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First photographic evidence of the Egyptian fruit bat, Rousettus aegyptiacus (Pteropodidae) in the King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Royal Nature Reserve, Hail Region, Saudi Arabia
Proportion of the area of the contribution comprising Key Biodiversity Areas: -
ِAbstract This study aimed to document the occurrence of the Egyptian fruit bat Rousettus aegyptiacus in King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Royal Nature Reserve (KSRNR), Hail region, Saudi Arabia, where its presence had not previously been confirmed. Methods Field surveys were conducted in the Hail region, and direct observations were documented using photographic and video evidence. The colony was visually counted in the field during a single daytime visit from an estimated distance of 15 meters. Results More than 50 individuals, including adults and juveniles, were observed roosting in a rock crevice. The photographic documentation confirms the presence of a colony of R. aegyptiacus in this area, extending the known distribution of the species into a previously unrecorded region of Saudi Arabia. Conclusions These findings provide the first photographic record of R. aegyptiacus in KSRNR and highlight the species’ ecological use of arid rock crevices. The results emphasize the need for targeted surveys and long-term monitoring to better understand the distribution and conservation of this species in desert environments.
- My Bat Paper
Potential conservation benefits in saving biodiversity
Potential reduction of species extinction risk resulting from threat abatement actions
Absolute value (STAR)
0% of the total biodiversity conservation potential of Saudi Arabia is covered by this project.
0.3% of Asia's biodiversity conservation potential is from Saudi Arabia.
25.9% of global biodiversity conservation potential is from Asia.
The chart below represents the relative disaggregation of the selected contribution's total potential opportunity for reducing global species extinction risk through taking actions to abate different threats to species within its boundaries. The percentages refer to the amount of the total opportunity that could potentially be achieved through abating that particular threat.