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Context: A population of sperm progenitor cells, known as Asingle spermatogonia, has been described in mammalian testes. During division cycles in spermatogenesis, some cells will form part of the Asingle spermatogonia group, while others form primary spermatocytes. Thus, during spermatogenesis, spermatogonia are the progenitor cells of spermatozoa. Aims: In this study, we characterise the spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) in the testicles of Artibeus jamaicensis and Sturnira lilium bats. The knowledge generated from this will contribute to the understanding of the biology of germ cells and the mechanisms of spermatogenesis in mammals, generating information on wildlife species that are important for biodiversity. Methods: Testes were analysed by light and electron microscopy. Likewise, the expression of specific factors of stem cells (Oct4 and C-kit), germ cells (Vasa), cell proliferation (pH3 and SCP1) and testicular somatic cells (MIS, 3βHSD and Sox9) was characterised by immunofluorescence and western blot. Key results: The histological analysis enabled the location of type Asingle, Apaired and Aaligned spermatogonia in the periphery of the seminiferous tubules adjacent to Sertoli cells. The expression of genes of stem and germ cells made it possible to corroborate the distribution of the SSCs. Conclusions: Results indicate that type Asingle spermatogonia were not randomly distributed, since proliferative activity was detected in groups of cells adjacent to the seminiferous tubules membrane, suggesting the localisation of spermatogonial niches in a specific region of testes. Implications: This study provides evidence for the existence of SSCs in the testis of chiropterans that contribute to the renewal of germline progenitor cells to maintain the reproduction of the organisms. A population of sperm progenitor cells, known as Asingle spermatogonia, has been described in mammalian testes, but these cells have not been studied in bat testes. Bats are a good model due to their human-like reproductive characteristics. The results show the existence of spermatogonial stem cells that constantly renew spermatogenesis in these chiropterans, similar to that described in other mammals such as humans. Image by Tania Porras-Gómez and Norma Moreno-Mendoza. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

© 2015 Society for Ecological Restoration. Neotropical fruit bats (family Phyllostomidae) facilitate forest regeneration on degraded lands by dispersing shrub and tree seeds. Accordingly, if fruit bats can be attracted to restoration sites, seed dispersal could be enhanced. We surveyed bat communities at 10 sites in southern Costa Rica to evaluate whether restoration treatments attracted more fruit bats if trees were planted on degraded farmlands in plantations or island configurations versus natural regeneration. We also compared the relative influence of tree cover at local and landscape spatial scales on bat abundances. We captured 68% more fruit bat individuals in tree plantations as in controls, whereas tree island plots were intermediate. Bat activity also responded to landscape tree cover within a 200-m radius of restoration plots, with greater abundance but lower species richness in deforested landscapes. Fruit bat captures in controls and tree island plots declined with increasing landscape tree cover, but captures in plantations were relatively constant. Individual species responded differentially to tree cover measured at different spatial scales. We attribute restoration effects primarily to habitat structure rather than food resources because no planted trees produced fruits regularly eaten by bats. The magnitude of tree planting effects on fruit bats was less than previous studies have found for frugivorous birds, suggesting that bats may play a particularly important role in dispersing seeds in heavily deforested and naturally regenerating areas. Nonetheless, our results show that larger tree plantations in more intact landscapes are more likely to attract diverse fruit bats, potentially enhancing seed dispersal.

Reproductive rates in bats are higher when there is a greater availability of food, and when temperatures and rainfall are higher. Along elevational gradients, variation in these factors occurs over a small area, making them ideal natural laboratories for studies that aim to describe reproductive patterns and to identify possible vertical migrations for reproduction. We characterized the seasonal and elevational variation in reproductive rates of female and male Artibeus spp. Carollia perspicillata, and Sturnira lilium in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. We sampled bats with mist nets at 13 sites in southeastern Brazil, between 23° and 24° of latitude, at elevations between 60 and 1,800 m a.s.l. The reproductive patterns of Artibeus spp. and S. lilium were seasonal, with higher reproductive rates in the period with higher rainfall, temperatures, and, consequently, greater availability of food. Moreover, elevation influenced reproductive activity in all study species. Reproductive rates for females of Artibeus spp. were higher at intermediate elevations (between 501 and 1,000 m a.s.l.), and for females of S. lilium at high elevations (above 1,000 m a.s.l.) with a less evident peak at intermediate