Roost selection by three frugivorous bats (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) in the Lacandon Forest, Chiapas, Mexico

Abstract

IN 2 DIFFERENT SITES OF THE LACANDON FOREST, CHIAPAS, MEXICO, STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF TREE ROOSTS, SUCH AS HEIGHT, COVER, AND DIAMETER WERE DESCRIBED AND EVALUATED. MICROENVIRONMENTAL TRAITS (TEMPERATURE AND MOISTURE) WERE ALSO ASSESSED IN EACH ROOST WHERE 3 SPECIES OF PHYLLOSTOMID BATS ARTIBEUS LITURATUS, CAROLLIA PERSPICILLATA AND STURNIRA LILIUM WERE PRESENT. ELEVEN DAY-ROOSTS WERE LOCATED AND DESCRIBED AFTER A SYSTEMATIC SEARCH OF TREES IN BOTH SITES. TELEMETRY WAS ALSO USED AS COMPLEMENTARY METHOD. BAT SPECIES PREFERRED LARGE ROOST-TREES AND WITH MORE THAN ONE CAVITY. ALL THE ROOSTS WERE LOCATED IN AREAS OF MATURE TROPICAL FOREST OR IN ADVANCED SUCESIONAL STAGES. THE SPECIES PREFERRED ROOSTS IN TREES WITH LOWER VALUES OF MOISTURE THAN THOSE IN THE EXTERIOR (MEANS WITH STANDARD DEVIATION) (81.04 ± 6.88%, ON THE INSIDE AGAINST 93.56 ± 4.50% ON THE OUTSIDE). TEMPERATURE WAS NOT AN IMPORTANT TRAIT FOR ROOST SELECTION ON TREES FOR ANY OF THE BATS STUDIED.