Zvuky Prahy / Sounds of Prague

Bats in Dalejské valey. In Prague are about 17 sorts of bats recorded. (65% of the bat fauna of the Czech Republic). The most common species were Nyctalus noctula (29% of the record sites), Eptesicus serotinus (13%), Myotis daubentonii (11%), and Vespertilio murinus (11%). Records of other species were less numerous; arranged in accordance to their record numbersthey are: Pipistrellus nathusii, Myotis myotis, Plecotus austriacus, Myotis nattereri, Pipistrellus pipistrellus (s. str.), Myotis mystacinus, Plecotus auritus, Barbastella barbastellus, Pipistrellus pygmaeus, Myotis brandtii, Rhinolophus hipposideros, Nyctalus leisleri, and Eptesicus nilssonii. Possibility of other species presence is discussed (Myotis emarginatus, M. bechsteinii and M. alcathoe). Eptesicus serotinus is a typical synurbised species in Prague, which occurs in the city center during a whole year and also more frequentlyin comparison with migratory species inhabiting the city abundantly but seasonally (Nyctalus noctula, Vespertilio murinus, Pipistrellus nathusii). The latter species were mostly recorded during transient periods of a year and/or during hibernation period. Until now, the occurrence of both cryptic pipistrelle species (Pipistrellus pipistrellus sensu lato) is rather rare in Prague, contrary to the state known from other Central European large cities. The diversity of bat community in Prague is supposedly influenced by diversificationof its suburban area, relatively large volume of the area covered by vegetation (parks, forests, cemeteries, etc.), presence of a great river in the town and relative proximity of a larger region rich in hibernacula, theBohemian Karst.