Biodiv Sci ›› 2014, Vol. 22 ›› Issue (3): 385-391.  DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1003.2014.13148

• Research Bulletin • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Bat species diversity and conservation in Libo World Natural Heritage Site of South China Karst

Tianyou Yang1,2, Xiufa Hou2, Yingxiang Wang3, Jiang Zhou2,*()   

  1. 1. Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Tongren University, Tongren, Guizhou 554300
    2. School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001
    3. Kunming Institute of Zoology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223
  • Received:2013-11-25 Accepted:2014-05-08 Online:2014-05-20 Published:2014-06-04
  • Contact: Zhou Jiang

Abstract:

During field surveys between October, 2010 and October, 2011, we investigated bat species diversity in 69 caves in 6 townships in the Libo World Natural Heritage Site located in the South China Karst region. We also investigated bat specimens from the zoological museum of the School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, and reviewed pertinent literature as well. We uncovered 7 families encompassing 24 bat species in the area, including 2 new records of species for Guizhou Province, i.e., Myotis blythii and Hipposideros pomona, and 11 species first documented in Libo. Unfortunately, many caves have been exploited for tourism, thereby posing a great threat to the survival of cave-dwelling bats. We propose some special strategies that could be taken to protect the bats roosting in these caves.

Key words: Chiroptera, species diversity, Libo, World Natural Heritage Site, South China Karst