elevations. Similarly, the proportions of reproductively active male Artibeus spp. and S. lilium were greater at intermediate and high elevations, respectively. In the dry season, reproductive rates of all females increased with local abundance of all females. Differences in reproductive rates along elevational gradients could influence population dynamics, and therefore entire elevational ranges should be protected to ensure conservation of the best reproductive habitats for a variety of bat species. Public policies are needed to ensure effective conservation of biodiversity, biological processes, and the ecosystem services provided by local fauna from the lower lands to the mountain peaks. Taxas reprodutivas em morcegos são altas quanto há maior disponibilidade de alimento e quando temperatura e precipitação (ou pluviosidade) são mais elevadas. Ao longo de gradientes altitudinais, a variação destes fatores ocorre em uma pequena área, tornando estes locais em laboratórios ideais para estudos com o objetivo de descrever padrões reprodutivos e para identificar possíveis migrações verticais para a reprodução. Nós caracterizamos a variação sazonal e altitudinal nas taxas reprodutivas de fêmeas e machos de Artibeus spp. Carollia perspicillata e Sturnira lilium na Floresta Atlântica brasileira. Nós amostramos morcegos com redes de neblina em 13 sítios no sudeste do Brasil, entre 23° e 24° de latitude, em altitudes entre 60 e 1.800 metros acima do nível do mar. Nossos resultados mostraram que Artibeus spp. e S. lilium tem um padrão reprodutivo sazonal, reproduzindo-se mais no período com maior quantidade de chuvas, temperatura e, consequentemente, maior disponibilidade de alimento. Além disso, nós encontramos que a altitude influencia a atividade reprodutiva em todas as espécies estudadas. A taxa reprodutiva das fêmeas de Artibeus spp. foi alta em altitudes intermediárias (entre 501 e 1.000 metros de altitude), e para as fêmeas de S. lilium foi alta em elevadas altitudes (acima de 1.000 metros de altitude), com um pico reprodutivo menos evidente em altitudes intermediárias. Igualmente, a proporção de machos reprodutivamente ativos de Artibeus spp. e S. lilium foi maior em altitude intermediária e elevada, respectivamente. Na estação seca houve um incremento na taxa de fêmeas reprodutivas com a abundância local de todas as fêmeas. Mudanças nas taxas reprodutivas podem ter enormes implicações para a dinâmica populacional e, portanto, toda área de gradientes altitudinais deve ser protegida para garantir a conservação dos melhores habitats reprodutivos para uma variedade de espécies de morcegos. Políticas públicas são necessárias para garantir a conservação efetiva da biodiversidade, dos processos biológicos e dos serviços ecossistêmicos fornecidos pela fauna local, desde as terras mais baixas até os picos das montanhas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bats are responsible for many ecological services, such as seed dispersal of several plant species, contributing to the processes of succession and forest regeneration. A factor that can interfere with this process is the animal digestion, which can affect germination, altering the patterns of seedling distribution. The effects of seed passage through bats' guts varies with the species, leading to some discrepancies in the literature. In this study, we tested the digestion time of one Phyllostomidae bat species, Sturnira lilium, in two Neotropical plants: Solanum paniculatum and Ficus organensis, and the effects on seed germination. The experiment was conducted in captivity and the germination tests were made in laboratory conditions. The results suggested that most seeds ingested by S. lilium are dispersed within 40 min for both species and the digestion seems not to significantly affect the germination of F. organensis, despite the slight acceleration of germination. In S. paniculatum, germination occurred only in the control (39%), whereas in the treatments, all the seeds remained dormant during the 25 experimental days. In this case, the digestion of S. lilium possibly contributes to the formation of seed banks, randomizing the temporal distribution of seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar a ocorrência de variações sazonais no número de captura de Artibeus lituratus e Sturnira lilium nos estratos superiores de remanescente de Mata Atlântica, no sul do Brasil. O estudo foi desenvolvido no município de Pedras Grandes, extremo sul de Santa Catarina. Os quirópteros foram capturados com redes de neblina, instaladas no dossel e sub-dossel. Para verificar se houve diferença no número de capturas entre as estações, utilizou-se o teste qui-quadrado (χ2) com nível de significância de 0,05 e, quando necessário, qui-quadrados (χ2) parciais. Artibeus lituratus apresentou diferenças significativas entre as estações, com o maior número de capturas ocorrendo no outono. Em S. lilium, não foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas. A variação sazonal observada para A. lituratus, pode estar relacionado a sua dieta baseada principalmente em frutos que apresentam variação sazonal em sua disponibilidade. Para S. lilium além da dieta, baseada principalmente em plantas que não apresentam variações sazonais na disponibilidade de frutos, a altimetria da área de estudo e suas variações de temperatura parecem também explicar a ausência de variação sazonal.

