Documenting Some Species of Bats in the Central and Coastal Regions of Syria

Home , 2007 in Syria, Safita, Tartus

International Journal of Scientific Research in ______Research Paper . Biological Sciences

Vol.7, Issue.1, pp.66-71, February (2020) E-ISSN: 2347-7520

Yara Al- Ramadan1*, Nahla Ibrahim2, Anouar Al- Omar3

1,2Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria 3Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Albaath University, Homs, Syria

*Corresponding Author: [email protected], Tel.: +0963-031-2624733

Available online at: www.isroset.org

Received: 28/Jan/2020, Accepted: 07/Feb/2020, Online: 28/Feb/2020 Abstract— We have studied and documented Six Species of bats in the central region of Syria (Eastern, and Western Homs countrysides) and some areas of the Syrian coastal region (Draykish, Safita and Ash Shaykh Badr).These Species are: Roussettus aegyptiacus, Myotis myotis, Myotis blythii, Pipistrellus kuhlii, Pipistrellus savii, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum. The Species Pipi strellus savii has been recorded for Syria for the first time in Slanfah – Lattakia on 2/10/2018. Pipistrellus kuhlii has been recorded in Sukkarah (eastern Homs countryside) on 16/7/2017 and Ash Shaykh Badr (Tartus) on 19/8/2017, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum has been recorded in Fajlit (Draykish) on 30/9/2017 and Al- Zahabiya (Shin district west Homs countryside) on 1/8/2017. Myotis myotis, Roussettus aegyptiacus have been recorded in in Al-Dawwar cave - Kafr Sanif (Safita – Tartus) on 5/10/2017 and on 14/7/2018, Myotis plythy has been recorded Which Myotis myotis, Roussettus aegyptiacus in same cave on 14/7/2018, the morphometric measurements of these Species have been taken and classified and compared with previous studies in Syria and Egypt.

Keywords—Roussettus aegyptiacus; Myotis myotis; Myotis blythii; Pipistrellus kuhlii; Pipistrellus savii; classification.

I. INTRODUCTION Harrison also recorded a single species of P. kuhlii in Damascus 1964 [4]. Bats belong to Eutherians its a vertebrates with hair and mammary glands, which produce milk for nursing their The first recording of Hemprichii otonycteris was in young [1] and it’s only mammals capable of flying and Alkariaten by Harrison and Atallah representing about 20% of Syrian mammals, which has a And they recorded Asellia tridens for the first time in total of 125 species [2]. They play an important role in the Syria [7]. environmental balance especially in insect populations. A single Pipistrelle can consume up to 3,000 insects in per Shehab et al (2007) recorded five species of bats in the night [2]. Fruit bats (Megachiroptera) play an important Euphrates basin: (T.udiventris, M. capaccinii, E. bottaei, role in seed dispersion and the process of Pollination, The P. kuhlii, and O. hemprichii) [5]. guano is a natural fertilizer that is not harmful to the Rhinolophus ferrumequinum was found in Jordan together environment [3]. with R.euryale in 1991, Rhinopoma microphyllum in 1994 and Asellia tridens in 1991[4]. 27 species of bats were recorded in Syria belonging to 8 Studies between the years 1992-1996 refer to several families and 15 genus: Pteropodida, Rhinolophidae, recordings of Pipistrellus kuhli, Plecotus austriacus and Emballonunidae, Nycteridae, Hipposideridae, Tadarida teniotis species in Jordan by Qumsiye and AL- Vespertolionidae, Molossidae and Rhinopomatidae [4]. Oran [8]. Where Shehab et al [5], recorded Twenty-three species of bats in Syria, belonging to twelve genera and six families. II. METHODOLOGY Trouessart and Kollmann (1923) recorded four species (Rhinolophus euryale, Myotis myotis, Pipistrellus kuhlii, 6 species of bats were collected from the central and Plecotus auritus) in southwestern Syria [7]. coastal regions of Syria: (1) Roussettus aegyptiacus. Two species (Myotis myotis, M. blythii) were recorded in (2) Myotis myotis. the Golan Heights by Aharoni (1930), and studied for the (3) Myotis blythii. second time by Spitzenberger between (1979- 1996) who (4) Pipistrellus kuhlii. added a new record of M. blythii in the Golan Heights (5) Pipistrellus savii. [14]. (6) Rhinolophus ferrumequinum.

