Phyllostomid bats flying in daylight: a case from the Neotropics |
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| Authors: | Daniela Aparecida Savariz Bôlla Fernando Carvalho Jairo José Zocche Alexandre Bianco João Antônio de Bittencourt Vitto Raphael dos Santos |
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| Institution: | 1. National Institute for Amazonian Research (INPA), Manaus, Brazildanielabolla@hotmail.com;3. Laboratório de Zoologia e Ecologia de Vertebrados, Avenida Universitária, Criciúma, Brazil;4. Programa de Pós-Gradua??o em Ciências Ambientais da UNESC, Avenida Universitária, Criciúma, Brazil;5. Programa de Pós-Gradua??o em Ciências Ambientais da UNESC, Avenida Universitária, Criciúma, Brazil;6. Laboratório de Ecologia de Paisagem e Vertebrados da UNESC, Avenida Universitária, Criciúma, Brazil;7. Rua Projetada s/no, Urussanga, Brazil;8. Rua André Valvassori, I?ara, Brazil;9. Fieldwork Consultoria Ambiental Ltda, Curitiba, Brazil |
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| Abstract: | Bats (Chiroptera), one of the most diverse groups in terms of taxonomy, morphology and ecology, are known for their nocturnal behaviour of flight and feeding. Although there is no consensus on the evolution of nocturnality in bats, many authors mention risk of predation, overheating, competition and mobbing by non-competitor species as arguments to justify nocturnal instead of daytime flight in bats. Herein we describe the first records of three genera of phyllostomid bats flying, foraging and drinking water during daytime in the Brazilian Amazon. All taxa were recorded drinking water, and some Phyllostomus sp. individuals were recorded foraging on termites, alongside birds. Risk of dehydration and overheating in roosts, as well as low competition in daytime, may explain the emergence of phyllostomid bats before sunset. |
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| Keywords: | Chiroptera daytime behaviour Phyllostomus Artibeus Dermanura foraging |
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