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The taxonomic status of the Neotropical bat genus Trachops is reevaluated through an integrated study that incorporates morphological, morphometric, and molecular data across its extensive geographic range. Our research, which included previously unexamined geographical regions, revealed substantial insights into the diversity within Trachops. Genetic and morphological results support elevation of T. cirrhosus ehrhardti , distributed within the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, to species status due to differences in southeastern Brazil specimens. Conversely, our analysis found insufficient evidence to maintain the subspecific distinction of T. c. coffini , which lacks diagnosable morphological characters and is not genetically distinct from T. c. cirrhosus across its distribution range. Additionally, our findings challenge a prior notion of latitudinal differentiation in body size in T. cirrhosus , because specimens from western South America and northeastern South America exhibit similar sizes to those from Central America. These results underscore the importance of revising the taxonomic framework for this bat genus—contributing to a more precise understanding of its evolutionary relationships—and further enhancing conservation efforts considering potential threats to the newly recognized species in the imperiled Atlantic Forest of Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amazonian tropical forests host the highest bat diversity in South America. The central area Brazilian Amazon encompasses one of the largest pristine areas within this biome, where Amanã and Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserves (SDRs) are located. These two reserves hold the status of Priority Areas for Biodiversity Conservation due to their high biological relevance. The aim of this study was to identify the bat species richness within these SDRs to minimize the Wallacean shortfall of the chiropterofauna in the Amazon. A total of 274 specimens, collected 20 years ago and housed in the mammal collection at the Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, were sorted and identified. They are distributed across four families, 18 genera, and 26 species: Artibeus planirostris and Carollia perspicillata were the most abundant vouchers. We identified a range extension for Carollia benkeithi and a possible new taxon for the genus Micronycteris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tight relationship of niche breadth (i.e., environmental tolerance and resource use) with ecomorphological traits and extinction risk makes the study of habitat niche breadth (i.e., habitat heterogeneity; HB) crucial to understanding the species' ecological niche and macroecological aspects. Additionally, HB has been associated with the species extinction risk (ER) due to human activity. Bats can be ideal for understanding HB's ecological and conservation relevance due to their diverse diet and other traits, as well as the high number of threatened species. Here, we studied the association between HB, trophic guild (TG), body mass (BoM), and extinction risk (ER) in phyllostomid bat species using a phylogenetic comparative approach. Our results showed that the TG, not BoM, is significantly associated with HB in phyllostomid bats. Omnivorous and sanguinivorous bats have a wider HB than plant-eating and insectivorous bats. Regarding the ER of bats, our results showed that species without risk have wider HB than species at risk. The HB of species without conservation status does not differ from at-risk species, which suggests that at least some species should be considered at risk. In conclusion, our study suggests that diet is a relevant trait that influences the macroecological dynamic of phyllostomid bats due to its relation with HB. Additionally, we provided evidence supporting HB's use as an ER predictor. Finally, we discussed the necessity of finding alternative and quicker ways to assess the ER of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species contains 175 Brazilian bat species that are threatened by extinction in some degree. From this perspective, it is essential to expand the knowledge about the genetic diversity of vulnerable bats. Genomic sequencing can be useful to generate robust and informative genetic references, increasing resolution when analyzing relationships among populations, species, or higher taxonomic levels. In this study, we sequenced and characterized in detail the first complete mitochondrial genomes of Furipterus horrens, Lonchorhina aurita, and Natalus macrourus, and investigated their phylogenetic position based on amino acid sequences of protein-coding genes (PCGs). The mitogenomes of these species are 16,516, 16,697, and 16,668 bp in length, respectively, and each comprises 13 PCGs, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and a putative control region (CR). In the three species, genes were arranged similarly to all other previously described bat mitogenomes, and nucleotide composition was also consistent with the reported range. The length and arrangement of rrnS and rrnL were also consistent with those of other bat species, showing a positive AT-skew and a negative GC-skew. Except for trnS1, for which we did not observe the DHU arm, all other tRNAs showed the cloverleaf secondary structure in the three species. In addition, the mitogenomes showed minor differences in start and stop codons, and in all PCGs, codons ending in adenine were more common compared to those ending in guanine. We found that PCGs of the three species use multiple codons to encode each amino acid, following the previously documented pattern. Furthermore, all PCGs are under purifying selection, with atp8 experiencing the most relaxed purifying selection. Considering the phylogenetic reconstruction, F. horrens was recovered as sister to Noctilio leporinus, L. aurita and Tonatia bidens shared a node within Phyllostomidae, and N. macrourus appeared as sister to Molossidae and Vespertilionidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different aspects of foraging strategies in bats have been studied to understand the evolution of flight in mammals. General descriptors of wing morphology associated with flight performance, such as aspect ratio and wing loading, allowed us to describe ecomorphs determined by the dietary preferences of bat species. However, the role of wing shape divergence in the evolution of bat foraging strategies remains little explored. We adopted a two-dimensional geometric morphometric approach to quantify the wing shape and size variation explained by phylogenetic relatedness (families) and to evaluate the covariance between foraging guilds and flight descriptors based on phylogenetic comparative methods in 69 Neotropical bat species. We tested whether wing morphology represents a reliable marker of the foraging guild, and we explored the rate of shape evolution among foraging guilds to describe divergent trends that could explain the morphological and ecological diversification. Our results suggest that the earliest bat ancestor was an aerial forager occupying the edge space, which is congruent with the observed evolution of wing shape from an edge space wing morphology. The relationship between wing shape and foraging space defines wing ecomorphs, which probably evolved early in bat ancestors; a process other than convergence could explain this association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among mammals, bats harbour the greatest taxonomic diversity of ectoparasitic arthropods. This is mainly due to their high mobility, wide distribution range and gregarious social behaviour. In Chile, 17 species of bats have been reported; however, their ectoparasitic arthropofauna has been little studied. There are currently 12 taxa recorded, belonging to two classes and associated with only four species of bats. This study aimed to investigate the diversity of parasitic flies associated with bats in three ecoregions: Atacama Desert, Chilean Matorral and Valdivian temperate forest. During 2021, using mist nets, bats were captured in Anzota caves (Atacama Desert ecoregion), Huelquén and Alto Jahuel (Chilean Matorral ecoregion), Cherquenco and San Patricio (Valdivian temperate forest). Each bat was carefully checked during a 15‐min interval for the collection of ectoparasites. The arthropods were deposited in vials with 96% ethanol. A total of 26 bats corresponding to