The distribution and relative abundance of megachiropteran bats in southern Ghana

During a two-year period, a survey of megachiropteran (fruit) bats was undertaken in 21 forest reserves and two wildlife protected areas in Southern Ghana. The main objective of the study was to map out their distribution and abundance in Southern Ghana to serve as the basis for further studies in the rest of the country. Eleven of Ghana’s 13 known species of fruit bats were caught in the study areas. The species with the most widespread distribution was Epomops franqueti, which was caught in all the seven regions of Southern Ghana. Four species, namely, Eidolon helvum, Hypsignathus monstrosus, Lissonycteris angolensis and Rousettus aegytiacus were either poorly represented in the samples or had very limited distribution. The Western Region had the highest concentration of fruit bat species (9 species) followed by the Eastern and Central Regions (7 species each). The Mount Afadjato, Dadieso and Ajenjua Forest Reserves were the richest forest reserves in Ghana in terms of fruit bat species, each recording 7 species. The Ajenjua Forest Reserve had the highest density of bats, registering 179.16 bats per mist net night followed by the Supuma Forest Reserve with 75.8lmnn. It has been suggested that there is the need for certain forest reserves in the country to be upgraded to wildlife protected area status to guarantee the protection of their diverse bat species and other fauna of conservation importance.