Bats from Alagoas state, northeastern Brazil: updated checklist based on literature, collections, and acoustic records

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The state of Alagoas in northeastern Brazil includes areas of the Caatinga and Atlantic Forest biomes. Research on the bat fauna of Alagoas is still incipient compared to the neighboring states of Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba, and Pernambuco, and the diversity and ecology of the state’s bats are still practically unknown. In the present study, we provide a updated checklist of bat species from Alagoas state, collecting localities, and compared the bat species richness with that recorded in other regions to increase the available knowledge on the fauna of the state. For this purpose, we made a comprehensive compilation of previous studies and reviewed the material (e.g., skins, skulls, and humid specimens) deposited in the scientific collections of federal universities and museums. We also conducted acoustic sampling in the municipalities of Piranhas, Olho d’Água do Casado, Arapiraca, and Japaratinga. We recorded a total of 66 species belonging to 40 generaand eight families in Alagoas. Twelve species were recorded for the first time in the state, eight of which wereconfirmed from scientific collections and four by acoustic sampling. This represents an increase of 13 species for the Caatinga of Alagoas compared to published data. The records are distributed in 60 localities, most of which are in the Atlantic Forest region, in 31 of the 102 municipalities of the state. The most diverse family is Phyllostomidae (38 species), followed by Molossidae (10 species), Vespertilionidae (6 species), Emballonuridae (6 species), Mormoopidae (2 species), Noctilionidae (2 species), Natalidae (1 species), and Thyropteridae (1 species). Although not confirmed in this study, records of Furipteridae from neighboring regions suggest that this family may also occur in natural cavities of karstic zones of Alagoas. This state represents only 0.32% of the territorial area of Brazil, but hosts 36.26% of the bat species recognized in the country. The increase in the known species richness of Chiroptera in Alagoas presented here highlights the importance of analyzing scientific collections and the use of acoustic methods to obtain the most comprehensive inventory of the bat fauna of a given area. Based on these results, we recommend potential lines of research to ensure a more comprehensive sampling of bat fauna of the Brazilian state of Alagoas, particularly, in the Caatinga biome.


Morcegos do estado de Alagoas, Nordeste do Brasil: lista atualizada baseada em literatura, coleções e registros bioacústicos. O estado de Alagoas no Nordeste do Brasil inclui áreas dos biomas Caatinga e Mata Atlântica. Pesquisas sobre a fauna de morcegos de Alagoas são ainda incipientes comaparadas aos estados vizinhos do Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba e Pernambuco, e a diversidade e ecologia dos morcegos do estado são ainda praticamente desconhecidas. No presente estudo, fornecemos um checklist atualizado das espécies de morcegos do estado de Alagoas, localidades de coleta, e comparamos a riqueza de espécies com aquelas registradas em outras regiões para aumentar o conhecimento disponível sobre a fauna do estado. Para este fim, fizemos uma compilação abrangente de estudos anteriores e revimos o material (e.g., peles, crânios e espécimes úmidos) depositado nas coleções científicas de universidades federais e museus. Foram realizadas amostragens acústicas nos municípios de Piranhas, Olho d’Água do Casado, Arapiraca e Japaratinga. Registramos um total de 66 espécies pertencentes a 40 gêneros e oito famílias em Alagoas. Doze espécies foram registradas pela primeira vez no estado, oito das quais foram confirmadas a partir de coleções científicas e quatro por amostragens acústicas. Isso representa um aumento de treze espécies para a Caatinga no estado de Alagoas, em comparação com os dados publicados. Os registros estão distribuídos em 60 localidades, a maioria das quais na região da Mata Atlântica, em 31 dos 102 municípios do estado. A família mais diversa é Phyllostomidae (38 species), seguida por Molossidae (10 species), Vespertilionidae (6 species), Emballonuridae (6 species), Mormoopidae (2 species), Noctilionidae (2 species), Natalidae (1 species), e Thyropteridae (1 species). Embora não confirmado neste estudo, registros de Furipteridae em regiões vizinhas sugerem que essa família deve também ocorrer em cavidades naturais de zonas cársticas de Alagoas. O estado representa apenas 0,32% da área territorial do Brazil, mas abriga 36,26% das espécies de morcegos reconhecidas no país. O aumento da riqueza de espécies conhecidas de Chiroptera em Alagoas aqui apresentado destaca a importância de análisar coleções científicas e utilização de métodos acústicos para obter o inventário mais completo da fauna de morcegos de uma determinada área. Com base nestes resultados, recomendamos potenciais linhas de investigação para assegurar uma amostragem mais abrangente da fauna de morcegos do estado brasileiro de Alagoas, particularmente, no bioma Caatinga.

