A long-term ecological survey of bats (Mammalia, Chiroptera) in the eastern Niger Delta (Nigeria)

The structure of bat assemblages was studied in relation to variation in fo rest landscapes in four localities of the eastern Niger Delta (southern Nig eria). The study areas were inhabited by thirteen species, seven Megachirop tera and six Microchiroptera, among which Eidolon helvum, Hypsignathus mons trosus, Rousettus egyptiacus, Saccolaimus peli, and Hipposideros caffer wer e recorded for the first time, whereas Epomophorus gambianus, Scotonycteris zenkeri, Megaloglossus woermanni, Scotophilus viridis, and Mops thersites were first cited only recently. The majority of captures occurred in second ary forest habitat (99 specimens belonging to 10 species), followed by prim ary forest (40 specimens, 5 species), and by the bush (13 specimens, 5 spec ies). A multivariate set of analyses arranged the various species into six 'ecological groups': (i) Eidolon helvum, Mops thersites; (ii) Hipposideros caffer, (iii) Hypsignathus monstrosus; (iv) Rousettus egyptiacus, Epomops f ranqueti, Scotonycteris zenkeri, Nycteris arge, (v) Saccolaimus peli, Scoto philus viridis,Nycteris hispida; (vi) Epomophorus gambianus, Megaloglossus woermanni. The various groups are interpreted in the light of the available information on the ecology and distribution of Nigerian bats.