*2.6.10. Dormer's bat Pipistrellus dormeri (Dobson, 1875)*

Israel and Lebanon to Afghanistan, Kashmir, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Burma, Sinkiang (China), perhaps Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. The British Museum has one specimen that was collected from Kashmir in the beginning of nineteenth century. Two other specimens were collected from Gilgit by an expedition carried out by University of Maryland in 1965 [2]. The species has a restricted range in the Indian subcontinent [13] and seems to be common in Pakistan as there has been no further field studies on bats in Kashmir or Gilgit [2]. The species is "Least Concerned" [17]. Pipistrelles in Europe have recently been shown to comprise two cryptic species *P. pipistrellus* which echolocates with most energy around 45 kHz, and *P. pygmaeus*,

Only a single specimen was captured through mist net in Lamin Bala (N35° 27.802′ E72°

*Pipistrellus javanicus* distributed in East Afghanistan, North Pakistan, North and Central India, South and East Tibet (China), Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, through SE Asia to Lesser Sunda Isles and Philippines; perhaps Australia. No literature is available on the distribution of this species in Pakistan; however, a single specimen was collected from Gharial, Murree Hills [15].

Only one bat was captured through mist net in Malakand University (N34° 40.054′ E72° 03.653′)

Ten specimens of *Pipistrellus coromandra* has been collected from Chitral and 17 specimens from Saidu Sharif in Swat; the mean head and body length was 43 mm. The mean tail length was 35 mm. The mean hind foot and ear length were 7 mm and 11 mm, respectively. The mean forearm length was 32 mm. The Swat specimens averaged 6 g in weight [2]. These Pakistan specimens and also those from Afghanistan (Jalalabad) [7] appear to average slightly larger than the population from central India [59]. The species also has been collected from Dir, Yakh Tangai in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and from Chakri in Punjab [13]. This is a widely distributed and apparently common species in southern Asia. This species is categorized as

A total of eight specimens were captured through mist net in Barcharai Daim (N34° 33.737′ E71° 44.872′), University of Malakand (N34° 40.054′ E72° 03.653′), Koza Agra (N34° 35.171′ E71° 41.802′) in Malakand district and from Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Sheringal (N35° 16.204′ E72° 00.172′), Thal (N35° 28.812′ E72° 14.588′), Dir (N35° 12.327′ E71° 52.540′),

*Pipistrellus tenuis* is the smallest pipistrelle found within the subcontinent with an average forearm length of 27.7mm. The species is hard to differentiate from smaller individuals of *P. coromandra* based on forearm length. Its body weight averages about 2g [60]. The species is distributed in

with most energy at 55 kHz [57, 58].

*2.6.7. Javan pipistrelle Pipistrellus javanicus (Gray, 1838)*

The species falls in "Least Concern" category [17].

*2.6.8. Coromandel Pipistrelle Pipistrellus coromandra (Gray, 1838)*

and Mian Banda (N34° 50.378′ E71° 51.984′) in Dir district.

*2.6.9. Least pipistrelle Pipistrellus tenuis (Temminck, 1840)*

14.310′) in Upper Dir district.

92 Bats

in Malakand district.

"Least Concern" [17].

*Pipistrellus dormeri* is confined to India and Pakistan [13]. It is restricted to the Indian subcontinent where it is an abundant species in areas such as Rajasthan [61]. The species has been collected from Sialkot in Punjab and Shikarpur in Sindh [9]. This species is categorized as "Least Concern" (CAMP, 2002).

Only eight bats were captured through mist net in Dir (N35° 12.327′ E71° 52.540′), Fishing Hut (N34° 38.900′ E72° 01.941′), Head Koper (N34° 24.454′ E71° 50.061′), and Malakand Top (N34° 34.007′ E71° 55.736′).

#### *2.6.11. Desert yellow bat Scotoecus pallidus (Dobson, 1876)*

*Scotoecus pallidus* is endemic to the Indian subcontinent and has a local and restricted distribution in Pakistan. It was first described by Dobson in 1876, from a specimen collected from Mian Mir (Lahore). Further collections were made from different regions of northern Sindh (Kashmore and Mirpur in Jacobabad, Larkana, Sukker and Dadu Districts) and Punjab (Muzaffargarh and Sialkot). Its population status is uncertain and deserves further study [15].