Graphical abstract for the article “Bats from Alagoas state, northeastern Brazil: updated checklist based on literature, collections, and acoustic records” (Silva Barbosa Leal et al., 2022)

Distribución actualizada de Pteronotus (Phyllodia) (Chiroptera: Mormoopidae) en Venezuela, con el primer registro de Pteronotus (P.) alitonus

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Se actualiza la información disponible sobre la distribución geográfica de Pteronotus (Phyllodia) (Chiroptera: Mormoopidae) en Venezuela, como resultado del análisis taxonómico de ejemplares de museo y el diagnóstico de registros acústicos. Previo a este trabajo, tres especies del subgénero eran conocidas en territorio venezolano: Pteronotus (Phyllodia) paraguanensis, endémica de la península de Paraguaná; P. (Phyllodia) fuscus, con una distribución amplia que abarca la región norte (excepto Paraguaná), así como la porción septentrional de la Amazonía y el Escudo de Guayana; y P. (Phyllodia) rubiginosus, restringida al sur del río Orinoco. Una cuarta especie, P. (Phyllodia) alitonus, es señalada aquí por primera vez para el país, sobre la base de registros obtenidos en los estados Amazonas y Bolívar. Se describen los caracteres morfológicos que permiten separar a los miembros de Pteronotus (Phyllodia) que habitan el territorio venezolano, así como sus patrones de ecolocación. El hallazgo de P. (Phyllodia) alitonus incrementa a 405 el número de mamíferos conocidos en Venezuela (173 pertenecientes a Chiroptera) y extiende el rango de distribución de la especie aproximadamente 700 km al noroeste de la localidad más cercana previamente reportada.


Distributional status of Pteronotus (Phyllodia) (Chiroptera: Mormoopidae) in Venezuela, with the first record of Pteronotus (P.) alitonus. The information available on the geographical distribution of bats of Pteronotus (Phyllodia) (Chiroptera: Mormoopidae) in Venezuela is updated, as a result of the taxonomic analysis of museum specimens and the diagnosis of acoustic records. Prior to this work, three species of the subgenus were known in the Venezuelan territory: Pteronotus (Phyllodia) paraguanensis, endemic to the Paraguaná Peninsula; P. (Phyllodia) fuscus, with a wide distribution that covers the northern region (except Paraguaná), as well as the northern portion of the Amazon and the Guiana Shield; and P. (Phyllodia) rubiginosus, restricted to the south of the Orinoco River. A fourth species, P. (Phyllodia) alitonus, is included in the country for the first time, based on records obtained in the states of Amazonas and Bolívar. The morphological characters that allow identification of the species of Pteronotus (Phyllodia) that occur in Venezuela, as well as their echolocation patterns, are presented. The discovery of P. (P.) alitonus increases the number of known mammals in Venezuela to 405 (173 belonging to Chiroptera) and extends the distribution range of the species approximately 700 km northwest of the closest previously reported locality.

Graphical abstract for the article “Distribución actualizada de Pteronotus (Phyllodia) (Chiroptera: Mormoopidae) en Venezuela, con el primer registro de Pteronotus (P.) alitonus” (García et al., 2022)

Patrones biogeográficos de los murciélagos de Argentina: riqueza de especies y congruencia distribucional

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En la actualidad se conocen 67 especies de murciélagos para Argentina. A pesar de que los registros geográficos de las especies están bien documentados, sus patrones distribucionales a escala nacional no han sido estudiados hasta el momento. En este trabajo analizamos la totalidad de los registros validados, con el fin de identificar patrones de riqueza de especies y congruencia distribucional. La mayor riqueza específica se concentra en la Selva Paranaense y en las Yungas, y se observa una marcada caída de riqueza en el gradiente latitudinal. La coincidencia de los rangos geográficos de las especies define un total de 47 áreas de congruencia distribucional consenso, y cada una fue asignada a uno de los ocho patrones identificados: las Yungas, el sector norte de las Yungas (anidado con el anterior), el noreste, un patrón disyunto que incluye el noroeste y el noreste del país, la región chaqueña unida a otras regiones circundantes, y la región patagónica. Cincuenta y una especies (76% del total) resultaron caracterizadoras. Varios de los patrones encontrados son coincidentes con áreas recuperadas para otros organismos (vegetales y animales), aspecto que podría sugerir la existencia de áreas con historias comunes para gran parte de la biota de la región.


