Phyllostomid Bats

With more than two hundred species distributed from California through Texas and across most of mainland Mexico, Central and South America, and islands in the Caribbean Sea, the Phyllostomidae bat family (American leaf-nosed bats) is one of the world’s most diverse mammalian families. From an insectivorous ancestor, species living today, over about 30 million years, have evolved a hyper-diverse range of diets, from blood or small vertebrates, to consuming nectar, pollen, and fruit. Phyllostomid plant-visiting species are responsible for pollinating more than five hundred species of neotropical shrubs, trees, vines, and epiphytes—many of which are economically and ecologically important—and they also disperse the seeds of at least another five hundred plant species. Fruit-eating and seed-dispersing members of this family thus play a crucial role in the regeneration of neotropical forests, and the fruit eaters are among the most abundant mammals in these habitats. Coauthored by leading experts in the field and synthesizing the latest advances in molecular biology and ecological methods, Phyllostomid Bats is the first overview in more than forty years of the evolution of the many morphological, behavioral, physiological, and ecological adaptations in this family. Featuring abundant illustrations as well as details on the current conservation status of phyllostomid species, it is both a comprehensive reference for these ecologically vital creatures and a fascinating exploration of the evolutionary process of adaptive radiation.

This book introduces young readers to the spear-nosed bat, the insect-eating bat from the family Phyllostomidae. Easy-to-read text examines the spear-nosed bat's biology, size, behavior, and dietary needs, and reproduction and pup development are introduced. An anatomy diagram helps readers identify body parts and an echolocation diagram shows how these insectivorous bats capture prey! Also covered is the bat's habitat, and a detailed map shows where in the world the bat lives. Readers will learn about threats to the bat including predation and environmental issues. Bolded glossary terms, phonetic spellings, and an index enhance readability for young chiropterologists. Checkerboard Library is an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.

As dusk settles over the Costa Rican forest, the short-tailed fruit bat, Carollia perspicillata, stirs from its cave roost. Flying out to search for ripe fruit, Carollia returns to a night roost in the forest vegetation to eat. After a few such flights Carollia rests, and the fruits pass through its short digestive tract. The seeds are excreted onto the ground, to be eaten in turn by mice and insects, but a few are pushed into crevices where they await the necessary conditions for germination. In The Short-tailed Fruit Bat, Theodore Fleming examines Carollia's role in the ecology of tropical forests. Based on more than ten years' research, this study provides the most detailed ecological and evolutionary account to date of the life history of a Neotropical mammal and includes striking photographs of the bats in flight.

Why are there so many species in tropical rainforests? How can so many species coexist at one site? Is there interspecific competition?Neotropical leaf-nosed bats (Phyllostomidae) form assemblages with higher species richness than any other mammalian family. This book gives an insight into diversity, assemblage structure, interspecific competition and resource partitioning of both food and foraging space in three leaf-nosed bat assemblages with different species richness. First, a validation of species richness estimation methods is presented revealing the most species rich bat assemblage reported in literature. Furthermore, evidence is produced showing that large scale floral patternsmay influence species composition of phyllostomid bat assemblages. Resource partitioning among species appears to occur evenly throughout the entire assemblage, thus interspecific competition is not restricted to groups such as dietary ensembles (guilds). Vertical stratification of species is studied using stable carbon isotopes and the results indicate that species share foraging space evenly along the vertical axis of the forest. Dietary analyses based on fecal samples andnitrogen isotopes indicate that leaf-nosed bats are opportunistic omnivores, able to adjust their diet to local and seasonal differences in food availability. This dietary flexibility is likely to be a key factor in maintaining the extraordinarily high local diversity in phyllostomid bat assemblages.

This book introduces young readers to the wrinkle-faced bat, the rare fruit-eating bat from the family Phyllostomidae. Easy-to-read text examines the wrinkle-faced bat's biology, size, behavior, and dietary needs, and reproduction and pup development are introduced. An anatomy diagram helps readers identify body parts. Also covered is the bat's habitat, and a detailed map shows where in the world it lives! Readers will learn about threats to the bat including environmental issues and predation. Bolded glossary terms, phonetic spellings, and an index enhance readability for young chiropterologists. Checkerboard Library is an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.

Discusses the physiology and behavior of the spear-nosed bat.

Introduces characteristics, habitat, and behaviors of the Honduran white bat.