6b2a3042-db4f-4bf2-85a4-0301654a083a https://cloud.gbif.org/eca/resource?r=bat-occurrences-bulgaria bat-data-bulgaria Nia Toshkova National Museum of Natural History at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

Sofia 1000 BG

niyatoshkova@gmail.com 0000-0003-4217-5653 Dimitri Brosens Research Institute for Nature and Forest

BE

dimitri.brosens@inbo.be 0000-0002-0846-9116 Nia Toshkova National Museum of Natural History at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences niyatoshkova@gmail.com 0000-0003-4217-5653 Dimitri Brosens Research Institute for Nature and Forest

BE

dimitri.brosens@inbo.be 0000-0002-0846-9116 Elena Stoeva Green Balkans NGO 0000-0003-2371-2134 Stanimira Deleva National Museum of Natural History at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences 0000-0002-2964-8607  Violeta Zhelyazkova National Museum of Natural History at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences 0000-0001-9381-2208 Ilya Acosta-Pankov National Museum of Natural History at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences 0000-0001-7275-0482 Stoyan Goranov Trakia University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Biological Sciences 000-0002-3340-8358 Heliana Dundarova Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences 0000-0002-3136-6457 Krasimir Lakovski National Museum of Natural History at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences 0009-0007-8749-5833 Olya Genova Vrachanski Balkan Nature Park Directorate 0009-0008-3781-1161 Slaveya Stoicheva Green Balkans NGO Vyara Krushkova Bat World Bulgaria - Day and Night Foundation Angel Ivanov National Museum of Natural History at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences 0009-0006-6222-3834 Alexander Mechev Green Balkans NGO Antonia Hubancheva National Museum of Natural History at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences 0000-0001-8362-1301 Aneliya Pavlova National Museum of Natural History at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences 0000-0002-3960-9919 Rumyana Metcheva Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences 0000-0002-8146-6106 Vasil Popov Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences 0000-0002-0446-1168 Mihaela Beltcheva Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences 0000-0003-0107-6130 Ivan Pandurski Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Teodor Kisimov Maksim Kolev National Museum of Natural History at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences 0000-0003-4908-4375 Krasimir Kirov Apostol Karaganchev Vladimir Karadakov National Museum of Natural History at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Stela-Teodora Trendafilova Faculty of biology, Sofia University 0009-0005-3585-1950 Blagovesta Pavlova Lyubomir Yankov Green Balkans NGO Stanimir Stoyanov Yordan Yankov Teodor Atanasov Teodora Georgieva National Museum of Natural History at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Ivailo Borisov National Museum of Natural History at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Georgi Dilovski Green Balkans NGO Andreana Dicheva Green Balkans NGO Sofia Titorenkova Iliana Aleksandrova National Museum of Natural History at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Svilen Delchev Krum Sirakov Ian Bradley Dimitar Pazderkov Vasil Atanasov Pavlin Zhelev Atanas Dechev Katrin Dimitrova Kaloyana Koseva University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Czechia Boris Petrov National Museum of Natural History at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Boyan Petrov National Museum of Natural History at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences 2025-04-07 eng This dataset contains occurrence records of bat species (Chiroptera) in Bulgaria, covering the period from 1905 to 2025. The records have been compiled from both published literature sources and unpublished original data, including field observations and expert-verified records. The dataset represents over a century of information on bat diversity and distribution across Bulgaria, aiming to support biodiversity research, conservation efforts, and ecological monitoring. All records have been standardized following Darwin Core terms and are compliant with GBIF data publishing requirements. Occurrence bat Chiroptera Bulgaria GBIF Dataset Type Vocabulary: http://rs.gbif.org/vocabulary/gbif/dataset_type_2015-07-10.xml Observation GBIF Dataset Subtype Vocabulary: http://rs.gbif.org/vocabulary/gbif/dataset_subtype.xml To the extent possible under law, the publisher has waived all rights to these data and has dedicated them to the Public Domain (CC0 1.0). Users may copy, modify, distribute and use the work, including for commercial purposes, without restriction. Creative Commons Zero v1.0 Universal https://spdx.org/licenses/CC0-1.0.html CC0-1.0 Bulgaria 22.4184 28.5917 44.19234 41.28386 1905-05-23 2025-05-02 This dataset covers organisms belonging to the order Chiroptera (bats). It includes occurrence records of various bat species found in Bulgaria. In Bulgaria, bats are represented by four families: Vespertilionidae, Rhinolophidae, Miniopteridae, and Molossidae. The family Vespertilionidae is the most diverse and includes 26 species from several genera, such as Myotis, Barbastella, Eptesicus, Hypsugo, Nyctalus, Pipistrellus, Plecotus, and Vespertilio; the family Rhinolophidae, represented by 5 species; Miniopteridae represented by a single species; and Molossidae represented by one species. order Chiroptera kingdom Animalia The Balkan Peninsula is recognised as a biodiversity hotspot, and Bulgaria in particular supports some of Europe’s largest bat aggregations and high species diversity. This dataset aims to provide the most current and comprehensive information on the distribution of bat species across the country. It is intended to serve a dual purpose: To support scientific progress by offering verified occurrence records for ecological, taxonomic, and biogeographical studies. To assist by contributing to habitat protection, species monitoring, and biodiversity policy at both national and international levels. The dataset is the result of decades of fieldwork and data collection, incorporating information from both published literature and unpublished sources. It reflects the contributions of multiple generations of researchers, conservationists, volunteers, and cavers. By making these records openly accessible, we hope to encourage further research, raise awareness of the importance of Bulgaria’s bat fauna. This dataset is dedicated to the memory of two of Bulgaria’s most influential bat researchers, whose absence is deeply felt but whose legacy endures. We especially honor Boyan Petrov, whose vision, passion, and tireless energy laid the groundwork for this dataset. Without his remarkable dedication to bat research and conservation, this work would likely not exist. His spirit continues to guide and inspire the bat research community in Bulgaria and beyond. We also extend our deepest gratitude to Slaveya Stoicheva, whose commitment to studying and protecting bats has left a lasting impact. Her contributions remain an essential part of this work. We are immensely thankful to the many volunteers and cavers who have generously shared their observations and data over the years. Their enthusiasm and support have significantly enriched this dataset. Finally, we express heartfelt appreciation to the past generations of bat researchers in Bulgaria. Their pioneering work created the foundation upon which we continue to build. We truly stand on the shoulders of giants. The dataset is updated irregularly as new occurrence records become available from ongoing research, monitoring efforts, or newly identified literature sources. Updates may include the addition of new records, corrections to existing data, or enhancements to taxonomic or geographic information. The dataset is curated to ensure data quality, with each update undergoing validation before publication. otherMaintenancePeriod Nia Toshkova National Museum of Natural History at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

