Rapid survey of bats (Chiroptera) in the Forêt Classée du Pic de Fon, Guinea

We report on the results of a bat survey of the Pic de Fon, Simandou Range, southeastern Guinea. We document a speciose bat assemblage characterised by forest species, including bats such as Epomops buettikoferi, Rhinolophus guineensis and Hipposideros jonesi that are endemic to Upper Guinea or West Africa. The sympatric occurrence of three species of Kerivoula is noteworthy, with both K. cuprosa and K. phalaena representing first records for Guinea. Moreover, three individuals of Welwitsch’s Mouse-eared bat, Myotis welwitschii, were captured during the survey. This is the first record for West Africa and represents a range extension of 4,400 km to the northwest from the nearest known localities. We review the distribution of this species in Africa and conclude that the species shows a paramontane distribution pattern. Seven species or 33.3 % out of the total of 21 species are registered in the latest IUCN Red List: one species as "Vulnerable" (Epomops buettikoferi) and six species as "Near Threatened" (Rhinolophus alcyone, R. guineensis, Hipposideros jonesi, H. fuliginosus, Kerivoula cuprosa, Miniopterus schreibersii). Our results of the RAP survey as well as the occurrence of bat species that are endemic to the Upper Guinea Highlands highlight the outstanding regional importance of the montane habitats of West Africa in general, and of the Simandou Range in particular, for the conservation of bats in Africa.