Ilha Grande, one of the locations with the most records of bat species (Mammalia, Chiroptera) in Rio de Janeiro state: results of a long-term ecological study

Abstract Faunal inventories provide quantitative and qualitative data for different sites and are relevant sources of information for identifying areas of high species richness and endemism. Biological collections are important in this context for increasing the precision of species identification. The objectives of this study were to update the list of bat species of Ilha Grande by analyzing specimens in zoological collections as well as records obtained in areas where no such studies had been undertaken before; to compare five different studies conducted on Ilha Grande using mist net sampling; and to compare the results of studies on Ilha Grande with sampling results from other areas in Rio de Janeiro state. The occurrence of 36 bat species was confirmed for Ilha Grande. Five studies on Ilha Grande formerly conducted by the authors were compared with 34 fauna inventories in Rio de Janeiro state. The studies on Ilha Grande had distinct objectives and sampling techniques applied to different locations in the same area. Ilha Grande is one of the regions in Rio de Janeiro state with more bat records both in terms of abundance and number of species, as well as one of the areas of highest bat capture effort.

Ilha Grande, one of the locations with the most records of bat species (Mammalia, Chiroptera) in Rio de Janeiro state: results of a long-term ecological study

Faunal inventories provide quantitative and qualitative data for different sites and are relevant sources of information for identifying areas of high species richness and endemism. Biological collections are important in this context for increasing the precision of species identification. The objectives of this study were to update the list of bat species of Ilha Grande by analyzing specimens in zoological collections as well as records obtained in areas where no such studies had been undertaken before; to compare five different studies conducted on Ilha Grande using mist net sampling; and to compare the results of studies on Ilha Grande with sampling results from other areas in Rio de Janeiro state. The occurrence of 36 bat species was confirmed for Ilha Grande. Five studies on Ilha Grande formerly conducted by the authors were compared with 34 fauna inventories in Rio de Janeiro state. The studies on Ilha Grande had distinct objectives and sampling techniques applied to different locations in the same area. Ilha Grande is one of the regions in Rio de Janeiro state with more bat records both in terms of abundance and number of species, as well as one of the areas of highest bat capture effort.(AU)

Evidence of vertical migration in the Ipanema bat Pygoderma bilabiatum (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae: Stenodermatinae)

Migration is defined as a seasonal and cyclic population movement observed in all animal classes and studied mainly in vertebrates. A considerable part of the knowledge on migration comes from birds, for which migration is an important aspect of their biology. In the case of bats, females usually migrate larger distances than males in some species. The present study analyzes the seasonal occurrence of Pygoderma bilabiatum (Wagner, 1843) at different elevations, in order to test for a pattern that evidences migration, using data from the states of Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A total of 529 specimens of P. bilabiatum were captured. Pygoderma bilabiatum seems to be more frequent at intermediate and high elevations (over 80% of all captures were made above 250 m a.s.l.) and at latitudes above 22°S, where rainfall is high (over 1,500 mm) and temperatures are mild (16-23°C). Sex ratio varied with elevation; it was skewed towards males at lower elevations (N = 9, r² = 0.60, F = 12.311, p = 0.008, Sex ratio = 0.0004*elevation + 0.976), though females predominated at all altitudinal bands and in all states analyzed.

Evidence of vertical migration in the Ipanema bat Pygoderma bilabiatum (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae: Stenodermatinae)

Migration is defined as a seasonal and cyclic population movement observed in all animal classes and studied mainly in vertebrates. A considerable part of the knowledge on migration comes from birds, for which migration is an important aspect of their biology. In the case of bats, females usually migrate larger distances than males in some species. The present study analyzes the seasonal occurrence of Pygoderma bilabiatum (Wagner, 1843) at different elevations, in order to test for a pattern that evidences migration, using data from the states of Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A total of 529 specimens of P. bilabiatum were captured. Pygoderma bilabiatum seems to be more frequent at intermediate and high elevations (over 80% of all captures were made above 250 m a.s.l.) and at latitudes above 22°S, where rainfall is high (over 1,500 mm) and temperatures are mild (16-23°C). Sex ratio varied with elevation; it was skewed towards males at lower elevations (N = 9, r² = 0.60, F = 12.311, p = 0.008, Sex ratio = 0.0004*elevation + 0.976), though females predominated at all altitudinal bands and in all states analyzed.

