Keyword: Chiroptera

Consumo de plantas pioneras por murciélagos frugívoros en una localidad de la Orinoquía colombiana

,

El comportamiento alimentario cumple un papel principal en la estrategia de partición de recursos dentro de los ensambles de murciélagos frugívoros. A pesar de que Colombia es uno de los países con mayor riqueza de este grupo de fauna, la influencia de la fenología de los recursos consumidos sobre las dietas de las especies en los ensambles locales aún está pobremente estudiada. En este trabajo analizamos la estructura trófica de un ensamble de murciélagos frugívoros en una localidad de la Orinoquía colombiana y evaluamos su relación con los patrones de fructificación de cuatro especies de árboles (Cecropia peltata, C. sciadophylla, Ficus schultesii y F. gomelleira) y dos especies de arbustos (Piper arboreum y P. obliquum), los cuales constituyen elementos dietarios focales en la dieta de murciélagos frugívoros neotropicales. El análisis de 191 registros dietarios de 20 especies muestra que la estratificación vertical constituye el principal mecanismo en la estrategia de partición de recursos del ensamble de murciélagos frugívoros estudiado. Este mecanismo es independiente de los patrones de fructificación de las plantas evaluadas. Los murciélagos centraron su dieta en plantas con patrones de fructificación continuos y distribuciones espacialmente homogéneas. Por lo tanto, el uso de categorías de forrajeo basadas en la preferencia de plantas con diferentes estrategias de fructificación no explica los patrones de consumo encontrados en el ensamble estudiado.

Pioneer plants consumption by bats in one locality from Colombian Orinoco. Feeding behavior plays a major role as a resource partitioning strategy within assemblages of fruit bats. Although Colombia is one of the most diverse countries in terms of bat diversity, the influence of phenology of consumed resources on bat diets in local ensembles is still poorly known. In this study, we analyze trophic structure of a fruit bat assemblage in a locality of Colombian Orinoco, and we evaluate its relationship with fruiting patterns of four tree species (Cecropia peltata, C. sciadophylla, Ficus schultesii, and F. gomelleira) and two shrub species (Piper arboreum and P. obliquum), all of them representing focal dietary resources of Neotropical fruit bats. The analysis of 191 dietary records of 20 species shows that vertical stratification constitutes the main mechanism for resource partitioning among the studied bat ensemble. This mechanism is independent of the fructification patterns of the evaluated plants. Bats fed mainly on plants with continuous fructification patterns and spatially homogeneous distributions. Therefore, categories based on the preference of plants with different fructification strategies do not explain the consumption patterns of the studied ensemble.

Assembleia de morcegos em remanescente de Floresta Ombrófila Mista no planalto de Guarapuava, Paraná, Brasil

,

A Mata Atlântica é um dos ecossistemas mais ameaçados e ricos do mundo, contando com cerca de 113 espécies de morcegos. O objetivo do presente estudo foi caracterizar a assembléia de morcegos de um remanescente de Floresta Ombrófila Mista a 1100 metros de altitude, no planalto de Guarapuava, estado do Paraná, Brasil. Os morcegos foram capturados com dez redes de neblina instaladas acima do solo em 24 noites de amostragem durante 12 meses. Um total de 160 capturas de 144 indivíduos foi realizado, sendo estes distribuídos em dez espécies, com a família Vespertilionidae sendo a mais representativa. A riqueza estimada (Chao2) foi de 12.75 ± 4.14 espécies. Sturnira lilium e Molossus molossus foram as espécies mais abundantes, com 36 capturas cada. Os morcegos insetívoros dominaram a assembléia tanto em número de espécies quanto em número de indivíduos capturados. Sugerimos que essa assembléia possa ser caracterizada como uma fauna tipicamente subtropical de altitude e pode ser relacionada aos ambientes de Floresta Ombrófila Mista, em especial acima dos 1000 metros de altitude.

Bat assemblage in a remnant of Araucaria Pine Forest at Guarapuava Highlands, Paraná State, Brazil. The Atlantic Forest is one of the most rich and threatened ecosystems in the world, and has about 113 bat species. The aim of this study was to characterize the bat assemblage in a remnant of Araucaria Pine Forest at 1100 meters of altitude, at Guarapuava Highlands, Paraná State, Brazil. Bats were caught with ten mist nets installed above ground in 24 night sampling distributed in 12 months. A total of 160 catches of 144 individuals was performed, these being allotted to ten species, the Vespertilionidae family being the most represented. The estimated richness (Chao2) was 12.75 ± 4.14 species. Sturnira lilium and Molossus molossus were the most abundant species with 36 catches to each. The insectivore bats dominate the assemblage both in number of species and number of individuals captured. We suggest that this assemblage can be characterized as a typical subtropical highland fauna and be related to environments of Araucaria Pine Forest, especially above 1000 meters of altitude.

