Bats of Opava and Their Synanthropization: A 19-Year Study

Abstract Based on published findings (Ratajová 2012, Hrozová 2024), unpublished data from museum specimens (2006–2018), and field surveys (2006–2024), a total of 13 bat species were recorded in the urban area of Opava in North Moravia. Common species included Nyctalus noctula , Eptesicus serotinus , and Vespertilio murinus. N. noctula was the eudominant species (D = 36.81), followed by E. serotinus (D = 16.48) and V. murinus (D = 10.99). Pipistrellus nathusii was dominant (D = 8.76), followed by P. pygmaeus (D = 7.14) and Myotis daubentonii (D = 6.04). Barbastella barbastellus was subdominant (D = 4.40), followed by P. pipistrellus (D = 2.75) and Plecotus auritus/austriacus (D = 2.75). The occurrence of M. myotis was recedent (D = 1.65), and the occurrences of M. mystacinus (D = 0.55), E. nilssonii (D = 0.55), N. leisleri (D = 0.55), and P. austriacus (D = 0.55) were subrecedent. In summer, eudominant species were N. noctula (D = 25.60), followed by E. serotinus (D = 23.20), P. nathusii (D = 12.00), and P. pygmaeus (D = 10.40). Dominant species included M. daubentonii (D = 8.80) and B. barbastellus (D = 5.60), while P. auritus/austriacus (D = 4.00), V. murinus (D = 3.20), P. pipistrellus (D = 3.20), and M. myotis (D = 2.40) were recedent. M. mystacinus (D = 0.80) and N. leisleri (D = 0.80) were subrecedent. In winter, N. noctula remained eudominant (D = 61.40), followed by V. murinus (D = 28.10). E. serotinus (D = 1.75), P. pipistrellus (D = 1.75), P. nathusii (D = 1.75), and B. barbastellus (D = 1.75) were recedent. Species composition inside and outside buildings differed significantly. In summer, eudominant species inside buildings were M. daubentonii , V. murinus , and P. pipistrellus (all D = 33.33). Outside buildings, N. noctula was eudominant (D = 34.48), followed by P. nathusii (D = 16.65), P. pygmaeus (D = 14.45), and M. daubentonii (D = 11.11). Dominant species were B. barbastellus (D = 6.67) and P. auritus/austriacus (D = 5.56); subdominant species included M. myotis (D = 3.33), P. pipistrellus (D = 3.33), and V. murinus (D = 2.22), while M. mystacinus (D = 1.11) and N. leisleri (D = 1.11) were recedent. In winter, eudominant species inside buildings were V. murinus (D = 70.59), followed by N. noctula (D = 17.65), with E. nilssonii (D = 5.88) and P. austriacus (D = 5.88) as dominant species. Outside, N. noctula was eudominant (D = 88.57), with V. murinus (D = 5.71) and P. nathusii (D = 2.86) as dominant species. Two winter roosts of N. noctula were recorded in the suburb of Opava, in the Municipal Gardens, both in cavities of alder trunks and found during felling. Over a 19-year period, 182 specimens were recorded in 105 occurrences within the urban area of Opava.