The distribution and conservation of bats of genus Lonchorhina (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) in Colombia

Abstract

Species of bats of the genus Lonchorhina have a poorly known distribution, particularly in Colombia where isolated rock formations called “lajas” or inselbergs are associated as restrictive elements in Lonchorhina dispersion at eastern of Andes mountain. We studied specimens of the genus in mammalian collections of Colombia and Ecuador to determinate the distribution of these species in Colombia and tested the hypothetical association with inselbergs presence and reassess their threatened category. We introduce new records of two species vulnerable to extinction, L. marinkellei and L. orinocensis, extending distributions of L. marinkellei more of 300 km of its known distribution. We provide evidence of distribution restricted to inselbergs in three of the four species reported in Colombia, while L. aurita has a wide distribution, although its distribution in eastern of Andes in Colombia could be restricted in the same way as the other species. We find sympatry between several species of the genus in several localities, this, in addition with its morphological differences may suggest niche partitioning processes among the species of the genus. Despite of the new evidence, the threatened category of Vulnerable is maintained for species of Lonchorhina with restricted distribution in Colombia. Finally, we emphasize that local conservation actions can contribute to conservation of several species of the genus.