Twenty-two bats were captured through mist net in Manzaray Baba, Dir (N35° 12.327′ E71° 52.540′), Jrandy (N34° 24.808′ E71° 48.202′), Koz Koper (N34° 24.399′ E71° 50.171′), Mola Misray (N34° 25.251′ E71° 49.085′), Astanadaro Kalay (N34° 24.913′ E71° 49.466′), Malakand Top (N34° 34.007′ E71° 55.736′), Badraga (N34° 23.314′ E71° 50.295′), Head Koper (N34° 24.454′ E71° 50.061′), Pull Saokai (N34° 38.553′ E72° 01.749′), Qadar Kalay (N34° 24.076′ E71° 50.723′), Kot (N34° 29.778′ E71° 43.501′), Fishing Hut (N34° 38.900′ E72° 01.941′), and Matkani (N34° 37.380′ E71° 51.055′) in Malakand division.

#### *2.6.12. Schreiber's long-fingered bat Miniopterus fuliginosus (Kuhl, 1819)*

It has not been collected from Pakistan up till now, but Gaisler [7] asserts that it is likely to occur in the country as it is present in Afghanistan and Iran, close to the western borders, and in India, close to the eastern borders of Pakistan [2]. The status of this species is unknown in Pakistan, IUCN 2008-NT.

Earthquakes and landslides result in caving in or closure of cave entrances, thus killing

Bats in Northern Mountain Region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.74868

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Certain birds such as owls and eagles and mammals, including jungle cats, civets, and flying squirrels prey upon bats for food. An abundance of these predators in habitat may

A tribe in Nepal is reported to hunt bats for food. Although, this is not the case in KP, yet people kill bats for use in medicine for curing baldness, rheumatism as aphrodisiacs. Some

The bats live in lonely and hidden corner of crevices and they are not known to the common man. Those who know them are not aware of the role they play in the ecosystem. These ugly looking nocturnal creatures play an important role in the ecosystem. They are not only a valuable component of the biodiversity, but also represent a unique mammalian order, Chiroptera. Bats are biological controllers of insects, pests, and some rodents, are

Being unaware of these values and roles of bats, people do not show any concern about their conservation. The wildlife laws of the country are also silent about bats and no penalties have been prescribed for their illegal hunting, killing or trading. Conservation of bats demands that people, particularly farmers are made fully aware of the importance and role of bats in the country. Besides implementation of an awareness campaign about bats, the bat conservation lessons need to be included in the primary and middle school curriculum.

**1. Bat surveys:** this is the first extensive exploration of that small portion of the KP which comprises of only three districts of Malakand division, i.e., Malakand, Dir, and Swat. Although more focus remained toward Malakand district, 6 families, 14 genera, and 21 species were identified. Moreover, two new country records (*Myotis formosus* and *Miniopterus fuliginosis*) were also made. Further bat surveys in poorly surveyed parts of the country especially in KP and Balochistan may result in identification of some other new bat taxa. More bat surveys involving greater field efforts may also confirm the presence or absence

**2. Distribution ranges and species-specific habitat analysis:** the presence of 13 new locality records **(***Pteropus giganteus, Cynopterus sphinx, Rhinopoma hardwickii, Megaderma lyra, Rhinolophus lepidus, Hipposideros fulvus, Barbastella leucomelas, Scotophilus heathii, Scotophilus kuhlii, Eptesicus serotinus, Pipistrellus javanicus, Pipistrellus dormer* and *Scotoecus pallidus*) and two new country records (*Myotis formosus* and *Miniopterus fuliginosis*) gives credence to

people also consider bats as a bad omen; therefore, they kill them.

crop pollinators, and a source of highly valuable guano.

**4. Recommendations for future research guidelines**

of those already described species from the country.

large number of bats inhabiting them.

result in rapid decline in bat population.

**6.** Depredation by birds and animals

**7.** Killing for food and medicine

**8.** Lack of awareness

Six bats were captured through mist net in Barcharai Daim (N34° 33.737′ E71° 44.872′), Fatehpur (N35° 04.345′ E72° 29.502′), Bahrain Pull (N35° 12.418′ E72° 32.963′), Fizagat (N34° 47.586′ E72° 23.672′), Fish Hatchery (N35° 08.439′ E72° 32.917′), and Baidara (N34° 57.494′ E72° 26.635′) in Malakand division.
