Urban bats: Knowledge Status and Action Plan for Conservation in Brazil / Morcegos Urbanos: Status do Conhecimento e Plano de Ação para a Conservação no Brasil

This study analysis information on the bat species recorded in urban and suburban areas in the aspects of distribution, shelters, colonies size, diet, health aspects and conservation. Data were obtained at the Center for Zoonosis Control (CCZ), Center for Health Surveillance and Environmental, Research Institutes and experience and studies carried by the authors. A total of 47 species was recorded as follows: 17 Phyllostomidae, 16 Molossidae, 11 Vespertilionidae, two Emballonuridae and one Noctilionidae. It was verified that insectivorous bats were dominant, representing 64% of the recorded species. Three species were present only in the urban area and nine in the suburban area, the other species could be found in both sites. The most common species in, at least three cities, are Artibeus lituratus and Tadarida brasiliensis. Molossus molossus was a species not so commom in south states and commom in Sao Paulo and Distrito Federal. Eptesicus brasiliensis, Lasiurus blossevillii, L. ega and Promops nasutus are rare in all states. It is also discussed some aspects of the impact that bats generate and suffer in large cities, and proposes an action plan for the conservation of this group in urban environments.

O estudo aborda informações sobre as espécies de morcegos registradas em meio urbano e periurbano quanto à sua distribuição, locais de abrigos, tamanho das colônias, hábitos alimentares e questões de saúde pública e conservação. Foram utilizados dados existentes em Centros de Controle de Zoonoses (CCZ), Centros de Vigilância Sanitária e Ambiental, Institutos de Pesquisa e a experiência e os estudos dos autores. Foram registradas 47 espécies, sendo 17 Phyllostomidae, 16 Molossidae, 11 Vespertilionidae, duas Emballonuridae e uma Noctilionidae. Verificou-se a dominância de morcegos insetívoros, representados por 64% do total das espécies registradas. Três espécies ocorreram somente em área urbana, nove em periurbana e 29 em ambas as áreas. As espécies consideradas comuns em pelo menos três estados foram Artibeus lituratus e Tadarida brasiliensis; Molossus molossus foi pouco comum nos estados do Sul e comum em São Paulo e Distrito Federal. Eptesicus brasiliensis, Lasiurus blossevillii, L. ega e Promops nasutus são raras em todos os estados. São discutidos os impactos que os morcegos geram e sofrem nas grandes cidades, e proposto um plano de ação para a conservação do grupo em ambientes urbanos.

Visitas de morcegos fitófagos a Muntingia calabura L. Muntingiaceae) em Brasília, Centro-Oeste do Brasil

Muntingia calabura L. is a neotropical plant which occurs from Mexico to Bolivia and Brazil. This plant is a common tree in several Brazilian cities and it has been used in the streets and urban parks arborization. Bats are known as night visitors of this tree, which fruits are available to the bats along the year. We observed three bat species (Artibeus lituratus, Platyrrhinus lineatus and Glossophaga soricina) visiting M. calabura in urban areas of Brasília, Mid-Western Brazil, between 1994 and 1999. The bat visits started at 18:00 h and ended at 20:00 or 20:30 h. The bats generally defecated while flying around the trees and dispersing feces and calabura small seeds on the walls, windows, cars and ground. Pet animals, mainly cats, were observed catching bats, and this can represent a problem to public health although no rabies positive bats were found in Brasília. Because of its potential of attracting bats and of its all year fruit production, M. calabura is not an appropriated tree to be used in the streets arborization although it could be recommended to urban parks and other conservation areas.

Visitas de morcegos fitófagos a Muntingia calabura L. Muntingiaceae) em Brasília, Centro-Oeste do Brasil

Muntingia calabura L. is a neotropical plant which occurs from Mexico to Bolivia and Brazil. This plant is a common tree in several Brazilian cities and it has been used in the streets and urban parks arborization. Bats are known as night visitors of this tree, which fruits are available to the bats along the year. We observed three bat species (Artibeus lituratus, Platyrrhinus lineatus and Glossophaga soricina) visiting M. calabura in urban areas of Brasília, Mid-Western Brazil, between 1994 and 1999. The bat visits started at 18:00 h and ended at 20:00 or 20:30 h. The bats generally defecated while flying around the trees and dispersing feces and calabura small seeds on the walls, windows, cars and ground. Pet animals, mainly cats, were observed catching bats, and this can represent a problem to public health although no rabies positive bats were found in Brasília. Because of its potential of attracting bats and of its all year fruit production, M. calabura is not an appropriated tree to be used in the streets arborization although it could be recommended to urban parks and other conservation areas.