Structure of a bat assemblage from a fragmented landscape in the state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil

,

Minas Gerais presents the richest bat fauna among the states of southeastern Brazil. Despite its high diversity, the bat fauna in large areas of the state remain poorly or completely unknown due to its wide territorial area, as well as the complexity of its relief and vegetation. This work aimed to study the bat fauna in fragments of a region in Lavras, Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil, as well as the dynamic of their species. The study was carried out in a highly fragmented landscape area, composed by relatively small fragments of semi-deciduous forest under distinct levels of human disturbances. Forty nights of sampling were conducted with a total capture effort of 43,200 m²/h. Fourteen species were recorded, out of which 10 were in the family Phyllostomidae, 3 in Vespertilionidae and 1 in Molossidae. It is important to highlight the presence of Chiroderma doriae, a species classified as threatened in Brazil, and Molossops neglectus, a rare molossid bat that needs taxonomic review.

Estructura de un emsamble de murciélagos en un paisaje fragmentado del estado de Minas Gerais, sudeste de Brasil. El estado de Minas Gerais es el estado más rico del sudeste de Brasil en cuanto a número de especies de murciélagos. A pesar de esta gran diversidad, grandes áreas del estado continúan siendo poco o completamente desconocidas en lo respectivo a los quirópteros, debido a la amplitud de su área territorial, al relieve y a la complejidad de la vegetación. El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo estudiar los murciélagos en fragmentos de la región de Lavras, Minas Gerais, sudeste de Brasil, así como la dinámica de sus especies. El estudio se llevó a cabo en una zona de paisaje altamente fragmentado, compuesta por pequeños fragmentos de bosque semideciduo y en distintos niveles de antropización. Se realizaron muestreos durante 40 noches, con un esfuerzo de captura total de 43.200 m²/h. Catorce especies fueron registradas, de las cuales 10 correspondieron a la familia Phyllostomidae, 3 a Vespertilionidae y 1 a Molossidae. Es importante destacar la presencia de Chiroderma doriae, una especie clasificada como amenazada en Brasil y Molossops neglectus, un molósido muy raro que necesita de revisión taxonómica.

Diferentes métodos de regeneração florestal podem interferir na comunidade local de morcegos?

, , , ,

Em regiões tropicais, onde interações entre animais e plantas são muito comuns, a efetividade das técnicas de restauração ambiental depende dos animais presentes na área e disponíveis para dispersão de frutas ou sementes. Desta forma, o monitoramento da fauna é um bom indicador do processo de regeneração da mata. Nosso objetivo foi verificar se áreas regeneradas por diferentes métodos na ARIE Morro da Vargem, Ibiraçu, Espírito Santo, apresentam diferenças na riqueza e na composição de espécies e de guildas tróficas de morcegos. Foram realizadas 29 noites de coleta (julho de 2006 a julho 2007), sendo 6 noites de captura na Mata (fragmento florestal), 6 noites no Camará (regeneração com intervenção), 8 no Bosque (regeneração com intervenção) e 9 na Capoeira (regeneração natural). Foram obtidas 564 capturas e 26 espécies. A riqueza estimada foi maior para o Bosque e Camará do que para a Capoeira e a Mata. As áreas não são diferentes com relação à composição de espécies e de guildas tróficas de morcegos. A menor riqueza de espécies na área de Mata pode ser explicada por esta ser um fragmento florestal restrito ao topo de um morro. Já no Bosque as diferentes espécies vegetais plantadas podem fornecer recursos para os morcegos em boa parte do ano. A extensa área de vida das espécies de morcegos e a proximidade entre as áreas comparadas podem ser algumas explicações para a similaridade da composição de espécies e de guildas entre as áreas amostradas.

