Towards a review of the decapod crustacea from the remote oceanic archipelago of Trindade and Martin Vaz, south Atlantic Ocean: new records and notes on ecology and zoogeography

The remoteness of the Trindade and Martin Vaz young volcanic archipelago (TMV) raises questions about the source of its marine benthic fauna and levels of endemism. Addressing these questions requires a comprehensive knowledge of the taxonomic composition of the marine fauna of the islands. A five-year survey in the shallow marine waters (up to 30 m) and a literature review on the data published for TMV have been conducted to document the biodiversity of the benthic fauna. Here we report on ten new records of decapod crustaceans from TMV: Gnathophyllum americanum and Thor amboinensis are circumtropical in distribution, whereas Stenopus hispidus, Gnathophylloides mineri and Parribacus antarcticus are disjunct circumtropical species as their distribution in the Atlantic Ocean is limited eastwardly to TMV or Ascension Island (S. hispidus), therefore, do not extending into the eastern Atlantic. Gnathophyllum circellum and Thor manningi are western Atlantic species, with G. circellum previously known only from the Caribbean Sea. Pontonia manningi, Tuleariocaris neglecta and Enoplometopus antillensis are amphi-Atlantic in distribution. Two of the above species are recorded from the southwestern Atlantic for the first time: Gnathophyllum circellum and Tuleariocaris neglecta. These new records corroborate that the marine benthic invertebrate fauna of the TMV archipelago is actually a [...]

O grande isolamento geográfico do jovem arquipélago vulcânico Trindade e Martin Vaz (TMV) suscita questionamentos sobre a origem e os níveis de endemismo de sua fauna. Entretanto, a abordagem destas questões requer o conhecimento abrangente da composição taxonômica da fauna bentônica marinha de TMV. Com o intuito de documentar a biodiversidade em TMV foram efetuadas amostragens da fauna de invertebrados bentônicos durante cinco anos consecutivos do entre-marés até profundidades de 30 m. Nesta oportunidade apresentamos dez novos registros de crustáceos Decapoda para TMV, juntamente com comentários ecológicos e notas zoogeográficas. Gnathophyllum americanum e Thor amboinensis são espécies circumtropicais, enquanto que Stenopus hispidus, Gnathophylloides mineri e Parribacus antarcticus são espécies circumtropicais disjuntas na medida em que sua distribuição no oceano Atlântico encontra-se limitada à leste pelas ilhas TMV ou Ascensão (S. hispidus), consequentemente, não se estendendo ao Atlântico oriental. Gnathophyllum circellum e Thor manningi são espécies do Atlântico ocidental; G. circellum era conhecida previamente apenas do Mar do Caribe. Pontonia manningi, Tuleariocaris neglecta e Enoplometopus antillensis são espécies anfi-Atlânticas. Estes novos registros para TMV corroboram a ideia de que a fauna marinha bentônica de TMV constitui-se em um mosaico de espécies atlântico-ocidentais, atlântico-orientais, centro-atlânticas (insulares), anfi-Atlânticas, endêmicas e circumtropicais. O componente atlântico ocidental tem forte influência na formação faunística de TMV.

Towards a review of the decapod crustacea from the remote oceanic archipelago of trindade and martin vaz, south atlantic ocean: new records and notes on ecology and zoogeography

ABSTRACT The remoteness of the Trindade and Martin Vaz young volcanic archipelago (TMV) raises questions about the source of its marine benthic fauna and levels of endemism. Addressing these questions requires a comprehensive knowledge of the taxonomic composition of the marine fauna of the islands. A five-year survey in the shallow marine waters (up to 30 m) and a literature review on the data published for TMV have been conducted to document the biodiversity of the benthic fauna. Here we report on ten new records of decapod crustaceans from TMV: Gnathophyllum americanum and Thor amboinensis are circumtropical in distribution, whereas Stenopus hispidus, Gnathophylloides mineri and Parribacus antarcticus are disjunct circumtropical species as their distribution in the Atlantic Ocean is limited eastwardly to TMV or Ascension Island (S. hispidus), therefore, do not extending into the eastern Atlantic. Gnathophyllum circellum and Thor manningi are western Atlantic species, with G. circellum previously known only from the Caribbean Sea. Pontonia manningi, Tuleariocaris neglecta and Enoplometopus antillensis are amphi-Atlantic in distribution. Two of the above species are recorded from the southwestern Atlantic for the first time: Gnathophyllum circellum and Tuleariocaris neglecta. These new records corroborate that the marine benthic invertebrate fauna of the TMV archipelago is actually a mosaic of amphi-Atlantic, eastern Atlantic, central Atlantic (insular), endemic and circumtropical species, with a strong western Atlantic component.

