Roost selection and ecology of Stoliczka’s trident bat, Aselliscus stoliczkanus (Hipposideridae, Chiroptera) in China

Bats choose their habitats based on microclimate, structure, environment, human disturbance and availability. Selection of suitable roosts by bats can have fitness benefits by providing shelter and a place to rear young. To clarify the mechanism of habitat selection by Stoliczka’s trident bat ( Aselliscus stoliczkanus ), roost selection, ecology and diet of this species were studied from December 2013 to September 2017 in mainland China. Ninety-six potential roosts were investigated. Of these, 73 roosts were occupied by bats, and 20 of these roosts were used by A. stoliczkanus . Eighteen variables related to habitat characteristics were measured, and A. stoliczkanus habitat preferences were evaluated using independent-samples t-tests and Chi-square tests. The major environmental factors affecting selection of roosts were determined by principal component analysis (PCA). Roosts used by A. stoliczkanus were significantly smaller in size than those used by other bat species, with more and narrower entrances. Hibernation roosts of A. stoliczkanus had relatively longer roost length, as well as lower entrances. Breeding roosts of A. stoliczkanus were close to the nearest water source and had more entrances, with more area covered by water. Disturbance levels were significantly higher in non-breeding roosts than that in breeding roosts, and disturbance levels were lower in hibernation roosts than non-hibernation roosts. Entrances of breeding roosts were more commonly located on sunny slopes, while entrances of hibernation roosts were more commonly located on shady slopes. Our results are the first to describe roost characteristics and habitat selection of A. stoliczkanus , and increase our understanding of the ecology and habitat of this species. The diet of A. stoliczkanus mainly includes five orders of insects, namely, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Odonata, and Diptera, and showed clear seasonal variation from summer to autumn.