Distribution and habitat selection of species of the genus Tadarida Rafinesque, 1814 (Chiroptera: Molossidae) in the AmamiOshima Island, Japan

Human intrusions and disturbance on Amami-Oshima Island would impact the habitat and behavior of bats. Understanding bat fauna, distribution, and ecology in Amam-Oshima Island is helpful for their conservation. Acoustic surveys were conducted throughout Amami-Oshima Island (ca. 700 km2) from May 2018 to February 2020. Most locations with positive echolocation results were identified in the southern and western regions. Regional differences between positive and negative detections might reflect habitat quality. A consequence of the higher land use in open areas showed that Tadarida sp. flies and forages in such coastal regions and upland fields with few obstacles. Mosaics of forests and open areas should be maintained in the southern and western regions, and the forest quality of the northern part must be improved to provide food resources and open space for flying and foraging bats.