Diversity and Conservation of Bats in Saudi Arabia

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

This is an interesting paper and good to see such comprehensive accounts of bats in Saudi Arabia, which are rarely being studied in areas of bat biology and ecology. I believe that this is an important work and a step forward to increase studies of bats in the region. However, there are things that I would like to raise to improve the quality of the work.

First, the introduction must be improved. The introduction is very short and did not really build a good narrative and clearer direction for the paper. While I understand that this is towards the diversity of bats but it needs some good elaboration on the objectives and relevance of this work.

The methods are not clearly stated. Have you included museum specimen records? How were species listed in the literature treated? How did you curate the species for species with updated names and synonyms? This is important so there is no confusion about the species' names. Please re-curate your species names using this https://batnames.org/

In the results, please clearly organize species accounts and descriptions. In the map and distribution, why did the authors use a phytogeographic delineation? How about zoogeographic zonation?

Reformat Table 1 as Family -> Species -> IUCN global -> IUCN Med -> National redlist format

I observed that many species of bats can be found in caves, it would be good to discuss caves as habitat in arid environment. You can see and include this  paper

Tanalgo, K. C., Oliveira, H. F., & Hughes, A. C. (2022). Mapping global conservation priorities and habitat vulnerabilities for cave-dwelling bats in a changing world. Science of The Total Environment, 843, 156909. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156909

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969722040062

It would also benefit to discuss what are the key future priorities for research and conservation for bats of Saudi Arabia based on the current knowledge you synthesized.

The language and structure needs some minor refinement and editing.

Author Response

Q 1. First, the introduction must be improved. The introduction is very short and did not really build a good narrative and clearer direction for the paper. While I understand that this is towards the diversity of bats but it needs some good elaboration on the objectives and relevance of this work.

Response: The introduction was expanded and objectives were highlighted.

Q 2. The methods are not clearly stated. Have you included museum specimen records? How were species listed in the literature treated? How did you curate the species for species with updated names and synonyms? This is important so there is no confusion about the species' names. Please re-curate your species names using this https://batnames.org/

Response : Methods were expanded to include examined collections. Scientific and common names were checked according to the suggested site.

Q 3. In the results, please clearly organize species accounts and descriptions. In the map and distribution, why did the authors use a phytogeographic delineation? How about zoogeographic zonation?

Response: We used the phytogeographical map since no zoogeographical map for Saudi Arabia is available. The phytogeographical map can help to estimate the affinities of animals as well.

Q 4. Reformat Table 1 as Family -> Species -> IUCN global -> IUCN Med -> National redlist format

Response: Table 1 was modified as suggested.

Q 5. I observed that many species of bats can be found in caves, it would be good to discuss caves as habitat in arid environment. You can see and include this paper

Tanalgo, K. C., Oliveira, H. F., & Hughes, A. C. (2022). Mapping global conservation priorities and habitat vulnerabilities for cave-dwelling bats in a changing world. Science of The Total Environment, 843, 156909. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156909

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969722040062

Response: the paper was added in the discussion section.

Q 6. It would also benefit to discuss what are the key future priorities for research and conservation for bats of Saudi Arabia based on the current knowledge you synthesized.

Response: Already discussed in the discussion section.

Reviewer 2 Report

Dear editor and authors,

This manuscript summarizes the current knowledge of bats in Saudi Arabia. I find it valuable and think it is very timely to publish it. I have been keeping a record of bat research done in Asia and am well aware of the lack of research in Western Asia. The number of species and the diverse habitats in Saudi Arabia are shockingly amazing to me. Just like what authors said in the manuscript, the research needs to happen. I only have some basic editorial suggestions for this manuscript:

1.      Can authors please make a summary table for section 3.1.? It is crucial to have a table that will allow a quick glance of all 30 species on one page.

2.      Is it possible to improve the subsection heading in section 3.1.? Maybe the journal editor can help. It would be ideal to have the lines with family names (such as line 90, line 141, etc) noted in a different format to help organize this section.

3.      Is it possible to have each picture of a bat species right under its information? Instead of having those photo collages, just add them into the manuscript one by one. This is a special manuscript. I don’t think many figures will be a problem.   

4.      I think in Figure 1 Saudi Arabia still needs to be labeled.

I don’t think I need to see any revision of this manuscript. Looking forward to seeing it in the published form.

Author Response

Q 1. Can authors please make a summary table for section 3.1.? It is crucial to have a table that will allow a quick glance of all 30 species on one page.

Response: Table was added.

Q 2. Is it possible to improve the subsection heading in section 3.1.? Maybe the journal editor can help. It would be ideal to have the lines with family names (such as line 90, line 141, etc) noted in a different format to help organize this section.

Response: The family names should be in BOLD to show the different sections.

Q 3. Is it possible to have each picture of a bat species right under its information? Instead of having those photo collages, just add them into the manuscript one by one. This is a special manuscript. I don’t think many figures will be a problem

Response: For each species, image was placed separately as required.

Q 4. I think in Figure 1 Saudi Arabia still needs to be labelled.

Map was labelled as required.

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

I believe the authors adequately addressed all my concerns. I have no further comments.

I believe the authors adequately addressed all my concerns. I have no further comments. Congratulations.