The species composition and distribution features of bats (Chiroptera) in Colchis

Colchis is the most important refugium in Eurasia. There are 30 bat species in Colchis, belonging to 11 genera and 4 families. Study of bats distribution in the region showed that 17 species are widespread, some of them can be considered common here, and some even numerous, while others are known only from single finds. The number of species with very low frequency of occurrence is 13. Colchis is an optimum areal in the Caucasus for 5 species. Four species here have the northern border of distribution, one - the eastern, and 10 species - the southern. Bat fauna of Colchis, based on the arealogy of species, divided into three zoogeographical complex: the Euro-Mediterranean mesophilic - 17 species, the Boreal - 6 species, and the Mediterranean-Near Eastern - 7 species. In Colchis there is a coincidence of areas of wintering and breeding of migratory species of bats.