Convergence in tent architecture and tent-making behavior among neotropical and paleotropical bats

Abstract

Fifteen species of neotropical and three species of paleotropical bats are known either to roost in or to make tents in over 80 species of vascular plants. We summarize the current knowledge of bat-tent architecture, report two new styles of tents (conical and apical) from the Paleotropics, compare the similarity in tents constructed, or used, by neotropical and paleotropical bats, and consider possible functions of tents. Seven styles of tents are known from the Neotropics, three (conical, palmate umbrella, and apical tents) are known from both the Neo-and the Paleotropics, and one (stem tent) is unique to the Paleotropics. In the Neotropics tent-roosting and/ or tent-making appears to be a behavior unique to the diverse microchiropteran family Phyllostomidae (subfamily Phyllostomatinae: tribe Stenodermatini), and in the Paleotropics two members of the megachiropteran family Pteropodidae and one member of the microchiropteran family Vespertilionidae are known to construct or roost in tents. Despite the variety of plant taxa used by bats in tent construction, there appears to be a limited number of different leaf forms that can be altered by bats and used as tents. We suggest that the similarity in tent architecture observed among the neotropical and paleotropical bats is a consequence of convergence in leaf morphology among forest understory plants. The congruence in tent-making/roosting behavior observed in members of the Stenodermatini and the Pteropodidae (genus Cynopterus) suggests a phylogenetic influence on these behaviors. The similarity in tent-making and/or tent-roosting behavior and life-history traits (small, < 70 g, mostly foliage-roosting frugivores) among these divergent neotropical and paleotropical taxa supports a convergence hypothesis in which members of these groups have become ecological equivalents. Although actual tent-making has been observed in only one bat species to date, we suggest that the principal selective force leading to the evolution of tent-making is a polygynous mating system whereby males construct tents to gain access to females. Tents in turn provide resources that offer protection from predators and inclement weather.

Roosting Ecology of Amazonian Bats: Evidence for Guild Structure in Hyperdiverse Mammalian Communities

“…Included in this category are unmodified leaves (Simmons and Voss, 1998: fig 15, 53, 54;Velazco et al, 2014: fig. 8) as well as those modified by bats as "tents" Kunz et al, 1994). Rocks and/or caves (R/C): any dark space sheltered by stony surfaces, such as crevices among piled boulders on talus slopes, cracks and fissures in large rocks exposed in riverbeds, or caverns eroded in the bedrock of cliffs or hillsides.…”

“…), offers a corresponding host of structurally distinct shelters for foliage-roosting bats from ground level to the canopy. 6 Whereas the physical properties of leaves determine the number and size of bats that can roost in foliage of a particular plant species, as well as how such leaves can be modified by their inhabitants to provide suitable diurnal refugia (Kunz et al, 1994), leaf phenology determines how often resident bats must seek new shelters (e.g., Vonhof and Fenton, 2004). Bats roosting A.…”

Roost Structure, Modification, and Availability in the White‐throated Round‐eared Bat,Lophostoma silvicolum(Phyllostomidae) Living in Active Termite Nests1

“…Lausen & Barclay 2002). Both observational and experimental eviMost bats roost in a wide variety of pre-existing natural dences show that roost selection is driven by a variety of factors inand man-made structures (Kunz 1982) for example, Neoplatymops eluding structure of social systems, predator avoidance, thermoregmatogrossensis (Molossidae) whose flat skull permits it to roost in ulation, and reproductive condition (Kunz 1982, Lewis 1995.…”

“…However, selves, which is known from about 20, mostly frugivorous species specialization may also constrain bats if they rely on only one roost that modify leaves or other plant material into tent-like shelters type. It is, therefore, important to learn how dependent bat species (Kunz & Lumsden 2003, Kunz et al 1994.…”

Biology of Vampyressa pusilla (Wagner) in Rio de Janeiro State, southeastern Brazil (Mammalia, Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae)

“…Timm, 1984;Brooke, 1987;Zortéa and Brito, 2000). Small groups, composed of one male and a few females, can occupy tents for up to six months (Kunz et al, 1994). This bat exhibits seasonal reproduction: females give birth once or twice during each reproductive season.…”