In vertebrates such as the mouse and the human, primordial germ cells (PGCs) arise at the base of the allantois and are carried to the epithelium of the posterior intestine, to later migrate to the primordial gonads. In the case of bats, almost nothing is known about this process. To clarify the dynamics of PGCs during gonadal morphogenesis in the phyllostomid bat Sturnira lilium , the proteins for the Ddx4, Sox9 and Mis genes were detected in the gonads of embryos at different stages of development. We identified 15 stages (St) of embryonic development in Sturnira lilium . We found that the formation of the genital ridge and the establishment of the undifferentiated gonad take place between stages 11 and 14. The onset of morphological differentiation in the gonad is first detected in the male gonads at St17. The first PGCs in meiosis are detected in the ovary at St19, whereas in the testicles, the PGCs were in mitotic arrest. Structural changes leading to testicular and ovarian development in Sturnira lilium are observed to be similar to those described for the mouse; however, differences will be established concerning the time taken for these processes to occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report recapture data for phyllostomid bats in different types of forests, and at different altitudes, obtained through long-term fieldwork in southeastern Brazil. We provide evidence of long-distance movements, with bats moving up to 120 km from mountains to the beach, with an altitudinal variation of 1,237 m. These movements demonstrate the high mobility of these bats and represent the longest distances recorded for them so far in the Neotropics, besides reinforcing the need for long-term capture and recapture programs aimed at understanding the movement dynamics of bat populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia 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.)

Este estudio amplía el conocimiento de los hábitos alimentarios de 3 especies de murciélagos frugívoros como dispersores de semillas en 2 localidades de la selva alta perennifolia en la zona sur de la Reserva de la Biosfera de Montes Azules (REBIMA), y dentro del Ejido Playón de la Gloria (PDLG). Se estimó la abundancia relativa de Artibeus lituratus, Carollia perspicillata y Sturnira lilium, así como la diversidad y categoría sucesional de los frutos que consumen estas 3 especies en ambas localidades, mediante la identificación de semillas en las excretas. La división de especies vegetales por categoría sucesional mostró que A. lituratus y C. perspicillata consumen frutos tanto de especies pioneras como de especies persistentes, mientras que S. lilium únicamente se alimenta de especies pioneras. Durante la época seca A. lituratus y C. perspicillata presentaron una mayor diversidad y riqueza de especies consumidas dentro de la REBIMA, en tanto que en la época de lluvia mostraron mayor diversidad y riqueza dentro de PDLG; es decir, la diversidad de semillas colectadas por ambos dispersores responde a la época anual. S. lilium presentó mayor riqueza y diversidad dentro de PDLG a lo largo del muestreo indicando preferencia por frutos establecidos en estadios tempranos en la sucesión vegetal.This study examined the feeding habits of three species of frugivorous bats in relation to their role as seed dispersers in two localities, one in a Neotropical rainforest area in the southern part of the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve (REBIMA), and the other in Ejido Playón de la Gloria (PDLG). We estimated the relative abundance of Artibeus lituratus, Carollia perspicillata and Sturnira lilium. We determined the diversity and the successional category of fruits consumed by these species in both localities through the identification of seeds in their feces. The plant species diversity based on successional category showed that A. lituratus and C. perspicillata consume fruits of pioneer species as well as persistent species, while S. lilium only feeds on pioneer species. During the dry season A. lituratus and C. perspicillata had higher diversity and richness values of plant species consumed at REBIMA, whereas in the wet season they showed higher diversity and richness at PDLG, indicating that the diversity of seeds collected by both dispersers changes with the time of year. S. lilium presented higher diversity and richness values of plant species consumed at PDLG throughout the year study, indicating preference for fruits from early stages of plant succession.

Se describen las características estructurales de altura, cobertura y diámetro de árboles refugio, así como las características microambientales de temperatura y la humedad, en dos sitios de la Selva Lacandona, Chiapas, donde estuvieron presentes 3 especies de murciélagos filostómidos frugívoros, Artibeus lituratus, Carollia perspicillata y Sturnira lilium. Se localizaron y describieron 11 refugios diurnos mediante la búsqueda sistemática de árboles en ambas localidades; como método complementario se empleó la telemetría. Las tres especies de murciélagos filostómidos utilizaron como árboles refugio aquéllos de gran altura y diámetro y con más de una cavidad, localizados en áreas de bosque tropical maduro o en estado de sucesión avanzado. Igualmente, las tres especies utilizaron como refugio árboles con valores de humedad por debajo de la encontrada en el exterior (81.04 ± 6.88%, en el interior, comparada con 93.56 ± 4.50% en el exterior). No se encontró que la temperatura fuera una característica importante para la selección de árboles refugio en estos murciélagos tropicales.In 2 different sites of the Lacandon Forest, Chiapas, Mexico, structural characteristics of tree roosts, such as height, cover, and diameter were described and evaluated. Microenvironmental traits (temperature and moisture) were also assessed in each roost where 3 species of phyllostomid bats Artibeus lituratus, Carollia perspicillata and Sturnira lilium were present. Eleven day-roosts were located and described after a systematic search of trees in both sites. Telemetry was also used as complementary method. Bat species preferred large roost-trees and with more than one cavity. All the roosts were located in areas of mature tropical forest or in advanced sucesional stages. The species preferred roosts in trees with lower values of moisture than those in the exterior (means with standard deviation) (81.04 ± 6.88%, on the inside against 93.56 ± 4.50% on the outside). Temperature was not an important trait for roost selection on trees for any of the bats studied.