Evidence of vertical migration in the Ipanema bat Pygoderma bilabiatum (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae: Stenodermatinae)

Migration is defined as a seasonal and cyclic population movement observed in all animal classes and studied mainly in vertebrates. A considerable part of the knowledge on migration comes from birds, for which migration is an important aspect of their biology. In the case of bats, females usually migrate larger distances than males in some species. The present study analyzes the seasonal occurrence of Pygoderma bilabiatum (Wagner, 1843) at different elevations, in order to test for a pattern that evidences migration, using data from the states of Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A total of 529 specimens of P. bilabiatum were captured. Pygoderma bilabiatum seems to be more frequent at intermediate and high elevations (over 80% of all captures were made above 250 m a.s.l.) and at latitudes above 22°S, where rainfall is high (over 1,500 mm) and temperatures are mild (16-23°C). Sex ratio varied with elevation; it was skewed towards males at lower elevations (N = 9, r² = 0.60, F = 12.311, p = 0.008, Sex ratio = 0.0004*elevation + 0.976), though females predominated at all altitudinal bands and in all states analyzed.

Potential distribution and new records of Trinomys species (Rodentia: Echimyidae) in the state of Rio de Janeiro

The spiny rats of the genus Trinomys Thomas, 1921 have a broad distribution in the Atlantic Forests of southeastern Brazil. However, some species are known only from their type locality and adjacent areas. In our study, nine areas in the state of Rio de Janeiro were surveyed and three species of the genus were captured - Trinomys dimidiatus (Günther, 1877), T. setosus (Desmarest, 1817) and T. gratiosus bonafidei (MOOJEN, 1948). We extended the distribution of T. gratiosus bonafidei in 100 km, in a straight line to the northwest, and into an area of Semidecidual Seasonal Forest. We captured T. setosus, which had not been previously recorded in the state, in the municipality of Cambuci, extending its distribution 150 km, in a straight line to the east of its closest record, in Juiz de Fora, state of Minas Gerais. The state of Rio de Janeiro has now six recognized species of Trinomys, however none of them were collected above 1300 m of altitude. We used occurrence points provided by our inventories data and from the literature to model the potential distribution of Trinomys species. We used climatic, topographic and phytogeographic variables to prepare the potential distribution maps. The algorithm used for modeling was provided by the software Maxent, version 3.2.1. Although species boundaries within Trinomys in Rio de Janeiro State are not yet clear, their distributions seem to be parapatric, except for T. iheringi and T. dimidiatus.

Potential distribution and new records of Trinomys species (Rodentia: Echimyidae) in the state of Rio de Janeiro

The spiny rats of the genus Trinomys Thomas, 1921 have a broad distribution in the Atlantic Forests of southeastern Brazil. However, some species are known only from their type locality and adjacent areas. In our study, nine areas in the state of Rio de Janeiro were surveyed and three species of the genus were captured - Trinomys dimidiatus (Günther, 1877), T. setosus (Desmarest, 1817) and T. gratiosus bonafidei (MOOJEN, 1948). We extended the distribution of T. gratiosus bonafidei in 100 km, in a straight line to the northwest, and into an area of Semidecidual Seasonal Forest. We captured T. setosus, which had not been previously recorded in the state, in the municipality of Cambuci, extending its distribution 150 km, in a straight line to the east of its closest record, in Juiz de Fora, state of Minas Gerais. The state of Rio de Janeiro has now six recognized species of Trinomys, however none of them were collected above 1300 m of altitude. We used occurrence points provided by our inventories data and from the literature to model the potential distribution of Trinomys species. We used climatic, topographic and phytogeographic variables to prepare the potential distribution maps. The algorithm used for modeling was provided by the software Maxent, version 3.2.1. Although species boundaries within Trinomys in Rio de Janeiro State are not yet clear, their distributions seem to be parapatric, except for T. iheringi and T. dimidiatus.

Potential distribution and new records of Trinomys species (Rodentia: Echimyidae) in the state of Rio de Janeiro

The spiny rats of the genus Trinomys Thomas, 1921 have a broad distribution in the Atlantic Forests of southeastern Brazil. However, some species are known only from their type locality and adjacent areas. In our study, nine areas in the state of Rio de Janeiro were surveyed and three species of the genus were captured - Trinomys dimidiatus (Günther, 1877), T. setosus (Desmarest, 1817) and T. gratiosus bonafidei (MOOJEN, 1948). We extended the distribution of T. gratiosus bonafidei in 100 km, in a straight line to the northwest, and into an area of Semidecidual Seasonal Forest. We captured T. setosus, which had not been previously recorded in the state, in the municipality of Cambuci, extending its distribution 150 km, in a straight line to the east of its closest record, in Juiz de Fora, state of Minas Gerais. The state of Rio de Janeiro has now six recognized species of Trinomys, however none of them were collected above 1300 m of altitude. We used occurrence points provided by our inventories data and from the literature to model the potential distribution of Trinomys species. We used climatic, topographic and phytogeographic variables to prepare the potential distribution maps. The algorithm used for modeling was provided by the software Maxent, version 3.2.1. Although species boundaries within Trinomys in Rio de Janeiro State are not yet clear, their distributions seem to be parapatric, except for T. iheringi and T. dimidiatus.

