Updated checklist of the rodents of Iraq (Rodentia)

This paper provides an updated information on the composition and distribution of the rodent fauna of Iraq. The data were taken from field observations that were conducted during the period 2018–2019 in addition to the previous literature and museum collections data. The rodent fauna of Iraq consists of 29 currently recognised species from 17 genera and seven families.

The systematic status of the Libyan bats of the genus Plecotus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

This paper briefly reviews the taxonomic history of the Plecotus kolombatovici complex, the bat populations which occur in isolated ranges surrounding the Mediterraean Basin, including Maghreb, Tripolitania, Cyrenaica, Anatolia, Balkans, and Italy, plus numerous Mediterranean islands. Since this complex exhibts genetic characters close to Plecotus teneriffae from the Canary Islands, the samples of the complex from Cyrenaica (NE Libya) were described as a subspecies P. teneriffae gaisleri. However, this name was later used for all populations of the complex inhabiting North Africa as P. gaisleri, a full species separated from P. kolombatovici. However, the available results of molecular genetic analyses of the complex support the opinion that these allopatric populations are conspecific and referrable to P. kolombatovici and reopens the question regarding the systematic status of P. teneriffae.

Past distribution of Ursus arctos in Bulgaria: fossil and subfossil records (Carnivora: Ursidae)

The paper summarizes numerous scattered data from the last 120 years on the former distribution of the brown bear (Ursus arctos) in Bulgaria. Data from 52 (13 fossil and 39 subfossil) sites (from the Middle Pleistocene to the 19th century AD) are presented. The brown bear former distribution was much wider than the present occurrence. The species range covered the whole territory of the country, including mountain regions, as well as vast lowland and plain landscapes. The geographical, altitudinal and chronological distribution are presented and analyzed. The record from the Kozarnika Cave (1.000,000–700,000 years BP) is one of the earliest records of this species in Europe. About 73% of the localities are situated between 100 and 500 m a. s. l. Twelve sites contain Paleolithic finds, one Mesolithic, 14 Neolithic, six Chalcolithic, five from the Bronze Age, and two from the Iron Age. The remaining 12 subrecent sites are dated to the last ca. 2,400 years. Most of the species findings came from archeological sites – prehistoric and ancient settlements. The distribution of Ursus arctos once covered the entire territory of the country, including the vast regions such as Ludogorie, Dobruja, the Danube Lowland, the Upper Thracian Lowland, as well as the Sakar, Strandja, Sredna Gora, and the Predbalkan Mts.

Hairs of wild Felis silvestris silvestris and domestic Felis catus – are they distinctive after all? (Carnivora: Felidae)

This study addressed the question whether it is possible to clearly differentiate between wild and tabby domestic cats on the basis of hairs (guard hairs in particular). The colour banding pattern of individual hairs is studied in this context for the first time. Also, hair length and width, as well as parameters of the hair cuticle were checked for differences, as it is well known that wild cats have long hairs and a fine, silky fur. Several banding patterns were observed, some shared between both cat forms, but with different frequencies. But this is not enough for species differentiation and more specimens need to be studied to get a better idea of the variation in this trait. The cuticle pattern even in the same region of the hairs (medium and shield-free part of the hair shaft) varies considerably and statistically significant differences were found only for few measured parameters: hair length, hair width and scale perimeter. Nevertheless, even most of them are not sufficient to determine wild or domestic cats. However, as expected, the hairs of wild cats are statistically significantly longer than those of tabby domestic cats, and hairs longer than 50 mm can be clearly attributed to wild cats.

Earless Diceros bicornis in the Etosha National Park, Namibia (Perissodactyla: Rhinocerotidae)

The syndrome of ear pinnae absence was recorded in three individuals of the black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) among 71 observed (4.2%) in the Etosha National Park, Namibia, during eight visits in 2013–2020. In two cases, the syndrome comprised bilateral absence of the pinna and certain damage of the tail, while in one case, only unilateral lack of the ear pinna was recorded without any damage of the other pinna and tail.

Osudy koní Převalského (Equus przewalskii) importovaných z volné přírody (Perissodactyla: Equidae)

At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, 54 Przewalski’s horses were imported alive to Europe in five transports. Only twelve of them (6 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀) have bred. The earliest birth occurred in a mare at the age of five years and the oldest mare gave birth at the age of 17 years, always during the period from spring to autumn. The most fertile stallion was a father of ten foals and the most fertile mare gave birth to eight foals. Longevity was relatively high; three stallions reached the age over 20 years, the oldest one of 28 years. Cadavers of individuals imported from nature and registered in the pedigree-book are listed, they represent less than a half of all registered individuals officially imported to Europe.

