We eat meat: a review of carnivory in bats

Abstract

Some bat species in the families Phyllostomidae, Megadermatidae, and Nycteridae have long been known to consume terrestrial vertebrates and, more recently, reports of aerial‐hawking vespertilionid carnivores have surfaced. We review the diets, hunting behaviour and roosting ecology of 17 bat species that are known to consume terrestrial vertebrates: Vampyrum spectrum, Chrotopterus auritus, Trachops cirrhosus, Macroderma gigas, Megaderma (Lyroderma) lyra, Nycteris grandis, Nyctalus lasiopterus, Nyctalus aviator, Ia io, Antrozous pallidus, Cardioderma cor, Phyllostomus hastatus, Mimon (Gardnerycteris) crenulatum, Mimon cozumelae, Tonatia saurophila, Tonatia bidens, and Lophostoma silvicolum. Data on their diet and roosts were obtained from 241 original works, with considerable differences in the amount of research and information available among species. Carnivorous bats were found to belong to an ecologically diverse group and share little but their diet. Therefore, we define a carnivorous bat as a bat that, either year‐round or seasonally, uses terrestrial vertebrates as the main component of its diet, at least in part of its geographic range. We conclude from available data that Mimon crenulatum, Lophostoma silvicolum, Mimon cozumelae, Phyllostomus hastatus, Tonatia bidens, Tonatia saurophila, Cardioderma cor, and Antrozous pallidus use vertebrates as a minor part of their diet and should not be considered carnivorous. The nine other species we reviewed do fit into the definition of carnivorous bats, and can be further subdivided based on their ecology and the seasonality of their habits into three categories: year‐round predominantly gleaning carnivores (Chrotopterus auritus, Trachops cirrhosus, and Vampyrum spectrum), seasonal predominantly gleaning carnivores (Megaderma lyra, Macroderma gigas, and Nycteris grandis) and seasonal aerial‐hawking bird‐eating carnivores (Ia io, Nyctalus aviator, and Nyctalus lasiopterus).

Dangerous neighbours: Birds and bird‐eating bats sharing tree cavities

“…We believe that the observation we made is a further indirect argument in support of the fact that N. lasiopterus captures birds on the wing rather than raiding nests, as seen in other less specialised animalivorous bats (Gual‐Suárez & Medellin, 2021 ). Therefore, the presence of greater noctules in the same cavity where a nest is established strongly suggests that the birds did not perceive the bat presence as a risk, since the dangerousness of the predator would rather be associated with open spaces where both prey and predator are flying.…”

“…Bats exhibit a diverse range of diets globally, with 17 species incorporating vertebrates into their feeding habits (Gual‐Suárez & Medellin, 2021 ). Among these, nine species primarily consume terrestrial vertebrates in certain regions, with vertebrates constituting more than 50% of their prey in terms of the number, mass, volume or energy intake (Gual‐Suárez & Medellin, 2021 ).…”

“…Bats exhibit a diverse range of diets globally, with 17 species incorporating vertebrates into their feeding habits (Gual‐Suárez & Medellin, 2021 ). Among these, nine species primarily consume terrestrial vertebrates in certain regions, with vertebrates constituting more than 50% of their prey in terms of the number, mass, volume or energy intake (Gual‐Suárez & Medellin, 2021 ). Notably, three species ( Nyctalus lasiopterus , N. aviator and Ia io ) seasonally target birds, particularly during bird migration or when their arthropod food sources are depleted, likely through aerial hawking (Gual‐Suárez & Medellin, 2021 ).…”

“…Unlike other carnivorous bats, such as Vampyrum spectrum and Chrotopterus auritus , which may occasionally raid bird nests (Medellín, 1988 ; Vehrencamp et al., 1977 ), N. lasiopterus is believed to capture birds in flight, possibly at high elevations, although direct observation is lacking (Ibáñez et al., 2001 ). This predation strategy would favour targeting smaller birds (less than half the predator's size) that can be easily subdued (Gual‐Suárez & Medellin, 2021 ). If, on the other hand, greater noctules catch birds while stationary, their preferred hunting habitat would likely be in areas where birds shelter or nest, rather than open spaces.…”

Diversity of bats (Mammalia, Chiroptera) in the Parque Estadual de São Camilo, Paraná, Southern Brazil

“…In the present study, C. auritus and P. hastatus were found only in the interior of the forest fragment. Chrotopterus auritus is a carnivorous bat species that feeds on other vertebrates, but can also include fruits in its diet (Uieda et al, 2007;Gual-Suárez & Medellín, 2021). Carnivorous bats have preference for preserved environments due to the better opportunities for lurking, hunting, and a higher abundance of prey in comparison to areas impacted by human activities (Gorresen & Willig, 2004).…”