three species (Vespertilionidae: Histiotus magellanicus Philippi, 1866, Myotis arescens (Osgood, 1943); Phyllostomidae: Desmodus rotundus (Geoffroy, 1810)) were captured from which a total of 142 ectoparasitic arthropods were collected. Bat flies were separated/identified under a stereomicroscope. Additionally, from the fieldwork, we report the presence of other ectoparasites associated with Chilean bats. In our study, we report new host–parasite associations between Trichobius parasiticus Gervais, 1844 (Diptera: Streblidae) on D. rotundus, and Basilia silvae (Brèthes, 1913) (Diptera: Nycteribiidae) in M. arescens in Chile. Our study extended the latitudinal range of distribution for B. silvae to Araucanía region, and we report for first time T. parasiticus in the country. Additionally, partial sequences of the cytochrome c oxidase I gene were obtained from these specimens. Although there is slight morphological variation in the specimens of T. parasiticus, phylogenetic analyses suggest that they correspond to the same species. The sequences generated for B. silvae represent the first for the species. Authors recommend the use of an integrative approach in the identification of ectoparasites in poorly studied ecoregions and hosts. The integration of different markers is necessary to determine more precisely the phylogenetic relationships between South American populations and species of the genera Basilia and Trichobius. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The southern distribution of Micronycteris sanborni became controversial after the description of Micronycteris yatesi based on specimens formerly reported as M. sanborni in Bolivia. It raised doubts on the identity of the southernmost specimen of M. sanborni reported from Serra da Bodoquena, Brazil. We rechecked the identification of this specimen and report four new records of M. sanborni from Serra da Bodoquena. External and craniodental features of all five examined specimens fit the current M. sanborni diagnosis, supporting this region as the southern boundary of its geographic range in South America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tonatia bidens is listed as 'Data Deficient' in the IUCN Red List. Our research, conducted in the Brazilian Caatinga dry forest between 2016 and 2022, aimed to shed light on the diet of this little-known species. Thirty-eight taxa were identified among insect remains beneath T. bidens' feeding perch. Notably, certain insects such as hawkmoths and cerambycid beetles are agricultural pests with significant negative impacts on crops, including cassava, corn, tomato, papaya, and cashew plantations. These results underscore bats' crucial role in insect pest consumption, emphasizing the need for further studies to fully understand their diet and ecosystem contributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animals should maximize their energy uptake while reducing the costs for foraging. For flower-visitors these costs and benefits are rather straight forward as the energy uptake equals the caloric content of the consumed nectar while the costs equal the handling time at the flower. Due to their energetically demanding lifestyle, flower-visiting bats face particularly harsh energetic conditions and thus need to optimize their foraging behavior at the flowers of the different plant species they encounter within their habitat. In flight cage experiments we examined the nectar-drinking behavior (i.e. hovering duration, nectar uptake, and the resulting feeding efficiency) of the specialized nectar-feeding bat Hylonycteris underwoodi and the more generalistic Glossophaga commissarisi at flowers of two plant species that constitute important nectar resources in the Caribbean lowland rainforests of Costa Rica and compared nectar-drinking behavior between both bat species and at both plant species. We hypothesized that the 1) specialized bat should outperform the more generalistic species and that 2) bats should generally perform better at flowers of the nectar-rich flowers of the bromeliad Werauhia gladioliflora than at the relatively nectar-poor flowers of the Solanaceae Merinthopodium neuranthum that has an extremely long flowering phase and therefore is an extremely reliable nectar resource, particularly for the specialized Hylonycteris. While we did not find substantial differences in the feeding efficiency of the generalist G. commissarisi, we observed an increased feeding efficiency of the specialized H. underwoodi at flowers of the nectar-poor M. neuranthum. This suggests that familiarity and ecological importance are more important determinants of the interaction than just morphological traits. Our results demonstrate that in addition to morphology, behavioral adaptations are also important drivers that determine the fitness of nectar-feeding bats. Both familiarity with and the ecological importance of a resource seem to contribute to shaping the interactions between pollinating bats and their plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delimiting species and quantifying their underlying variation is imperative for documenting diversity in highly speciose regions like the Neotropics. To aid with proper delimitation and avoid the perils of inflating or underestimating taxonomic units, approaches combining environmental, genetic, and phenotypic data are essential to provide a holistic perspective based on integrative taxonomy. A multiple-evidence approach is particularly useful when dealing with cryptic or iconic (i.e., easy to identify) species that might contain hidden diversity. We studied the phylogeography of one such species, the frog-eating bat (Trachops), and examined species limits throughout its broad range in the Neotropics. Following previous studies, we tested the hypotheses that Trachops is a monotypic genus with high intraspecific genetic and phenotypic diversity. Multilocus phylogenetics and species-delimitation analyses showed that Trachops consists of at least three species that diverged between seven to three million years ago. Taxonomic limits of three species-level groups recognized in our study (T. cirrhosus, T. coffini, and T. ehrhardti) are confirmed by a cranial morphometric analysis of over 800 individuals and craniodental features. Ecological niche models revealed that each of these groups occupies a dis-tinct niche, and heterogeneous environmental gradients and biogeographic barriers could be responsible for maintaining the limits of these taxa. This study sheds new light into the taxonomy of Trachops that can be important for conservation management in Neotropical areas with a fast rate of deforestation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Amazon rainforest has approximately 23% of its sampled area dedicated to bats, making it one of the least sampled and most diverse regions for bats in Brazil. The lack of sampling results in a lack of knowledge regarding the accurate geographical distribution of bat species. This lack is referred to as the Wallacean shortfall, which should be addressed with primary data obtained from in situ collections. However, the use of Species Distribution Models (SDMs) can help alleviate this gap. The states of Pará and Acre are located in the Brazilian Amazon. So, our objective is to decrease the Wallacean shortfall concerning Amazonian bat species. To achieve this, we provide (i) a list of bat species sampled in the states of Pará and Acre in the last 5 years (2017 to 2022); (ii) the potential distribution of species considered as new occurrences for the region; and (iii) the potential distribution of species classified as Data Deficient (DD) and Near Threatened (NT) according to the IUCN classification. With 96 nights of collection and 129,600 m2h of mist netting, we obtained 75 bat species, with an estimated total of 94.78 species. Additionally, 21 species were considered as range extensions. The Brazilian Amazon region has a vast geographic expanse and few established research centers, resulting in a limited sampling of bats and other biological groups. Furthermore, we draw attention to the significant number of bat species with expanded geographical distributions, with 21 out of the 75 sampled species. This should be a reminder that primary biogeographic data is still necessary for the neotropical region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bats from the genus Vampyressa Thomas, 1900 are known from a relatively small number of individuals in Mexico. Through recent