Species diversity of cave dwelling bats in Kanchanaburi Province.

The study of diversity of cave dwelling bats was conducted in Kanchanaburi Province using harp traps between April 2010 and July 2012. A total of 1,166 individuals belonging to 13 species from 8 genera and 7 families were recorded. Hog-nosed Bat (Craseonycteris thonglongyai), Croslet Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus coelophyllus) and Thomas's Horseshoe Bat (Myotis siligorensis) were the three most abundant species captured in the areas. Malayan Slit-faced Bat (Nycteris tragata) is new records for cave in Western Thailand. The bat species diversity in the underground cave was higher than the above ground cave. Results of this study provide information for future management and conservation of bats.