Bechstein’s myotis: Red Data Book of Armenia

Vesper bats - Vespertilionidae

Status. Listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 3.1) as Near Threatened NT. According to IUCN criteria categorized as Vulnerable VU B1a.

Distribution. England, Baltic countries, France, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Hungary, Poland, Caucasus.

Distribution in Armenia. Originally found in 2003 in the north–east of the Syunik Province (Goris district) and in 2004 in the villages of Khndzoresk, Tegh and Kornidzor adjacent to Nagorno Karabakh.

Habitats. Wooded slopes and riverine canyons.

Biological traits. Lives individually or in small groups in tree hollows or underneath the tree bark, sometimes in buildings and outhouses. Leads crepuscular life. Feeds by flying swiftly over the water or between the trees.

Population size and its trends. A rare and poorly studied species. Population size and range boundaries are unknown.

Major threats. Deforestation and use of toxic chemicals.

Conservation measures. Not protected. It is essential to set protection measures for the trees in whose hollows the bats live.