A long distance migration in Nyctalus leisleri from the Czech Republic to southern France (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

On 28 January 2020, three living individuals of the Leisler’s bat, Nyctalus leisleri, were found in a shed in Malaucène, southern France (44°11’34”N, 05°07’26”E). Two of these bats had bands with the inscription CESON.ORG used in the Czech Republic since 2019. The whole ring code was detected in one case (CZ03313), in a female captured and banded in a bat-box near Bečov nad Teplou, western Bohemia, Czech Republic (50°05’27”N, 12°51’38”E) on 9 September 2019, 878 km away from Malaucène. This is the first case of a long distance migration in the population of Nyctalus leisleri of the Czech Republic. This observation also gives a direct evidence of a flight during the maximum 141 days in late summer or autumn from the central or northeastern Europe to the southwestern parts of the continent.

Extremely high mortality of newborn juveniles in the nursery colony of Myotis myotis at Žihobce, SW Bohemia, Czech Republic (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

In 2020, an extremely high mortality of juveniles was recorded in a nursery colony of Myotis myotis at Žihobce (Klatovy Dist.), reaching 50.6% of the potential growth. Most juveniles died within two weeks of age (67.4%). The cause of this phenomenon is not known. The results of chemical analyses carried out in five dead juveniles showed neither the presence of heavy metals nor pesticides in the bodies. The dissection of cadavers revealed a good nutrition state. In all dissected individuals, intestinal inflammation was recorded. Most juveniles in the colony were significantly parasitised. In the period of parturition, it was cold and very rainy for several days, the mortality thus may have been caused by chilling of the juveniles. The effort of females to nurse even the dying juveniles which fell down from the colony was observed. The mortality of juveniles was checked in further 28 control colonies in different parts of the Czech Republic in 2020. At eight sites, making up 27.6% of all studied sites, the mortality of 10.1–20.0% was recorded. At the remaining twenty sites (69% of the studied sites), the mortality reached 0–10%. High mortality of juveniles of M. myotis (18.7–39.2%) was also recorded at Vyšší Brod (Český Krumlov Dist.) in the years 1988–1991. In that case, the probable cause was the application of Lastanox (tributyltin oxide), a toxic chemical used for timber treatment in the colony roost.

Bats of the Prespa Basin in northern Greece: acoustic survey, new records and relationships to light pollution (Chiroptera)

The bat survey in the Greek part of the Prespa basin in 2018–2020 confirmed, despite the limited methods used, its extraordinary importance for bat diversity. The study documented the presence of 22 bat forms (20 species) by acoustic surveys and a favourable status of some roosts including several nursery colonies. Three of the recorded species are here reported for the first time, Eptesicus nilssonii (the first record for Greece), Nyctalus lasiopterus, and Barbastella barbastellus, however, confirmation by a capture or direct observation of an individual is still needed. The collected data showed that bats do not avoid the urbanized parts of the study area and underlined the importance of old houses, churches, and ruins providing suitable roosting and foraging opportunities. The measurements of light pollution in villages revealed a high amount of light diffusion caused by the used type of shieldless luminaires. Heat maps of light intensity revealed a slightly higher bat activity in almost all villages in 2020, upon the situation in 2018. Bat passes were recorded not only in the peripheries of the highest illumination zones but also inside them, although some of the bat passes may belong to bats flying enough in the dark above the light levels of the installed lamps. The study provides application of mitigation actions for the Municipality of Prespa with the main aim to reduce the current level of the ALAN (Artificial Light At Night).

Late Pleistocene Crocuta crocuta spelaea in Bulgaria: distribution and history of research (Carnivora: Hyaenidae)

The paper summarizes all scattered data from the last 116 years on the distribution of the Late Pleistocene cave hyena in Bulgaria, a part of them unpublished. Data from 24 fossil sites (Middle Pleistocene – Late Pleistocene) in the country are presented. The fossil record in Bulgaria proves the wide distribution of the species in the karst areas of the low-mountain regions of the country. Its Pleistocene localities are concentrated in the Predbalkan Mts. (83%), Strandja Mts. (8%), Western Rhodopes Mts. (4%) and southern Dobruja Plain (4%). They are situated at the altitudes between 136 and 1250 m a.s.l., about 75% of them at 136–400 m a. s. l. All (except one) Bulgarian sites represent former human dwellings, which indicates competition between man and this carnivore for the cave spaces.