The morphometric measurements of the bats were Al-Dawwar cave - Kafr 5/10/2017 Myotis myotis recorded, specimens were preserved in formaldehyde 10%. Sanif - Safita – Tartus 14/7/2018 The netting is available in two grades--structural, with a Al-Dawwar cave - Kafr Myotis blythii 14/7/2018 diagonal hole opening of 1.6 cm (5/8 in), and is somewhat Sanif - Safita – Tartus stiffer than standard, or with a diagonal opening of 2.4 cm Sukkarah - eastern Homs 16/7/2017 (15/16 in) [9]. The netting were placed in the bats flying Pipistrellus kuhlii countryside 19/8/2017 pathway in caves or feeding areas. After obtaining the Ash Shaykh Badr -Tartus specimens morphometric measurements, place and date of Pipistrellus savii Slanfah – Lattakia 2/10/2018 collection were documented. Al-Zahabiya Western homs 1/8/2017 Rh.ferrumequinum countryside 30/9/2017 Morphometric measurements were recorded, shape of the Fajlit - Draykish ears, nose, the presence or absence of the tragus and the membrane between legs and tail, arm length, head and body, wingspan [6],[ 5],[ 10], [11]. Tools used: Digital Camera, and Piacoles. This research was carried out in the laboratories of Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Science, Tishreen University.

Shortcuts: TL: Total length, HB: head and body length, TaL: tail length, HF: hind foot length, E: ear length, Wsp = wingspan, FA: forearm length, Tra: Tragus, Nll: Length of nose leaf, Nlw: width of nose leaf. [13], [6].

III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Figure 1. Records of studied spices: 1- Fajlit - Draykish Pipistrellus kuhlii has been recorded in Sukkarah (eastern (Rh.ferrumequinum),2- Al-Zahabiya Western Homs countryside Homs countryside) on 16/7/2017 and Ash Shaykh Badr (Rh.ferrumequinum), 3- Ash Shaykh Badr - Tartus (Pipistrellus Tartus on 19/8/2017. Rhinolophus ferrumequinum has kuhlii), 4- Sukkarah - eastern Homs countryside (Pipistrellus been recorded in Al-Zahabiya (Shin district west Homs kuhlii), 5- Slanfah – Lattakia (Pipistrellus savii), 6- Al-Dawwar countryside) on 1/8/2017 and Fajlit (Draykish) on cave - Kafr Sanif - Safita – Tartus (R.aegyptiacus, Myotis 30/9/2017. Myotis myotis, Roussettus aegyptiacus and myotis, Myotis blythii). have been recorded on 5/10/2017 and have been recorded for the second time on 14/7/2018 with Myotis blythii in  Roussettus aegyptiacus - Egyptian fruit bat Al-Dawwar cave - Kafr Sanif (Safita – Tartus), (E.Geoffroy, 1810): Pipistrellus savii has been recorded for the first time for A colony of Roussettus aegyptiacus was recorded in Syria in Slanfah - Lattakia on 2/10/2018 as shown in Table Tartus – Safita - Kafr Sanif - Al-Dawwar cave on 1 and Figure 1. 5/10/2017 and on 14/7/2018 (wet area). The cave is located far away from the inhibited areas, near water Roussettus aegyptiacus was not found during a tour to Al- stream. The cave entrance is high from the ground, which Husn - Talkalakh, western Homs on 20-22/8/2017, provides more protection for the animals, where the although local people confirmed its existence. rainwater leaks into the cave in winter, which provides the necessary moisture. No species were documented during the tour in Birat Al- Jurd - Masyaf, western Hama countryside, Al-Durra cave The fruit bat can be easily identified due to its large size on E22-25/9/2017. and distinctive head shape. The ears are large and separate, The most important results of this research is the there is no tragus, the mouth is large and wide, the upper documentation of the locations of these species and a new and upper jaws are large, the teeth are smooth, the eyes are record for Syria of Pipistrellus savii in Slanfah. - Lattakia large As shown in Figure 2, there is no membrane between 2/10/2017. the legs, The wings are large and wide, The species has a strong muscles for chest and arms (after dissecting a Table 1. The studied specimens (place and date of collection) specimen). date of Species Location collection

Al-Dawwar cave - Kafr 5/10/2017 R.aegyptiacus Sanif - Safita – Tartus 14/7/2018

Figure 2. The ears, teeth, nose, and thick hair on the neck in males of R.aegyptiacus. Figure 3. The tapered teeth, ears, tragus of Myotis myotis