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between availability and consumption of food for two species of Neotropical fruit bats Carollia perspicillata and Sturnira lilium. The study was conducted in the Parque Estadual Mata dos Godoy, an Atlantic forest fragment with 680 ha in size. Monthly bat surveys were conducted at four sampling points (four nights with four mist nets per night during 6 h after sunset). The available fruit biomass of nine Piper species and seven Solanum species was measured, as well as the biomass consumed by C. perspicillata and S. lilium. We found a significant positive correlation between fruit biomass consumption and availability for both bat species. The proportion of available/ eaten biomass only showed a significant difference for S. lilium, with a higher value in Solanum. The amount of biomass eaten was different only for P. umbellatum and P. glabratum between bat species. Carollia perspicillata mainly consumed fruits of two Piper species, whereas S. lilium consumed fruits of two different Piper species as well as a greater variety of Solanum fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During simultaneous surveys in northern Guatemala, we studied the feeding habits of frugivorous bats. We found that Sturnira lilium, a bat specialized in Solanum, was quite abundant. Despite this bat's fruit preference, we observed a geographical diet shift at the genus level towards Piper, which we assert as evidence of opportunistic feeding. For S. lilium, frequently consumed food items such as Solanum umbellatum and Piper aduncum are associated with early vegetation succession, whereas other small-sized sympatric species of the genus Carollia feed mainly on P. aeruginosibaccum and Vismia camparaguey, typical elements of more mature stages. Resource partitioning is an important mechanism for species coexistence and community structuring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluctuating asymmetry is a biological phenomenon defined by directionally departures from perfect symmetry and is hypothesized to indicate the inability of an organism to maintain precise development. Furthermore, its measurement permits evaluation of levels of stress during development of organisms, since asymmetric patterns indicate a stressful environment during ontogeny. This study aimed to assess whether there is significant difference between body sides in two bat species adapted to urban environments and if there is significant difference in levels of asymmetry in various body regions. Bats, Artibeus planirostris (n = 89) and Sturnira lilium (n = 36), were studied. In most body parts, there was no significant difference between sides, suggesting that species adapted to a human environment were not hampered. Moreover, we observed that bat forelimbs had the lowest levels of asymmetry (p <0.05 between the hindlimb and forelimb, and p <0.01 between the head and forelimb, on females of S. lilium). Some studies suggest a ranking of importance of body parts based on the degree of asymmetry. This study highlighted the importance of the forelimbs in bats and suggested that they are not hampered by adaptation to human environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia 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.)

Bats play an important role in regulating ecosystems, and seasonality has great influence on their reproductive cycle and storage status of bodily energy reserves. Aiming at a better understanding of the dynamics of these processes, male little yellow-shouldered bats ( Sturnira lilium) were captured during both the dry and rainy seasons and their reproductive and metabolic patterns were established. Testes were processed histologically for morphometric analysis by light microscopy. Plasma glucose and testosterone concentrations were determined, as well as liver and muscle glycogen, lipids, and protein. Data showed little variation in testicular morphometrical parameters and also in body energy reserves between the seasons evaluated. We conclude that occasional season variations in bodily energy reserves in S. lilium do not seem to present a major influence on testicular morphometry in this species, which may reflect a successful adaptation of S. lilium to its habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water-soluble nutrients are absorbed by the small intestine via transcellular and paracellular mechanisms. Based on a few previous studies, the capacity for paracellular nutrient absorption seems greater in flying mammals than in nonflying mammals, but there has been little investigation of the mechanisms driving this difference. Therefore, we studied three species each of bats (Artibeus lituratus, Sturnira lilium and Carollia perspicillata) and nonflying mammals (Akodon montensis, Mus musculus and Rattus norvegicus). Using standard pharmacokinetic techniques in intact animals, we confirmed the greater paracellular nutrient absorption in the fliers, comparing one species in each group. Then we conducted in situ intestinal perfusions on individuals of all species. In both approaches, we measured the absorption of 30MD-glucose, a nonmetabolizable glucose analog absorbed both paracellularly and transcellularly, as well as L-arabinose, which has no mediated transport. Fractional absorption of L-arabinose was three times higher in the bat (S. lilium: 1.2±0.24) than in the rodent (A. montensis: 0.35±0.04), whereas fractional absorption of 30MD-glucose was complete in both species (1.46±0.4 and 0.97±0.12, respectively). In agreement, bats exhibited two to 12 times higher L-arabinose clearance per square centimeter nominal surface area than rodents in intestinal perfusions. Using Larabinose, we estimated that the contribution of the paracellular pathway to total glucose absorption was higher in all three bats (109-137%) than in the rodents (13-39%). These findings contribute to an emerging picture that reliance on the paracellular pathway for nutrient absorption is much greater in bats relative to nonflying mammals and that this difference is driven by differences in intestinal permeability to nutrient-sized molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bats occupy a variety of natural and artificial diurnal roosts. These