Occurrence of Diaemus youngi (Jentink 1893), Chiroptera, in the State of Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

Diaemus youngi is a vampire bat that feeds preferentially on bird blood. This bat is considered as the least frequent among the three hematofagous species throughout its geographical distribution. From 2000 to 2006, surveys for vampire control were carried out in seven localities from the State of Rio de Janeiro where attacks to birds were reported by land owners. Bats were captured in mist nets opened during two or three nights in each locality, usually in the vicinity of attacked birds. A total of eight specimens of D. youngi were collected in the seven studied localities and two records from two other localities made by other researchers were confirmed for the State of Rio de Janeiro. Apparently, D. youngi prefers to prey on domestic and wild birds that rest on high perches. This bat species may present higher abundance and larger distribution range those described here, judging by the number of reports of attacks in commercial houses of ornamental birds that raise animals in semi-freedom in Southeastern Brazil.