For the first time, researchers have recorded two rare species of free-tailed bats in Sri Lanka: Wroughton’s free-tailed bat (Otomops wroughtoni) and the East Asian free-tailed bat (Tadarida insignis). The discovery was made using acoustic monitoring, which identifies bats by their echolocation calls.
Previously, only Tadarida aegyptiaca and Mops plicatus were known in Sri Lanka. Otomops wroughtoni was detected at five locations, producing calls with a peak frequency of 16.16 kHz, while Tadarida insignis was recorded at two locations, with even lower-frequency calls at 12.51 kHz.
Statistical analysis confirmed that the four molossid bat species in Sri Lanka can be clearly distinguished by their echolocation calls. The study also increased the known global range of O. wroughtoni by 73%, providing valuable information for conservation of this Data Deficient species.
The researchers emphasized that acoustic monitoring is a powerful tool for mapping bat distributions and understanding Sri Lanka’s hidden biodiversity.
