THE STRUCTURE AND DYNAMICS OF A RHINOLOPHID BAT COMMUNITY OF LATIUM (CENTRAL ITALY) (CHIROPTERA)

ABSTRACT- The present paper summarizcs the results of 3 years of observation made at six month intervals for six months at a time (18 field surveys) in a man-made cave in Northcrn Latium (Central Italy) from April 1992 to April 1995. Its aim is to analyze the main structural and dynamic features of a bat community which hibernates at the shelter. Rhinolophus ferrumuipinurn and especially Rhi-nolophus eitrymle are the most abundant species. Population dynamics of both species as well as that of Rhinoluphus hipposideros show higher levels of abundance between Deccmber and February of each semestcr. In mid-winter, largc and sometimes mixed aggregations of Rhinolophiis ferritn~equinurn and Rhinolophus euryule in decp hypothermia occur. A small number of Rhinolophus hipposideros, mainly adult males, was observed. The paper compares the struclure of this community to the struc-ture of another community of the same district which has been previously analyzed. in which Ves-pertilionidae, especially Minioptems.rc-/~ruibersi. are much more abundant. Despite the difference in spccies composition, body size was found to be a significant and coininon feature (as highlighted by foreann length), of the dominant species in both communities, Rhinolophus euryale and Miniopterits schreiho-si respectively