Frugivorous Bats Research Articles

Detection of novel paramyxoviruses in Chaerephon bat species in Nigeria and phylogenetics of paramyxoviruses co-evolution with bats in Africa.

Bat paramyxoviruses (PmV) are a diverse group of viruses and include zoonotic viruses such as henipaviruses. Members of this group in other continents have been associated with severe respiratory and neurological infections in animals and humans. Furthermore, despite the richness of diverse bat species that can transmit this virus in African countries like Nigeria, there is very scanty information as to the presence and co-evolution of paramyxoviruses in bats. There is a need for continuous surveillance of zoonotic viruses and their biological reservoirs as this will help in the prevention and management of pathogens' spillovers. This study detected novel paramyxoviruses in Chaerephon nigeriae bat species found in Badagry, Lagos. Phylogenetic analyses of paramyxovirus sequences' co-evolution with frugivorous and insectivorous bats circulating in African countries were also performed using sequences of African origin available in the Database of Bat-Associated Viruses (DBatVir: http://www.mgc.ac.cn/DBatVir/). Oral swabs (n=18) and blood samples (n=32) were collected from C.nigeriae bats in Badagry, Lagos. The L gene of bat paramyxovirus was detected in all oral swabs using PCR techniques. Six of the amplicons were successfully sequenced. Estimated phylogenies placed the sequences in close relationship with those isolated from insectivorous bats. Phylogenetic analyses of previously sequenced isolates in the African region showed the likelihood of different co-evolution mechanisms of paramyxoviruses with frugivorous bats compared with insectivorous bats. This may be due to codon usage bias of the L gene. Spatial distribution of paramyxoviruses in African countries showed limited ongoing surveillance of this virus in the continent, especially in southern and northern countries. Extensive surveillance of paramyxoviruses with possible zoonotic potentials among bat species in the continent is recommended. This will provide further insights into co-evolution as well as prevent possible spillover into the human population.

Immediate effects of an Amazonian mega hydroelectric dam on phyllostomid fruit bats

Large losses of tropical forests result from the flooding of terrestrial ecosystems by mega hydroelectric dams. Because run-of-the-river dams operate based on smaller reservoirs with limited water storage, they have been generally considered less harmful to the environment, but their actual effects on biodiversity have been rarely measured. We herein estimate immediate impacts resulting from the flooding of the run-of-the-river Santo Antônio Hydroelectric on phyllostomid bat assemblages, based on the variation of their richness, abundance and species composition over the first two years after the establishment of the dam. We designed a standardized study integrating temporal sampling in areas that would and would not be flooded, before and after the establishment of the dam. We sampled 12 Pre-flood plots, and 34 plots that remained unflood. Among the non-flood plots, 25 were resampled after the river damming. We captured 3096 bats belonging to 59 species and found that the abundance of fruit bats decreased posterior to the formation of the dam. Moreover, the composition of fruit bats was different between the sampling periods, with a clear segregation of the várzea plots of the pre-flood period. Comparisons between pre- and post-unflood plots revealed that 60% of the plots decreased in abundance of bats, and 68% decreased in abundance of phyllostomid fruit bats. Our results demonstrate that the run-of-the-river dam altered the phyllostomid species composition in the non-flooded areas after the establishment of the dam, reducing the abundance of frugivorous bats. Also, the remaining unflood areas did not incorporate bat assemblages from the várzea forests that were permanently flooded by the reservoir. Based on our results, we suggest that environmental policies regulating the licensing processes for the implementation of large hydroelectric power stations should include orientation for the establishment of protected areas, as a condition for their operation. These areas can work as systematic instruments for biodiversity conservation, with special attention to the protection of the irreplaceable floodplain forests.