Urban bats: Knowledge Status and Action Plan for Conservation in Brazil / Morcegos Urbanos: Status do Conhecimento e Plano de Ação para a Conservação no Brasil

This study analysis information on the bat species recorded in urban and suburban areas in the aspects of distribution, shelters, colonies size, diet, health aspects and conservation. Data were obtained at the Center for Zoonosis Control (CCZ), Center for Health Surveillance and Environmental, Research Institutes and experience and studies carried by the authors. A total of 47 species was recorded as follows: 17 Phyllostomidae, 16 Molossidae, 11 Vespertilionidae, two Emballonuridae and one Noctilionidae. It was verified that insectivorous bats were dominant, representing 64% of the recorded species. Three species were present only in the urban area and nine in the suburban area, the other species could be found in both sites. The most common species in, at least three cities, are Artibeus lituratus and Tadarida brasiliensis. Molossus molossus was a species not so commom in south states and commom in Sao Paulo and Distrito Federal. Eptesicus brasiliensis, Lasiurus blossevillii, L. ega and Promops nasutus are rare in all states. It is also discussed some aspects of the impact that bats generate and suffer in large cities, and proposes an action plan for the conservation of this group in urban environments.

O estudo aborda informações sobre as espécies de morcegos registradas em meio urbano e periurbano quanto à sua distribuição, locais de abrigos, tamanho das colônias, hábitos alimentares e questões de saúde pública e conservação. Foram utilizados dados existentes em Centros de Controle de Zoonoses (CCZ), Centros de Vigilância Sanitária e Ambiental, Institutos de Pesquisa e a experiência e os estudos dos autores. Foram registradas 47 espécies, sendo 17 Phyllostomidae, 16 Molossidae, 11 Vespertilionidae, duas Emballonuridae e uma Noctilionidae. Verificou-se a dominância de morcegos insetívoros, representados por 64% do total das espécies registradas. Três espécies ocorreram somente em área urbana, nove em periurbana e 29 em ambas as áreas. As espécies consideradas comuns em pelo menos três estados foram Artibeus lituratus e Tadarida brasiliensis; Molossus molossus foi pouco comum nos estados do Sul e comum em São Paulo e Distrito Federal. Eptesicus brasiliensis, Lasiurus blossevillii, L. ega e Promops nasutus são raras em todos os estados. São discutidos os impactos que os morcegos geram e sofrem nas grandes cidades, e proposto um plano de ação para a conservação do grupo em ambientes urbanos.

Notes on Vampyressa pusilla (Wagner, 1843) in the south of Sao Paulo State

Vampyressa pusilla (Wagner 1843) has been reported from southern Mexico to Peru, Venezuela, French Guiana, Southeastern Brazil, and Paraguay (Myers et al. 1983, Brosset & Charles-Dominique 1990, Nowak 1994). Timm (1984) reported V. pusilla as a tent-making bat species in Costa Rica. The few available data concerning food habitats indicate that this species is frugivorous (Gardner 1977). Howell and Burch (1974) listed five V. pusilla from Costa Rica that had fed on the fruits of Arcnistus sp. Wilson (1979) listed the following reproductive data: pregnant or lactating females collected in Mexico and Central America from January to March and in July and August, and in Colombia in March, April, May, July, August and November.

Notes on Vampyressa pusilla (Wagner, 1843) in the south of Sao Paulo State

Vampyressa pusilla (Wagner 1843) has been reported from southern Mexico to Peru, Venezuela, French Guiana, Southeastern Brazil, and Paraguay (Myers et al. 1983, Brosset & Charles-Dominique 1990, Nowak 1994). Timm (1984) reported V. pusilla as a tent-making bat species in Costa Rica. The few available data concerning food habitats indicate that this species is frugivorous (Gardner 1977). Howell and Burch (1974) listed five V. pusilla from Costa Rica that had fed on the fruits of Arcnistus sp. Wilson (1979) listed the following reproductive data: pregnant or lactating females collected in Mexico and Central America from January to March and in July and August, and in Colombia in March, April, May, July, August and November.