Phyllostomid Bats (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) as Indicators of Habitat Disruption in the Neotropics

Abstract

JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org.. The Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to Biotropica. ABSTRACTMist netting bats at 1 1 sites in the vicinity of Akumal, Mexico between 7 and 19 January 1991 produced 363 bats representing 20 species. A comparison of captures revealed significant differences in species diversity (Hs) between disturbed and undisturbed sites (as reflected by deforestation). Species in the subfamily Phyllostominae (family Phyllostomidae) were captured significantly more often at forested than deforested sites and thus appeared to be useful indicators of habitat disruption. The low intensity echolocation calls of phyllostomid bats make it unfeasible to monitor their distribution and abundance with bat detectors.

Bat-species richness in the Pantanal floodplain and its surrounding uplands

“…The role of frugivorous bats has been emphasised in tropical forest succession (Muscarella and Flemming, 2007). Overall, Phyllostomid bats have been identified as indicators of habitat disruption in the Neotropics (Fenton et al, 1992). Work conducted in forest habitats of Paraguay has shown that abundance was highest for Artibeus lituratus in deforested landscapes and for Chrotopterus auritus in forested habitats; in contrast, Artibeus fimbriatus, Carollia perspicillata, Glossophaga soricina, Platyrrhinus lineatus, Pygoderma bilabiatum, and Sturnira lilium attained highest abundance in moderately fragmented forest landscapes.…”

Time and seasonal patterns of activity of phyllostomid in fragments of a stational semidecidual forest from the Upper Paraná River, Southern Brazil

“…The chiropterans are easily found in forests and present wide diversity regarding ecological aspects, as selection of diet, shelter and habitat and they have been considered as important environmental indicators of altered areas (Fenton et al, 1992;Medellín et al, 2000;Peters et al, 2006). Among the functions carried out in ecosystems by interacting with other organisms, there is important role in pollination (Gardner, 1977), seed dispersal (Van Der Pjil, 1957) and in the natural control of insects (Goodwin and Greenhall, 1961).…”

Morcegos da Floresta Nacional De Carajás – PA: lista de espécies

“…ecossistemas e contribuem para a manutenção das florestas e no controle de pragas (HUMPHREY et al, 1983;MEDELLÍN, 1988). Além disso, este grupo é um indicador de níveis de alteração no ambiente e bom material de estudo sobre diversidade (FENTON et al, 1992 …”

“…Além da diversidade elevada, os morcegos integram uma série de nichos ecológicos, o que os torna reguladores importantes de processos como: dispersão de sementes, polinização, predação de artrópodes e pequenos vertebrados (WILSON, 1973;FENTON et al, 1992;AGUIRRE, 2002;MAAS et al, 2015). Nesse contexto, os morcegos são um excelente modelo pelo fato de apresentarem três características: diversidade alta (SIMMONS, 2005;VOIGT & KINGSTON, 2016); as assembleias locais na Amazônia são geralmente muito ricas (BERNARD & FENTON, 2002;SAMPAIO et al, 2003;BARNETT et al, 2006); e os morcegos apresentam a maior diversidade de guildas tróficas, além de papéis importantes junto aos ecossistemas (HEITHAUS, 1982).…”