Biogeographic patterns of the bats of Argentina: species richness and distributional congruence. Currently 67 species of bats are recognized for the fauna of Argentina. Notwithstanding the geographical records of the species are well documented, their distributional patterns on a national scale have not been studied so far. In this study, we analyze all the validated records, in order to identify patterns of species richness and distributional congruence. The highest species richness was located in the Paraná forest (northeast) and the Yungas forest (northwest), with a marked drop in richness in the latitudinal gradient. The coincidence of the geographical ranges of the species defined a total of 47 consensus areas of distributional congruence, and each one was assigned to one of eight identified patterns: the Yungas, the northern sector of the Yungas (nested with the previous one), the northeast, a disjunct pattern that includes the northwest and northeast of the country, the Chaco region along with other surrounding regions, and the Patagonian region. Fifty-one species (76% of the total) were characterizers. Several of the patterns found coincide with areas recovered for other organisms (plants and animals), which could suggest the existence of areas with common histories for much of the biota of the region.

Drawings and notes by Elio Massoia. Photo collage by Damián Voglino.

Efectos de la tala selectiva y el sexo del hospedador sobre el ectoparasitismo de mamíferos pequeños en bosques del sur de la Amazonía peruana

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Poco se conoce acerca del efecto que la tala selectiva puede tener sobre las relaciones interespecíficas, particularmente entre ectoparásitos y hospedadores. En este estudio se evaluó la prevalencia, la abundancia y la riqueza de ectoparásitos de mamíferos pequeños en bosques con tala de impacto reducido y bosques control en el sur de la Amazonía de Perú. Se usaron modelos lineales generalizados para evaluar el efecto de la tala, la estructura del hábitat y el sexo sobre los ectoparásitos de los hospedadores más representativos: Marmosops, Euryoryzomys, Proechimys y Carollia. No se encontró evidencia de un efecto de la tala sobre la prevalencia y riqueza de ectoparásitos. No obstante, encontramos un efecto positivo de la tala sobre la abundancia de ácaros (Laelapidae) y garrapatas (Ixodidae) en individuos de Marmosops spp. y Proechimys spp. respectivamente, aunque negativo en ácaros de Euryoryzomys spp. Además, los roedores hembra presentaron una mayor cantidad de ectoparásitos. Por otro lado, la abundancia de las moscas de murciélagos (Streblidae) en individuos de Carollia sp. fue menor en bosques con tala. Este estudio es uno de los pocos en abordar el efecto de la tala selectiva con impacto reducido sobre el ectoparasitismo en mamíferos pequeños. Se sugiere ampliar el conocimiento sobre estas interacciones a nivel específico, con estudios sobre las características del hospedador y con una base estacional, lo cual podría aportar a mejorar el entendimiento sobre cómo la actividad antrópica afecta las interacciones entre mamíferos y sus ectoparásitos.


Selective logging and host sex effects on the ectoparasitism of small mammals of the Southern Peruvian Amazon. Little is known about the effect of reduced impact logging on interspecific relationships, particularly the ectoparasite-host relationship. This study assessed the prevalence, abundance, and diversity of ectoparasites of small mammals in forests with reduced impact logging and control plots in southeastern Peruvian Amazon. We used Generalized Linear Models to assess the effect of reduced logging, habitat structure, and host sex on the ectoparasites of the most representative genera: Marmosops, Euryoryzomys, Proechimys, and Carollia. No statistical evidence about an effect of reduced logging on both the prevalence and diversity of ectoparasites were found. However, we found a positive effect of logging on the abundance of mites (Laelapidae) and ticks (Ixodidae) at individual level for Marmosops spp. and Proechimys spp. respectively; but a negative effect on mite abundance in Euryoryzomys spp. In addition, female rodents had a higher amount of ectoparasites. On the other hand, the intensity of the bat flies (Streblidae) in individuals of Carollia spp. was lower in logged forests. This study is one of the few to address the effect of reduced logging on ectoparasitism in small mammals. We suggest expanding the knowledge about the effects of these interactions to a specific level on a seasonal basis, which can provide further information to improve understanding of how this anthropogenic activity affects interactions between mammals and their ectoparasites.

Graphical abstract for the article “Efectos de la tala selectiva y el sexo del hospedador sobre el ectoparasitismo de mamíferos pequeños en bosques del sur de la Amazonía peruana” (Bonifaz & Mena, 2021)

Can Carollia perspicillata (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) induce seed germination of Cecropia pachystachya?