collecting efforts in southwestern Mexico, we detected several previously unknown populations of Vampyressa , which appeared to represent a lineage independent from but closely related to V. thyone. Here, we describe this lineage as a new species of the genus Vampyressa from the Mexican states of Guerrero and Oaxaca. The new species is currently known from at least 8 collected specimens and 3 released individuals from 8 localities, and can be differentiated from V. pusilla and V. thyone based on pelage and skull characters, size, mitochondrial Cytochrome b, and nuclear Recombination-activating gene 2 sequence data. The new species has been captured mainly in the lowlands but occurs along a wide altitudinal range from 150 to 2,200 m above sea level. Most of the records of the new species are from west of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, which evidences a new case of a phylogenetic break at this biogeographic barrier. The genus Vampyressa now includes 6 species, and Mexico expands its position as the country with the largest number of endemic bats in the Neotropics, totaling 20 endemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bats are predominantly nocturnal animals, but some studies, mainly from temperate regions and islands, report bats flying during the day. We report the diurnal foraging of three species of bats in Mexico, one species of the family Vespertilionidae, and two Phyllostomidae (Anoura and Artibeus). In addition, we document the first in situ record of fruit consumption on the ground for Artibeus. Diurnal flight in bats is a poorly documented behavior in the tropics. Furthermore, we suggest that extreme heat and drought may influence this behavior, as two reports occurred during periods of drought.

Trachops cirrhosus bats are especially notable for feeding on various types of preys throughout its range, including other bat species. Here we report predation events of T. cirrhosus on Natalus macrourus, a new bat species among a wide range of prey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Neotropical realm is vastly known for its richness, being the Amazon one of the main cradles of taxonomic diversity in the region. In the last decades, molecular analyses have been further increasing the number of Amazonian vertebrate species, hidden under traditional taxonomy due to morphological convergence. Bats represent an interesting example, as the number of recognized bat species is continuously expanding with the identification of numerous cryptic taxa. Studies combining different lines of evidence, such as morphometric and molecular approaches, have been playing an important role in addressing knowledge gaps on Neotropical bat diversity. Within the Phyllostomidae family, the dwarf little fruit bat Rhinophylla pumilio is a forest‐dependent species, with a disjunct distribution in the Amazonian and Atlantic forests. Moreover, different karyotypes have been recovered across the species distribution, suggesting this might be one more example of cryptic diversity. Here, we test this assumption by identifying geographic patterns of morphological and molecular variation within the species' entire range of distribution. Our results point to an overall morphological and morphometric homogeneity, except between Atlantic Forest and Amazonian specimens, with significant dissimilarity among some cranial characters. Furthermore, genetic data suggest a rapid and recent diversification, with these two lineages most likely corresponding to speciating taxa. Within the Amazonian forest, our molecular analyses also recovered four additional lineages, likely encompassing intraspecific diversity. Furthermore, studies are required to confirm the need for a taxonomic rearrangement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding and predicting the evolutionary responses of complex morphological traits to selection remains a major challenge in evolutionary biology. Because traits are genetically correlated, selection on a particular trait produces both direct effects on the distribution of that trait and indirect effects on other traits in the population. The correlations between traits can strongly impact evolutionary responses to selection and may thus impose constraints on adaptation. Here, we used museum specimens and comparative quantitative genetic approaches to investigate whether the covariation among cranial traits facilitated or constrained the response to selection during the major dietary transitions in one of the world's most ecologically diverse mammalian families—the phyllostomid bats. We reconstructed the set of net selection gradients that would have acted on each cranial trait during the major transitions to feeding specializations and decomposed the selection responses into their direct and indirect components. We found that for all transitions, most traits capturing craniofacial length evolved toward adaptive directions owing to direct selection. Additionally, we showed instances of dietary transitions in which the complex interaction between the patterns of covariation among traits and the strength and direction of selection either constrained or facilitated evolution. Our work highlights the importance of considering the within-species covariation estimates to quantify evolvability and to disentangle the relative contribution of variational constraints versus selective causes for observed patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de la Academia Colombiana de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales is the property of Academia Colombiana de Ciencias Exactas, Fisicas y Naturales and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Feces of animals that forage on nectar and fruit, including many species of bats, often contain DNA that is low in quality and quantity. We developed an approach based on DNA from feces gathered passively to generate microsatellite data for individual lesser long-nosed bats (Leptonycteris yerbabuenae), which are important pollinators for columnar cacti and agave across much of Mexico and in the southwestern U.S. We collected feces from roosts near the U.S-Mexico border and developed a two-step amplification approach to characterize five highly polymorphic microsatellite loci from fecal DNA. Addition of a multiplex PCR step improved amplification success and conserved DNA extracts with a minimal increase in cost. In our initial screening of 433 samples, five focal loci distinguished individuals reliably, with a probability of identity (i.e., the probability of two unrelated individuals having the same microsatellite profile by chance) of 7.5E-09. Repeated analyses revealed a genotyping error rate < 2%. We explore the benefits and limits of our approach for population studies of lesser long-nosed bats and other nectivorous and frugivorous species that provide key ecosystem services and are often of conservation concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Biotropica is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

El Bosque Mesófilo de Montaña (BMM) es un ecosistema biodiverso y hábitat clave para murciélagos, pero está amenazado por actividades antrópicas, siendo la restauración ecológica una estrategia de manejo. El objetivo del estudio fue comparar la diversidad de murciélagos de una zona con restauración pasiva (ZRP) y activa (ZRA) de BMM. Durante octubre de 2019 a febrero de 2020 se realizaron tres monitoreos con redes de niebla para la captura de murciélagos, se clasificaron a nivel especie, gremio trófico, categoría de riesgo y tolerancia a la modificación del hábitat; se estimó la riqueza y abundancia y fue comparada mediante curvas de interpolaciones y extrapolaciones. Con un esfuerzo de captura de 4 860 m2 red/h y una cobertura de la muestra del 95% en la ZRP y 93% en la ZRA, se capturaron 135 individuos de 13 especies de la familia Phyllostomidae; de estos, 90 individuos de 13 especies se capturaron en la ZRA y 45 individuos de 8 especies en la ZRP. Las especies abundantes fueron Sturnira hondurensis con 48 (35.6%) y S. parvidens con 36 individuos (26.7%). Diez especies se clasificaron como frugívoras y tres cómo hematófagas y dos especies se clasificaron como sensibles a la degradación del hábitat. Dermanura watsoni y Diaemus youngui están sujetas a Protección especial. La ZRA conglomeró la mayor abundancia de murciélagos, lo que indica que las prácticas de restauración activa benefician a especies frugívoras y disminuye la presencia de especies hematófagas.

