@conference{
author = "Paunović, Milan and Budinski, Ivana and Karapandža, Branko and Bajić, Branka",
year = "2018",
abstract = "Mehely’s horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus mehelyi Matschie, 1901, has a discontinuous
Mediterranean distribution. It is considered the rarest and the most threatened bat species in
Serbia. On the Balkan Peninsula it is a regular faunal element, but it was not found in
Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia (where previous findings
have been disproved as mistakes in identification). Population in Romania has been in rapid
decrease for the last 70 years, while Bulgarian one it is considered as stable and numerous
in optimal cave roosts and habitats. It is highly gregarious species, forming small to mediumsized nursery, transitory and hibernation colonies, together with other medium-sized
horseshoe bats. Optimal habitats are karstic arid areas. Until recently, population in Serbia
was estimated to about 200 individuals, with a decreasing population trend, and the species
has been assessed as vulnerable in Serbia. It was recorded at 3 localities in eastern Serbia
only.
Mixed hibernation colony counting around 3.000 bats of all 3 medium-sized European
rhinolophid species has been discovered on 28 October 2016 in the Ranjena Pećina cave
(Vratarnica village area) in eastern Serbia. The cave has a pit type entrance followed by few
chambers in different horizons, and the colony was located in the second chamber.
Dominant species within colony was Rhinolophus euryale with more than 2300 individuals,
while rest of the colony counted around 400 specimens of Rh. mehelyi and less than 300 Rh.
blasii. During the next survey visit on 4 February 2017, bats were found in the second
chamber in a half of previous number, while the rest of them have moved deeper into the
cave. In the first chamber of the cave 2 individuals of Rhinolophus ferrumequinum and a
single individual of Rh. hipposideros have also been recorded.
This record significantly contributes to the knowledge on this rare and vulnerable species in
Serbia and its subpopulation(s) on the Balkan Peninsula. Monitoring of the colony, the
search for summer roosts, its conservation and protection are necessary activities and
important task for our future work.",
publisher = "Center for karst and speleology Branilaca Sarajeva 30, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo: Center for Karst and Speleology",
journal = "Regional symposium: Conservation status of bats in the Central Europe and Western Balkan: Program and book of abstracts; 2018 May 31 - Jun 1; Bat ringing - first training: Bijambare; 2018 Jun 2-3; Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovinia.",
title = "Ranjena pećina cave – A new important roost site of Mehely’s horseshoe bat Rhinolophus mehelyi in Serbia",
pages = "25",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_4274"
}
