New data on the bats (Chiroptera) of Martinique island (Lesser Antilles), with an emphasis on sexual dimorphism and sex ratios

Abstract

Abstract For deciphering the biodiversity of native mammals on the island of Martinique (Lesser Antilles), bats (Chiroptera) were netted in various localities during the course of two separate studies spanning 2004–2015. A total of 2613 individuals were caught in ground-level mist nets at 79 localities. In this study, we concentrate on 1859 captures of nine species of bats caught at 24 capture-rich localities. We provide sex-ratio values, forearm and body weight measurements for each taxon. The order of decreasing abundance in captures was Artibeus jamaicensis, Sturnira angeli, Brachyphylla cavernarum, Monophyllus plethodon, Myotis martiniquensis, Molossus molossus, Ardops nichollsi, Pteronotus davyi and Tadarida brasiliensis. Our results suggest a strong sex-bias in capture rates, with males much more abundant for Ardops and Monophyllus, whereas females are more abundant for Molossus, Pteronotus and Sturnira. A clear sexual dimorphism exists with larger females in Ardops and Pteronotus, whereas males are larger in Molossus, Monophyllus and Sturnira. Reproductive females (pregnant, lactating) were found almost exclusively during the dry season (January to June) for A. jamaicensis, M. plethodon and S. angeli.