Microevolution of Bechstein's Bat Myotis Bechsteinii (Kuhl, 1817) (Mammalia: Chiroptera) in the Holocene of Southern Poland

Abstract

Bechstein's bat was one of the most common species in the Middle and Late Holocene of Southern Poland. It dominated in Kraków - Częstochowa Upland, but was also frequent in Tatra Mountains. Bone material from thanatocoenoses, dated by 14 C AMS method, was analysed. The aim of studies was to investigate the direction of changes in skull and mandible morphology of Myotis bechsteinii during the period from 5710 BC till present day and to answer the question which environmental parameters significantly correlates with these microevolutionary processes and frequency of species in different thanatocoenoses. Mandibles and skulls were analysed separately. Morphology was correlated with climate characteristics, temperatures, and percentage pollen of such species of trees as hornbeam ( Carpinus betulus ), beech ( Fagus sylvatica ), oak ( Quercus ) and elm ( Ulmus ) in investigated time limits.