environments offer several advantages for bats, among which we highlight the relative climatic stability, darkness, and protection from predators. The aim of this study was to identify and describe the use of tree hollows as natural diurnal roosts by Molossops temminckii, Molossus rufus, Artibeus planirostris and Sturnira lilium in southeastern Brazil. In the first one, we sought to describe the physical characteristics of shelters. In the second objective, we determined the number of individuals in the colonies and, we described and classified the posture adopted by bats within cavities. In the third objective, we seek to relate the physical characteristics of refuges with the foraging behavior and diet of bat species. Moreover, we also discussed the advantages and disadvantages that tree cavities may confer for bats, in the context of approximation of opportunistic predators. We found four colonies, one of each species, which roosted within tree trunk cavities. In general, the colonies were small, with less than 10 individuals of both sexes. Usually the molossids left the roost at dusk, while phyllostomids left later, around three hours after dusk. Individuals of the first three species were recaptured while foraging near the roosts. We believe (through observations) that the location in the landscape and the physical characteristics (dimensions of access to the cavities and height from the ground) of shelters used by bats, depend exclusively on the morphology, foraging behaviour and diet of each species of bat. Furthermore, this study contributes to an increase of knowledge about the natural history of Neotropical bats, which can provide relevant information for conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the scarcity of information about patterns of spermatogenesis in bats, this study aimed to provide information on the testicular activity of the bat Sturnira lilium along the annual seasons. Thus, a series of morphometrical and stereological analyses were made using the testes of adult S. lilium in order to achieve a better understanding of the sperm production dynamics. Light and transmission electron microscopy analyses were performed in testicular fragments of animals captured during dry and rainy seasons. The testes followed the pattern of organization described for other mammals, and there were no morphological differences between organs collected either in dry or in rainy seasons. Each tubular cross-section in stage 1 was made of 0.5 type-A spermatogonia, 4.4 primary spermatocytes in preleptotene/leptotene, 3.7 in zygotene, 11.9 in pachytene, 35.6 round spermatids and 8.5 Sertoli cells. The mitotic and meiotic indexes were 15.4 and 2.9 cells, respectively, while the spermatogenesis yield was 68.7 cells. The testicular sperm reserves was 37.61×106 cells, and daily sperm production per gram of testis averaged 209.68×106 cells, both highest averages occurring in the rainy season. S. lilium male bats have a continuous reproductive pattern, high spermatogenesis yield and low support capacity by the Sertoli cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Sturnira lilium presents a great investment in intertubular tissue, especially in Leydig cells. [•] The plasmatic testosterone and Leydig cells morphometry showed no significant changes between rainy and dry seasons. [•] S. lilium shows a reproductive cycle continuous in southeastern Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Morphology of gametes is used to understand the physiological processes in reproduction among domestic and wild animals. These gametes are used in assisted reproductive technology (ART) and conservation programs. In the case of Artibeus jamaicensis and Sturnira lilium, few studies have been conducted related to these issues. The aim of this study was to describe the structure of spermatozoa, semen characteristics and also the morphology and quality of cumulus oocyte complexes (COC) of A. jamaicensis and S. lilium. Semen characteristics were: A. jamaicensis had a sperm concentration of 4.26×106 sperm/ml, progressive motility of 34.55%; viability of 73.23%; head, tail and mid-piece abnormalities of 12.50%. Head length was 6.26μm, mid-piece 18.61μm and tail 70.92μm. S. lilium, had a sperm concentration of 5.15×106 sperm/ml, progressive motility of 60.00%, viability of 83.82%; abnormalities in head, tail and mid-piece of 13.77%. Head length was 7.01μm, mid-piece 20.33μm and tail 70.50μm. On average 12.8 of right ovarian oocytes and 9.9 of left ovarian oocytes of A. jamaicensis were recovered. For S. lilium on average 10.7 oocytes from the right ovary and 10.9 oocytes from the left ovary were recovered, ranging in quality from excellent to poor. Sperm morphology and quality of COC were similar to those for other domestic and wild animals. Bat gametes can be used for the study of reproductive biology, in conservation programs and assisted reproductive technology (ART) among domestic and wild animals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In studies on frugivory and seed dispersal, it is frequently assumed that individual frugivores of the same population behave as equivalents. However, there is growing evidence from dietary studies pointing out that, in many natural populations, individuals use different subsets of the total resource pool. As heterogeneity in foraging behavior and food selection may affect the outcome of the seed dispersal process, we tested whether yellow-shouldered bats Sturnira lilium (E. Geoffroy St.-Hilaire, 1810), the key neotropical seed dispersers, show interindividual variations in fruit preferences. Thirty individuals were submitted to cafeteria trials in a flight tent, when they were offered fruits of Solanum variabile Mart. (Solanaceae) Cecropia pachystachya Trec. (Urticaceae), and Piper aduncum L. (Piperaceae), which belong to the favorite genera consumed by S. lilium. Although S. variabile had the highest consumption rates on average, there were variations among individuals in the fruits consumed in the second and third places. These findings, together with interindividual differences in foraging areas observed in the same population, may be interpreted as preliminary evidence of individual specialization. As a possible consequence, frugivorous bats of the same population, despite being all legitimate dispersers, may differ in their efficiency. [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.)

