Contribution to the knowledge of the distribution of bats (Chiroptera) in Algeria

Louiza Derouiche, Chaouki Djeghim, Hocine Reghioui, Ahmed Irzagh, Nassima Messaoud, Redouane Tahri, Hafida Benameur-Hasnaoui, Brahim Babali, Carlos Rodríguez Fernandes 

Algeria is the largest country in Africa and for the most part has not yet been surveyed for bat species. To contribute to the knowledge of the distribution of Algerian bat fauna, between 2010 and 2025 we surveyed 69 sites from across the country, mostly roost sites but also using mist nets. We found 19 species from six families, out of a total of 27 species from seven families currently recognized for Algeria. The species we found in the most sites were the Maghrebian mouse-eared bat (Myotis punicus), the greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum), and the common bent-wing bat (Miniopterus schreibersii). Our observations represent several new findings regarding the distribution of bat species in the country, including, for example, the southernmost record for the Mediterranean horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus euryale), the northernmost record for the Egyptian mouse-tailed bat (Rhinopoma cystops), the southernmost and westernmost records for Geoffroy's bat (Myotis emarginatus), and the southernmost record for the desert long-eared bat (Otonycteris hemprichii). Overall, this work provides 19 new provincial records for 11 species. Thus, this study constitutes a significant contribution to our understanding of the distribution of Algerian bats, essential information to guide actions for their conservation and that of their habitats.