Sofia 1000 BG

niyatoshkova@gmail.com 0000-0003-4217-5653 Dimitri Brosens Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO)

Brussels Brussels BE

dimitri.brosens@inbo.be 0000-0002-0846-9116 1. Data collection: оccurrence data were gathered from multiple sources, including field surveys, acoustic monitoring, roost inspections, bat rehabilitation centers, deceased specimens, and literature reviews. All observations were recorded with associated metadata where available (e.g., date, locality, habitat type, method). 2. Species identification and validation: species identifications were performed or verified by qualified bat researchers. Acoustic recordings were reviewed and manually identified using reference call libraries. 3. Data digitisation: historical and literature-based records were digitised manually. Field data were entered into structured digital formats using spreadsheets and databases. 4. Georeferencing: all locality information was georeferenced using GPS data or estimated based on place names and mapped features. Coordinates were assigned in decimal degrees and validated using GIS tools. 5. Data cleaning and standardization: data were reviewed for errors, including invalid species names, date inconsistencies, and coordinate anomalies. Taxonomic names were standardized according to accepted references. Duplicate records were removed. 6. Formatting for GBIF: the cleaned dataset was structured according to the Darwin Core standard, ensuring compliance with GBIF formatting requirements. 7. Final review and publishing: the dataset underwent a final validation and quality control check before being published to the GBIF. The dataset covers the entire territory of Bulgaria, encompassing a wide range of habitats including caves, forests, mountainous regions, river valleys, and urban areas. It includes bat occurrence records collected over a 120-year period, from 1905 to 2025. The data span both historical and contemporary observations, compiled from published literature and original fieldwork. The records reflect year-round activity, though sampling effort varies across regions and time periods depending on accessibility, research focus, and observer presence. The dataset was compiled using a variety of sampling methods. The primary method involved direct observation of bats at underground and above-ground roosts, including abandoned buildings, bat boxes, and natural structures. In addition, bats were captured using mist nets and harp traps, particularly during field surveys at roost entrances, active foraging areas, and flying corridors. Acoustic monitoring was also employed, using both passive (stationary detectors) and active (manual recording) techniques to detect species presence in areas where physical capture was not feasible or appropriate. All bat calls were manually identified by experts to ensure reliable species-level identification. Additional data were collected from two bat rehabilitation centres, as well as from deceased individuals and bat skulls identified through museum and field collections. All data were collected, georeferenced, and organized by the authors. Subsequent data cleaning and post-processing were conducted to ensure taxonomic accuracy, remove duplicate records, and standardise geographic information in accordance with GBIF data publishing standards. All records included in this dataset underwent multiple levels of quality control to ensure reliability and accuracy. Species identifications were performed or verified by experienced bat researchers. Acoustic records were manually reviewed and identified by experts using reference call libraries. Taxonomic names were standardized according to current nomenclature, following international and regional taxonomic references. Geographic coordinates were validated using GIS tools to check for consistency with described localities, and corrected