Phyllostomid bats constitute one key seed disperser group in the Neotropical forests and coadaptation between solanacean plants and phyllostomid bats might have occurred. The main goals of this study were: (1) to identify the potential disperser ofS. mauritianumand to determine fruit removal rate; (2) to determine the effect of seed passage through the digestive system ofS. liliumon germination; and (3) to describe the main fruit characteristics and architectural pattern of fruit display, to assess whetherS. mauritianumfruits are exposed above the crown facilitating their removal by bats.Sturnira liliumwas the most frequent and reliable fruit consumer ofS. mauritianumand Rusty-margined Guan (Cracidae:Penelope superciliaris) and russet rice rat (Muridae:Euryoryzomys russatus) were potential secondary seed dispersers.Sturnira liliumdefecated intact seeds that had a higher germination rate than non-ingested seeds. The greenish fruits emit a strong odor of night-ripening fruit. These characteristics, added to high fruit exposition index (2.4) indicating infructescences entirely exposed on the crowns, agree with the chiropterochory syndrome. Our results show thatS. liliumis an effective seed disperser ofS. mauritianum. Still, further studies are needed to understand the actual contribution of the non-bat fauna to seed dispersal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of the stages that compose the seminiferous epithelium cycle ( SEC) and determination of the duration of spermatogenic processes are fundamental for the accurate quantification of the dynamics of spermatogenesis. The aim of this study was to characterize the stages that compose the SEC of the bat Sturnira lilium, including evaluation of the average frequency of each of these stages throughout the year and calculation of the duration of the spermatogenic process. An ultrastructural characterization of the formation of the acrosomal cap was also performed. Testicular fragments were processed for morphological and immunohistochemical analysis as well as ultrastructural analysis using transmission electron microscopy. According to the tubular morphology method, the SEC in S. lilium is divided into eight stages, following the pattern found in other mammals. Primary spermatocytes were found at zygotene in stage 1 of the cycle. There was no variation in frequency of each of the stages over the seasons, with stage 1 being the most frequent, and stage 7 the least frequent. The duration of one seminiferous epithelium cycle was 3.45 days, and approximately 15.52 days were required for the development of sperm from spermatogonia. Ultrastructural characterization allowed the formation of the acrosomal cap in round spermatids to be monitored. In conclusion, the stages that compose the SEC in S. lilium are generally similar to those described for other mammals, but the duration of the spermatogenic process is shorter than previously recorded for mammals. The presence of primary spermatocytes at zygotene in stage 1 of the cycle is probably due to the longer duration of this stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endogenous retroviruses, non-retroviral RNA viruses and DNA viruses have been found in the mammalian genomes. The origin of Hepatitis C virus (HCV), the major cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma in humans, remains unclear since its discovery. Here we show that fragments homologous to HCV structural and non-structural (NS) proteins present in the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and hare (Lepus europaeus) genomes replicate in bovine cell cultures. The HCV genomic homolog fragments were demonstrated by RT-PCR, PCR, mass spectrometry, and replication in bovine cell cultures by immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and immunogold electron microscopy (IEM) using specific MAbs for HCV NS3, NS4A, and NS5 proteins. These findings may lead to novel research approaches on the HCV origin, genesis, evolution and diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study evaluated the thermogenic capacity of three species of fruit-eating phyllostomid bats (Carollia perspicillata, Sturnira lilium and Artibeus lituratus) during the dry-cool and wet-warm seasons, by measuring changes in body mass, basal metabolic rate (BMR), maximal metabolic rate (MMR), nonshivering thermogenesis and shivering thermogenesis. Body mass was lower, on average, during the dry-cool season and all species of fruit-eating bats showed an increase in oxygen consumption after noradrenaline injection and after exposure to a He–O2 atmosphere. However, the magnitude of this increase was similar in both seasons. BMR also did not vary between seasons. Although, our results showed for the first time that all three species studied were able to increase thermogenesis by both nonshivering and shivering thermogenesis, we did not find significant differences in any thermoregulatory variable measured when comparing data from the two different seasons. Probably the difference in the mean and variance of the temperature profile between seasons were not strong enough to alter the thermogenic capacity of these species. Furthermore, the use of alternative physiological (torpor) or behavioral (huddling) strategies might have alleviated the need to trigger energetic-costly thermogenic responses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Migratory behavior in bats is poorly described, particularly in the Neotropics. Stable-hydrogen isotope ( δD) analysis may allow tracking of altitudinal movements of bats but has not been explored. δD values in rainwater ( δDp) deplete linearly with altitude and are reflected in the keratinous tissues of animals through diet. A mismatch between keratin δD ( δDk) and that expected at the capture site based on δDp can indicate prior migration. We collected rainwater, claws and hair from eight bat species at two lower-montane forest sites in Nicaragua. Claw δD for Carollia brevicauda and hair and claws for Desmodus rotundus (known to