Feeding behaviour of the bat Phyllostomus hastatus (Pallas 1767) in jackfruit Artocarpus heterophyllus Lamarck (Moraceae), in Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

Artorcarpus heterophyllus fruit is the largest tree fruit, weighing up to 36 kg and was introduced in Brazil during the XVIII century. During a mammalian diversity research developed at Ilha Grande at least five Phyllostomus hastatus bats were observed eating jackfruit. Jackfruit availability is high almost all year long at Ilha Grande and it is possible that P. hastatus restricts the use of this fruit during low availability periods of other food resources. Although seed carrying was not observed, the disperser role of P.hastatus on A. heterophyllus can not be neglected.

Feeding behaviour of the bat Phyllostomus hastatus (Pallas 1767) in jackfruit Artocarpus heterophyllus Lamarck (Moraceae), in Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

Artorcarpus heterophyllus fruit is the largest tree fruit, weighing up to 36 kg and was introduced in Brazil during the XVIII century. During a mammalian diversity research developed at Ilha Grande at least five Phyllostomus hastatus bats were observed eating jackfruit. Jackfruit availability is high almost all year long at Ilha Grande and it is possible that P. hastatus restricts the use of this fruit during low availability periods of other food resources. Although seed carrying was not observed, the disperser role of P.hastatus on A. heterophyllus can not be neglected.

Observation on Eptesicus furinalis in roofs in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil / Observacoes sobre Eptesicus furinalis (dOrbigny & Gervais 1847) (Vespertilionidae) em forros no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Although Eptesicus furinalis presents a widely distribution in Latin America little is known about the ecological aspects of this taxon. This paper reports the capture of three colonies of E. furinalis in Rio de Janeiro State. The colonies occupied human constructions located at altitudes above 800 m. In the three refuges occurred cohabitation with Molossus molossus and size of the colonies ranged from 2 to 33 individuals. Neonates were found in November in one of the roosts. The results show the importance of roost sampled to understand the biology of species that are under sampled in surveys using mist nets.

Apesar de Eptesicus furinalis apresentar-se amplamente distribuída na América Latina pouco se sabe a respeito de aspectos ecológicos desse táxon. Este trabalho relata a captura de três colônias de E. furinalis no Estado do Rio de Janeiro. As colônias ocupavam construções humanas localizadas em altitudes superiores a 800 m. Nos três refúgios ocorreu a coabitação com Molossus molossus (Pallas, 1766) e o tamanho das colônias variou de 2 a 33 indivíduos. Foram encontrados neonatos no mês de novembro em um dos refúgios. Os resultados demonstram a relevância de amostrar refúgios para conhecer a biologia de espécies que são pouco amostradas em inventários realizados com redes de neblina.

Morcegos da Ilha Grande, Angra dos Reis, RJ, Sudeste do Brasil

Poucas amostragens de mamíferos estão disponíveis até agora para o sul do estado do Rio de Janeiro. Esta região apresenta um grande remanescente da Floresta Atlântica com reduzida pressão antrópica, com a Ilha Grande representando um dos maiores fragmentos preservados.Este estudo teve como objetivo fornecer uma lista de espécies de morcegos que ocorrem na Ilha Grande. Foi realizada uma comparação da taxa de Phyllostomidae em amostragens realizadas no estado do Rio de Janeiro. A amostragem de morcegos foi executada com redes deneblina abertas em trilhas ao nível do solo ou suspensas ao nível do dossel. Capturas dentro dos refúgios foram também realizadas. As amostras compreenderam um total de 3158 capturas e recapturas. Foram registradas 36 espécies para Ilha Grande. A lista atual das espéciesrepresenta 92% das espécies já conhecidas para o sul do Rio de Janeiro e 50% do total registrado para o estado. A proporção de espécies de Phyllostomidae observada (72.2%) sugere que com a continuidade da amostragem, mais espécies insetívoras serão incluídas.

