Seasonal Predation by Merlins on Sooty Mustached Bats in Western Puerto Rico

Rodríguez-Durán, Armando; Lewis, Allen R.

doi:10.2307/2388382

Cited by 36 publications

(25 citation statements)

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“…These raptors are also adept at capturing bats (approximately 50% capture rate), which they invariably approach from the rear. Quantitatively similar observations were reported in a system in which merlins ( Falco columbarius ) attacked roost‐departing mormoopid bats in Puerto Rico (Rodríguez‐Durán & Lewis, ). No comparable set of observations exists for any group of post‐sunset‐emerging bats.…”

Section: Predator‐prey Basics In Chiropteranssupporting

confidence: 79%

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Do predators influence the behaviour of bats?

2013

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Many aspects of animal behaviour are affected by real-time changes in the risk of predation. This conclusion holds for virtually all taxa and ecological systems studied, but does it hold for bats? Bats are poorly represented in the literature on anti-predator behaviour, which may reflect a lack of nocturnal predators specialized on bats. If bats actually experience a world with minimal anti-predator concerns, then they will provide a unique contrast within the realm of vertebrate ecology. Alternatively, such predator-driven behaviour in bats may not yet be fully understood, given the difficulties in working with these highly mobile and nocturnal animals. We provide a wide-ranging exploration of these issues in bat behaviour. We first cover the basic predator-prey information available on bats, both on potential predators and the ways in which bats might perceive predators and respond to attacks. We then cover work relevant to key aspects of bat behaviour, such as choice of daytime roosts, the nature of sleep and torpor, evening roost departures, moonlight avoidance, landscape-related movement patterns, and habitat selection. Overall, the evidence in favour of a strong influence of predators on bat behaviour is equivocal, with the picture clouded by contradictory results and a lack of information on potential predators and the perception of risk by bats. It seems clear that day-active bats run a considerable risk of being killed by diurnal raptors, which are able to capture bats with relative ease. Thus, bats taking advantage of a pulse of insects just prior to sunset are likely taking risks to gain much-needed energy. Further, the choice of daytime roosts by bats is probably strongly influenced by roost safety. Few studies, however, have directly addressed either of these topics. As a group, insectivorous temperate-zone bats show no clear tendency to avoid apparently risky situations, such as activity on moonlit nights. However, some observations are consistent with the idea that predation risk affects choice of movement paths and feeding areas by temperate-zone bats, as well as the timing of roost departures. The behaviour of tropical bats, on the other hand, seems more generally influenced by predators; this is especially true for tropical nectarivores and frugivores, but also for insectivorous bats. Presumably there are more serious predators on bats in the tropics (e.g. specialized raptors or carnivorous bats), but the identity of these predators is unclear. More information is needed to assess fully the influence of predators on bat behaviour. There is much need for work on the ways in which bats perceive predators via auditory, visual, and olfactory cues, and whether bats have some knowledge of the risks posed by different predators. Also needed is information on how predators attack bats and how bats react to attacking predators. Difficult to obtain, but of critical value, will be information on the nature of the predation risk experienced by bats while away from roosts and during the full darkness of night.

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Section: Predator‐prey Basics In Chiropteranssupporting

confidence: 79%

“…Aerial dodging and climbing has been observed in three vespertilionids (Twente, ; Black, ; Negro et al ., ). No apparent evasive manoeuvres were observed in sooty mustached bats ( Pteronotus quadridens , Mormoopidae) targeted for attack by falcons (Rodríguez‐Durán & Lewis, ).…”

Section: Predator‐prey Basics In Chiropteransmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do predators influence the behaviour of bats?

2013

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“…After a few minutes, the kestrel returned to the hunting area. A similar behaviour has been described in Merlins Falco columbarius, 11 swallows entire bats in the air, maximizing the number of prey taken in the short period of time when they are available. l ''Z'" An intermediate behaviour would he that reported for the Hobby Falco subbuteo, which eats bats in the air but tearing them to pieces.…”

Section: Hunting Techniquesupporting

confidence: 54%

Winter predation by Common KestrelFalco tinnunculuson Pipistrelle BatsPipistrellus pipistrellusin Southern Spain

et al. 1992

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“…However, the predation risk from raptorial birds may currently be relatively low, at least for bats that live alone or in small groups (Barclay 1989), although some observations suggest that it may be much higher in medium sized or large colonies, which may be more attractive to predators and which also tend to be more stationary and hence more easily located (e.g. Rodriguez-Duran and Lewis 1985, Fenton et al 1994. Furthermore, even what appears to be a very low predation rate can be very important for species that produce only one young per year.…”

Section: Insect Flight Activity and Constraints On The Emergence Timementioning

confidence: 99%