Frugivorous bats promote epizoochoric seed dispersal and seedling survival in a disturbed Neotropical forest

Abstract Animal-dispersed plants usually rely upon multiple dispersers. In many ecosystems, most of these interactions have yet to be explored; thus, documenting the extent of contribution of each animal partner to the reproduction and survival of plant species is key to understanding the ecology and evolution of animal–plant mutualism, as well as the potential responses of the ecological networks to biodiversity loss through defaunation. Here, by characterizing the outcomes and differences of the epizoochoric seed dispersal carried out by two species of frugivorous bats (Artibeus phaeotis and Uroderma convexum) in a Neotropical forest, we tested the prediction that, through their feeding activity, both bat species disperse and influence the subsequent seedling survival of multiple seed species. By direct sampling on bats’ dispersing sites and surrounding areas, we found evidence of the dispersal of 2,310 seeds of eight plant species, of which 118 survived to become seedlings. The total density of seeds and the seedling survival were significantly higher in areas directly influenced by the bats (i.e., feeding roosts) than in peripheral areas. Positive density-dependent effects nevertheless were detected in both sampling areas (feeding roosts and peripheral areas). Interspecific comparisons showed that despite both bat species having similar dispersal outcomes, seedlings in peripheral areas related to A. phaeotis have better survival rates. Our results demonstrate that both bat species primarily disperse by epizoochoric means seeds of various tree species at several localities in the study site. This result, together with the positive density-dependent effects, suggests that bats are moving seeds away from maternal trees and depositing them in locations where some of the seeds can germinate, establish, and survive, thereby highlighting the positive contribution of these bat species to the reproductive success of trees inhabiting Neotropical habitats. Our results contribute to the growing knowledge of frugivorous interactions on hyperdiverse forests and the role of small vertebrates on seed dispersal mutualisms.

Time partitioning among neotropical frugivorous bats: effects of phylogeny, body size, and abundance

Introduction: Resource partitioning by promoting coexistence is essential to determine species richness and composition in natural communities. However, the partitioning of time has been questioned as a mechanism that promotes the coexistence of ecologically similar species. Objective: To determine the importance of the partitioning of time as a mechanism that promotes coexistence, we compared the activity patterns of tropical frugivorous bats. Methods: We captured bats with mist nets from sunset to sunrise in three study sites (tropical dry forest, wet forest, and rainforest) to calculate activity patterns of the species using Kernel density estimation. We used the superposition coefficient (Δ1) to compare activity patterns between (1) bat assemblages of study sites, (2) frugivorous species in the same site, and (3) populations of the same species among different sites. To determine whether the overlap in the activity patterns was related to the ecological similarity of species, we evaluated the association between Δ1 and similarity in abundances and body mass and phylogenetic closeness. Results: We found geographical variations in the overall activity patterns of the assemblages of the three localities. Likewise, we found variations in activity patterns between species at each study site and between populations in different study sites. Overlap in activity patterns tended to decrease as species were phylogenetically more closely related and similar in abundance and body size. Conclusions: Our results provide empirical support for the role of temporal segregation in activity patterns as a mechanism that promotes the coexistence of ecologically similar species in nature.

Dietary affinities, resource overlap and core structure in Atlantic Forest phyllostomid bat communities

Abstract The Phyllostomidae is arguably the most diverse family‐level clade of mammals. Associated with this high diversity is considerable heterogeneity in resource utilisation among species and across locales of the Neotropics. Despite heterogeneity, few attempts have been made to synthesise dietary patterns even for smaller regions within the Neotropics. Atlantic Forest is a large dynamic ecoregion in the southern Neotropics that is distinct from other Tropical forests because of its extensive latitudinal extent, elevated climatic heterogeneity, biodiversity and long history of anthropogenic modification. I obtained data on dietary affinities of 34 species of bats from 35 different sites spanning the entire Atlantic Forest. In Atlantic Forest, as in other places in the Neotropics, phyllostomids consumed arthropods, vertebrates, fruits, nectar and blood. Frugivores consumed and dispersed the fruits of 99 different species of plants and nectarivores pollinated an additional nine others. Dietary overlap was modest, yet significantly greater than expected based on a null model. The main axis of variation in diet separated species that primarily consumed animal material from those that primarily consumed plant material and this axis was significantly related to phylogenetic affinities of species. Unlike in other places in the Neotropics, frugivorous bats did not exhibit a core structure related to genus‐to‐genus matching of bat genera with plant genera. Generality of diets of frugivorous bats, further indicated by non‐randomly high dietary overlap, is likely to degrade core structure in these primarily Subtropical communities. Co‐occurrence of a large number of generalist bat species, seasonal climates and ubiquitous anthropogenic modification may serve to promote generality of resource utilisation of bats in Atlantic Forest. The Neotropics is vast and the bats that live within it are diverse. Future studies should explore spatial dynamics of dietary affinities and resource overlap to increase understanding of the context of strong and weak core structure of phyllostomid bat communities.

