Preliminary survey of bat fauna in a Conservation Unit in the municipality of Altos-PI

Abstract

The Brazil has over 180 described species of bats, with nine families and 68 genera. They are animals that are of great importance to man in controlling insects considered pests in agriculture, in ecology as they are great seed dispersers and in medicine as they are used in studies and research into drugs development. The objective of this study was to conduct a preliminary survey of bat species in the Palmares National Forest (FLONA) in the city of Altos, Piauí. The bats were captured using mist nets, based on the lunar calendar. The nets were positioned on four trails in the Conservation Unit on possible flight paths, such as areas made up of fruit-bearing vegetation and/or close to watercourses. 17 bats from the Phyllostomidae family were collected and identified, belonging to five species: Carollia perspicillata, Artibeus lituratus, Artibeus planirostris, Glossophaga soricina and Sturnira tildae. Carollia perspicillata was the species found in three trails surveyed and Artibeus was the most representative genus in relation to specific richness. It is concluded that bat species from the Phillostomidae family are present in a Conservation Unit in the city of Altos, Piauí, expanding the geographic distribution and ecological importance in northeastern Brazil.