be non-migratory) fell within the predicted range based on rainwater (−17 to −60‰) suggesting these tissues were synthesized at the study site. δD tissue values for Artibeus toltecus, Sturnira lilium, Glossophaga soricina, Anoura geoffroyi, and hair for C. brevicauda were more negative than predicted for the capture site (−60‰) suggesting tissue synthesis at higher elevation and migration downslope to the capture site. However, our study area represents the highest elevation in the region; the nearest appropriate higher elevations are 350–500 km away and seasonal migration is expected to be<200 km. Thus we consider that seasonal shifts in δDp (9 to −45‰) may result in differences in species which molt at different times, and that diet may have driven differences in δD. Our results suggest that the effects of molt timing and diet may first need to be understood before δD may be successfully used to track bat movements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the wild, frugivorous and nectarivorous bats often eat fermenting fruits and nectar, and thus may consume levels of ethanol that could induce inebriation. To understand if consumption of ethanol by bats alters their access to food and general survival requires examination of behavioural responses to its ingestion, as well as assessment of interspecific variation in those responses. We predicted that bats fed ethanol would show impaired flight and echolocation behaviour compared to bats fed control sugar water, and that there would be behavioural differences among species. Methodology/Principal Findings: We fed wild caught Artibeus jamaicensis, A. lituratus, A. phaeotis, Carollia sowelli, Glossophaga soricina, and Sturnira lilium (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae) sugar water (44 g of table sugar in 500 ml of water) or sugar water with ethanol before challenging them to fly through an obstacle course while we simultaneously recorded their echolocation calls. We used bat saliva, a non-invasive proxy, to measure blood ethanol concentrations ranging from 0 to >0.3% immediately before flight trials. Flight performance and echolocation behaviour were not significantly affected by consumption of ethanol, but species differed in their blood alcohol concentrations after consuming it. Conclusions/Significance: The bats we studied display a tolerance for ethanol that could have ramifications for the adaptive radiation of frugivorous and nectarivorous bats by allowing them to use ephemeral food resources over a wide span of time. By sampling across phyllostomid genera, we show that patterns of apparent ethanol tolerance in New World bats are broad, and thus may have been an important early step in the evolution of frugivory and nectarivory in these animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated species composition of the bat assemblage in continuous forest and natural forest islands in a savanna ecosystem in northern Bolivia. We captured 396 bats of 24 species. Five species accounted for almost 70% of the captures: Sturnira lilium, Artibeus obscurus, Carollia brevicauda, Carollia perspicillata, and Artibeus lituratus. Species composition of the bat assemblage differed between continuous forest and forest islands; Artibeus jamaicensis and S. lilium were captured more often in islands, whereas Platyrrhinus helleri and Mesophylla macconnelli were more common in the continuous forest. The distribution of species over the forest islands and the continuous forest revealed a nested distribution pattern, with the continuous forest having the highest number of species, and the smallest island having the fewest species. However, bats were almost 5-fold more abundant in forest islands than in continuous forest. Examination of recapture data indicated movements of bats among forest islands and between islands and continuous forest. Our results suggest that bat populations, especially in the fruit-eating guild, can persist in a naturally fragmented landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reproduction of bats is determined by a suite of endogenous and exogenous factors. Among exogenous influences, special attention has been given to the influence of food availability. However, in highland forests, severe decreases in temperature during the cold and dry season may also play an important role. In the present study we tested the influence of ambient temperature and food availability on the timing of reproduction in the frugivorous bat Sturnira lilium (E. Geoffroy, 1810). We conducted a 15-month mist-netting sampling in a mountain area of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest during which time we assessed the bats’ diet through fecal samples, monitored fruit production of the main food plants, and recorded variations in ambient temperature. Sturnira lilium fed almost exclusively on Solanaceae. Similarly to the lowlands, reproduction was bimodal, but reproductive season tended to be shorter in the highlands and peaked in the warmer months of the year. Overall, 44% to 53% of the reproductive pattern was explained by variations in ambient temperature, while the relationship with food availability was nonsignificant. We conclude that variations in ambient temperature in tropical mountains may be a stronger selection pressure than food availability in determining reproductive timing of bats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite vast evidence of species turnover displayed by Neotropical bat communities in response to forest fragmentation, the exact shape of the relationship between fragment area and abundance for individual bat species is still unclear. Bats’ ample variation in diet, morphology, and movement behaviour can potentially influence species’ perception of the landscape. Thus, studies describing fragment area at a single spatial scale may fail to capture the amount of forest available from the perspective of individual bat species. In the present paper, we study the influence of forest cover on bats inhabiting a fragmented