Mammalian Diversity and Matses Ethnomammalogy in Amazonian Peru Part 4: Bats

In this report, the fourth of our monographic series on mammalian diversity and Matses ethnomammalogy in the Yavarí-Ucayali interfluvial region of northeastern Peru, we document the occurrence of 98 species of bats, including 11 emballonurids, 2 noctilionids, 66 phyllostomids, 1 furipterid, 4 thyropterids, 7 vespertilionids, and 7 molossids. New species based on specimens collected in this region (Peropteryx pallidoptera, Micronycteris matses, Hsunycteris dashe, Sturnira giannae, and Thyroptera wynneae) have already been described elsewhere, but noteworthy distributional and taxonomic results newly reported here include the first specimen of Diclidurus isabella from Peru and the diagnosis of Glossophaga bakeri as a species distinct from G. commissarisi. Lists of examined voucher specimens, identification criteria, essential taxonomic references, and summaries of natural history observations are provided for all species. Original natural history information reported herein includes numerous observations of roosting behavior obtained by indigenous Matses collaborators. We assess the Yavarí-Ucayali bat inventory for completeness and conclude that more species remain to be discovered in the region, where as many as 116 species might be expected. Most of the “missing” species (those expected based on geographic criteria but not actually observed) are aerial insectivores, a guild that is notoriously difficult to sample by mistnetting. Of the 98 species in the observed regional fauna, only 71 are known to occur sympatrically at Jenaro Herrera, by far the best-sampled locality between the Yavarí and Ucayali rivers. Faunal comparisons with extralimital inventories (e.g., from Brazil, Ecuador, and French Guiana) suggest that frugivorous bats are substantially more speciose in western Amazonia than in eastern Amazonia, a result that is consistent with previous suggestions of an east-to-west gradient in the trophic structure of Amazonian mammal faunas. As previously reported, the Matses have only a single name for “bat,” but they recognize the existence of many unnamed local species, which they distinguish on the basis of morphology and behavior. However, by contrast with the well-documented accuracy of Matses observations about primates and other game species, recorded Matses monologs about bat natural history contain numerous factual errors and ambiguities. Linguistic underdifferentiation of bat diversity and inaccurate natural history knowledge are both explained by cultural inattention to small, inedible, and inoffensive nocturnal fauna.

Distribution, habitat suitability, and revised morphological diagnosis confirm that the fruit bat Platyrrhinus recifinus is an Atlantic Forest endemic

ABSTRACT Morphological characters used to separate the frugivorous bat Platyrrhinus recifinus from the similar Platyrrhinus lineatus have been contentious. This has led to uncertainties about the distribution of the species, that was once considered an Atlantic Forest endemic. Based on an analysis of a large and geographically restricted series of P. recifinus, we assessed the individual variation in the species and provide useful characters to separate it from P. lineatus. We reviewed the locality records of P. recifinus, and carried out an ecological niche model analysis in order to update the species polygon and calculate its area of habitat. After removing misidentifications, we found that the species occurs in moist forests from sea level to 1653 m. The area of suitable habitat estimated for the species was 402,225.2 Km2, ranging from the Brazilian states of Ceará to Santa Catarina. Both empirical records and ecological niche model analyses reinforce that P. recifinus should be considered an Atlantic Forest endemic. The species is present in moist forest enclaves in the Caatinga, but these formations are part of the Atlantic Forest domain.