Abstract The Amazon rainforest has approximately 23% of its sampled area dedicated to bats, making it one of the least sampled and most diverse regions for bats in Brazil. The lack of sampling results in a lack of knowledge regarding the accurate geographical distribution of bat species. This lack is referred to as the Wallacean shortfall, which should be addressed with primary data obtained from in situ collections. However, the use of Species Distribution Models (SDMs) can help alleviate this gap. The states of Pará and Acre are located in the Brazilian Amazon. So, our objective is to decrease the Wallacean shortfall concerning Amazonian bat species. To achieve this, we provide (i) a list of bat species sampled in the states of Pará and Acre in the last 5 years (2017 to 2022); (ii) the potential distribution of species considered as new occurrences for the region; and (iii) the potential distribution of species classified as Data Deficient (DD) and Near Threatened (NT) according to the IUCN classification. With 96 nights of collection and 129,600 m2h of mist netting, we obtained 75 bat species, with an estimated total of 94.78 species. Additionally, 21 species were considered as range extensions. The Brazilian Amazon region has a vast geographic expanse and few established research centers, resulting in a limited sampling of bats and other biological groups. Furthermore, we draw attention to the significant number of bat species with expanded geographical distributions, with 21 out of the 75 sampled species. This should be a reminder that primary biogeographic data is still necessary for the neotropical region.

The sequence of phases (proestrus, estrus, metestrus, and diestrus) occurring between one heat period to another is known as the estrous or estrus cycle. In bats, studies determining the reproductive cycles have mainly been based on external traits, which implies that the reproduction classification is subject to the researcher's experience. In contrast, vaginal cytology analysis allows for a more reliable establishment of estrous cycle stages and reproductive conditions of the species. In this study, we used vaginal cytology analysis to determine the reproductive cycle of bat species captured between August 2018 and February 2020 in a peri-urban area in northern Cordillera Central. The reproductive condition of captured females was established externally, and those in condition active underwent vaginal cytology in the field. Subsequent slides analysis using Wright's stain was carried out in the laboratory. 73 individuals, including 38 females, of 13 species (Phyllostomidae and Vespertilinoidae) were captured. Of 23 females analyzed, 56.5% were in estrus, 21.7% in proestrus, 17.3% in diestrus, and 4.3% in metestrus. Vaginal cytology is a low-cost and low-risk methodology for the reproductive monitoring of bat populations, allowing us to understand the relationship between reproduction and environmental factors in human transformed environments. This study constitutes the first contribution to the reproductive biology of bats in an urban-rural system in the Antioquia department and is a reference on the frequency of the different estrous stages for the species Sturnira ludovici and Carollia perspicillata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ocular anomalies caused by injury, disease or genetic mutations result in total or partial loss of vision, which affects the normal development and behavior of affected individuals in their natural environment. In bats, these cases are rarely reported. In addition, it is possible that researchers occasionally encounter these anomalies, but they are not reported due to various factors. This paper documents, for the first time, an individual of Carollia perspicillata with an ocular anomaly (ocular inflammation) in the Republic of Panama, recorded in the Bunorgandi Private Nature Reserve in the Province of Panama. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interaction networks can help understand how species are connected and the implications of these interactions for the ecosystem. This study aimed to identify the pattern of interaction between bats and ectoparasites in Sergipe and calculate the metrics of connectance, specialization, nesting, modularity, and centrality. This study was conducted based on host-parasite relationship data recorded in Sergipe and reported in previous studies. Connectance and specialization (H2’) were calculated using the “networklevel” and “specieslevel” functions, respectively. The NODF and QuanBiMo (Q) metrics were used to determine nesting and modularity, respectively. For centrality, relative degree (Kr), closeness centrality (CC), and betweenness centrality (BC) were determined. The connectance value (0.11) was considered high. H2’ was 0, and the complementary specialization (d’) values ranged from 0 to 1. The nesting and modularity values were 15.95 and 0.58, respectively. The highest Kr value was observed for Platyrrhinus lineatus. The highest CC value was observed for Atribeus planirostris. The highest BC values were recorded for A. planirostris and P. lineatus. High modularity, low nesting, and low connectivity have been frequently reported for antagonistic interactions, which may be due to the high specificity indices of these interactions. In this study, although the modularity value was significant, specialization was low, suggesting that the studied network has a composite topology. Thus, this study provides relevant information on the subject, highlighting the need for more studies to help understand the topology of networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a list of bats collected above 2000 meters in Río Abiseo National Park. Sixteen bat species belonging to the Phyllostomidae and Vespertilionidae families were collected during four expeditions between 1987 and 1990. Twelve species were found within expected altitudinal ranges, but four exceeded their previously reported maximum altitudinal ranges. A comparison with other bat lists from other localities at similar altitudes is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The imprint left by niche evolution on the variation of biological diversity across spatial and environmental gradients is still debated among ecologists. Furthermore, understanding to what extent dispersal limitation may reinforce or blur such imprint is still a gap in the ecological knowledge. In this article we