Habitat Characteristics and Population of cave-dwelling bats in Mara Kallang Cave of Maros-Pangkep Karst Area of South Sulawesi

The cave is one of the important habitats for bats in particular Microchiropterans which provides not only protection but also a shelter for breeding, hibernation, and other events. The characteristics of the cave are crucial for habitat selection. An extensive limestone ecosystem found in the four regencies of South Sulawesi (Indonesia) including Maros-Pangkep karst area has been utilized as the main habitats of cave-dwelling bats. One of the cave inhabited by bats is Mara Kallang Cave. This research aims to examine the physical and environmental characteristics of Mara Kallang Cave. Cave-dwelling bat species diversity and population were also assessed. The direct measurement was carried out to quantify the physical and environmental characteristics of the cave. Ibutton data loggers were employed to record data on temperatures and humidity was measured by using thermohygrometer. Several bat individuals were captured and identified by using a mist net trapping method. Roost locations of different bat species inside the cave were also mapped. A number of individuals per species were also recorded by direct counting and re-confirmed with the photographic count. There were 3 species of cave-dwelling bats inhabited Mara Kallang Cave: Hipposideros cervinus, Rhinolophus cf euryotis and Rhinolophus cf arcuatus roosting in station 4 of the cave with the width of 364.9 m2 . The average temperature of the roosting site was 23.31° C with the average humidity of 98%. From the three species found in the cave, Rhinolophus cf euryotis had the largest number of individuals with an average of 386 individuals followed by Rhinolophus cf arcuatus with the average individuals of 304. The least colony size was Hipposideros cervinus with a total of 188 individuals on average.