when necessary. Duplicate records and data inconsistencies (e.g. implausible dates or locations) were identified and removed or corrected during data cleaning. All records were reviewed prior to publication to meet GBIF’s data quality and formatting standards, including Darwin Core compliance. Svetlana Miteva pointOfContact The region of the Balkans is identified as a European biodiversity hot spot. The Balkans include part of Croatia, the whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Greece, Bulgaria and the European part of Turkey. The Balkans is part of the Mediterranean Key Biodiversity Area (KBA). However, the biodiversity in the Balkans is threatened. More and more Balkan countries open their economies and become more accessible and attractive for large international investors and tourists. This causes major landscape changes. Agriculture is intensifying, infrastructure is being modernised and expanding at an accelerated pace, hydroelectric power stations in rivers are build, etc. Reliable data on species occurrence is needed for evidence-based conservation and management and further research on the biodiversity in the Balkans. Unfortunately, only a small amount of the geographically referenced species occurrence data from the Balkans is available. Baseline data on many groups like mammals, insects, plants, reptiles and amphibians are absent. With this project, we aim to mobilise data from the Balkans. Species specialists from five Balkan countries will be trained in data mobilisation. By promoting, communicating, and training researchers, the project will demonstrate the importance of FAIR data availability, aiming at mainstreaming biodiversity data publication in the region. The target is publishing more than 100.000 records, which will increase the number of published data on mammals, birds, insects, fish, reptiles and amphibians by at least 10%. The results of this project will also be published in Biodiversity Data Journal (Pensoft Publishers). The datasets publication was organised with the support of Project nlbif2022.015 funded by NLBIF to The Habitat Foundation: https://www.nlbif.nl/the-biodiversity-of-the-balkans-in-gbif/ 2025-02-07T08:07:32.372+00:00 dataset Toshkova N, Brosens D, Stoeva E, Deleva S, Zhelyazkova V, Acosta-Pankov I, Goranov S, Dundarova H, Lakovski K, Genova O, Stoicheva S, Krushkova V, Ivanov A, Mechev A, Hubancheva A, Pavlova A, Metcheva R, Popov V, Beltcheva M, Pandurski I, Kisimov T, Kolev M, Kirov K, Karaganchev A, Karadakov V, Trendafilova S, Pavlova B, Yankov L, Stoyanov S, Yankov Y, Atanasov T, Georgieva T, Borisov I, Dilovski G, Dicheva A, Titorenkova S, Aleksandrova I, Delchev S, Sirakov K, Bradley I, Pazderkov D, Atanasov V, Zhelev P, Dechev A, Dimitrova K, Koseva K, Petrov B (2025). Bat occurrences from Bulgaria. Version 1.5. National Museum of Natural History, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. Occurrence dataset. https://cloud.gbif.org/eca/resource?r=bat-occurrences-bulgaria&v=1.5 Benda, P., Ivanova, T., Horáček, I., Hanák, V., Červený, J., Gaisler, J., Georgieva, A., Petrov, B., & Vohralík, V. (2003). Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) of the eastern Mediterranean. Part 3. Review of bat distribution in Bulgaria. Acta Societatis Zoologicae Bohemicae, 67(4), 245-357. Deleva, S., Kolev, N., Ivanov, A., Marinova, P., Petkov, N., & Natchev, N. (2025). Biodiversity Surveys Before Residential Building Renovations in Bulgaria with Emphasis on the Impact and Conservation of Building-Dwelling Fauna. Ecologies, 6(1), 22. Dundarova, H., & Popov, V. V. (2024). Bats at an Altitude above 2000 m on Pirin Mountain, Bulgaria. Animals, 14(1), 126. Popov, V. V. (2018). Bats in Bulgaria: Patterns of species distribution, richness, rarity, and vulnerability derived from distribution models. In Bats. IntechOpen. 6b2a3042-db4f-4bf2-85a4-0301654a083a/v1.5.xml