RESUMO O grande isolamento geográfico do jovem arquipélago vulcânico Trindade e Martin Vaz (TMV) suscita questionamentos sobre a origem e os níveis de endemismo de sua fauna. Entretanto, a abordagem destas questões requer o conhecimento abrangente da composição taxonômica da fauna bentônica marinha de TMV. Com o intuito de documentar a biodiversidade em TMV foram efetuadas amostragens da fauna de invertebrados bentônicos durante cinco anos consecutivos do entre-marés até profundidades de 30 m. Nesta oportunidade apresentamos dez novos registros de crustáceos Decapoda para TMV, juntamente com comentários ecológicos e notas zoogeográficas. Gnathophyllum americanum e Thor amboinensis são espécies circumtropicais, enquanto que Stenopus hispidus, Gnathophylloides mineri e Parribacus antarcticus são espécies circumtropicais disjuntas na medida em que sua distribuição no oceano Atlântico encontra-se limitada à leste pelas ilhas TMV ou Ascensão (S. hispidus), consequentemente, não se estendendo ao Atlântico oriental. Gnathophyllum circellum e Thor manningi são espécies do Atlântico ocidental; G. circellum era conhecida previamente apenas do Mar do Caribe. Pontonia manningi, Tuleariocaris neglecta e Enoplometopus antillensis são espécies anfi-Atlânticas. Estes novos registros para TMV corroboram a ideia de que a fauna marinha bentônica de TMV constitui-se em um mosaico de espécies atlântico-ocidentais, atlântico-orientais, centro-atlânticas (insulares), anfi-Atlânticas, endêmicas e circumtropicais. O componente atlântico ocidental tem forte influência na formação faunística de TMV.

Towards a review of the decapod crustacea from the remote oceanic archipelago of Trindade and Martin Vaz, south Atlantic Ocean: new records and notes on ecology and zoogeography

The remoteness of the Trindade and Martin Vaz young volcanic archipelago (TMV) raises questions about the source of its marine benthic fauna and levels of endemism. Addressing these questions requires a comprehensive knowledge of the taxonomic composition of the marine fauna of the islands. A five-year survey in the shallow marine waters (up to 30 m) and a literature review on the data published for TMV have been conducted to document the biodiversity of the benthic fauna. Here we report on ten new records of decapod crustaceans from TMV: Gnathophyllum americanum and Thor amboinensis are circumtropical in distribution, whereas Stenopus hispidus, Gnathophylloides mineri and Parribacus antarcticus are disjunct circumtropical species as their distribution in the Atlantic Ocean is limited eastwardly to TMV or Ascension Island (S. hispidus), therefore, do not extending into the eastern Atlantic. Gnathophyllum circellum and Thor manningi are western Atlantic species, with G. circellum previously known only from the Caribbean Sea. Pontonia manningi, Tuleariocaris neglecta and Enoplometopus antillensis are amphi-Atlantic in distribution. Two of the above species are recorded from the southwestern Atlantic for the first time: Gnathophyllum circellum and Tuleariocaris neglecta. These new records corroborate that the marine benthic invertebrate fauna of the TMV archipelago is actually a [...](AU)