Effect of the matrix-edge-forest interior gradient on the phyllostomid bats assemblage in sub-Andean forest fragments

The edge effect is one of the consequences of forest fragmentation and is one of the main drivers of alteration of ecological and ecosystem processes. Trophic guilds and species of bats have shown differential responses to this phenomenon. Our goal was to describe the change in bat species richness, abundance, evenness, and species composition of trophic guilds associated with a matrix edge-forest interior gradient. Therefore, we conducted a bat sampling with 16 mist nets covering such gradient in four sub-andean forest fragments (10-50 ha). In total, we captured 566 individuals of 21 species of phyllostomid bats. Bat species richness and abundance were higher in the matrix and edge and were similar between fragments. Evenness showed the lowest values in the matrix and forest edge and was different between forest patches. Some shrub frugivorous bats were more abundant in the edge, and others were more abundant in two fragments. Species composition of canopy frugivorous bats was similar along the gradient but was significantly different between fragments. In contrast, the species composition of nectarivores was similar throughout the matrix-interior forest gradient and between patches. Our data suggest that bat responses at assemblage-level are affected by the disturbance gradient from the matrix to forest interior, even at short distances form fragment borders, and are dependent on the trophic guild.

Diversity in olfactory receptor repertoires is associated with dietary specialization in a genus of frugivorous bat.

Mammalian olfactory receptor genes (ORs) are a diverse family of genes encoding proteins that directly interact with environmental chemical cues. ORs evolve via gene duplication in a birth-death fashion, neofunctionalizing and pseudogenizing over time. Olfaction is a primary sense used for food detection in plant-visiting bats, but the relationship between dietary specialization and OR repertoire diversity is unclear. Within neotropical Leaf-nosed bats (Phyllostomidae), many lineages are plant specialists, and some have a distinct OR repertoire compared to insectivorous species. Yet, whether specialization on particular plant genera is associated with the evolution of specialized, less diverse OR repertoires has never been tested. Using targeted sequence capture, we sequenced the OR repertoires of three sympatric species of short-tailed fruit bats (Carollia), which vary in their degree of specialization on the fruits of Piper plants. We characterized orthologous vs duplicated receptors among Carollia species, and explored the diversity and redundancy of the receptor gene repertoire. At the species level, the most dedicated Piper specialist, Carollia castanea, had lower OR diversity compared to the two generalists (C. sowelli and C. perspicillata), but we discovered a few unique sets of ORs within C. castanea with high redundancy of similar gene duplicates. These unique receptors potentially enable C. castanea to detect Piper fruit odorants better than its two congeners. Carollia perspicillata, the species with the most generalist diet, had a higher diversity of intact receptors, suggesting the ability to detect a wider range of odorant molecules. Variation among ORs may be a factor in the coexistence of these sympatric species, facilitating the exploitation of different plant resources. Our study sheds light on how gene duplication and changes in OR diversity may play a role in dietary adaptations and underlie ecological interactions between bats and plants.

Movement syndromes of a Neotropical frugivorous bat inhabiting heterogeneous landscapes in Brazil

BackgroundThere is growing evidence that individuals within populations can vary in both habitat use and movement behavior, but it is still not clear how these two relate to each other. The aim of this study was to test if and how individual bats in a Stunira lilium population differ in their movement activity and preferences for landscape features in a correlated manner.MethodsWe collected data on movements of 27 individuals using radio telemetry. We fitted a heterogeneous-space diffusion model to the movement data in order to evaluate signals of movement variation among individuals.ResultsS. lilium individuals generally preferred open habitat with Solanum fruits, regularly switched between forest and open areas, and showed high site fidelity. Movement variation among individuals could be summarized in four movement syndromes: (1) average individuals, (2) forest specialists, (3) explorers which prefer Piper, and (4) open area specialists which prefer Solanum and Cecropia.ConclusionsIndividual preferences for landscape features plus food resource and movement activity were correlated, resulting in different movement syndromes. Individual variation in preferences for landscape elements and food resources highlight the importance of incorporating explicitly the interaction between landscape structure and individual heterogeneity in descriptions of animal movement.

