ketola, Christopher T and Hillier, Lewis P and Kirkby, Christopher A and Lloyd, Julia N and Kwarija Innocent and Kityo, Robert",
year = "2023",
abstract = "Uganda is recognised as a biodiversity hotspot, but knowledge gaps remain, especially for lesser-known
taxonomic groups like bats. More comprehensive taxonomic studies and combined monitoring methods
are needed to assess bat species' distributions and populations. In early 2023, NGO Fauna Forever
partnered with local biologists, rangers and community members to conduct a rapid bat diversity
assessment at eight privately-owned sites across Uganda, mostly in close proximity of National Parks.
We used a combination of ground mist nets, a triple high mist net system, and a 2-bank harp trap to
survey bats. We captured 664 bats of 44 species from 8 families. Each method revealed unique captures,
with 38% of individuals caught in the triple high net (including 8 species not trapped elsewhere), all but
one of the Nycterid bats caught in ground nets, and the only individual of Kerivoula smithii trapped in
the harp trap. We emphasize the importance of using a combination of methods to assess the bat
community, and advocate for training local conservationists in diverse survey techniques. Furthermore,
we share our experience delivering workshops at Sadhguru School to showcase the diversity and
importance of local bat fauna. Our study yields significant contributions, including new species
distribution records, genetic and morphometric data, and hand-release echolocation call recordings.
These findings will contribute to conservation efforts, taxonomic assessments, and the growth of a bat
call reference library in Uganda. Undoubtedly, continuous monitoring of biodiversity is crucial for
understanding population trends, detecting threats, and formulating effective conservation strategies.",
publisher = "Windhoek: University of Namibia",
journal = "Programme and Abstract: 14th African Small Mammal Symposium; 2023 Sep 17-22; Swakopmund, Namibia",
title = "Exploring Uganda’s bat diversity: a rapid assessment utilizing a combination of techniques",
pages = "13",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6257"
}

Budinski, I., Montauban, C. M., Ketola, C. T., Hillier, L. P., Kirkby, C. A., Lloyd, J. N., Kwarija Innocent,& Kityo, R.. (2023). Exploring Uganda’s bat diversity: a rapid assessment utilizing a combination of techniques. in Programme and Abstract: 14th African Small Mammal Symposium; 2023 Sep 17-22; Swakopmund, Namibia
Windhoek: University of Namibia., 13.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6257

Budinski I, Montauban CM, Ketola CT, Hillier LP, Kirkby CA, Lloyd JN, Kwarija Innocent, Kityo R. Exploring Uganda’s bat diversity: a rapid assessment utilizing a combination of techniques. in Programme and Abstract: 14th African Small Mammal Symposium; 2023 Sep 17-22; Swakopmund, Namibia. 2023;:13.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6257 .

Budinski, Ivana, Montauban, Cecilia M, Ketola, Christopher T, Hillier, Lewis P, Kirkby, Christopher A, Lloyd, Julia N, Kwarija Innocent, Kityo, Robert, "Exploring Uganda’s bat diversity: a rapid assessment utilizing a combination of techniques" in Programme and Abstract: 14th African Small Mammal Symposium; 2023 Sep 17-22; Swakopmund, Namibia (2023):13,
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6257 .