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In the summer of the year 2012 we identified 15 bat species in the Carei Plain natural protected area (ROSCI0020): Barbastella barbastellus, Eptesicus nilssonii, E. serotinus, Miniopterus schreibersii, Myotis bechsteinii, M. daubentonii, M. myotis, M. mystacinus, Nyctalus leisleri, N. noctula, Pipistrellus nathusii, P. pipistrellus, P. pygmaeus, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum and Vespertilio murinus. Between them, five species have a special importance for conservation, as species of community interest, which require the designation of special areas for conservation. From a zoogeographical point of view, we can notice in the Carei Plain the presence of some bat species rare in Romania, tied to higher areas, like E. nilssonii. This fact confirms, for bats also, the biogeographical particularities of the Carei Plain, which have been previously mentioned for other groups. Species tied to forests and wetlands are predominant in the region, but we have also identified species considered tied to caves and mines, even if the last two habitat types lack from the area. From a conservation point of view, we notice the importance of protecting the natural forest fragments and wetlands from Carei Plain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ixodes simplex is a bat tick species, a common parasite of the Schreibers' bent-winged bat, Miniopterus schreibersii. Its distribution is linked to the range of its host, free stages occurring exclusively inside the underground bat shelters. Here we present the first case of human infestation with I. simplex. An adult female tick was found attached to the upper limb after a visit to the underground shelter of a large bat colony. This unusual host selection is a likely consequence of the reduction of suitable hosts, as the number of bats was much lower at the time of the visit than in previous years. Bat ticks rarely feed on humans, with soft ticks (Argasidae) being more commonly involved. In the light of the potential vectorial capacity of I. simplex, the incidence and potential future risks are discussed., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)