Have introduced fish initiated piscivory among the long-fingered bat?

E. Levin*, A. Barnea, Y. Yovel, Y. Yom-Tov

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

During the winter of 2003-2004 feces were collected from a winter colony of the long-fingered bat (Myotis capaccinii) in the Hazorea cave (north-west Israel). Of the 1913 feces that were examined, 234 contained scales of Gambusia affinis - a small fish that had been introduced to Israel around 1920 in order to control mosquito larvae. The remains of spiders and five insect orders were also represented in the feces. This is the first report of a piscivorous bat in the Middle East and the first finding of fish remains in the feces of M. capaccinii. The findings show that in the north of Israel this species does not hibernate but remains active throughout the winter. It appears that the consumption of G. affinis reflects a change in the diet of these bats from insectivory to semi-piscivory.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)139-143
Number of pages5
JournalMammalian Biology
Volume71
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 11 May 2006

Funding

FundersFunder number
Open University of Israel Research Fund

    Keywords

    • Gambusia affinis
    • Israel, piscivory
    • Myotis capaccinii

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