Predation by the centipede Scolopendra viridicornis (Scolopendromorpha, Scolopendridae) on roof-roosting bats in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil

ABSTRACT

Few invertebrates are currently known to feed upon bats,particularly on adult individuals, fully capable of flying. Herein wepresent new records of bat predation by centipedes, an interactiononly previously known from observations on a Venezuelan cave.Two predation events were recorded, both relating Scolopendraviridicornis (Chilopoda, Scolopendromorpha, Scolopendridae) tobats roosted in the roof of houses in the Reserva Natural Vale, anAtlantic Forest remain located in northern Espírito Santo state,southeastern Brazil. Information available from the second eventincludes the identification of the predated bat (adult female Eptesicusfurinalis - Vespertilionidae) and the body parts (viscera and musclesof the skull, neck, shoulder, upper arm, and chest) ingested by theScolopendra.