Biodiv Sci ›› 2020, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (7): 876-888.  DOI: 10.17520/biods.2019259

Special Issue: 罗霄山脉生物多样性专题

• Special Feature: Biodiversity of the Luoxiao Mountains • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Species diversity and suitable habitat prediction of Chiroptera in the Luoxiao Mountains

Yifeng Hu1, Xiaoyun Wang1, Xuejian Deng2, Hua Wu3, Zhenglanyi Huang1, Yang Yue1, Fang Li1, Qiuping Zhang1, Weijian Guo1, Feng Li1, Bocheng Chen1, Zhongxian Xu1, Quan Zhou1, Wenhua Yu1,*(), Yi Wu1,*()   

  1. 1 School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006
    2 School of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081
    3 School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079
  • Received:2020-06-03 Accepted:2020-09-11 Online:2020-07-20 Published:2020-09-29
  • Contact: Wenhua Yu,Yi Wu

Abstract:

The Luoxiao Mountains are a main chain of north-south mountains in southeast China, covering approximately 67,600 km2. It is considered a biodiversity hot spot that served as glacial refuge during the Tertiary period for eastern Eurasia. Starting in 2013, we investigated chiropteran diversity in the Luoxiao Mountains by conducting five-year surveys using mist nets, hand nets and harp traps. We identified 40 chiropteran species belonging to 4 families, 14 genera through morphological examination, phylogenetic inference, comparing to species identification from the literatures. Of the species we identified, 25 are primarily found in the region, and 9 belong to new provincial records. Current and potential future distribution area for bats was predicted based on all occurrence coordinates using the online platform “the Biodiversity & Climate Change Virtual Laboratory”. The random forest algorithm performed better than all other methods, and further indicates that precipitation seasonality and annual mean temperature contribute the most in models. Additionally, we found that the central and southern region (about 30% of the Luoxiao Mountains area) are hot spots for bats. The future distribution prediction for 2050 illustrates a trend of range expansion under the lowest greenhouse gas emissions conditions (RCP 2.6). Nevertheless, suitable habitats for bats will dramatically contract and transfer to higher regions under RCP 6.0 and RCP 8.5. We hope this study benefits future research, conservation and management for chiropteran in the Luoxiao Mountains.

Key words: Chiroptera (bats), Luoxiao Mountains, species diversity, habitat prediction