introduce a simulation approach coupled to approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) that parameterizes both the adaptation rate of species' niche positions over the evolution of a monophyletic lineage and the intensity of dispersal limitation associated with the variation of species alpha diversity among assemblages distributed across spatial and environmental gradients. The analytical tool was implemented in the R package 'mcfly' (www.r‐project.org). We evaluated the statistical performance of the analytical framework using simulated datasets, which confirmed the suitability of the analysis to estimate adaptation rate parameter but showed to be less precise in relation to the dispersal limitation parameter. Also, we found that increased dispersal limitation levels improved the parameterization of the adaptation rate of species' niche positions in simulated datasets. Further, we evaluated the role played by niche evolution and dispersal limitation on species alpha diversity variation of Phyllostomidae bats across the Neotropics. The framework proposed here shed light on the links between niche evolution, dispersal limitation and gradients of biological diversity, and thereby improved our understanding of evolutionary imprints on current biological diversity patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fossils of an insectivorous bat from the early Miocene of Panama are described as a new genus and species, Americanycteris cyrtodon (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae: Phyllostominae). Americanycteris is a large phyllostomine bat, similar in size to the living species Chrotopterus auritus. Americanycteris cyrtodon can be distinguished from other closely related species by a posteriorly curved p4 and a thick labial cingulum on m1. Americanycteris cyrtodon occurs in two early Miocene vertebrate faunas from Panama. The holotype mandible with p4–m1 and an isolated p3 of A. cyrtodon were recovered from the early Hemingfordian (19–18 Ma) Centenario Fauna, and a mandible with p2 was found in the older late Arikareean (21 Ma) Lirio Norte Local Fauna. A similar large phyllostomine bat is known from the early Miocene Gran Barranca Fauna in Argentina. The presence of early Miocene phyllostomids in both North America and South America confirms the overwater dispersal of bats between the Americas before the late Miocene onset of the Great American Biotic Interchange. Pre-late Miocene chiropteran dispersals between the Americas were previously documented for the Emballonuridae and Molossidae. Although the five endemic New World families in the Noctilionoidea, including Phyllostomidae, were previously thought to be South American in origin, the oldest fossil records of noctilionoids (Mormoopidae and extinct Speonycteridae) are from the early Oligocene of Florida and one of the earliest records of the Phyllostomidae is from the early Miocene of Panama. The currently available fossil records from Panama and Florida suggest a possible North American origin for the Noctilionoidea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oceanic islands are relatively poor in insects compared to mainland areas. Therefore, insect-eating island birds and lizards may include other food sources into their diet, e.g. nectar and pollen. Here, we explore if insect-eating island bats face a similar problem and accordingly join the birds and lizards and incorporate plant resources into their diet. Thus, a priory, we assume flower visitation by bats to be more common on oceanic islands than elsewhere. To test this, we reviewed the literature to obtain information on the geographic distribution and diet of all 1,399 species of bats in the world and found that 49%, 21%, and 31% of species have a mainland, mixed mainland-island, and island distribution, respectively. Diets are known for only 65% (905 species) of the bats in the world, and 70%, 22%, and 8% of these, respectively, rely on insects, fruit, and floral resources as their major diet component. Twenty-seven species are even obligate flower visitors. This study confirms that flower-visiting bats, especially Pteropodidae, are significantly more frequent on oceanic islands, while insect eaters are more frequent on mainland and continental islands. Consequently, we argue that flower visitation and pollination by insect-eating island bats require more attention in future island ecology studies. For a start, we list known examples in the literature and report a case study from the Canary Islands. In the latter, we examined the foreheads of 34 museum specimens of the seven Canarian bat species. Half of them carried pollen from ≥ 9 taxa, but only three bat species had larger amounts. Pollen was not identified, but many Canarian and exotic plant species are candidates. Thus, flower visitation by bats may be an oceanic island phenomenon, but requires more focused research, especially night-time flower observations and examination of bats for pollen.

Las moscas ectoparásitas de quirópteros (Streblidae) son un grupo altamente especializado por su relación casi permanente y específica con sus hospederos. En Colombia los estudios han estado centrados en la descripción de especies, pero pocos acercamientos han incluido las comunidades andinas. Este trabajo realiza un aporte sobre la diversidad de estréblidos en una comunidad de murciélagos en un intervalo urbano-rural en la reserva Alto de San Miguel, norte de los Andes en Antioquia. Se capturaron un total de 73 murciélagos y se recolectaron manualmente 41 ectoparásitos en tres zonas de muestreo con diferencias en cobertura vegetal y grados contrastantes de urbanización (natural, rural y urbana). Los ectoparásitos recolectados fueron identificados hasta el nivel de especie y se estimaron los pará-metros de prevalencia e intensidad promedio de infestación. Se encontraron un total de nueve especies en catorce especies de murciélagos de la familia Phyllostomidae, con una prevalencia general del 41 %. El análisis indicó que la probabilidad de infestación no presento diferencias respecto al sexo del hospedero ni por el nivel de urbanización. Los resultados presentados constituyen el segundo estudio de la relación estréblidos-murciélagos en ambientes andinos en el país, aportando datos nuevos sobre la riqueza de este grupo. En este trabajo se reporta a Paratrichobius sanchezi, Megistopoda theodori y Strebla christinae como nuevos registros de estréblidos para Colombia.