Can forest regeneration methods affect local bat communities? In tropical regions, where plant-animal interactions are widespread, the effectiveness of environmental restoration techniques is dependent on the animal species present and available for fruit and seed dispersal. Therefore, monitoring the local fauna can be a good indicator of the forest regeneration process. Our goal in this study was to verify whether areas reforested by different regeneration methods in Morro da Vargem, municipality of Ibiraçu in the state of Espírito Santo, Southeastern Brazil, present differences in bat species richness and composition, and in bat trophic guild number. We carried out 29 capture nights, between July 2006 and July 2007, being 6 nights in the Mata area (a pristine forest fragment), 6 nights in the Camará area (regeneration with some level of human intervention), 8 nights in the Bosque area (regeneration with some level of human intervention), and 9 nights in the Capoeira area (natural regeneration). We obtained 564 captures with 26 species. The estimated richness was greater in Bosque and Camará areas than in Capoeira and Mata. We found no differences between areas regarding species composition and trophic guilds. The lower species richness in the Mata area can be explained by its location, on a hilltop. On the other hand, the exotic plant species found in the Bosque area may provide resources year-round. The large home range of bat species and the proximity of the studied areas could explain the species composition and trophic guild similarity between the areas.

Bat assemblages at a high-altitude area in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil

, ,

Most Brazilian landscapes lie below 600 m above sea level and studies on the rich Brazilian bat fauna at higher altitudes are scarce. In this study, we investigated bat assemblages associated with different habitats in Chapada do Abanador, Minas Gerais, an area with altitudes ranging from 1000 to 1580 m. Forty-five nights of sampling (153000 m2/h) were performed in semideciduous montane forest, cloud forest and campo de altitude. A total of 137 individuals were captured, belonging to 12 species of the families Phyllostomidae and Vespertilionidae, with a large dominance of the former. Species-accumulation curves reached values close to the asymptote for the campo de altitude and cloud forest habitats, but not for montane forest, suggesting that more species may be added by extending the sampling effort in this habitat. A non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis indicated no strong separation between sampled habitats. Higher abundances of Desmodus rotundus and Histiotus velatus in the campo de altitude were observed, with the latter being exclusively recorded in this habitat. Moreover, a higher abundance of frugivores was observed in forested habitats, while hematophagous, insectivores and nectarivores were more abundant in the campo de altitude. Although presenting lower species richness when compared with environments below 1000 m, the campos de altitude and cloud forests are ecologically important and poorly protected portions of the Atlantic Forest in Minas Gerais, whose biodiversity must be preserved. Our data contributes with a better description of the local fauna and fills gaps on the species distribution for high altitude sites in Brazil.

Assembléia de morcegos em uma área de elevada altitude na Floresta Atlântica do sudeste do Brasil. Grande parte das paisagens brasileiras se encontra abaixo dos 600 m de altitude e os estudos sobre a rica fauna de morcegos brasileiros em elevadas altitudes são escassos. Nesse estudo, investigamos a assembleia de morcegos associada a diferentes habitats na Chapada do Abanador, Minas Gerais, cuja altitude varia de 1000 a 1580 m. Foram conduzidas 45 noites de amostragem (153000 m2/h) na floresta semidecidual montana, floresta nebular e campo de altitude. Foram capturados 137 indivíduos pertencentes a 12 espécies das famílias Phyllostomidae e Vespertilionidae, com grande predominância da primeira. Curvas de acumulação de espécies alcançaram valores próximos à assíntota para o campo de altitude e floresta nebular, mas não para a floresta montana, sugerindo que mais espécies seriam adicionadas com o aumento do esforço amostral nesse habitat. A análise de escalonamento multidimensional não-métrico não indicou forte separação entre os habitats. Entretanto, foi observada uma maior abundância de Desmodus rotundus e Histiotus velatus no campo de altitude, sendo a última exclusiva desse habitat. Além disso, foi observada uma maior abundância de frugívoros nos habitats florestados, enquanto hematófagos e insetívoros foram mais abundantes no campo de altitude. Embora apresentem menor riqueza de espécies quando comparados com ambientes abaixo de 1000 m, os campos de altitude e as florestas nebulares constituem porções ecologicamente importantes e pouco protegidas da Floresta Atlântica em Minas Gerais, cuja biodiversidade deve ser preservada. Nossos dados contribuem com uma melhor descrição da fauna local e preenche lacunas na distribuição de espécies para locais de elevada altitude no Brasil.