O grande isolamento geográfico do jovem arquipélago vulcânico Trindade e Martin Vaz (TMV) suscita questionamentos sobre a origem e os níveis de endemismo de sua fauna. Entretanto, a abordagem destas questões requer o conhecimento abrangente da composição taxonômica da fauna bentônica marinha de TMV. Com o intuito de documentar a biodiversidade em TMV foram efetuadas amostragens da fauna de invertebrados bentônicos durante cinco anos consecutivos do entre-marés até profundidades de 30 m. Nesta oportunidade apresentamos dez novos registros de crustáceos Decapoda para TMV, juntamente com comentários ecológicos e notas zoogeográficas. Gnathophyllum americanum e Thor amboinensis são espécies circumtropicais, enquanto que Stenopus hispidus, Gnathophylloides mineri e Parribacus antarcticus são espécies circumtropicais disjuntas na medida em que sua distribuição no oceano Atlântico encontra-se limitada à leste pelas ilhas TMV ou Ascensão (S. hispidus), consequentemente, não se estendendo ao Atlântico oriental. Gnathophyllum circellum e Thor manningi são espécies do Atlântico ocidental; G. circellum era conhecida previamente apenas do Mar do Caribe. Pontonia manningi, Tuleariocaris neglecta e Enoplometopus antillensis são espécies anfi-Atlânticas. Estes novos registros para TMV corroboram a ideia de que a fauna marinha bentônica de TMV constitui-se em um mosaico de espécies atlântico-ocidentais, atlântico-orientais, centro-atlânticas (insulares), anfi-Atlânticas, endêmicas e circumtropicais. O componente atlântico ocidental tem forte influência na formação faunística de TMV.(AU)

TOWARDS A REVIEW OF THE DECAPOD CRUSTACEA FROM THE REMOTE OCEANIC ARCHIPELAGO OF TRINDADE AND MARTIN VAZ, SOUTH ATLANTIC OCEAN: NEW RECORDS AND NOTES ON ECOLOGY AND ZOOGEOGRAPHY

ABSTRACT The remoteness of the Trindade and Martin Vaz young volcanic archipelago (TMV) raises questions about the source of its marine benthic fauna and levels of endemism. Addressing these questions requires a comprehensive knowledge of the taxonomic composition of the marine fauna of the islands. A five-year survey in the shallow marine waters (up to 30 m) and a literature review on the data published for TMV have been conducted to document the biodiversity of the benthic fauna. Here we report on ten new records of decapod crustaceans from TMV: Gnathophyllum americanum and Thor amboinensis are circumtropical in distribution, whereas Stenopus hispidus, Gnathophylloides mineri and Parribacus antarcticus are disjunct circumtropical species as their distribution in the Atlantic Ocean is limited eastwardly to TMV or Ascension Island (S. hispidus), therefore, do not extending into the eastern Atlantic. Gnathophyllum circellum and Thor manningi are western Atlantic species, with G. circellum previously known only from the Caribbean Sea. Pontonia manningi, Tuleariocaris neglecta and Enoplometopus antillensis are amphi-Atlantic in distribution. Two of the above species are recorded from the southwestern Atlantic for the first time: Gnathophyllum circellum and Tuleariocaris neglecta. These new records corroborate that the marine benthic invertebrate fauna of the TMV archipelago is actually a mosaic of amphi-Atlantic, eastern Atlantic, central Atlantic (insular), endemic and circumtropical species, with a strong western Atlantic component.

RESUMO O grande isolamento geográfico do jovem arquipélago vulcânico Trindade e Martin Vaz (TMV) suscita questionamentos sobre a origem e os níveis de endemismo de sua fauna. Entretanto, a abordagem destas questões requer o conhecimento abrangente da composição taxonômica da fauna bentônica marinha de TMV. Com o intuito de documentar a biodiversidade em TMV foram efetuadas amostragens da fauna de invertebrados bentônicos durante cinco anos consecutivos do entre-marés até profundidades de 30 m. Nesta oportunidade apresentamos dez novos registros de crustáceos Decapoda para TMV, juntamente com comentários ecológicos e notas zoogeográficas. Gnathophyllum americanum e Thor amboinensis são espécies circumtropicais, enquanto que Stenopus hispidus, Gnathophylloides mineri e Parribacus antarcticus são espécies circumtropicais disjuntas na medida em que sua distribuição no oceano Atlântico encontra-se limitada à leste pelas ilhas TMV ou Ascensão (S. hispidus), consequentemente, não se estendendo ao Atlântico oriental. Gnathophyllum circellum e Thor manningi são espécies do Atlântico ocidental; G. circellum era conhecida previamente apenas do Mar do Caribe. Pontonia manningi, Tuleariocaris neglecta e Enoplometopus antillensis são espécies anfi-Atlânticas. Estes novos registros para TMV corroboram a ideia de que a fauna marinha bentônica de TMV constitui-se em um mosaico de espécies atlântico-ocidentais, atlântico-orientais, centro-atlânticas (insulares), anfi-Atlânticas, endêmicas e circumtropicais. O componente atlântico ocidental tem forte influência na formação faunística de TMV.