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We tested if seed germination of the tree Cecropia pachystachya is induced after being consumed by the frugivorous bat Carollia perspicillata. We carried out two essays; in the first, we compared germination of seeds from C. perspicillata feces, seeds chemically scarified in acid solutions, and seeds from fresh C. pachystachya infructescences. In the second essay we evaluated seed viability after four months storage. Percentage of seed germination was reduced after C. perspicillata ingestion, but nevertheless remained high (76%). Seeds ingested by this bat also maintain their viability after storage, and C. perspicillata can be considered an effective seed disperser of C. pachystachya seeds.


Carollia perspicillata (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) pode induzir a germinação de sementes de Cecropia pachystachya? Desenvolvemos dois experimentos para testar se C. perspicillata pode agir como indutor da germinação de sementes de C. pachystachya. Primeiro comparamos a germinação das sementes retiradas das fezes do morcego, de sementes tratadas em soluções ácidas e sementes retiradas de infrutescências da planta. Avaliamos também a germinação das sementes após 4 meses de armazenamento. A porcentagem de germinação das sementes foi reduzida após a ingestão do morcego, entretanto, ainda com altas taxas de germinação (76%). Sementes ingeridas pelo morcego mantiveram sua viabilidade após o período de armazenamento. C. perspicillata pode ser considerado um dispersor eficiente de sementes de C. pachystachya.

Riqueza potencial de murciélagos en el sur de las Yungas: aportes para la conservación de especies

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Dentro de las Yungas en Argentina, la porción austral presenta ecotonos con eco-regiones más áridas como el Chaco, la Puna y el Monte de Sierras y Bolsones. Posee alta diversidad de murciélagos, pero la riqueza disminuye drásticamente encima de los 23° S a 24° S. Este trabajo deriva de un estudio acerca de una colonia de Tadarida brasiliensis ubicada en el Dique Escaba (Tucumán), reconocida como Sitio de Importancia para la Conservación de los Murciélagos (SICOM). El objetivo fue evaluar, desde los factores bioclimáticos, la distribución y riqueza de especies de murciélagos en la porción austral de las Yungas, para contextualizar la importancia de ensambles locales y la utilización de la riqueza potencial como insumo para la designación de Áreas de Importancia para la Conservación de los Murciélagos (AICOMs). A partir de registros de presencia se estimaron distribuciones potenciales mediante el software Maxent, para lo que se seleccionaron previamente las variables mediante un Análisis de Componentes Principales (pendiente, rango anual de la temperatura y temperatura media del trimestre más frío). El mapa de riqueza de especies se obtuvo sumando los modelos con un buen rendimiento y puntos de presencia de especies no modeladas. Se registraron 27 especies de murciélagos, predominantemente insectívoras. La riqueza potencial de especies aumentó asociada a la distribución en las Yungas, los cordones montañosos y los ecotonos con las zonas áridas. Los modelos de distribución son buenas herramientas para identificar AICOMs en función de su riqueza potencial, como los alrededores del Dique de Escaba (Tucumán) – Cuesta la Higuerilla (Catamarca) y la cuesta del Totoral y Dique Sumampa (Catamarca), donde se han realizado relevamientos de murciélagos y por eso se han declarado como tales.


Bat potential species richness in the southern Yungas: contribution to the conservation of species. In Argentina, the Yungas austral portion presents ecotones with arid eco-regions such as Chaco, Puna, and Monte of Mountains and Isolated Valley. It has a high diversity of bats, but the richness decreases drastically above 23° S and 24° S. This research derives from a study on a colony of Tadarida brasiliensis located in the Escaba Dam (Tucumán), and recognized as an Important Site for Bat Conservation (SICOM in Spanish). The objective was to assess, from bioclimatic factors, the distribution and richness of bat species in the southern portion of the Yungas, to contextualize the importance of local assemblages, and the use of potential richness as an input for the designation of Important Areas for Bat Conservation (AICOMs in Spanish). From the presence records, potential distributions were estimated using the Maxent software, for which the variables were previously selected through a Principal Component Analysis (slope, annual temperature range, and average temperature of the coldest quarter). The species richness map was obtained by adding the significant models and points of presence of non-modeled species. 27 species of bats, predominantly insectivorous, were recorded. Potential species richness increased within the Yungas, across mountain ranges and at the ecotones with arid zones. Distribution models are appropriate tools to detect AICOMs based on their potential richness, such as the surroundings of the Escaba Dam (Tucumán) – Cuesta Higuerilla (Catamarca), and the Totoral slope and Sumampa Dam (Catamarca), where bat surveys have been performed and thereafter, they have been declared as such.

