Bat Fauna (Mammalia: Chiroptera) of Southern Odisha Along the Eastern Ghats, India

Bats have not received adequate attention in biodiversity research and conservation activities in India despite their ecological values. In the present study, we carried out an inventory of bat fauna in southern Odisha region during September 2014 to August 2016 and recorded a total 16 species of bats in seven families, of which the insectivorous bats were represented by maximum 12 species over frugivores and carnivores. During the study 76 roosting sites were recorded from exposed branches, foliage and cavities of trees, caves, crevices in large rocks and abandoned buildings and caves were significantly preferred by maximum 11 species. Gupteswar cave tourism site in Koraput district was found to be the most diverse and important bat roosting and breeding site in southern Odisha region. Cave tourism, hunting for ethno-zoological practices and cutting down of roosting trees were observed as major threats to bats. As the inventory was primarily based on roost survey, more systematic survey using mist nets and acoustic monitoring can further strengthen the bat fauna database of southern Odisha.