Morcegos da Ilha Grande, Angra dos Reis, RJ, Sudeste do Brasil

Poucas amostragens de mamíferos estão disponíveis até agora para o sul do estado do Rio de Janeiro. Esta região apresenta um grande remanescente da Floresta Atlântica com reduzida pressão antrópica, com a Ilha Grande representando um dos maiores fragmentos preservados.Este estudo teve como objetivo fornecer uma lista de espécies de morcegos que ocorrem na Ilha Grande. Foi realizada uma comparação da taxa de Phyllostomidae em amostragens realizadas no estado do Rio de Janeiro. A amostragem de morcegos foi executada com redes deneblina abertas em trilhas ao nível do solo ou suspensas ao nível do dossel. Capturas dentro dos refúgios foram também realizadas. As amostras compreenderam um total de 3158 capturas e recapturas. Foram registradas 36 espécies para Ilha Grande. A lista atual das espéciesrepresenta 92% das espécies já conhecidas para o sul do Rio de Janeiro e 50% do total registrado para o estado. A proporção de espécies de Phyllostomidae observada (72.2%) sugere que com a continuidade da amostragem, mais espécies insetívoras serão incluídas.

Bats of the Costa Verde region, southern coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro / Morcegos da região da Costa Verde e adjacências, litoral sul do estado do Rio de Janeiro

The main of this study is to gather the information about the bat species with records for the south coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro and adjacent areas. These records include lists of species published, dissertations and thesis not yet published, as well as museum specimens deposited in three zoological collections. Fifty six species of seven families were registered in the region, corresponding to 74.6% of the species recognized for the state of Rio de Janeiro. The observed richness can be explained by the use of diversified sampling methods and sampling of different habitats in different sites, such as Ilha Grande and Ilha da Marambaia, biotic integrity of the area and the proximity of field bases maintained by two universities, making possible the accomplishment of intensive researches. Species classified as rare were obtained mainly in long term samplings protocols and through diversified methods of samplings, as nets opened over water bodies, sampling in roosts and use of mist nets in the canopy. The coastal area of the south of Rio de Janeiro has elevated relevance for the conservation of the diversity of bats in the state, being composed by several Units of Conservation and well-conserved forest remnants.

Esse estudo tem como objetivo reunir informações sobre as espécies de morcegos com registros na região do litoral sul do estado do Rio de Janeiro, com base em listagens de morcegos, disponíveis em publicações, dissertações e teses, e em material depositado em três coleções zoológicas. Cinqüenta e seis espécies de sete famílias foram registradas na região, o que corresponde a 74,6% das espécies reconhecidas para o estado do Rio de Janeiro. A riqueza observada pode ser explicada pelo uso de métodos diversificados e amostragem de vários ambientes em alguns locais como Ilha Grande e Marambaia, boa integridade biótica da região e também pela proximidade dos centros de ensino e pesquisa que mantém bases de campo na região, possibilitando a realização de pesquisas intensivas. Espécies assinaladas como raras foram obtidas principalmente em inventários de longa duração em algumas localidades e através de métodos de amostragens diversificados, como redes armadas sobre corpos de água, coletas em dossel e em refúgios. A região litorânea do sul do Rio de Janeiro é de grande relevância para a conservação da diversidade de morcegos no estado e abrigando várias Unidades de Conservação e remanescentes florestais em bom estado de conservação.

Movement of Artibeus fimbriatus over the sea / Deslocamento de Artibeus fimbriatus sobre o mar

In Brazil, even though the use of permanent marking methods in bats are rare, frugivorous bats are known to move, great distances both in the Amazonian savannas and in urban areas. In this study, the use of permanent marking enabled to observe that Artibeus fimbriatus flewacross 21.7 km of sea demonstrating a possible genic flow between islands and the continent. It is also suggested that these bats can move among more than 400 islands. Such observation reinforces the need to use definitive marking of captured animals to improve movement and dispersal data.

In Brazil, even though the use of permanent marking methods in bats are rare, frugivorous bats are known to move, great distances both in the Amazonian savannas and in urban areas. In this study, the use of permanent marking enabled to observe that Artibeus fimbriatus flewacross 21.7 km of sea demonstrating a possible genic flow between islands and the continent. It is also suggested that these bats can move among more than 400 islands. Such observation reinforces the need to use definitive marking of captured animals to improve movement and dispersal data.