Nuevos registros de ectoparásitos de murciélagos en sabanas inundables de la Orinoquía colombiana

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Colombia es el país con el mayor número de especies de murciélagos en el mundo. Sin embargo, el conocimiento sobre sus ectoparásitos se limita a unas pocas listas de especies y a la descripción de la composición y estructura de la artropodofauna parásita de murciélagos en un bosque húmedo tropical y un bosque seco tropical. Recientemente se ha evidenciado que los ensamblajes de murciélagos en ecosistemas de sabanas de la Orinoquía son altamente diversos; consecuentemente, el conocimiento sobre sus ectoparásitos es aún incipiente. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar por primera vez un listado de los ectoparásitos de murciélagos en un ecosistema de sabanas inundables en el departamento de Casanare, en los Llanos Orientales de Colombia. Se examinaron 102 murciélagos de ocho especies y se encontraron 18 especies de ectoparásitos. Estos ectoparásitos corresponden a seis familias y cinco órdenes como sigue, Diptera: Streblidae (9 spp.); Mesostigmata: Spinturnicidae (3 spp.) y Macronyssidae (3 spp.); Astigmata: Labidocarpidae (1 sp.); Ixodida: Ixodidae (1 sp.); Hemiptera: Polyctenidae (1 sp.). Se reportan por primera vez para Colombia las especies Strebla tonatiae, Pseudostrebla greenwelli, Hesperoctenes eumops, Chiroptonyssus haematophagus y Parakosa flexipes. Adicionalmente, se registra la infestación de murciélagos por una garrapata ixódida y también a Tonatia saurophila como nuevo hospedador para S. tonatiae y P. greenwelli.


New records of bat ectoparasites in floodplains ecosystems of the Colombian Orinoquia. Colombia is the country with the highest number of the bat species in the world. However, knowledge about bat ectoparasites is limited to a few general species lists and to the description in terms of composition and structure of bat parasitic arthropodofauna in a tropical rain and tropical dry forest. Recently, it has been evidenced that bat assemblages in savanna ecosystems of the Orinoquia region are highly diverse; consequently, knowledge about their ectoparasites is still unknown. The objective of this work is to present for the first time a list of bats ectoparasites in a floodplain savanna ecosystem in the department of Casanare, in the Colombian Llanos. We examined 102 bats belonging to eight species; we found 18 ectoparasite species. These parasites correspond to six families and five orders as follows, Diptera: Streblidae (9 spp.); Mesostigmata: Spinturnicidae (3 spp.) and Macronyssidae (3 spp.); Astigmata: Labidocarpidae (1 sp.); Ixodida: Ixodidae (1 sp.); Hemiptera: Polyctenidae (1 sp.). We report for the first time in Colombia the species Strebla tonatiae, Pseudostrebla greenwelli, Hesperoctenes eumops, Chiroptonyssus haematophagus and Parakosa flexipes. Additionally, we register the infestation by an Ixodid tick in bats and also, we report the species Tonatia saurophila as a new host for S. tonatiae and P. greenwelli.

Diversidad de murciélagos en ambientes ribereños de la Selva Pedemontana de las Yungas de Jujuy, Argentina

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Los ambientes ribereños son importantes para conservar la fauna que los habita o los usa como corredores entre áreas fragmentadas. Los murciélagos explotan los elementos del paisaje diferencialmente, y entre ellos los ambientes ribereños les resultan útiles para satisfacer varios requerimientos ecológicos. Evaluamos la diversidad de murciélagos insectívoros y frugívoros en ambientes ribereños de la Selva Pedemontana de la provincia de Jujuy, Argentina, colindantes con bosque nativo (ARB) y cultivos (ARC), así como también su dieta versus disponibilidad de recursos alimenticios en cada tipo de ambiente. Entre octubre de 2014 y enero de 2015 se usaron 10 redes de niebla para capturar murciélagos, 40 trampas pegajosas para estimar riqueza y abundancia de insectos voladores y se realizaron ocho transectas para contabilizar frutos quiropterofílicos. Se capturaron 94 murciélagos de ocho especies. La completitud fue superior al 90% en ambos ambientes (Chao1). La riqueza entre ARB y ARC fue la misma aunque la composición de especies fue disímil (SP: 50%). ARB registró una dominancia marcada de la especie frugívora Sturnira lilium. Contrariamente, en ARC la lista fue encabezada por la especie insectívora Molossops temminckii y las abundancias de individuos fueron más bajas que en ARB. La oferta de recursos alimenticios disminuyó en ARC, observándose un cambio en la composición y estructura del ensamble de murciélagos. Esto sugiere que además de proteger los ambientes ribereños es necesario completar las estrategias de conservación con la preservación de fragmentos de bosque nativo adyacentes.


