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Abstract:
Bats were sampled in three forest reserves in Liberia using mist nets, a harp trap, and roost searches. Terrestrial small mammals were captured opportunistically and were not used in the final assessment of the forests. A total of 182 bats of 22 species were captured, representing 37 % of the bat species known to occur in Liberia. Species richness was highest at Gola and Grebo, possibly because secondary forest and forest edge was sampled there. North Lorma, where only forest interior was surveyed, had both the lowest capture success and the lowest species richness. Three IUCN Red List species were recorded: Rhinolophus hillorum (Vulnerable) in Gola, Scotonycteris zenkeri (Near Threatened) in Grebo, and Hipposideros fuliginosus (Near Threatened) in North Lorma. Bat assemblages in each of the surveyed areas were characterized by forest-dependent species. Not a single species typical of savanna habitats was recorded, indicating high habitat integrity of the reserves. Three species are reported for the first time from Liberia (Rhinolophus landeri, Neoromicia guineensis, Neoromicia aff. grandidieri), raising the species total for the country to 59. An updated checklist with corrected species identifications is presented for the bats of Liberia. Two species of shrews, one murid rodent, five squirrels and one anomalure (scaly-tailed squirrel) were also recorded, including the rarely reported Western Palm Squirrel Epixerus ebii and the Lesser Anomalure Anomalurus cf. pusillus.
