Abstract
Echolocation calls of thirteen bat species inhabiting the Kyushu District were recorded, and their sonograms were analyzed. Rhinolophus ferrumequinum and Rhinolophus cornutus could easily be identified by measuring the peak frequency (PF) of scanning calls (FM/CF/FM types), though intraspecific variation was recognized. The scanning echolocation calls (FM types) of 11 species (Myotis macrodactylus, Myotis nattereri, Myotis pruinosus, Pipistrellus abramus, Vespertilio sinensis, Nyctalus aviator, Murina leucogaster, Murina ussuriensis, Murina ryukyuana, Miniopterus fuliginosus and Tadarida insignis) were separated from each other through comparisons of the minimum or maximum values of end frequency, peak frequency or call duration, with overlap found only between M. ussuriensis and M. ryukyuana. However, M. ryukyuana is confined to Amami Islands where M. ussuriensis do not occur. Our results were further supported by principal component analysis and discriminant function analysis. Similarly treated search phase echolocation calls (FM/QCF types) of five species (M. fuliginosus, P. abramus, V. sinensis, N. aviator, T. insignis) were clearly identified and classified to species. This acoustic survey could be applied to better understand the distribution and patterns of habitat use of bats.