Bat diversity in riparian environments of Selva Pedemontana in the Yungas of Jujuy Province, Argentina. Riparian environments are important to conserve the fauna that lives in these environments or uses them as corridors between fragmented areas. Bats exploit landscape elements differentially, and among them riparian environments are useful to meet various ecological requirements. We evaluated the diversity of insectivorous and frugivorous bats in riparian environments of the Selva Pedemontana in the Jujuy Province, Argentina, adjacent to native forest (ARB) or crops (ARC), and compared to the availability of food resources in each type of environment. Between October 2014 and January 2015, 10 mist nets were used to capture bats, 40 sticky traps were used to estimate the richness and abundance of flying insects, and eight transects were carried out to account for chiropterophilic fruits. Ninety-four bats of eight species were captured. Completeness was greater than 90% in both environments (Chao1). Richness was similar in ARB and ARC, but species composition differed (SP: 50%). ARB registered a marked dominance of the frugivorous species Sturnira lilium. In contrast, the most common species in ARC was the insectivorous species Molossops temminckii and the abundances of individuals were lower than in ARB. The availability of food resources was lower in ARC, resulting in a change in the composition and structure of bat assembly. In addition to protecting riparian environments, it is necessary to preserve fragments of adjacent native forest.

Variação na dieta de Artibeus lituratus e Sturnira lilium (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) em três regiões fitogeográficas no sul do Brasil

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Phyllostomidae possui a maior diversidade morfológica e ecológica dentre os morcegos neotropicais desempenhando importantes papéis em ambientes florestais, tal como a dispersão de sementes. O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar a dieta de Artibeus lituratus e Sturnira lilium em três regiões fitogeográficas do bioma Mata Atlântica —Floresta Ombrófila Densa (FOD), Floresta Estacional Semidecidual (FES) e Formação Pioneira com Influência Marinha (FPIM)— na Região Sul do Brasil. Os morcegos foram amostrados mensalmente com redes de neblina, seguindo o protocolo padrão para análise de dieta. Analisamos os dados de composição da dieta conforme atributos de riqueza, abundância e similaridade entre as três regiões amostradas (escalonamento multidimensional não métrico – NMDS e Índice de Bray-Curtis). Para A. lituratus e S. lilium o maior número de amostras provém da FES. Em todas as três regiões fitogeográficas, Ficus e Cecropia foram os gêneros mais consumidos por A. lituratus e Solanum por S. lilium. A abundância dos itens alimentares de A. lituratus e S. lilium foi influenciada pelas regiões fitogeográficas com a presença de agrupamentos distintos entre as amostras de FES, FOD e FPIM. A diferenciação da composição das dietas de A. lituratus e S. lilium entre as três fitofisionomias analisadas corrobora a hipótese de que a estrutura da vegetação influencia a composição da dieta dos morcegos. Essa diferença pode ser detectada apenas quando os itens alimentares são identificados em nível de espécie ou morfo-espécie.


Variation of the diet of Artibeus lituratus and Sturnira lilium (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) in three phytogeographic regions of southern Brazil. The family Phyllostomidae has the greatest morphological and ecological diversity among Neotropical bats, playing important roles in forest environments. This study aimed to compare the diet of Artibeus lituratus and Sturnira lilium in three phytophysiognomies in the Atlantic Forest biome in Southern Brazil — Ombrophilous Dense Forest (FOD), Semideciduous Seasonal Forest (FES), and Restinga (FPIM). Bats were sampled monthly along a year using mist nets. Bat’s diet was analyzed in feces following a standardized protocol. We analyzed data on diet composition by richness, abundance and similarity among the three sampled regions (Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling and Bray-Curtis Index). Samples from FES were the most abundant for both A. lituratus and S. lilium, with Ficus and Cecropia being the most consumed genera for the first species and Solanum for the second one in all sampled sites. The abundance of feeding items varied across phytogeographic regions.