Heterothermy, body size, and locomotion as ecological predictors of migration in mammals

Abstract Migration is ubiquitous among animals and has evolved repeatedly and independently. Comparative studies of the evolutionary origins of migration in birds are widespread, but are lacking in mammals. Mammalian species have greater variation in functional traits that may be relevant for migration. Interspecific variation in migration behaviour is often attributed to mode of locomotion (i.e. running, swimming, and flying) and body size, but traits associated with the evolutionary precursor hypothesis, including geographic distribution, habitat, and diet, could also be important predictors of migration in mammals. Furthermore, mammals vary in thermoregulatory strategies and include many heterothermic species, providing an alternative strategy to avoid seasonal resource depletion. We tested the evolutionary precursor hypothesis for the evolution of migration in mammals and tested predictions linking migration to locomotion, body size, geographic distribution, habitat, diet, and thermoregulation. We compiled a dataset of 722 species from 27 mammalian orders and conducted a series of analyses using phylogenetically informed models. Swimming and flying mammals were more likely to migrate than running mammals, and larger species were more likely to migrate than smaller ones. However, heterothermy was common among small running mammals that were unlikely to migrate. High‐latitude swimming and flying mammals were more likely to migrate than high‐latitude running mammals (where heterothermy was common), and most migratory running mammals were herbivorous. Running mammals and frugivorous bats with high thermoregulatory scope (greater capacity for heterothermy) were less likely to migrate, while insectivorous bats with high thermoregulatory scope were more likely to migrate. Our results indicate a broad range of factors that influence migration, depending on locomotion, body size, and thermoregulation. Our analysis of migration in mammals provided insight into some of the general rules of migration, and we highlight opportunities for future investigations of exceptions to these rules, ultimately leading to a comprehensive understanding of the evolution of migration.

Diet and trophic structure of frugivorous bats (Phyllostomidae) in forests and chagras of the Andean–Amazon piedmont, Ecuador

Diet and trophic structure of frugivorous bats (Phyllostomidae) in forests and chagras of the Andean–Amazon piedmont, Ecuador

Movements of Indian Flying Fox in Myanmar as a Guide to Human-Bat Interface Sites.

Frugivorous bats play a vital role in tropical ecosystems as pollinators and seed dispersers but are also important vectors of zoonotic diseases. Myanmar sits at the intersection of numerous bioregions and contains habitats that are important for many endangered and endemic species. This rapidly developing country also forms a connection between hotspots of emerging human diseases. We deployed Global Positioning System collars to track the movements of 10 Indian flying fox (Pteropus giganteus) in the agricultural landscapes of central Myanmar. We used clustering analysis to identify foraging sites and high-utilization areas. As part of a larger viral surveillance study in bats of Myanmar, we also collected oral and rectal swab samples from 29 bats to test for key emerging viral diseases in this colony. There were no positive results detected for our chosen viruses. We analyzed their foraging movement behavior and evaluated selected foraging sites for their potential as human-wildlife interface sites.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10393-021-01544-w.

Effects of land‐use on fruit bat distribution in different habitats along the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

AbstractTropical ecosystems are currently degrading at unprecedented speed, mostly due to rapid human population growth. This affects the associated biodiversity, which frequently results in damage to or loss of ecosystem functions. Due to high species richness and ecological diversity, bats are essential ecosystem elements. Our objective was to determine effects of land‐use categories on species abundance, richness and diversity of the guild of fruit bats (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) on Mt. Kilimanjaro, a biodiversity hotspot in Tanzania. We surveyed five habitat types, including two natural habitats lower montane forest and savanna, and three disturbed habitats, coffee plantations, Chagga homegardens, and maize fields. We captured 629 frugivorous bats and (1) compared diversity and species abundance among the habitat types and (2) assessed factors driving the differences in guild structure along an elevational gradient. Species accumulation curves were asymptotic for all habitats, suggesting an adequate sampling effort. Non‐metric multidimensional scaling analysis indicated strong differentiation of fruit bat guilds among habitats. Highest species richness was recorded in lower montane forest and Chagga homegardens, which therefore represent habitats of high value for these bats. Nevertheless, even in the intensively used coffee plantations and maize fields we found a high abundance of bats from most species despite a low abundance of food resources. Our results suggest that bats do not perceive moderately sized plantations as a hostile matrix, but rather use them as flyways between fragments and patches of secondary vegetation. Further, we suggest that within plantations, trees likeFicusspp. increase bat activity.