Selection of environmental temperature by the yellow scorpion Tityus serrulatus Lutz & Mello, 1922 (Scorpiones, Buthidae)

The preferred temperature of the yellow scorpion Tityus serrulatus was investigated since its dispersion is a matter of concern. Adult T. serrulatus, weighing 1.24 + 0.20 g (mean + sd) and with a standard length of 59.3 + 2.5 mm, were used. A metallic corridor (120 cm long, 5 cm large and 10 cm high) with thermal gradient ranging from 0°C to 40°C was used. Tityus serrulatus chose and stayed in temperatures ranging from 14°C to 38°C when safe conditions were offered (dark and thigmotactic stimuli). The number of animals that remained in the 11°C-20°C, 21°C-30°C, and 31°C-40°C temperature zones were 8, 8, and 9, respectively. The chi-square test (degree of freedom = 2) showed that differences were not significant (p>0.05). Some animals moved to lower temperature areas (less than 8°C) when the corridor was completely illuminated and thigmotactic stimuli were absent, which led the animals to present a torpor state. It is concluded that T. serrulatus does not select a specific environmental temperature. Associated with the capacity of temporally surviving at low temperatures, this species seems to be highly adaptable to different thermal zones.

Bats of Barbados

The chiropteran fauna of Barbados includes representatives of four families Noctilionidae, Phyllostomidae, Vespertilionidae, and Molossidae including 1 piscivore (Noctilio leporinus), 1 omnivore (Brachyphylla cavernarum), 1 pollenivore/nectarivore (Monophyllus plethodon), 1 frugivore (Artibeus jamaicensis), and 2 insectivorous species (Myotis nyctor and Molossus molossus). Despite an early report, we believe that preponderance of the evidence available at this time is that E. fuscus is not part of the fauna of Barbados. The Barbadian chiropteran fauna of 6 species is much smaller than those on the four neighboring Lesser Antillean islands to the west and north. We believe that this is primarily the result of two factorsgeological age and geographic isolation. Our work indicates that populations of the 6 species of bats on Barbados are in good condition in all cases, but only for Artibeus jamaicensis and Molossus molossus are the populations large enough to not be of ongoing concern. The maintenance of the chiropteran fauna can best be served by three management actions preservation of caves and associated gullies, forests, and hydrological systems.

Bats of the Grenadine Islands, West Indies, and placement of Koopmans line / Bats of the Grenadine Islands, West Indies, and placement of Koopmans line

Almost nothing is known concerning the chiropteran fauna on the Grenadine Islands, a chain of islands between St. Vincent and Grenada located near the southern end of the Lesser Antilles. Previously, only a single speciesGlossophaga longirostrishad been reported from the Grenadines. Our research, conducted on 4 occasions over the period of 1980 to 2006, provided museum vouchers and genetic specimens for the addition of 4 other species to the known fauna of these islandsNoctilio leporinus, Artibeus lituratus, Artibeus schwartzi, and Molossus molossus. The Grenadines, being situated between St. Vincent and Grenada, occupy an important zoogeographic position. None of the 12 species of bats occurring on Grenada are Antillean endemics, whereas on St. Vincent, to the north of the Grenadines, 3 of the 12 species are Antillean endemics. The boundary of the West Indian Subregion of the Neotropical Region based on the distribution of mammals has been designated as Koopmans Line. One of the areas where placement of Koopmans Line was unresolved was among the Grenadine Islands because the chiropteran fauna of this area was essentially unknown. Based on data reported herein, we place Koopmans Line along the 14-km wide Bequia Channel that separates St. Vincent and the northern-most Grenadine island of Bequia.

