Fifteen species of neotropical and three species of paleotropical bats are known either to roost in or to make tents in over 80 species of vascular plants. We summarize the current knowledge of bat-tent architecture, report two new styles of tents (conical and apical) from the Paleotropics, compare the similarity in tents constructed, or used, by neotropical and paleotropical bats, and consider possible functions of tents. Seven styles of tents are known from the Neotropics, three (conical, palmate umbrella, and apical tents) are known from both the Neo-and the Paleotropics, and one (stem tent) is unique to the Paleotropics. In the Neotropics tent-roosting and/ or tent-making appears to be a behavior unique to the diverse microchiropteran family Phyllostomidae (subfamily Phyllostomatinae: tribe Stenodermatini), and in the Paleotropics two members of the megachiropteran family Pteropodidae and one member of the microchiropteran family Vespertilionidae are known to construct or roost in tents. Despite the variety of plant taxa used by bats in tent construction, there appears to be a limited number of different leaf forms that can be altered by bats and used as tents. We suggest that the similarity in tent architecture observed among the neotropical and paleotropical bats is a consequence of convergence in leaf morphology among forest understory plants. The congruence in tent-making/roosting behavior observed in members of the Stenodermatini and the Pteropodidae (genus Cynopterus) suggests a phylogenetic influence on these behaviors. The similarity in tent-making and/or tent-roosting behavior and life-history traits (small, < 70 g, mostly foliage-roosting frugivores) among these divergent neotropical and paleotropical taxa supports a convergence hypothesis in which members of these groups have become ecological equivalents. Although actual tent-making has been observed in only one bat species to date, we suggest that the principal selective force leading to the evolution of tent-making is a polygynous mating system whereby males construct tents to gain access to females. Tents in turn provide resources that offer protection from predators and inclement weather.

JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org.. American Society of Mammalogists is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to Journal of Mammalogy.The diet of Noctilio leporinus was examined on the Island of Culebra, Puerto Rico, by collecting discarded prey below roosts and by making biweekly collections of guano over a 9-month period. Small insects, mostly beetles and moths, predominated in the diet during the wet season. During the dry season, pelagic and freshwater fish represented a greater proportion of the diet than did insects. Crabs, scorpions, shrimp, and terrestrial insects were consumed in small quantities. Small beetles, moths, and other insects were caught in flight, whereas fish and terrestrial invertebrates were caught in a bats' feet. N. leporinus is both an aerial insectivore and piscivore, with a flexible foraging strategy that can adjust to local conditions and include terrestrial prey.

Small groups of the tent‐making bat, Ectophylla alba, were found roosting in Heliconia (Musaceae) tents in old secondary‐growth forest in north‐eastern Costa Rica. The choice of specific Heliconia leaves for tents was predicted on the basis of leaf size and age. Additionally, tents in shrubs, saplings and epiphytic plants were found scattered throughout both primary‐ and secondary‐growth forest. Tents were used either as night feeding roosts or as day‐roosts for as long as 45 days. Groups of bats remained together when they moved to newly cut tents. After parturition, tent groups divided into all‐male colonies and maternity colonies with females, non‐volant young and a single adult male.

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The small population and limited range of the Samoan¯ying fox Pteropus samoensis has generated concern regarding the survival of this large, diurnally active bat. During 1995±96, surveys were conducted monthly in six study valleys on Tutuila Island, American Samoa, to assess population size. The amount of diurnal and nocturnal activity was investigated to gauge the accuracy of diurnal surveys, and territorial behaviours were observed to determine how they in¯uenced local dispersion. Individuals showed long-term ®delity to a series of roosts and small core areas that were used both nocturnally and diurnally. Territorial defence was observed only of temporary feeding territories in fruiting or¯owering trees. Bats defended food resources by aerial patrols and extended aerial chases in which intruders were frequently bitten. Foraging movements changed seasonally, with up to 80% of individuals observed bypassing study valleys. The mean density of bats observed within the study valleys was 6.1 bats/km 2 (range = 0.9±18.5 bats/km 2 ). Pteropus samoensis were active both nocturnally and diurnally with greatest activity in late afternoon and evening, 16:00±22:00. Because bats were most active at night, it is probable that daytime surveys of¯ying bats undercount the number of individuals present. Greatest densities were found in valleys that were contiguous with large tracts of forest inaccessible to people. Most observations of roosting bats were of solitary males on dead branches that jutted above the forest canopy, while females and dependant young roosted below the canopy, hidden within vegetation. Adult male±female pairs were rarely seen together other than during the mating period in August±January. The population has increased following a ban on hunting, but reliance on mature forest makes long-term species survival dependant on protection of the limited mature forest remaining and continued hunting restrictions.