Sequences of Previously Unknown Rhabdoviruses Detected in Bat Samples from the Republic of the Congo.

The family Rhabdoviridae contains diverse viruses, including vector-borne and nonvector-borne viruses, some that are human pathogens, including rabies virus and also nonpathogenic viruses. Bats, which are a known reservoir of viruses with zoonotic potential including coronaviruses, also carry multiple rhabdoviruses such as but not limited to lyssaviruses. We collected samples from 193 insectivorous and frugivorous bats in the Republic of the Congo and tested them for rhabdovirus RNA. Four samples were found positive for viral RNA representing sequences of four different, not previously described rhabdoviruses. Although phylogenetic and taxonomic placement of the novel sequences is uncertain, similarities with previously detected rhabdovirus sequences in bats suggest that these could represent vertebrate viruses. Considering the pathogenic risks some rhabdoviruses pose for humans, these results highlight the need for more research and surveillance regarding rhabdoviruses and bats.

A combination of rules govern fruit trait preference by frugivorous bat and bird species: nutrients, defence and size

Several hypotheses explain how sensory, anatomical and physiological constraints drive fruit preference in frugivores. Optimal diet theory (ODT) states that frugivores make decisions based on the energy contained in food. In contrast, geometry of nutrition (GN) states that animals balance their macronutrient intake instead, opting for rough energy. The defence trade-off hypothesis (DTH) assumes a negative relationship between secondary compounds and fruit preference. Finally, the size-matching hypothesis (SMH) states that frugivores are more attracted to fruits that are easier to handle and consume. We tested these four hypotheses by offering paired fruit species to three fruit-eating animal species in captivity that either chew fruit in the beak or mouth (‘masher’: 1 bird species, 1 bat species) or swallow whole fruits (‘gulper’: 1 bird species), from which we built a ranking of fruit preference. We then explored the importance of 13 fruit traits in explaining fruit preference. The masher bird was the only species whose fruit preference pattern corresponded with GN. Fruit preference of the masher and gulper bird species supported DTH and SMH, while fruit preference by the bat species was not related to any analysed trait. More than one single rule governs fruit preference in different frugivore species. Fruit preferences of functionally different frugivore species are affected by particular fruit traits, which they either select or avoid. The search for specific macronutrients, while avoiding toxicity in fruits matching the anatomical limitations of frugivores, could lead to complementary foraging choices. Variability between seed disperser species in their search for easily manageable fruits allows achieving a complementary fruit diet, with preferred and avoided traits. It can be an important driver of fruit trait diversity in fleshy-fruited plant assemblages. • Fruit macronutrient content and secondary compounds influence frugivore preferences. • Fruit size also influences frugivores' ability to interact with fruits. • Frugivore species differ in their search strategies to obtain complementary diets. • Preferred and avoided traits can drive diversity of fleshy-fruited plant assemblages.

Phenotypic Divergence of P Proteins of Australian Bat Lyssavirus Lineages Circulating in Microbats and Flying Foxes.

Bats are reservoirs of many pathogenic viruses, including the lyssaviruses rabies virus (RABV) and Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV). Lyssavirus strains are closely associated with particular host reservoir species, with evidence of specific adaptation. Associated phenotypic changes remain poorly understood but are likely to involve phosphoprotein (P protein), a key mediator of the intracellular virus–host interface. Here, we examine the phenotype of P protein of ABLV, which circulates as two defined lineages associated with frugivorous and insectivorous bats, providing the opportunity to compare proteins of viruses adapted to divergent bat species. We report that key functions of P protein in the antagonism of interferon/signal transducers and activators of transcription 1 (STAT1) signaling and the capacity of P protein to undergo nuclear trafficking differ between lineages. Molecular mapping indicates that these differences are functionally distinct and appear to involve modulatory effects on regulatory regions or structural impact rather than changes to defined interaction sequences. This results in partial but significant phenotypic divergence, consistent with “fine-tuning” to host biology, and with potentially distinct properties in the virus–host interface between bat families that represent key zoonotic reservoirs.

