First description of a tent used by Platyrrhinus recifinus

Abstract

AbstractSome species of Neotropical bats of the family Phyllostomidae (leaf‐nosed bats) modify the leaves of plants to construct ‘tents’ for daytime roosts. However, little is known about which bat species are associated with this behaviour. Here, I present the first description of the use of two tents by Recife Broad‐nosed Bat, Platyrrhinus recifinus, constructed in leaves of Miconia brunnea in a degraded Brazilian Atlantic forest fragment. Both structures had the architectural style of tents‐boat/apical. The shape of the leaves may mediate the architecture of these tents. In addition, they observed that only one male attended the two tents during the same night. This description provides new insights into the biology and behaviour of Platyrrhinus species. I further highlight several unknown for most tent‐making bats that merit future research.