Riqueza de especies y actividad relativa de murciélagos insectívoros aéreos en una selva tropical y pastizales en Oaxaca, México

, ,

Se estudió estacionalmente la riqueza de especies y actividad relativa de murciélagos insectívoros aéreos en hábitats ribereños de una selva tropical y pastizales en Oaxaca, sureste de México. La detección se realizó con el sistema Anabat™ SD1, se emplearon 96 horas de grabación y 1656 archivos efectivos. Se identificaron 9 especies y 4 sonotipos, pertenecientes a 4 familias: 2 de Mormoopidae (Pteronotus davyi y P. parnellii), 3 de Emballonuridae (Saccopteryx bilineata, Balantiopteryx io y B. plicata), 5 de Vespertilionidae (Eptesicus furinalis, Lasiurus blosevillii, L. ega y 2 Myotis) y 3 de Molossidae (Molossus rufus, Eumops sp. y 1 sonotipo). Por medio de un modelo asintótico de acumulación de especies se estimó una riqueza > 90% en ambos hábitats y épocas (seca y lluviosa) a las 3 horas de grabación. No se observó superposición de los intervalos de confianza para la riqueza estimada entre hábitats. En la selva se registraron 8 especies durante la época seca y 7 en época lluviosa. En los pastizales se registraron 13 especies en ambas épocas. La diferencia de actividad relativa entre la selva y los pastizales no fue estadísticamente significativa, aunque hubo tendencia al aumento en ambos hábitats durante la época seca. En la selva, en época seca, la actividad relativa general presentó correlación positiva con la temperatura promedio y negativa con la humedad relativa. En época seca, en ambos hábitats, la actividad relativa general reflejó una relación positiva con la disponibilidad de alimento. Los sistemas ribereños y su vegetación asociada en zonas bajo fuerte influencia antropogénica son presumiblemente factores de importancia para la resiliencia de este grupo de mamíferos. A medida que avanza la frontera agropecuaria en la región es necesario considerar el manejo local de este tipo de hábitats, debido a su potencial función como corredores entre fragmentos y la selva continua.

Aerial insectivorous bats species richness and relative activity in a tropical forest and pastures in Oaxaca, Mexico. We seasonally evaluated species richness and relative activity of aerial insectivorous bats along riparian habitats in a tropical forest and pastures in Oaxaca, southeastern Mexico. We used an Anabat™ SD1, 96 hours of recordings and 1656 effective sound files. We identified 9 species and 4 sonotypes, belonging to 4 families: 2 of Mormoopidae (Pteronotus parnellii and P. davyi), 3 of Emballonuridae (Saccopteryx bilineata, Balantiopteryx io and B. plicata), 5 of Vespertilionidae (Eptesicus furinalis, Lasiurus blosevillii, L. ega and 2 Myotis) and 3 of Molossidae (Molossus rufus, Eumops sp. and 1 sonotype). In both habitats and seasons (dry and wet) we reached over 90% of the estimated richness by an asymptotic accumulation model after three hours of recording. Confidence intervals did not overlap around the estimated richness between habitats. In the forest we registered 8 species in the dry season and 7 in the wet season. In the pastures in both seasons we registered 13 species. All species present in forests were detected in grasslands, and differences in relative activity did not show statistical significance. The general relative activity in both habitats had the tendency to increase during the dry season. In forests, during the dry season, the general relative activity was correlated positively with mean temperature and negatively with relative humidity. During the dry season, in both habitats, we observed a significant and positive relationship of general relative activity and food availability. Riparian systems and associated vegetation immerse in areas under high anthropogenic pressure seem to be an important resource for the resilience of aerial insectivorous bats. It is necessary to consider local management of this kind of habitats, because of their potential role as corridors between fragments and continuous forest.

Murciélagos de la provincia de Córdoba, Argentina: riqueza y distribución

, ,

Los objetivos del trabajo fueron identificar vacíos en la información distribucional existente referida a los quirópteros de la provincia de Córdoba, para determinar el patrón de riqueza de especies e individualizar las variables que afectan la distribución de cada especie en particular. Se realizaron búsquedas bibliográficas de registros publicados, revisiones de ejemplares depositados en colecciones sistemáticas y relevamientos de localidades puntuales. Con base en los datos distribucionales obtenidos se realizaron modelos predictivos utilizando el programa Maxent. El mapa de riqueza se obtuvo mediante la superposición de 10 mapas individuales de presencia-ausencia, más las celdas de presencia de las cinco especies que no pudieron ser modeladas por presentar menos de cinco registros. Se obtuvieron 204 registros de 15 especies en 191 localidades. La mayor parte de las localidades se concentra en la zona serrana. Las 15 especies registradas fueron citadas para el bosque serrano. Desmodus rotundus, Tadarida brasiliensis y Myotis dinellii presentaron el mayor número de registros. En tres de los 26 departamentos de la provincia de Córdoba (General Roca, Roque Sáenz Peña y Totoral) no se hallaron registros. El rango anual de la temperatura fue la variable más importante para el conjunto de especies, seguida por dos variables topográficas, la pendiente y la elevación. El área serrana de la provincia constituyó la zona de mayor riqueza, con celdas con hasta diez especies.