forest in Mexico, focusing on some of the most common frugivore species: Artibeus jamaicensis, Carollia spp. ( C. brevicauda/C. perspicillata) and Sturnira spp. ( S. lilium/S. ludovici). We quantified forest cover at scales ranging from 50 to 2000 m, and measured the influence of forest cover on bat capture success, a surrogate for abundance. The three species displayed positive and significant scale-dependent associations with forest cover. Abundance of A. jamaicensis increased with forest cover measured at scales ranging between 500 and 2000 m, while Carollia spp. responded more strongly to variation in forest cover measured at scales 100–500 m. For Sturnira spp., abundance was a function of presence of creeks near mist-netting sites, and amount of secondary forest present at a 200 m scale. The observed variation in responses to forest cover can be explained in light of interspecific differences in diet, home range, and body size. Our results illustrate a method for measuring the effect of forest fragmentation on mobile species and suggest that changes in abundance in fragmented landscapes emerge from the interaction between species’ traits and landscape structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intestines of Sturnira lilium, Phyllostomus hastatus, Carolliaperspicillata, GlossophagasoricinaíindDesmodus rotundus were analized through macroscopic, morphometric and light microscopy studies. The species studied presented some common charactenstics generally found in bats, such as the absence of a caecum and an appendix. The frugivorous bat S. lilium has a longer intestine than the other species. The intestinal epithelium is of the simple columnar type, constituted of absorptive cells characterized by microvilli and goblet cells, which in all the species proved to be PAS + and AB +. These cells presented some differences in quantity and in distribution among the species. The intestinal mucosa presented morphologic and morphometric differences, such as the shape and size of villi as well as the length of the crypts of Lieberkühn. Histologically the different intestinal portions could be distinguished: in the middle portion we found few goblet cells and long villi; in the distal portion we found an increase in goblet cells and a decrease in villi height; and in the large intestine no villi were found, but rather abundant intestinal glands with numerous goblet cells. In C. perspicillata, P. hastatus and G. soricina we could observe Peyeras patches in the distal portion near the large intestine, whereas in D. rotundus and S. lilium we found aggregations of lymphoid nodulous tissue distributed along the tube. In all species we observed the presence of Paneth cells at the base of the crypts of Lieberkühn. We could observe differences among the species in the distribution of collagen in the small intestine submucosa and serosa. The outer muscular layer has one circular layer and a longitudinal layer, the circular layer increasing in thickness along the tube. Large intestine charactenstics are uniform among the species. Sfractures such as the taenia coli and the appendices epiploicae were absent. These results should contribute not only to improve understanding of bat morphology, but also to provide grounds for the evaluation of evolutionary models on the adaptive radiation of phyllostomid feeding habits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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We studied variations in diet and abundance of the bat Sturnira lilium (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) in a montane Atlantic Forest, in order to investigate if patterns in this habitat differ from those in the better-studied lowlands. The diet of S. lilium was assessed based on fecal samples, whereas possible variations in abundance were documented based on capture success. We also monitored and linked variability in air temperature to fruit production of Solanaceae, the main food of S. lilium. Bats fed exclusively on fruits, mostly on Solanaceae and occasionally on Piperaceae and Cecropiaceae. S. lilium was mostly absent in the area during the colder months, suggesting that they might migrate to lower and hence warmer elevations. Absence of the bats was not related to a distinct decline in availability of fruit of Solanaceae because fruit production was not related to temperature. We conclude that in tropical montane systems, abundance of some frugivorous bats might be affected more by air temperature than by food availability. Furthermore, we reinforce the idea that preserving elevational gradients is a crucial aspect for the conservation of migratory species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The purpose of the present study was to examine the serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), gastrin (GAS), cholecystokinin (CCK) and glucagon (GLUC) endocrine cells in the gastrointestinal tract of frugivorous Phillostomidae bats, Sturnira lilium and Artibeus cinerius, to clarify the correlation between distribution of cell types and their relative frequency, with feeding habits. Five portions of the gastrointestinal tract – fundus, pilorus, and three parts of the intestine, I, II and III – were examined. Most of the immunoreactive cells in the stomach and intestine were of triangular, oval or piriform shape. Serotonin-immunoreactive cells were most commonly found in the S. lilium intestine I (66.6±9.9) and the A. cinerius intestine III (35±18). Gastrin-immunoreactive cells were the most abundant cell type in the pyloric glands of both species. They were more numerous in A. cinerius (126.9±27.4) than in S. lilium (75.8±1.8). CCK-immunoreactive cells were found in the alimentary tract epithelia at moderate frequencies in both species. GLUC-immunoreactive cells were detected at very low or low frequencies. This study suggests that there is a correlation between endocrine cell distribution and frequency, and the feeding habits of the bats. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]