Bats in forest remnants of the Cerrado savanna of eastern Mato Grosso, Brazil

Abstract

In the state of Mato Grosso, studies aiming to investigate the diversity and richness of bats are still scarce. In the present study, the chiropteran fauna of eastern Mato Grosso (Brazil) was investigated at four sites representing the Cerrado savanna biome with different degrees of anthropogenic impact, in the municipality of Nova Xavantina. Surveys were conducted between January and December, 2010, with a total of 48 nights of mist-netting. A total of 423 bats were captured, representing 25 species distributed in five families. A greater abundance of individuals was recorded at all sites during the rainy season, with considerable variation being observed over the course of the year in species richness and composition, and the abundance of bats. Species richness and bat abundance were higher in the better preserved habitats in comparison with the impacted areas. The timing of foraging activities appeared to vary among the specimens and there was a progressive increase in activity until 19:30 h, with a marked decline after 22:30 h. The ecological diversity (Shannon-Wiener index) of the bat community within the study area was H' = 2.37.