Very few in M S University (MSU) would probably know that rare Tomb Bats (Taphozous nudiventris) are roosting in the corridors of the Chemistry laboratory. Thanks to efforts of some teachers of the Chemistry and Zoology departments, this rare species is now taken care of even in the dingy passageways in the old university building.

Apparently, Chemistry department Reader Shailesh Shah had opposed the reconstruction of a corridor near his lab lest it disturbs the bat colony. At present, the corridor houses a colony of 30 bats.

The Naked-rumped Tomb Bats are generally found in ancient monuments, which possibly explain their presence in the MSU building (which was built during the Gaekwad era). But they are found in few monuments in the state and not many experts have conducted research on them in the last 30 years. Few studies were done during 1960 when evidence of this species was found in the Saurashtra and Kheda regions.

This species also remained unnoticed near the ceilings of the old MSU building, close to old electric wirings, till MSU Zoology department Reader B Suresh identified them.

Suresh, who has been studying bats for some time, told Newsline: “We never took note of it even if we passed by the area until a few years ago when one of our students took up a research project in 2007.”

He added: “Generally, not many studies are done on bats, the reason being that it comes under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act. It is termed as a vermin and there are various taboos attached to bats. We might not know their ecological importance till we further study this species.”

... contd.