Observation on Eptesicus furinalis in roofs in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil / Observacoes sobre Eptesicus furinalis (dOrbigny & Gervais 1847) (Vespertilionidae) em forros no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Although Eptesicus furinalis presents a widely distribution in Latin America little is known about the ecological aspects of this taxon. This paper reports the capture of three colonies of E. furinalis in Rio de Janeiro State. The colonies occupied human constructions located at altitudes above 800 m. In the three refuges occurred cohabitation with Molossus molossus and size of the colonies ranged from 2 to 33 individuals. Neonates were found in November in one of the roosts. The results show the importance of roost sampled to understand the biology of species that are under sampled in surveys using mist nets.

Apesar de Eptesicus furinalis apresentar-se amplamente distribuída na América Latina pouco se sabe a respeito de aspectos ecológicos desse táxon. Este trabalho relata a captura de três colônias de E. furinalis no Estado do Rio de Janeiro. As colônias ocupavam construções humanas localizadas em altitudes superiores a 800 m. Nos três refúgios ocorreu a coabitação com Molossus molossus (Pallas, 1766) e o tamanho das colônias variou de 2 a 33 indivíduos. Foram encontrados neonatos no mês de novembro em um dos refúgios. Os resultados demonstram a relevância de amostrar refúgios para conhecer a biologia de espécies que são pouco amostradas em inventários realizados com redes de neblina.

Bats of the Costa Verde region, southern coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro / Morcegos da região da Costa Verde e adjacências, litoral sul do estado do Rio de Janeiro

The main of this study is to gather the information about the bat species with records for the south coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro and adjacent areas. These records include lists of species published, dissertations and thesis not yet published, as well as museum specimens deposited in three zoological collections. Fifty six species of seven families were registered in the region, corresponding to 74.6% of the species recognized for the state of Rio de Janeiro. The observed richness can be explained by the use of diversified sampling methods and sampling of different habitats in different sites, such as Ilha Grande and Ilha da Marambaia, biotic integrity of the area and the proximity of field bases maintained by two universities, making possible the accomplishment of intensive researches. Species classified as rare were obtained mainly in long term samplings protocols and through diversified methods of samplings, as nets opened over water bodies, sampling in roosts and use of mist nets in the canopy. The coastal area of the south of Rio de Janeiro has elevated relevance for the conservation of the diversity of bats in the state, being composed by several Units of Conservation and well-conserved forest remnants.

Esse estudo tem como objetivo reunir informações sobre as espécies de morcegos com registros na região do litoral sul do estado do Rio de Janeiro, com base em listagens de morcegos, disponíveis em publicações, dissertações e teses, e em material depositado em três coleções zoológicas. Cinqüenta e seis espécies de sete famílias foram registradas na região, o que corresponde a 74,6% das espécies reconhecidas para o estado do Rio de Janeiro. A riqueza observada pode ser explicada pelo uso de métodos diversificados e amostragem de vários ambientes em alguns locais como Ilha Grande e Marambaia, boa integridade biótica da região e também pela proximidade dos centros de ensino e pesquisa que mantém bases de campo na região, possibilitando a realização de pesquisas intensivas. Espécies assinaladas como raras foram obtidas principalmente em inventários de longa duração em algumas localidades e através de métodos de amostragens diversificados, como redes armadas sobre corpos de água, coletas em dossel e em refúgios. A região litorânea do sul do Rio de Janeiro é de grande relevância para a conservação da diversidade de morcegos no estado e abrigando várias Unidades de Conservação e remanescentes florestais em bom estado de conservação.

Movement of Artibeus fimbriatus over the sea / Deslocamento de Artibeus fimbriatus sobre o mar

In Brazil, even though the use of permanent marking methods in bats are rare, frugivorous bats are known to move, great distances both in the Amazonian savannas and in urban areas. In this study, the use of permanent marking enabled to observe that Artibeus fimbriatus flewacross 21.7 km of sea demonstrating a possible genic flow between islands and the continent. It is also suggested that these bats can move among more than 400 islands. Such observation reinforces the need to use definitive marking of captured animals to improve movement and dispersal data.

In Brazil, even though the use of permanent marking methods in bats are rare, frugivorous bats are known to move, great distances both in the Amazonian savannas and in urban areas. In this study, the use of permanent marking enabled to observe that Artibeus fimbriatus flewacross 21.7 km of sea demonstrating a possible genic flow between islands and the continent. It is also suggested that these bats can move among more than 400 islands. Such observation reinforces the need to use definitive marking of captured animals to improve movement and dispersal data.