Could a new record change the range of distribution of a little - known bat species (Vespertilionidae: Eptesicus innoxius)?

Abstract

2.5 de la vía a Samborondón, Guayaquil, Ecuador. ‫٭‬Corresponding authorWe report the first record of Eptesicus innoxius in northwestern Ecuador, in the province of Esmeraldas, occurring in a disturbed area, at 134.3 km northwest from the nearest known locality in Ecuador, which represents an important latitudinal extension in the distribution of this species. A predictive distribution model is presented using a total of 43 records from localities of Ecuador and Perú, and its distribution area is determined by a minimum convex polygon (PMC). The sensitivity value obtained in the test data was 0.984 and the area under curve ROC (AUC) value obtained (0.979) indicates an acceptable confidence level. Based on new records and known records, we estimate its distribution area in 135,243 km 2 . The environmental variables with the greatest influence in the distribution of E. innoxius were: Precipitation seasonality (37.4 %), minimum temperature of coldest month (20.1 %), precipitation of driest month (14.5 %), and mean temperature of wettest quarter (12.8 %). This data show that E. innoxius has been recorded mainly in tropical dry forest, but also has presence in humid areas. Within these new reports, we recommended an upgrade of its conservation status in Ecuador and Perú.Se presenta el primer registro de E. innoxius al noroccidente de la costa ecuatoriana, en la provincia de Esmeraldas, dentro de una zona alterada, a 134.3 km noroeste del registro conocido más cercano en Ecuador, el cual representa una importante extensión en la distribución latitudinal conocida para esta especie. Se realizó un modelamiento predictivo de su distribución, utilizando un total de 43 registros de localidades presentes en Ecuador y Perú, y se determinó su área de distribución mediante el método del polígono mínimo convexo (PMC). El valor de sensibilidad obtenido en la prueba fue de 0.984 y el valor del área bajo la curva (AUC) fue de 0.979, lo cual indica un nivel de confianza aceptable. El área de distribución obtenida en base a los registros utilizados fue de 135,243 km 2 . Las variables ambientales con mayor influencia en la distribución de E. innoxius fueron: estacionalidad de la precipitación (37.4 %), temperatura minima del mes más frío (20.1 %), precipitación del mes más seco (14.5 %), y temperatura media del cuatrimestre más lluvioso (12.8 %). De acuerdo con los registros, esta especie habita preferentemente en zonas de bosque seco, pero puede llegar a habitar en zonas de transición con mayor humedad. Basándonos en los nuevos registros obtenidos, se recomienda realizar una nueva evaluación de su estado de conservación en Ecuador y Perú.

Eptesicus innoxius (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

“…It occupies the following ecoregions in both countries (sensu Olson et al 2001): Ecuadorian dry forest, Esmeraldas and Chocó mangroves, Guayaquil flooded grassland, Gulf of Guayaquil mangroves, Sechura desert, Tumbes-Piura dry forests, and Western Ecuador moist forests. The habitat in Ecuador is characterized by the following biogeographic regions and provinces: Equatorial Chocó (Chocó), Coastal Mountain range and Jama-Zapotillo (Equatorial Pacific), and Catamayo-Alamor (Southern Andes—MAE 2013); also includes dry and semidecidous tropical forests in primary and secondary dry forests, wetlands, secondary and disturbed forests, grasslands, leafless shrub areas, mangroves, thorn forests, and banana, papaya, cocoa, and mango plantations, frequently near bodies of water (Albuja 1999; Cadenillas et al 2007; Pacheco et al 2007; Carrera et al 2010; Tirira 2017; Linares and Zavala 2018; Cláudio 2019c; Paz-Ramírez and Salas 2019; Loaiza et al 2020).…”

“…In Ecuador, it has been recorded in Esmeraldas, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Los Ríos, Guayas, Santa Elena, El Oro, and Loja provinces, and in Peru, the departments of Tumbes, Piura, and Lambayeque (Fig. 3; Davis 1966; Albuja 1999; Simmons 2005; Pacheco et al 2007; Davis and Gardner 2008; Tirira 2012, 2017; Díaz et al 2016; Cláudio 2019c; Loaiza et al 2020). All records of E. innoxius are located to the west of the Andes mountain range, and its geographic distribution comprises coastal lowlands and humid forest (northwest) where it is less abundant, dry forest (southwest), and western subtropics (foothills), where it is more abundant (Albuja 1999; Tirira 2008, 2017; Carrera et al 2010; Brito et al 2018).…”

“…The northernmost record of E. innoxius was reported from Recinto Pedro Carbo (MZUGM [Museo de Zoología Universidad de Guayaquil] 532; 0°22′08.3″N, 79°58′39.3″W; Esmeraldas Province, Ecuador), a locality in coastal lowlands (Loaiza et al 2020); the southernmost record was reported from Puerto Etén (USNM [National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian] 103923–103927; 06°55′34.8″S, 79°51′52.8″W, 5 m altitude; Chiclayo Province, Lambayeque Department, Peru—Tschudi 1844b; Thomas 1920; Koopman 1978; Pacheco et al 2007; Loaiza et al 2020); the easternmost record was reported from Bosque Protector Otongachi (QCAZ 17184; 0°19′14.5″S, 78°57′06.2″W, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas Province, Ecuador); the westernmost record was reported from Amotape (MNHN 6987; 04°52′59.4″S, 81°00′55.5″W, Piura Department, Peru). An unusual record of E .…”

“…Geographic distribution of Eptesicus innoxius redrawn by Christian Loaiza from Loaiza et al (2020). Arabic numbers correspond to provinces in Ecuador: 1) Esmeraldas, 2) Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, 3) Manabí, 4) Los Ríos, 5) Guayas, 6) Santa Elena, 7) El Oro, 8) Loja; and Peru departments: 9) Tumbes, 10) Piura, 11) Lambayeque.…”

“…In Ecuador, Eptesicus innoxius has been recorded in the following protected areas: Refugio de Vida Silvestre Manglares Río Muisne (Esmeraldas Province), Bosque Protector Cerro Blanco, Bosque Protector La Prosperina, Área Nacional de Recreación Isla Santay, Reserva Ecológica Manglares Churute, Área Provincial de Productividad y Conservación El Retiro de Pucón (Guayas Province), Bosque Protector Río Palenque (Los Ríos Province), Reserva Ecológica Arenillas and Bosque Protector Petrificado de Puyango (El Oro Province), and Bosque Protector Otongachi (Santo Domingo Province—Carrera et al 2010; Salas et al 2014; Linares and Zavala 2018; Paz-Ramírez and Salas 2019; Loaiza et al 2020). Also, it has been recorded in privately owned areas such as: Cerro Cacharí (Los Ríos Province) and Cerro El Muerto (Guayas Province—Loaiza et al 2020). A recent record confirms the presence of E .…”