Almost nothing is known concerning the chiropteran fauna on the Grenadine Islands, a chain of islands between St. Vincent and Grenada located near the southern end of the Lesser Antilles. Previously, only a single speciesGlossophaga longirostrishad been reported from the Grenadines. Our research, conducted on 4 occasions over the period of 1980 to 2006, provided museum vouchers and genetic specimens for the addition of 4 other species to the known fauna of these islandsNoctilio leporinus, Artibeus lituratus, Artibeus schwartzi, and Molossus molossus. The Grenadines, being situated between St. Vincent and Grenada, occupy an important zoogeographic position. None of the 12 species of bats occurring on Grenada are Antillean endemics, whereas on St. Vincent, to the north of the Grenadines, 3 of the 12 species are Antillean endemics. The boundary of the West Indian Subregion of the Neotropical Region based on the distribution of mammals has been designated as Koopmans Line. One of the areas where placement of Koopmans Line was unresolved was among the Grenadine Islands because the chiropteran fauna of this area was essentially unknown. Based on data reported herein, we place Koopmans Line along the 14-km wide Bequia Channel that separates St. Vincent and the northern-most Grenadine island of Bequia.

Taxonomia e distribuição de Actinocythereis brasiliensis sp. nov. (Podocopida, Trachyleberididae) na plataforma continental brasileira

A new species is described, Actinocythereis brasiliensis, from the southern Brazilian continental shelf. It is based on the analysis of 766 samples collected by oceanographical projects. The geographical distribution of this species has revealed its preference by the cold waters and terrigenous sediments and, has a bathymetric distribution between 22 and 164 m but, being concentrated in the shallower waters ( 60 m).

Taxonomia e distribuição de Actinocythereis brasiliensis sp. nov. (Podocopida, Trachyleberididae) na plataforma continental brasileira

A new species is described, Actinocythereis brasiliensis, from the southern Brazilian continental shelf. It is based on the analysis of 766 samples collected by oceanographical projects. The geographical distribution of this species has revealed its preference by the cold waters and terrigenous sediments and, has a bathymetric distribution between 22 and 164 m but, being concentrated in the shallower waters ( 60 m).

OCORRÊNCIA DE FORMIGAS CORTADEIRAS NA REGIÃO DA DEPRESSÃO CENTRAL DO ESTADO DO RIO GRANDE DO SUL

With the objective of to identifying the leaf-cutting ants that occur in the Depressão Central Region of Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, to verify its predominance species and its geographical distribution, a survey was done in 51 counties. Forty ant samples were collected in each county in second semester of 1999. Ants identification and data interpretation were carried out in the Fitossanidade Department of "Eliseu Maciel" Agronomy Faculty of the Federal University of Pelotas. Ants from 2.058 samples were identified, being observed: Atta sexdens piriventris Santschi, 1919; Acromyrmex laticeps (Emery, 1905); Acromyrmex crassispinus (Forel, 1909); Acromyrmex heyeri (Forel, 1899); Acromyrmex lundi (Guerin, 1838); Acromyrmex ambiguus (Emery, 1887); Acromyrmex striatus (Roger, 1863); Acromyrmex lobicornis (Emery, 1887); Acromyrmex coronatus (Fabricius, 1804) and Acromyrmex landolti balzani (Forel, 1884). The predominant species were Acromyrmex lundi, Atta sexdens piriventris, A. ambiguus, A. heyeri, A. striatus and A. laticeps, representing, respectively, 23.91%, 22.89%, 16.86%, 14.04%, 6.85% and 6.70% of total samples in this region, occurring in 84.31%, 60.78%, 70.59%, 84.31%, 78.43% and 88.24% of the counties, respectively. The others species (A. crassispinus, A. lobicornis, A. landolti balzani and A. coronatus) are less frequent, representing together 6.27% of total samples, being considered of rare occurrence in this region.

