Bat inventory in a Caatinga area in Northeastern Brazil, with a new occurrence in the state of Paraíba

BELTRÃO, M.G.; ZEPPELINI, C.G.; FRACASSO, M.P.A.; LOPES, L.C.S. 2015. Bat inventory in a Caatinga area in Northeastern Brazil, with a new occurrence in the state of Paraíba. Neotropical Biology and Conservation 10(1):15-20. doi: 10.4013/nbc.2015.101.06

Abstract. The Caatinga is a semi-arid ecosystem with a long history of anthropic impacts and scientific negligence. Since bats are the second most diverse group of mammals and have wide ecological roles, a well-based comprehension of their diversity for an area is important for management and conservationist actions. The goal of this study is to provide a list of the bat species found in Private Reserve of Natural Heritage Fazenda Almas, Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil. By sampling with mist nets and exploring roosts, we captured 126 specimens and recorded 19 species from 5 families. The most abundant species were Artibeus planirostris, Peropteryx macrotis, Myotis nigricans, and Carollia perspicillata. We registered high diversity of Phyllostominae, as well as the occurrence of the genus Histiotus in the state for the first time. Our results indicate that Caatinga areas can maintain bat assemblages with levels of diversity similar to moist tropical areas, which highlights the need to expand the network of protected areas in this threatened ecosystem.