The first record of Nyctalus leisleri (Kuhl, 1817) (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) in the Mordovia Nature Reserve (European Russia)

Nowadays, the fauna of bats of protected areas in the Republic of Mordovia is poorly studied. We have investigated the species composition and abundance of bats in the Mordovia Nature Reserve in July-August 2021, 2022. In total, 986 individuals of 10 bat species were caught. The habitation in the reserve of nine bat species previously known were confirmed. For the first time, the habitation of a new species in the nature reserve, the lesser noctule Nyctalus leisleri (Kuhl, 1817) (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae), was revealed. The results of counts of bat fauna in the Mordovia Nature Reserve are presented.