Com o objetivo de identificar as espécies de formigas cortadeiras que existem na região da Depressão Central do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, de verificar sua predominância e distribuição geográfica, realizou-se um levantamento em 51 municípios. Foram coletadas 40 amostras de formigas de cada município no segundo semestre de 1999. A identificação das formigas e a interpretação dos dados foi realizada no Departamento de Fitossanidade da Faculdade de Agronomia "Eliseu Maciel" da Universidade Federal de Pelotas. Na análise das 2.058 amostras de formigas, constatou-se a presença de: Atta sexdens piriventris Santschi, 1919; Acromyrmex laticeps (Emery, 1905); Acromyrmex crassispinus (Forel, 1909); Acromyrmex heyeri (Forel, 1899); Acromyrmex lundi (Guerin, 1838); Acromyrmex ambiguus (Emery, 1887); Acromyrmex striatus (Roger, 1863); Acromyrmex lobicornis (Emery, 1887); Acromyrmex coronatus (Fabricius, 1804) e Acromyrmex landolti balzani Emery, 1890. As espécies predominantes foram Acromyrmex lundi, Atta sexdens piriventris, A. ambiguus, A. heyeri, A. striatus e A. laticeps, representando, respectivamente, 23,91%, 22,89%, 16,86%, 14,04%, 6,85% e 6,70% do total amostrado, ocorrendo em 84,31%, 60,78%, 70,59%, 84,31%, 78,43% e 88,24% dos municípios, respectivamente. As demais espécies (A. crassispinus, A. lobicornis, A. landolti balzani e A. coronatus) foram pouco freqüentes, representando juntas 6,27% do total, sendo por isso, consideradas de ocorrência rara nesta região.

Ocorrência de formigas cortadeiras na região da depressão central do estado do rio grande do sul

With the objective of to identifying the leaf-cutting ants that occur in the Depressão Central Region of Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, to verify its predominance species and its geographical distribution, a survey was done in 51 counties. Forty ant samples were collected in each county in second semester of 1999. Ants identification and data interpretation were carried out in the Fitossanidade Department of "Eliseu Maciel" Agronomy Faculty of the Federal University of Pelotas. Ants from 2.058 samples were identified, being observed: Atta sexdens piriventris Santschi, 1919; Acromyrmex laticeps (Emery, 1905); Acromyrmex crassispinus (Forel, 1909); Acromyrmex heyeri (Forel, 1899); Acromyrmex lundi (Guerin, 1838); Acromyrmex ambiguus (Emery, 1887); Acromyrmex striatus (Roger, 1863); Acromyrmex lobicornis (Emery, 1887); Acromyrmex coronatus (Fabricius, 1804) and Acromyrmex landolti balzani (Forel, 1884). The predominant species were Acromyrmex lundi, Atta sexdens piriventris, A. ambiguus, A. heyeri, A. striatus and A. laticeps, representing, respectively, 23.91%, 22.89%, 16.86%, 14.04%, 6.85% and 6.70% of total samples in this region, occurring in 84.31%, 60.78%, 70.59%, 84.31%, 78.43% and 88.24% of the counties, respectively. The others species (A. crassispinus, A. lobicornis, A. landolti balzani and A. coronatus) are less frequent, representing together 6.27% of total samples, being considered of rare occurrence in this region.

Com o objetivo de identificar as espécies de formigas cortadeiras que existem na região da Depressão Central do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, de verificar sua predominância e distribuição geográfica, realizou-se um levantamento em 51 municípios. Foram coletadas 40 amostras de formigas de cada município no segundo semestre de 1999. A identificação das formigas e a interpretação dos dados foi realizada no Departamento de Fitossanidade da Faculdade de Agronomia "Eliseu Maciel" da Universidade Federal de Pelotas. Na análise das 2.058 amostras de formigas, constatou-se a presença de: Atta sexdens piriventris Santschi, 1919; Acromyrmex laticeps (Emery, 1905); Acromyrmex crassispinus (Forel, 1909); Acromyrmex heyeri (Forel, 1899); Acromyrmex lundi (Guerin, 1838); Acromyrmex ambiguus (Emery, 1887); Acromyrmex striatus (Roger, 1863); Acromyrmex lobicornis (Emery, 1887); Acromyrmex coronatus (Fabricius, 1804) e Acromyrmex landolti balzani Emery, 1890. As espécies predominantes foram Acromyrmex lundi, Atta sexdens piriventris, A. ambiguus, A. heyeri, A. striatus e A. laticeps, representando, respectivamente, 23,91%, 22,89%, 16,86%, 14,04%, 6,85% e 6,70% do total amostrado, ocorrendo em 84,31%, 60,78%, 70,59%, 84,31%, 78,43% e 88,24% dos municípios, respectivamente. As demais espécies (A. crassispinus, A. lobicornis, A. landolti balzani e A. coronatus) foram pouco freqüentes, representando juntas 6,27% do total, sendo por isso, consideradas de ocorrência rara nesta região.

