Frugivory byArtibeus jamaicensis(Phyllostomidae) bats in the Pantanal, Brazil

Bat-species richness in the Pantanal floodplain and its surrounding uplands

“…Such strong dominance of A. planirostris has been also reported in other local surveys in the Pantanal floodplain and in its neighbouring upland regions (Camargo, 2003;Camargo et al, 2009;Cunha et al, 2009;Teixeira et al, 2009). Although the dominance by A. planirostris occurred in both regions, in the Pantanal floodplain there were three insectivorous non-phyllostomid species (Myotis nigricans, Noctilio albiventris, and Molossus molossus) among the most common bats, contrasting with the upland plateaus where the commonest species were all frugivorous phyllostomids (Figure 4).…”

“…Recent literature has synthesised the number of species and distribution in Brazil (Reis et al, 2007), as well as a bat community in a savanna habitat in Bolivia, near the Pantanal Aguirre, 2002). Available data on bats of the Pantanal floodplain and its neighbouring uplands, particularly from Mato Grosso do Sul state, are reported in Leite et al (1998Leite et al ( , 2000, Taddei et al (2000Taddei et al ( , 2001Taddei et al ( , 2003, Camargo and Fischer (2005), Gonçalves et al (2007), Longo et al (2007), Camargo et al (2009), and Teixeira et al (2009.…”

“…Therefore, insectivory appears to be a trait which favours the occurrence of bat species in the floodplain. Indeed, even the frugivorous phyllostomids feed on insects proportionally more in the Pantanal floodplain than in its bordering plateaus or elsewhere (Munin, 2008;Teixeira et al, 2009). Diets toward insectivory might be partially explained because insects are available throughout the year, and massively during several months, whereas bat fruit sources are markedly seasonal and poor in the Pantanal floodplain (Munin, 2008;Teixeira et al, 2009).…”

“…The abundance of frugivore species reflects the importance of this guild for the Pantanal bat assemblages. In addition, bats play an important role in regulating the Pantanal ecosystem as seed dispersers, pollinators and regulators of insect populations (Gonçalves et al, 2007;Munin, 2008;Teixeira et al, 2009). Given that some bat species or bat assemblages require pristine habitat conditions while others are opportunistic, taking advantage of some disturbance, the group should be more studied as an indicator of levels of change in the natural environment.…”

“…Rivers and depressions locally known as corixos are lined by riparian forests. In these forest habitats, different species of Ficus and other trees serve as food supply and shelter for frugivores (Teixeira et al, 2009). The uplands surrounding the Pantanal are covered by senso strictu cerrado, cerradão and semi-deciduous forests, which are severely threatened by agriculture and cattle ranching (Alho, 2008;Scariot et al, 2005).…”