Bats of Cordoba Province, Argentina: richness and distribution. The objectives of this study were to identify gaps in existing distributional information referred to the bats of Cordoba Province, to determine the pattern of species richness, and to identify the variables that affect the distribution of each species in particular. We searched the published records in the literature, reviewed specimens in systematic collections, and surveyed specific localities. Based on the obtained distributional data we performed predictive models using the Maxent software. Richness map was obtained by overlaying 10 individual presence-absence maps, plus the presence cells of the five species that could not be modelled for having less than five records. We obtained 204 records of 15 species in 191 localities. Most localities are concentrated in the mountain area. The 15 species were cited for the mountain forest. Desmodus rotundus, Tadarida brasiliensis and Myotis dinellii presented the highest number of records. No records were found in three of the 26 departments in Cordoba Province (General Roca, Roque Sáenz Peña and Totoral). The annual temperature range was the most important variable for all species, followed by two topographic variables, slope and elevation. The mountain area of the province was the richest area, with cells with up to 10 species.

Variación en la forma de la mandíbula en Monophyllus redmani (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae): análisis geométrico de la variación sexual y geográfica

,

Analizamos la variación sexual y geográfica en la forma de la mandíbula de Monophyllus redmani mediante métodos de morfometría geométrica. Las diferencias en el tamaño y la forma de la mandíbula fueron examinadas usando 10 «landmarks» o puntos de referencia sobre la vista lateral de la mandíbula de 69 individuos. La significación de la variación de la forma entre sexos y regiones geográficas fue analizada mediante un análisis múltiple de varianza de dos vías sobre la matriz de las variables de forma, la que contiene los componentes de forma uniformes y no uniformes (partial warps). Nuestros resultados revelan un notable dimorfismo sexual en la forma de la mandíbula; las ramas ascendente y horizontal de los machos fueron significativamente más anchas que en las hembras. Se apreció solapamiento en la forma entre regiones geográficas, aunque la muestra de la Isla de la Juventud difirió ligeramente de las muestras de Cuba. Se discuten los factores que pudieran originar este dimorfismo sexual en la forma de la mandíbula de esta especie de murciélago.

Shape variation of the mandible in Monophyllus redmani (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae): geometric analysis of sexual and geographic variation. We analyzed sexual and geographic variation in the mandible of Monophyllus redmani using two-dimensional landmark data. Differences in size and shape of mandible were examined using 10 landmarks plotted on lateral view of 69 individuals. The region, sex, and interaction effects were analyzed with a two-way MANOVA on the shape variables (weight matrix) that include the set of partial warps and uniform components. Our results revealed a significant sexual dimorphism in the mandible shape; the ascending and horizontal rami of the males were significantly wider than females. We found overlapping in shape among geographic regions, although the Isla de la Juventud sample slightly differed in centroid size and shape from some Cuban samples. Probable factors that could determine this sexual shape dimorphism are discussed.

Estructura de las comunidades de murciélagos en un gradiente ambiental en la Reserva de la Biosfera y Tierra Comunitaria de Origen Pilón Lajas, Bolivia

Se describieron y compararon las comunidades de murciélagos en un gradiente ambiental en la RB TCO Pilón Lajas, La Paz-Bolivia. El gradiente fue localizado en cuatro formaciones vegetales: bosque ribereño (BR), bosque de terrazas aluviales antiguas (BT), bosque alto denso inferiores de los Yungas del Beni (BA) y bosque con neblina de los Yungas transicionales con la Amazonía (BN). El muestreo se llevó a cabo en época húmeda y seca del año 2000; en 59 noches se expusieron 3408 metros red durante 396 horas. Se capturaron 582 individuos distribuidos en 35 especies, de las cuales 31 fueron filostómidos, dos molósidos, un tiroptérido y un vespertiliónido. Se registraron 25 especies en el BR, 21 en las formaciones BT y BA y 18 en BN. La especie más abundante fue Carollia perspicillata seguida por Sturnira lilium, Carollia brevicauda y Phyllostomus hastatus que representaron en conjunto el 57% de la comunidad. El índice de diversidad de ShannonWiener fue 2.58 para el gradiente. Utilizando el índice de similitud de Morisita-Horn, se elaboró un dendrograma; las formaciones de BT y BA mostraron la mayor similitud y la formación BR fue la más diferente. El gremio frugívoro dominó la comunidad con más del 70%. Se concluye que la riqueza de especies, la abundancia relativa, los índices de diversidad y la estructura trófica experimentaron una variación con relación al gradiente ambiental; la formación más baja presentó los mayores valores en riqueza, abundancia relativa y diversidad; las formaciones intermedias se situaron con un rango intermedio de valores; y la formación más alta presentó los valores más bajos.

