Variation in size of colony of Molossus molossus and Molossus rufus in Rio de Janeiro state, Southeastern Brazil

ESBÉRARD, C.E.D. 2011. Variation in size of colony of Molossus molossus and Molossus rufus in Rio de Janeiro state, Southeastern Brazil. Neotropical Biology and Conservation 6(2):71-77.

Abstract. In the Neotropical region, knowledge of seasonal variation of bat colonies is low and appears to be fundamental to the choice of methods for estimating the total number of animals and husbandry. It was analyzed the monthly variations in the size of four colonies, two of Molossus molossus and two of Molossus rufus in Rio de Janeiro State, southeastern Brazil. A total of 60 nights of data collection was conducted in these four colonies, totaling 634 hours of work. The number of animals that comprised each colony was high, 293 and 474 in M. molossus and 165 and 363 in M. rufus. There are two types of colonies: reproductive, when it is observed increase in the number of animals during the months of reproductive activity, and not reproductive, when the colony size is larger in the months of inactive reproduction of the specie in this latitude and few bats remain in the refuge from October to February.