Table 2 shows the morphometric measurements of 7 Table 3. Morphometric measurements of Myotis myotis (Kafr Sanaif, specimens of Roussettus aegyptiacus in (mm) and weight Safita, 2017) is estimated in (mm) and weight is estimated in grams and compared to previous studies in Syria. in grams, compared with previous studies in Syria and se weig Egypt. The results showed that the weight of females were Wsp HB Tal HF E Tra FA higher than in males. The results were consistent with the x ht TL studies of Shehab, 2007 in Syria [2], with a slight 5008 400 117 53 15 26 7 62 difference in weight, mostly due to that the specimens in ♂ 24.2 65 Shehab study were mostly females. The results were also 5009 120 50 12 23 7 60 consistent with Gaisler, 1972 in Egypt [12]. ♂ 22.9 72

5010 410 120 50 18 25 8 63 Table 2. Morphometric measurements of Roussettus aegyptiacus (Kafr ♀ 23.9 72 Sanif, Safita, 2017) in (mm) and weight in grams compared to previous 5011 420 123 56 18 22 12 70 studies in Syria and Egypt. ♀ 27 70 S S wei Ws F wei 5012 30.3 400 130 69 18 24 8 65 e TL HB HF E e ♀ 78 ght p A ght x x 71. 53. 16. 142 57 14 13 10 142 Med 25.6 407. 122 24 8.4 64 5001 ♀ 38 22 5001 ♀ - 4 8 2 .05 0 0 5 0 .05 5 74. 51 12 10 74. 5002 ♂ 20 20 80 5002 ♂ 58 2 3 5 58 SD± 3 4.6 4.2 2.6 1.5 2 3.8 - 9.5 4.9 69. 52 11 10 69. 5003 ♂ 23 18 82 5003 ♂ 12 0 3 2 12 Shehab.20 77. 53 13 12 77. 07 133. 73. 55. 14. 26. 11. 64. 5004 ♂ 20 20 82 5004 ♂ 23 - 49 0 0 0 49 2 5 9 9 6 7 7 79. 52 13 12 79. 5005 ♂ 20 22 83 5005 ♂ Syria 11 0 2 0 11 74. 53 11 10 74. 5006 ♂ 22 18 85 5006 ♂ 12 0 4 0 12 120 59 14 12 120 5007 ♀ 37 23 90 5007 ♀ .30 0 0 5 .30  Myotis blythii - The lesser mouse-eared bat (Tomes, 90. 53 12 11 25. 20 90. Med - 86 Med - 1857): 96 8 7.4 5.2 71 .4 96 28. 29. 11. 13. 1. 6. 28. Ears are long, tragus are long and tall with pointed edges, SD± - 8.1 SD± - 3 3 3 1 9 9 3 Shehab, Shehab, and the jaws are more prominent forward than in 2007 55 14 14 22. 22 92 2007 - 145 - 145 M.myotis. It is very similar to M.myotis. The species was Syria 7.5 1.1 0.5 4 .1 .3 Syria [2] [2] found in the same habitat of Myotis myotis and R. Gaisler, Gaisler, aegyptiacus on 14/7/2018, the results were consistent with 1972 13 14 19. 21 1972 - - - 93 - - Egypt 7.1 0 6 .4 Egypt the studies of Shehab, 2007 in Syria [2], see Table 4 and [12] [12] Figure 4 show External measurements of Myotis blythii  Myotis myotis - The greater mouse-eared bat and their compatibility with Benda in Syria [3]. (Borkhausen, 1979): A colony was recorded in Al-Dawwar cave in Kafr Sanif (Safita- Tartus) on 5/10/2017 and on 14/7/2018, small to medium sized individuals. The ears are separate, there is a tragus, the teeth are tapered As shown in Figure 3, The tail is included within the membrane between the thighs, it has a thick fur which makes it a habitat for arachnids and other parasites, Table 3 shows the morphological measurements of Myotis myotis (mm) and weight in grams as compared to the previous study of Shehab in Syria which was consistent with this study [5]. Figure 4. Myotis blythii

Table 4. Morphometric measurements of Myotis blythii (Kafr Sanif, External measurements: TL= 46 mm, HB= 30 mm, TaL= Safita, 2018) is estimated in (mm) compared to previous studies in Syria 32 mm, HF= 6 mm, E= 9.8 mm, FA= 34.6, Tra = 4 mm sex HB Tal FA E Tra .The species was recorded in Slanfah- Lattakia countryside 5013 ♀ 80 58 60.1 22 11 on 2/10/2018, a mild coastal area in summer. (The [4]. - 75.7 61 59.01 26.4 10.5 presence of species was associated with coastal areas). Syria

 Pipistrellus kuhlii Kuhl's pipistrelle (Khul, 1819): It was Small, gray-to-black in Figure 5, ears separate and small, There is a clear tragus, tapered teeth, tail is included within the membrane between the thighs, it was observed in a widespread area in different environments That is consistent with previous studies, The species was recorded in Sukkarah, eastern Homs, on 16/7/2017, a semi-arid populated region, bats live within the cracks of walls in an old building.

