Recently described Myotis alcathoe has been recorded in Ukraine for the first time and at eight new localities in three distant and geographically diverse areas of Poland (the mountains, the uplands and the lowlands). This data extends its distribution range in Central Europe and confirms it as a native breeding species in Poland. Specific identification of bats was confirmed by sequencing ND1 gene of mtDNA. In Poland its reproduction has been recorded in Łężczok reserve, Silesian Foothill and in Roztocze National Park. Bats were observed mostly within old broadleaved and mixed forests, near water, at altitude ranging from 112 to 736 m a.s.l. The only known roosting site for the species is a cave which is used both in spring and during the swarming period. In Poland the species co-occurred with both M. brandtii and M. mystacinus or with M. brandtii at all sites.
Absence of accuracy in species recognition can lead to inter-specific mating and hybridization. Aside from acoustic signals, bats can also use olfactory signals to search for mates. We compared the level of attractiveness of facial glands scents and urinary scents for discrimination in two cryptic bat species. Both sexes of two sympatric bat species Pipistrellus pipistrellus and P. pygmaeus were used as model. Possible sexual preferences using two olfactory signals were studied in a dual choice experiment in a glass Y-maze. Both sexes, without reference to the species, performed lower searching activity in tests with urinary scents than in the case of signals composed of scents of facial glands. Males of both species were able to discriminate and prefer the odour of conspecific females, with small proportion of disassortative choices. Females of both species did not have species-specific preferences. Absence of females’ odour preferences and small proportion of males’ disassortative choices can provide theoretical background for the existence of inter-species hybridization or point at more important role of acoustic signals in pre-mating behaviour.