Platyrrhinus guianensis is bat with a distribution restricted to the Guiana Region of South America in Guyana and Suriname. Herein, we report the southernmost record of this species, extending its distribution to Brazil in Brazilian Amazon. Our record indicates that the species have a larger geographical range that previously thought. Platyrrhinus guianensis occurs in sympatry with Platyrrhinus brachycephalus, Platyrrhinus incarum, and Platyrrhinus fusciventris in the Brazilian Amazon, and can be confused with these species, raising the possibility that there might be other specimens of Platyrrhinus guianensis misidentified as other species in scientific collections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Colombia, 217 bat species have been recorded of which at least 22 species occur in Andean and sub-Andean ecosystems. To evaluate the richness of bats in an Andean elevational range at the Municipality of Manizales, Central Andes of Colombia, we performed surveys supplemented with incidental captures from 2018 to 2022 at different urban and peri-urban areas, and reviewed specimens in biological collections. We evaluated the perception and knowledge that local people have about bats using an online survey. We reported 33 species in the study area. Phyllostomidae showed the highest richness (20 species), followed by Vespertilionidae (11 species), and Molossidae (2 species). For the survey, we obtained responses from 219 people who showed a good knowledge about bats and their ecological importance. We did not find significant differences between ages and levels of schooling in the perception about bats. Our results highlight the relevance of conserving the green areas of Manizales and the need for environmental education programs to reduce possible bat-human conflicts and negative perceptions. Manizales has the potential as an Area of Importance for the Conservation of Bats, due to its high bat richness and that reproduction is occurring within the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to describe the intestine and pancreas of both Dryadonycteris capixaba and Pygoderma bilabiatum. Furthermore, it aims to identify the enteroendocrine cells that produce serotonin (5-HT), somatostatin (SST), and cholecystokinin (CCK) in the intestine and CCK, SST, glucagon (CGC) and insulin (INS) in the pancreas, relating histological characteristics with feeding habits, besides contributing to basic research on aspects of the diffuse neuroendocrine system of mammals. Histologically, the intestinal wall of the species D. capixaba and P. bilabiatum was similar to that of other mammals. The height of the villi in the small intestine was different among the species studied. In the duodenum and ileum, PAS positive secretion was observed. The duodenal gland present only in P. bilabiatum showed intense reaction for PAS stain, indicating neutral glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). The frequency and distribution of 5-HT Immunoreactive (IR) cells varied among the species. In D. capixaba , these cells were evident only in the ileum (11.8 ± 2.9 μm) and large intestine region. In P. bilabiatum were different among the segments, with the highest frequency in the duodenum (13.3 ± 2.8 μm), jejunum (8.1 ± 2.3 μm) and ileum (10.1 ± 1.9 μm). CCK-IR cells were not observed in D. capixaba. In P. bilabiatum these cells were observed in the ileum (9.5 ± 1.3 μm). SST-IR cells were not found throughout the intestine of the studied species. The pancreas of bats presents islets with differentiated cellular composition. All the antibodies used (CCK, SST, GCG and INS) obtained positive staining in the pancreatic islets of both the species studied. The INS-IR cells marked the entire islet in both species, whereas the CGC-IR cells were visualized throughout the islet in D. capixaba and preferentially in the periphery in P. bilabiatum. CCK and SST-IR cells were located in the peripheral region of the islets in both species. In our study we observed similarities in the intestinal and pancreatic morphology of the studied species, although there were interspecific differences in the distribution of intestinal GAGs and enteroendocrine cells. This suggests that these differences may be more related to the distinct feeding habits of each species than to their phylogeny, as they belong to the same family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the key questions in ecology is to understand the mechanisms that modulate the coexistence between sympatric species. Climate and habitat perturbation gradients have been proposed as moderators of species coexistence. The first is related to availability and the diversity of food resources. The second is related to change in habitat structure that promotes changes in plant structure and diversity that impacts the diversity of other organisms. Although there is empirical evidence that supports these mechanisms to explain coexistence, they have not been evaluated quantitatively and on a wide geographic scale. Using phytophagous bat species of the genus Sturnira we evaluated both mechanisms. These bats are morphologically similar and are key organisms for the seed dispersal of Neotropical forest plants. Using systematic review protocols, we obtained data of the occurrence and relative abundance of sympatric Sturnira species of different Neotropical forests. We used generalized linear models to evaluate the predictor power of Holdridge's life zones and habitat disturbance type to explain the evenness of sympatric Sturnira species. Life zones did not explain the variation in evenness of sympatric species of Sturnira. However, we found that the type of disturbance and individuals captured explain the variation of evenness in Sturnira species. Grasslands present the higher Sturnira species evenness, while sites with lower bat captures had higher evenness. These suggest that the reduction of vegetation complexity allows the coexistence among these highly related species, via the reduction of their relative abundances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on functional performance are important to understand the processes responsible for the evolution of diversity. Morphological trait variation within species influences the energetic cost of locomotion and impacts life history traits, with ecological and evolutionary consequences. This study examined wing morphology correlates of flight performance measured by energetic expenditure in the Seba's short‐tailed bat, Carollia perspicillata. In the flight experiments, nature caught bats (59 females, 57 males) were allowed to fly for 3 min in a room. After each flight, thermographic images were taken to measure body temperature, and biophysical models were used to calculate sensible heat loss as a measure of energetic expenditure. Wing morphological traits were measured for each individual and associated with heat loss and power required to fly on performance surfaces. Wing morphological traits explained 7–10% of flight energetic cost, and morphologies with the best performance would save the energy equivalent to 9–30% of total daily requirements. The optimal performance areas within the C. perspicillata morphospace were consistent with predicted selection trends from the literature. A trade‐off between demands for flight speed and maneuverability was observed. Wing loading and camber presented sexual dimorphism. These morphological differences are likely associated with more economical but less maneuverable flight in females, leading them to fly more often in open areas along the forest edge. Our findings demonstrate how small scale changes in wing morphology can affect life history strategies and fitness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anoura cadenai Mantilla-Meluk & Baker, 2006 is currently known from the Pacific versant of the Cordillera Occidental of Colombia. Based on the review of additional specimens we present a range extension to the southern Cordillera Central and the western slopes of the Cordillera Oriental, extending its range by 30 km north-west, 138 km south, and 155 km southwest; our data also increase the known elevation of the species from 1600 to 1970 m a.s.l. Additionally, we present a summary of the current knowledge regarding the distribution of A. fistulata in