Frugivorous bat (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) community structure and trophic relations in Atlantic Forest fragments

We evaluated the structure of a community of frugivorous bats using composition and abundance patterns, niche amplitude and food overlap of these animals in four Atlantic Forest fragments, each one exposed to different conservation realities. For twelve months, we captured six bat species and found the seeds of 13 species of pioneering plants in 158 fecal samples. The most abundant bat species were Artibeus planirostris (25.4%), Artibeus lituratus (24.1%) and Carollia perspicillata (23.9%). Only one fragment (Fazenda Unida), the most conserved area, exhibited a significantly different composition and abundance of species. We found low trophic niche amplitude values (<0.60), associated to high food overlaps. Our results suggest that bats can adjust their foraging strategy to deal with food availability variations. By favoring pioneering plant species, the fragmentation process noted of the studied areas creates an attractive environment for bats more tolerant to this type of disturbance. The sampled areas represent important secondary forest remnants in southern Brazil that require attention to avoid an even greater loss of bat diversity.

Comparative cytogenetics of two species of Dermanura (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae) in Midwestern Brazil.

Dermanura Gervais, 1856 is represented by small frugivorous bats of the Stenodermatinae subfamily. The taxonomy of this group presents controversies and has been subject to changes, especially since the morphological characters evaluated have left gaps that are difficult to fill regarding good species characterization. Previous studies performed in Dermanura cinerea Gervais, 1856 found that the karyotype of this species has a diploid number of chromosomes equal to 30 and 56 autosomal arms. The objective of the present study was to describe, for the first time, the karyotypes of the species Dermanura anderseni (Osgood, 1916) and Dermanura gnoma (Handley, 1987) based on classical cytogenetic markers. For both species, the diploid number found was 2n = 30 and NFa = 56. Two pairs of chromosomes showed markings of the nucleolus organizing regions (AgNORs) in the species D. anderseni and only one pair in D. gnoma, differing from what has already been described for D. cinerea. The two species analyzed here also showed differences in the sex chromosome system, with D. gnoma showing a neo-XY type system while in D. anderseni the classic XY sexual system was observed. In both species, visualization of the constitutive heterochromatin occurred in the pericentromeric region of all chromosomes, as well as in the short arms of the subtelocentric chromosomes. The present work represents an important expansion of karyotypic information for the subfamily Stenodermatinae, bringing chromosomal features that are possible to use in the taxonomic implications of the group.

Comparative cytogenetics of two species of Dermanura (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae) in Midwestern Brazil

Dermanura Gervais, 1856 is represented by small frugivorous bats of the Stenodermatinae subfamily. The taxonomy of this group presents controversies and has been subject to changes, especially since the morphological characters evaluated have left gaps that are difficult to fill regarding good species characterization. Previous studies performed in Dermanura cinerea Gervais, 1856 found that the karyotype of this species has a diploid number of chromosomes equal to 30 and 56 autosomal arms. The objective of the present study was to describe, for the first time, the karyotypes of the species Dermanura anderseni (Osgood, 1916) and Dermanura gnoma (Handley, 1987) based on classical cytogenetic markers. For both species, the diploid number found was 2n = 30 and NFa = 56. Two pairs of chromosomes showed markings of the nucleolus organizing regions (AgNORs) in the species D. anderseni and only one pair in D. gnoma, differing from what has already been described for D. cinerea. The two species analyzed here also showed differences in the sex chromosome system, with D. gnoma showing a neo-XY type system while in D. anderseni the classic XY sexual system was observed. In both species, visualization of the constitutive heterochromatin occurred in the pericentromeric region of all chromosomes, as well as in the short arms of the subtelocentric chromosomes. The present work represents an important expansion of karyotypic information for the subfamily Stenodermatinae, bringing chromosomal features that are possible to use in the taxonomic implications of the group.