Bats of Barbados

The chiropteran fauna of Barbados includes representatives of four families Noctilionidae, Phyllostomidae, Vespertilionidae, and Molossidae including 1 piscivore (Noctilio leporinus), 1 omnivore (Brachyphylla cavernarum), 1 pollenivore/nectarivore (Monophyllus plethodon), 1 frugivore (Artibeus jamaicensis), and 2 insectivorous species (Myotis nyctor and Molossus molossus). Despite an early report, we believe that preponderance of the evidence available at this time is that E. fuscus is not part of the fauna of Barbados. The Barbadian chiropteran fauna of 6 species is much smaller than those on the four neighboring Lesser Antillean islands to the west and north. We believe that this is primarily the result of two factorsgeological age and geographic isolation. Our work indicates that populations of the 6 species of bats on Barbados are in good condition in all cases, but only for Artibeus jamaicensis and Molossus molossus are the populations large enough to not be of ongoing concern. The maintenance of the chiropteran fauna can best be served by three management actions preservation of caves and associated gullies, forests, and hydrological systems.

Bats of the Grenadine Islands, West Indies, and placement of Koopmans line / Bats of the Grenadine Islands, West Indies, and placement of Koopmans line

Almost nothing is known concerning the chiropteran fauna on the Grenadine Islands, a chain of islands between St. Vincent and Grenada located near the southern end of the Lesser Antilles. Previously, only a single speciesGlossophaga longirostrishad been reported from the Grenadines. Our research, conducted on 4 occasions over the period of 1980 to 2006, provided museum vouchers and genetic specimens for the addition of 4 other species to the known fauna of these islandsNoctilio leporinus, Artibeus lituratus, Artibeus schwartzi, and Molossus molossus. The Grenadines, being situated between St. Vincent and Grenada, occupy an important zoogeographic position. None of the 12 species of bats occurring on Grenada are Antillean endemics, whereas on St. Vincent, to the north of the Grenadines, 3 of the 12 species are Antillean endemics. The boundary of the West Indian Subregion of the Neotropical Region based on the distribution of mammals has been designated as Koopmans Line. One of the areas where placement of Koopmans Line was unresolved was among the Grenadine Islands because the chiropteran fauna of this area was essentially unknown. Based on data reported herein, we place Koopmans Line along the 14-km wide Bequia Channel that separates St. Vincent and the northern-most Grenadine island of Bequia.

Almost nothing is known concerning the chiropteran fauna on the Grenadine Islands, a chain of islands between St. Vincent and Grenada located near the southern end of the Lesser Antilles. Previously, only a single speciesGlossophaga longirostrishad been reported from the Grenadines. Our research, conducted on 4 occasions over the period of 1980 to 2006, provided museum vouchers and genetic specimens for the addition of 4 other species to the known fauna of these islandsNoctilio leporinus, Artibeus lituratus, Artibeus schwartzi, and Molossus molossus. The Grenadines, being situated between St. Vincent and Grenada, occupy an important zoogeographic position. None of the 12 species of bats occurring on Grenada are Antillean endemics, whereas on St. Vincent, to the north of the Grenadines, 3 of the 12 species are Antillean endemics. The boundary of the West Indian Subregion of the Neotropical Region based on the distribution of mammals has been designated as Koopmans Line. One of the areas where placement of Koopmans Line was unresolved was among the Grenadine Islands because the chiropteran fauna of this area was essentially unknown. Based on data reported herein, we place Koopmans Line along the 14-km wide Bequia Channel that separates St. Vincent and the northern-most Grenadine island of Bequia.