Bat community structure in an environmental gradient at the Biosphere Reserve and Communitarian Land of Origin Pilón Lajas, Bolivia. The bat communities along an environmental gradient in the RB TCO Pilón Lajas, La Paz-Bolivia were described and compared. The gradient was placed in four vegetation formations: riverine forest (BR), old vázea forest (BT), lower Beni Yungas tall forest (BA) and Yungas-Amazonian transitional cloud forest (BN). The samples were collected in the wet and dry seasons of 2000 over 59 nights and exposing 3408 meters of mist net for 396 hours. A total of 578 individuals were captured, distributed in 35 species: 31 phyllostomids, two molossids, one thyropterid, and one vespertilionid. Twenty five species were found in BR, 21 species in formations BT and BA, and 18 species in BN. The most abundant species were Carollia perspicillata followed by Sturnira lilium, Carollia brevicauda, and Phyllostomus hastatus that altogether represented 57% of the community. The Shannon-Wiener index was 2.58 for the gradient. Using the Morisita-Horn index of similarity a dendrogram was elaborated, showing that the BT and BA formations had the greater similarity and BR was the most different. The predominant guild in the communities was 70% frugivorous. In conclusion, species richness, relative abundance, indices of diversity and guild structures varied in relation to the environmental gradient. The lowest vegetation formation presented the greatest values of species’ richness, relative abundance and indices of diversity; while the intermediate floors, altogether and without noticeable differences, showed an intermediate rank of values. The highest vegetation formation presented the lowest values of species’ richness, relative abundance, and indices of diversity.

Ensamble de murciélagos en sitios con diferente grado de perturbación en un bosque montano del Parque Nacional Carrasco, Bolivia

, , ,

Los bosques montanos en Bolivia se caracterizan por ser sitios con alta diversidad y endemismo y por las amenazas que enfrentan debido a las actividades humanas, principalmente agrícolas. Evaluamos los ensambles de murciélagos en el bosque de pie de monte del Santuario de Vida Silvestre Cavernas de Repechón del Parque Nacional Carrasco en función de los efectos de perturbación producida por actividades agrícolas tradicionales durante 11 meses consecutivos. Se encontró que el ensamblaje total de murciélagos estaba compuesto por 36 especies basado en una muestra de 2518 individuos representantes de las familias Phyllostomidae y Vespertilionidae. La especie más abundante en todos los ambientes fue Carollia perspicillata; en barbechos, bosques jóvenes y maduros C. brevicauda fue la segunda especie más abundante, mientras que Artibeus lituratus lo fue en cultivos. Los frugívoros fueron el gremio mejor representado en cuanto a número de especies y número de individuos. Los sitios más semejantes en cuanto a la composición de especies fueron barbechos y bosques maduros; los bosques jóvenes fueron menos semejantes a los primeros y los cultivos fueron los sitios más diferentes a todos. Debido a que los sitios de estudio fueron mucho más pequeños en relación a la matriz de bosque secundario dominante, la mayoría de las especies de murciélagos estarían usando esos lugares como sitios de paso.

Assemblage of bats in sites with varying degrees of disturbance in montane forests of Carrasco National Park, Bolivia. Montane forests in Bolivia are characterized by sites with high biodiversity and endemism but are also faced by threats due to human activities, mainly agriculture. For a period of 11 months, we evaluated the effect of human disturbance due to traditional agricultural activities on bat communities in a montane forest in the foothills of the Santuario de Vida Silvestre Cavernas de Repechón, Carrasco National Park. We found that the total community contained 36 species based on a sample of 2518 individuals belonging to Phyllostomidae and Vespertilionidae. The most abundant species in all sites was Carollia perspicillata; in abandoned fields, young forest and mature forest C. brevicauda was the second most abundant species, whereas in agricultural lands Artibeus lituratus was the most common. Fruit-eating bats were the best represented trophic guild in terms of species and abundance. The sites with most similar species composition were abandoned fields and mature forests. Young forests were less similar to abandoned fields, and agricultural lands differed most from all other sites. Because the study sites were small compared with the larger matrix consisting mostly of secondary forest, most of the bat species are probably using these sites as commuting areas.