Figure 6. Pipistrellus savii Figure 5. Pipistrellus kuhlii, dorsal side  Rhinolophus ferrumequinum - Greater horseshoe Another record of the species is in Ash Shaykh Badr bat (Schreber, 1774): 19/8/2017, Tartus countryside, a mountainous area which The species was recorded in Al-Zahabiya - Shin, the is close to the Syrian coast, wet area. The bats were western Homs countryside on 1/8/2017, semi-wet area, roosting in the electric power box (linked to the lamppost), which had a cold winter and mild summer, and in Fajlit- and this confirms that the species lives in inhibited areas is Draykish, wet area, on 30/9/2017, a mountainous springy searching of insects near the lights. Table 5 shows the coastal area, had a cold winter and a mild summer. morphometric measurments of Pipistrellus kuhlii, which shows the compatibility of this study with the study of Medium sized, tapered ears, no tragus, small eyes, nose Shehab in Syria in [6], and Gaisler 1972 in Egypt [12]. have a nasal structure as show in Figure 7, thick hair on the head, white to gray on the ventral face, light brown on Table 5. Morphometric measurements of Pipistrellus kuhlii (Sukkarah, Homs countryside, and (Ash Shaykh Badr, Tartus countryside) estimated the dorsal face see Figure 8, Table (6) shows in (mm) and weight is estimated in grams and compared to previous morphometric measurements of Rhinolophus studies in Syria and Egypt. ferrumequinum and comparison to the previous study in se weig Ws H Tr TL HB Tal E FA x ht p F a Syria by Shehab which are consistent with this study [5]. Ash 501 Shaykh ♂ 4.1 221 87 42 38 7 11 4 36 4 Badr Sukkara 501 ♂ 5.7 230 88 50 46 8 12 5 34 h 5 225. 87. 7. 11. 4. Med - 4.1 46 42 35 5 5 5 5 5 0. 0. - 1.1 6.3 0.7 5.6 5.6 0.7 1.4 SD± 7 7

Shehab, 222. 43. 36. 6. 11. 5. 34. 2007 - 4.8 85 2 9 9 5 8 5 6 Syria [2] Gaisler, 46. 34. 1972.Eg - - - - - 7 12 - 1 6 ypt [12]

 Pipistrellus savii - Savi's pipistrelle (Bonaparte, 1837): A small bat as shown in Figure 6, can be distinguished by thick brown hair on the head, tapered teeth, ears are small, the end is pointed, and the thumb is prominent and long. Figure 7. Ears, eyes, nose leaf structure of Rhinolophus ferrumequinum

6. The species Roussettus aegyptiacus is facing a decreasing in numbers because of the use of insecticides which cause toxicity during feeding and because of the inappropriate hunting practices by local hunters. 7. In Syria bats are seen as being symbols of bad luck so people are rid of them with killing. They are also afraid to destroy their crops without the knowledge of their environmental importance in pollinating flowers and soil fertilization.

Some people hold the bat in a bag and then leave it to dispose of insects in the bedrooms where they feed and some mothers slaughter the bat and distributing it blood on the nascent girl body to prevent body hair growth.

REFERENCE

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AUTHORS PROFILE Faculty of Science also since 1990, she has published 18 Yara Al-Ramadan is a master Student in Tishreen research papers in reputed international journals and she is University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, a member in Tishreen University Journal.Mr. Anouar Al- Latakia, Syria, She is currently working as teacher in Omar Ph.D Virology, Nancy University, France in 1996. Faculty of agriculture and department of Biology Faculty He is currently working as Professor in Department of of Science in Al-Baath University since 2014, and she has Biology Faculty of Science, Albaath University also since published 2 research papers. Ms Nahla Ibrahim Ph.D 1996, Homs, Syria in 1996 and a member in Al-Baath Comparative anatomy in 1990 from Saint Petersburg State University Journal. . He has published more than 50 Academy of Veterinary Medicine. She is currently research papers in reputed international journals including working as Assistant Professor in Department of Biology Biology of the Cell.