Bat frugivory in a remnant of Southeastern Brazilian Atlantic forest

Abstract

Knowledge of bat diets may be important for the conservation of small Atlantic Forest fragments because these animals play an important role in seed dispersal and natural recovery of tropical forests. The ‘Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural Feliciano Miguel Abdala’ (RPPN-FMA) is a 886-hectare Atlantic forest fragment consisting of a mosaic of distinct successional phases resulting from logging and natural causes, in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. We collected 216 fecal samples containing blood, arthropods, pollen-nectar, vegetation (leaflets and fruit peel), fruit pulp (fibers and juice) and seeds, from 18 bat species at the RPPN-FMA. Piperaceae, Solanaceae, Cecropiaceae, and Guttiferae were the most important food resources for frugivorous bats at RPPN-FMA. Piper infrutescences were consumed by Artibeus obscurus, A. fimbriatus, Carollia perspicillata, and Sturnira lilium throughout the year, functioning as key species, as already observed for other tropical rainforest sites.