Colombia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incorporating novel food sources into their diet is crucial for animals in changing environments. Although the utilization of novel food sources can be learned individually, learning socially from experienced conspecifics may facilitate this task and enable a transmission of foraging-related innovations across a population. In anthropogenically modified habitats, bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) frequently adapt their feeding strategy to novel food sources, and corresponding social learning processes have been experimentally demonstrated in frugivorous and animalivorous species. However, comparable experiments are lacking for nectarivorous flower-visiting bats, even though their utilization of novel food sources in anthropogenically altered habitats is often observed and even discussed as the reason why bats are able to live in some areas. In the present study, we investigated whether adult flower-visiting bats may benefit from social information when learning about a novel food source. We conducted a demonstrator–observer dyad with wild Pallas' long-tongued bats (Glossophaga soricina; Phyllostomidae: Glossophaginae) and hypothesized that naïve individuals would learn to exploit a novel food source faster when accompanied by an experienced demonstrator bat. Our results support this hypothesis and demonstrate flower-visiting bats to be capable of using social information to expand their dietary repertoire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: An updated description, including characters of the capitulum and fertile flowers, is provided for Parkia barnebyana. Originally recorded from southern Venezuela, this small canopy tree from igapó (blackwater flooded forest) is now also known by two collections from north-western Brazil. The capitula are yellow and held erect, with the fertile flowers uppermost; they are borne on short, robust, upright peduncles that arise from long compound inflorescence axes projecting directly above the crown. The structure and shape of the capitula place this species in pantropical sect. Parkia and its pod morphology suggests that it lies outside the largely Amazonian nitida-group; both conclusions are supported by a recent phylogenetic analysis. The indehiscent pods remain in the tree at maturity and most seeds are apparently removed by arboreal dispersers and vertebrate seed predators. Two other neotropical species in sect. Parkia, P. cachimboensis and P. decussata, are known to have erect, yellow or largely yellow capitula and in both, a well-developed fringe of staminodia projecting from the basal flowers is absent. Both these species are chiropterophilous and although we predict that P. barnebyana is also likely to be bat-pollinated, we have made no observations. A fourth neotropical species, P. nana, also with yellow flowers, is reported to have erect capitula but they do have staminodial fringes; its pollination has not been studied. Within sect. Parkia, erect capitula occur only in the Neotropics, probably because of the head-down position in which quite large generalist phyllostomid bats land on them to access nectar. Erect capitula appear to have evolved more than once within neotropical sect. Parkia and at least sometimes from ancestors with pendent capitula, but further phylogenetic data are needed to confirm this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the influence of the urban environments on bat species 'ecology. The urbanization process potentially lead to critical ecological changes in bat communities' intra and interspecific pathogenic transmissions dynamics. To date, the monitoring of pathogens in bats in Brazil has only been done with bats found dead or alive in households, from rabies surveillance systems. The present work aimed to investigate how urbanization influenced bat richness, relative abundance and pathogen occurrence. Most captured bats were Phyllostomidae, especially Sturnira lilium, Artibeus lituratus, A. fimbriatus, Glossophaga soricina, and Platyrrhinus lineatus, among others. From preserved-rural towards urban areas the lesser the bat richness, the higher the relative abundance of the captured bats. Noise level, luminosity and relative humidity correlated with bat abundance. The proportion of genders, sexually active bats and their size (weight, right forearm length, and body condition index) were stable throughout the investigation. Still, the proportion of pregnant females was higher in Spring and the number of juveniles in Summer, evidencing the seasonality of reproduction. Several Enterobacteria were isolated, evidencing a significant role of bats in the circulation of pathogens of medical and veterinary interest. These results are crucial in the pursuit of a harmonious coexistence between humans, bats and domestic animals in areas with different levels of anthropization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Caldasia is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Natural selection should favor individuals that synchronize energy-demanding aspects of reproductive activity with periods of high resource abundance and predictability, leading to seasonal patterns of reproduction at the population level. Nonetheless, few studies—especially those on bats in the Neotropics—have used rigorous quantitative criteria to distinguish among phenological patterns for different populations from the same habitat or for the same species in different habitats. To explore such issues, we quantified annual patterns of reproduction in male and in female bats from lowland Amazonia (environs of Iquitos, Peru), and did so at the level of populations and ensembles. Five species exhibited unimodal patterns including Artibeus obscurus , A. planirostris , Carollia benkeithi , Phyllostomus hastatus , and Rhinophylla pumilio. Two species (A. lituratus and Glossophaga soricina) evinced bimodal patterns with reproductive peaks separated by patterns of inactivity, whereas four species (C. brevicauda , C. perspicillata , Sturnira lilium , and S. tildae) evinced a bimodal pattern in which peaks in activity occur in tandem, with the first peak generally markedly higher than the second peak. Frugivore, gleaning animalivore, and nectarivore ensembles exhibited bimodal, unimodal, and bimodal reproductive phenologies, respectively. Nonetheless, interannual variation in phenology (i.e. the monthly timing of peaks within a season rather than the number of peaks per year) characterized four (A. obscurus , C. brevicauda , C. perspicillata , and S. lilium) of the eight species and each of the three ensembles (frugivores, gleaning animalivores, and nectarivores) with adequate sampling. Regardless of interspecific variation in strategies, the phenology of reproduction enhances the likelihood that parturition and recruitment of young into the population occurs during the wet season, the period of likely highest resource abundance. Based on a comparison of our results with those from other well-studied bat populations, four species did not exhibit geographic variation in reproductive phenologies (A. obscurus , G. soricina , C. brevicauda , and R. pumilio), whereas three species evinced such geographic variation (A. lituratus , A. planirostris , and C. perspicillata). Climate change will likely alter the seasons and extents of propitious times for reproductive activities, as well as the reliability of proximate cues for initiating reproduction, compromising current reproductive strategies and leading to altered phenological patterns of reproduction or reproductive success, possibly resulting in local extinction of some species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With diverse mechanical and sensory functions, the vertebrate cranium is a complex anatomical structure whose shifts between modularity and integration, especially in mechanical function, have been implicated in adaptive diversification. Yet how mechanical and sensory systems and their functions coevolve, as well as how their interrelationship contributes to phenotypic disparity, remain largely unexplored. To examine the modularity, integration, and evolutionary rates of sensory and mechanical structures within the head, we analyzed hard and soft tissue scans from ecologically diverse bats in the superfamily Noctilionoidea, a clade