New records of bats (Mammalia : Chiroptera) and karyotypes from Guinean Mount Nimba (West Africa)

Abstract

New bats were recorded from various habitats on the Guinean side of Mount Nimba during two surveys in 2008 and coupled with a cytotaxonomic survey. A total of 152 specimens comprising 15 species in 12 genera from five families were collected, of which 13 individuals were karyotyped. The most numerous species was Rhinolophus guineensis followed by four fruit bats (Epomops buettikoferi, Lissonycteris angolensis, Roussettus aegyptiacus, Nanonycteris veldkampii). We confirm the presence of Hipposideros lamottei in the mine adits at 1500 m as well as the exceptional diversity of this habitat. First standard karyotypes are provided for Epomops buettikoferi and Nanonycteris intermedia. We also document for the first time karyotypes for West African populations of Mops thersites, Lissonycteris angolensis and Roussettus aegyptiacus, and cytogenetical comparisons with the existing literature are provided. We add five new species to the list of Guinean Nimba and two to the whole Nimba list (including Liberian side), which now stands at 42 species. This confirms the importance of Mount Nimba as a hotspot of diversity and the necessity to protect it.