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

Authors

  • Mayara Guimarães Beltrão Universidade Estadual da Paraíba
  • Caio Graco Zeppelini Universidade Estadual da Paraíba
  • Maria Paula Aguiar Fracasso Universidade Federal da Paraíba
  • Luiz Carlos Serramo Lopez Universidade Federal da Paraíba

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4013/nbc.2015.101.03

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.

Keywords: Chiroptera, diversity, private reserve, semi-arid.

Author Biographies

Mayara Guimarães Beltrão, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba

Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação – PPGEC, Depto. De Biologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde – CCBS, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba – UEPB. Campus I – Rua Juvêncio Arruda, S/N, Campus Universitário, Bodocongó – 58429-600 – Campina Grande, PB.

Caio Graco Zeppelini, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba

Departamento de Biologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e Sociais Aplicadas – CCBSA, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba – UEPB. Campus V –  Rua Horácio Trajano de Oliveira, S/N, Cristo Redentor – 58071-160 – João Pessoa, PB.

 

Maria Paula Aguiar Fracasso, Universidade Federal da Paraíba

Departamento de Engenharia e Meio Ambiente – DEMA, Centro de Ciências Aplicadas e Educação, Universidade Federal da Paraíba – UFPB. Campus IV – Rua da Mangueira, s/n, Centro – 58297-000 – Rio Tinto, PB.

Luiz Carlos Serramo Lopez, Universidade Federal da Paraíba

Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia – DSE, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza – CCEN, Universidade Federal da Paraíba – UFPB. Campus I – Cidade Universitária, s/n – Castelo Branco – 58051-900 – João Pessoa, PB.

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Published

2014-12-12

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 1 (2015): January - April

Section

Articles

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