that ranges from insectivores and carnivores to frugivores and nectarivores. We identified eight regions that evolved in a coordinated fashion, thus recognizable as evolutionary modules: five associated with bite force and three linked to olfactory, visual, and auditory systems. Interrelationships among these modules differ between Neotropical leaf-nosed bats (family Phyllostomidae) and other noctilionoids. Consistent with the hypothesis that dietary transitions begin with changes in the capacity to detect novel food items followed by adaptations to process them, peak rates of sensory module evolution predate those of some mechanical modules. We propose that the coevolution of structures influencing bite force, olfaction, vision, and hearing constituted a structural opportunity that allowed the phyllostomid ancestor to take advantage of existing ecological opportunities and contributed to the clade's remarkable radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphological characters used to separate the frugivorous bat Platyrrhinus recifinus from the similar Platyrrhinus lineatus have been contentious. This has led to uncertainties about the distribution of the species, that was once considered an Atlantic Forest endemic. Based on an analysis of a large and geographically restricted series of P. recifinus, we assessed the individual variation in the species and provide useful characters to separate it from P. lineatus. We reviewed the locality records of P. recifinus, and carried out an ecological niche model analysis in order to update the species polygon and calculate its area of habitat. After removing misidentifications, we found that the species occurs in moist forests from sea level to 1653 m. The area of suitable habitat estimated for the species was 402,225.2 Km2, ranging from the Brazilian states of Ceará to Santa Catarina. Both empirical records and ecological niche model analyses reinforce that P. recifinus should be considered an Atlantic Forest endemic. The species is present in moist forest enclaves in the Caatinga, but these formations are part of the Atlantic Forest domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Cuba is verified the circulation of several flaviviruses such as Dengue, St. Louis encephalitis, West Nile, Zika, among others. Viruses of the Flaviviridae family are the cause of diseases in birds and mammals, including humans. Bats could be important reservoirs of these viruses; several flaviviruses have been isolated from infected bats, including St. Louis encephalitis virus and Japanese encephalitis. In addition, 26 species of bats inhabit the island, of which 10 can use architectural structures as daytime shelters, so their colonies could be in close contact with humans. However, until date, few studies have carried out related to the search for zoonotic viruses in these mammals or their ectoparasites. The objective of this study was the search for flaviviruses in bats in a peri-urban area of the Havana province. Fifty bats were captured, 40 classified as Artibeus jamaicensis (family Phyllostomidae) and 10 as Molossus milleri (family Molossidae). Samples taken from each individual were studied by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and nested (RT-nested PCR). The presence of flavivirus was determined in one of the captured individuals belonging to the species Molossus milleri. This finding reported for the first time in Cuba, is of great epidemiological importance since this bat is a synanthropic species, and therefore has direct contact with humans. The identification of the reservoir bat species could be an important advance to achieve an effective program in the control and risk reduction of arboviral diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuous phenotypic variation reflecting geographical clines can be difficult to distinguish from subspecific discontinuities when specimens are few and heterogeneously distributed. Nonetheless, increases in the holdings of museum collections over recent decades contribute to our ability to resolve more fine-scaled phenotypic gradients for many species. Although the big-eared woolly bat (Chrotopterus auritus) is not commonly encountered and thus poorly represented in museum collections, sufficient numbers have accumulated to allow an assessment of subspecific, sexual, spatial and environmental components of phenotypic variation. I examined 123 specimens from across the distribution of C. auritus and characterized the phenotype based on external, cranial and mandibular characteristics. I decomposed variation into components based on univariate and multivariate statistical analyses. All components accounted for significant phenotypic variation. Nonetheless, when examined together and after accounting for correlated variation among components, only sexual, spatial and environmental components accounted for significant unique variation. This, combined with the observation that all qualitative characteristics used to define subspecies of C. auritus can be observed throughout its geographical range, suggest that phenotypic variation is clinal and not characterized by discontinuities reflective of subspecies. Clinal variation was most strongly related to temperature and its seasonality, highlighting the important role played by these climatic characteristics in many aspects of the biology of Phyllostomidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new species Parichoronyssus tilaperezae was found parasitizing to the bat Rhinophylla fischerae Carter, 1966 in the central region of Peru. The females are described and illustrated. The females of this new species are distinguished from other species of the genus by presenting the setae of the dorsal shield, broad and robust; with conspicuous sternal glands with granular ornamentation; anal shield subtriangular, with anterior margin curved and trilobulated, and with two intermediate concavities, and not interrupted by perianal zone; adanal setae stout and long, and postanal seta stouter and much longer, which looks like a trident. Additionally, an updated key of the twelve known species of the genus Parichoronyssus is included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bats are known reservoirs of seemingly-innocuous pathogenic microorganisms (including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa), which are associated with triggering disease in other zoonotic groups. The taxonomic diversity of the bats' microbiome is likely associated with species-specific phenotypic, metabolic, and immunogenic capacities. To date, few studies have described the diversity of bat blood microbial communities. Then, this study used amplicon-based next generation sequencing of the V4 hypervariable region of the 16S-rRNA gene in blood samples from omnivorous (n = 16) and frugivorous (n = 9) bats from the department of Casanare in eastern Colombia. We found the blood microbiota in bats to be composed of, among others, Bartonella and Mycoplasma bacterial genera which are associated with various disease phenotypes in other mammals. Furthermore, our results suggest that the bats' dietary habits might determine the composition and the persistence of some pathogens over others in their bloodstream. This study is among the first to describe the blood microbiota in bats, to reflect on co-infection rates of multiple pathogens in the same individual, and to consider the influence of diet as a factor affecting the animal's endogenous microbial community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This account represents a thorough update of Mammalian Species 227 on the subject species by A. M. Greenhall, U. Schmidt, and G. Joermann, incorporating 124 relevant references published since 1984. Diphylla ecaudata Spix, 1823, a mediumsized bat and the smallest of three species in the Desmodontinae, is commonly called the hairy-legged vampire bat. This hematophagous bat is distributed from eastern Mexico through Central America and into South America, with a single report in south Texas, United States. Diphylla ecaudata is restricted to habitats in tropical and subtropical regions and it occurs from sea level to 1,900 m in these areas. It primarily roosts in caves. Diphylla ecaudata is listed as a species of “Least Concern” (LC) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]