ROOSTING ECOLOGY OF BLACK-BEARDED TOMB BATS, Taphozous melanopogon IN URBAN AREA OF SABAH Introduction The day roosts are

very important in bats conservation (Lumsden et al., 2002; Evelyn et al., 2004; Fenton, 1997). The animal spends most of their lives in their roost. Roosting site provide protection from predators, controls of thermoregulation, focal point for social interactions, as well as safety places for maternity (Kunz, 1982; Atringham, 1996). They occupied many types of roost such as caves, rock crevices, tree hollows or even ants nests. Aside from roosting in natural structures, bats also have been known utilized human made structures as substitutes for natural roost. Tombs, wells mine tunnels and bridges are widely used by certain species of bats. Recently, building is one of the most frequent human made structures that were used by bats; especially where the natural roosts is lacking. Roost selection in bats involves many mutually important factors. Generally, bats choose area that has lower predation risk, reduced ectoparasite infection, higher from ground (Psyllakis and Brigham, 2006), and relatively close to water resource (Evelyn et al., 2004) and foraging area. Thermal stability also one of the most important factor in bats roost selection. Current research by Lausen and Barclay (2006) explained the main reason for bats invaded human settlements is because of thermal advantages. Warm temperatures can reduce energy expenditure and also offer benefit in term of productivity. Currently, roost has been identified as the most crucial elements in bats conservation strategy. Many studies on roosting site characteristics and microclimates have been conducted; mainly in temperate countries. However, the information of roosting characteristics among bats remains scarce especially around human settlements (Evelyn et al., 2004) and in the tropics area (Rodriguez-Duran and Soto-Centeno, 2003). Therefore, information is urgently needed. More understandings of the animals needs and their behaviour may be able to provide solution for human-bats conflicts since bats always regarded as nuisance and frequently persecuted. This paper aims to describe the physical, habitat and microclimate characteristics of roost buildings used by Black Bearded Tomb Bats, Taphozous melanopogon in urban area of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Taphozous melanopogon was regard as common species by IUCN. However, in Sabah this species was few (Yasuma et al., 2003). This species are middle sized bats; forearm range from 60 to 65 mm and was considered as habitat generalist. They roost in many places including sea cliffs and trees. With high wing loading, high aspect ratio and pointed wing-tip, Black Bearded Tomb Bats are fast fliers but less in maneuverability.

Study Site

The study was conducted in the district of Kota Kinabalu, the capital state of Sabah. Kota Kinabalu has a tropical monsoon climate with high level of humidity and high rainfall (Malaysian Meteorological Service Department, 2007). The total human population of the area is approximately 700, 000. The topographic feature of the study area is varies; from tidal swamp to some moderate hills. Materials and Methods Random surveys were conducted from April 2008 to June 2008 to locate possible bats roosting site in Kota Kinabalu. Residents, security guards or workers of buildings were interviewed to get the information about bats occurrence. Positive feedback was then followed by examination of the roosting sites to confirm the existence of bats in the buildings. In the end, five roost buildings contain 8 roosting sites were found in the survey. Buildings Characteristics Seven variables were used to characterized roosting site: 1) Building type (warehouse, house, tower, etc); 2) Wall material (stone, concrete, bricks etc); 3) Age of building; 4) Level of disturbance (high, moderate, low); 5) Distance from nearest forest (m); 6) Distance from nearest water resource (m); and 7) Roost height from ground (m). Microclimate Variables The microclimate of the sites was described with temperature used as a measurement. Microclimate was recorded using data loggers (Onset HOBO H8 Pro series, temperature range -30C to +50C). To reduce disturbance to roost, the data loggers were positioned 1 to 3 m away from roost. Temperatures data of roosting sites were collected at the same time. Recording began at 12 h and finished on the 30th day at 17 h. Data were averaged per hour and categorised into hourly intervals over each period of 24-h period. To show variation and pattern of 24-h, temperature was divided to 5 variables: 1) maximum temperature; 2) minimum temperature; 3) range; 4) temperature fluctuation; 5) time of day maximum temperature occurred; and 6) length of time maximum temperature was maintained. These results were then averaged to generate mean variables for 24-hour to be compared between sites. Roost and Non-roost Comparison To assessed roost site selection, roosts were compared with randomly chosen buildings. Eight buildings were selected within 10 kilometers from roost area. Only buildings that unoccupied by bats but potentially available to bats were selected. To examine the microclimate preference, comparison of temperature variables between roost and random buildings were carried out for seven days (after one month temperatures described). Data were not collected at the same time through all roosting site, however data were collected simultaneously for each roost and non-roost buildings.

Data Analysis Each variable was tested for normality using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test before proceed further analysis. However, most of variables were not normally distributed and could not be transformed successfully. Thus non-parametric tests were used in this study. Because low sample of roosting sites, the characteristics of each roosting sites could not be compared to another and only described graphically. The temperature variables of each roosting site were then compared using Mann-Whitney U test. To compare the characteristics of roosting site with 8 non-roost buildings, we used Kolmogorov-Smirnov Two Sample Test. Again Mann-Whitney U Test was used to compare temperature variables between roost and non roost buildings. Result

existence of bats in mosques in urban area of Sabah. Mosque is sacred place for muslim and it always associated with cleanliness. Bats were found residing in two mosques. The present of bats in the building cause ruckus Stable temperature and relative humidity and protection from predators most likely paid off the risk roost with human. Warm temperatures reduce energy expenditure and also offer benefit in term of productivity. Social activities also could be done smoothly without threat from predators. However, the existence of bats in buildings ignites conflict between human and the wildlife. Some bats were excluded or even worse killed.