First record of predation of Nyctinomops laticaudatus (É. Geoffroy, 1805) by Chrotopterus auritus (Peters, 1856) (Mammalia: Chiroptera).

Ianna Borloti,Albert Ditchfield,Vinícius Pimenta

doi:10.3897/bdj.7.e38303

Abstract

The Wooly False Vampire Bat, Chrotopterus auritus (Peters, 1856) (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae), feeds on small mammals, birds, lizards, frogs and occasionally large insects and fruits. In this paper we report an additional evidence of bat predation by C. auritus. A male of this species was captured with a partially eaten Broad-eared Free-tailed Bat, Nyctinomops laticaudatus (É. Geoffroy, 1805) (Chiroptera: Molossidae). This record was obtained during a research project conducted in the Biological Reserve of Sooretama, Southeastern Brazil.

Highlights

Neotropical bats have the highest diversity of dietary habits among mammals, including nectar, fruits, blood, insects and vertebrates (Kunz et al 2011)
Several Phyllostominae (Phyllostomidae) species occasionally feed on small vertebrates, but the prevalence of regular carnivory is unique to the tribe Vampyrini (Baker et al 1989; Bonato et al 2004; Giannini and Kalko 2005; Simmons 2005)
An intact tooth was found, and we could identify it as a premolar (P3) of Nyctinomops laticaudatus (Fig. 2) using identification keys (Gregorin and Taddei 2002; Gregorin and Cirranello 2015)

Summary

Introduction

Neotropical bats have the highest diversity of dietary habits among mammals, including nectar, fruits, blood, insects and vertebrates (Kunz et al 2011). Several Phyllostominae (Phyllostomidae) species occasionally feed on small vertebrates, but the prevalence of regular carnivory is unique to the tribe Vampyrini (Baker et al 1989; Bonato et al 2004; Giannini and Kalko 2005; Simmons 2005). This correlation between phylogeny and feeding habits reinforces the importance of dietary studies within Phyllostomidae. Chrotopterus auritus is a large Vampyrini that feeds on small mammals, birds, frogs, reptiles, insects, and occasionally fruits (Peracchi and Albuquerque 1976; Medellin 1988; Giannini and Kalko 2005). Cases of consumption of bats by C. auritus are very rare (Nogueira et al 2006)

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Conclusion