Frugivory by phyllostomid bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) in a restored area in Southeast Brazil

We studied the potential contribution of frugivorous bats to the reestablishment of vegetational diversity in a restored area. We analysed the diets of the bat species and the differences between them in the consumption of fruits of autochtonous and allochthonous species. Planted (autochtonous) spec...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Acta oecologica (Montrouge) 2011-01, Vol.37 (1), p.31-36
Main Authors: Silveira, Maurício, Trevelin, Leonardo, Port-Carvalho, Marcio, Godoi, Simone, Mandetta, Elizabeth Neuenhaus, Cruz-Neto, Ariovaldo P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Biological and medical sciences
Cecropia
Chiroptera
Diet
Diets
Ecological restoration
frugivores
Frugivorous bats
fruit growing
fruits
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
General aspects
Mammalia
Piperaceae
planting
Seed dispersal
Semi deciduous forests
Solanum mauritianum
species differences
vegetation
Vertebrates: general zoology, morphology, phylogeny, systematics, cytogenetics, geographical distribution
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Summary:We studied the potential contribution of frugivorous bats to the reestablishment of vegetational diversity in a restored area. We analysed the diets of the bat species and the differences between them in the consumption of fruits of autochtonous and allochthonous species. Planted (autochtonous) species were the basis of diets, especially Solanum mauritianum and Cecropia pachystachya, whereas for allochthonous species we found that Piperaceae to be of particular importance. Carollia perspicillata was the main seed disperser for allochthonous species, and potentially the most important bat in the promotion of vegetation diversity in the study area. Our results suggest that frugivorous bats are especially important in the reestablishment of vegetation in disturbed areas, and that restorarion efforts should focus on the planting of different zoochorous species that would guarantee a high year-round fruit production, thereby facilitating natural plant reestablishment by frugivorous bats in regenerating areas.
ISSN:1146-609X
1873-6238
DOI:10.1016/j.actao.2010.11.003