The bat fauna of the Kararaô and Kararaô Novo caves in the area under the influence of the Belo Monte hydroelectric dam, in Pará, Brazil

Abstract Brazils large territory displays significant richness in caves with about 12 thousand caves already recorded. Nevertheless, studies on bats in these environments are extremely scarce and fragmented. This study characterized the chiropteran fauna from two sandstone caves under the influence of the Belo Monte hydroelectric dam (Belo Monte UHE) in Pará, Brazil. The Kararaô and Kararaô Novo caves are located on the same ridge, 250 m apart. Three expeditions were carried out in 2013 and 2014, with a 4- to 5-month interval in between. A total of 589 animals were caught, 246 in the Kararaô cave and 343 in the Kararaô Novo cave. Fifteen species were recorded (13 in each cave) representing 79% similarity. With the exception of Vampyrum spectrum, which is not a cave species, the remaining recorded species were mostly cave bat species. Some species seemed to use the caves seasonally, although the basis of this pattern is still unknown. The most commonly observed species were Pteronotus personatus (dominant in the Kararaô cave), P. parnellii (dominant in the Kararaô Novo cave), and Lionycteris spurrelli, which accounted for 65% of all captures recorded for the two caves. Natalus macrourus is a species recorded in the Kararaô cave that is regionally threatened with extinction. Both caves are less than 500 m from the future reservoir; however, because the Kararaô cave entry is in an area that is lower than the reservoir, it can suffer alterations that would affect its dynamics. This raises great concern about the caves associated fauna.

Resumo O Brasil, com sua vasta porção territorial compreende uma alta riqueza de cavernas com cerca de 12 mil já registradas. Não obstante, os estudos sobre morcegos nestes ambientes são extremamente escassos e fragmentados. Neste estudo caracterizamos a quiropterofauna de duas cavernas areníticas sob influência da Usina Hidrelétrica de Belo Monte no Pará. As cavernas Kararaô e Kararaô Novo estão localizadas na mesma escarpa separadas por 250 m uma da outra. Foram realizadas três expedições com intervalo de 4 e 5 meses nos anos de 2013 e 2014. Realizou-se 589 capturas, sendo 246 na caverna Kararaô e 343 na Kararaô Novo. Quinze espécies foram registradas das quais duas foram exclusivas de cada caverna, equivalendo a 79% de similaridade. Excetuando-se o registro de Vampyrum spectrum, uma espécie não cavernícola, todas as demais são morcegos usualmente ou preferencialmente cavernícolas. Algumas espécies parecem usar sazonalmente as cavernas embora o porquê deste padrão seja ainda desconhecido. As espécies mais comumente observadas foram Pteronotus personatus (dominante na Kararaô), P. parnellii (dominante na Kararaô Novo) e Lionycteris spurrelli que totalizaram 65% das capturas somando-se os registros das duas cavernas. Uma espécie ameaçada regionalmente de extinção, Natalus macrourus, foi registrada na Kararaô. As duas cavernas estão a menos de 500 metros do futuro reservatório da UHE Belo Monte, porém, a entrada da caverna Kararaô está em uma cota mais baixa que a do limite do reservatório, podendo sofrer alteração em sua dinâmica, denotando maior preocupação em relação a sua fauna associada.

The bat fauna of the Kararaô and Kararaô Novo caves in the area under the influence of the Belo Monte hydroelectric dam, in Pará, Brazil / A fauna de morcegos das cavernas Kararaô e Kararaô Novo na área de influência da Usina Hidrelétrica de Belo Monte, Pará

Brazil’s large territory displays significant richness in caves with about 12 thousand caves already recorded. Nevertheless, studies on bats in these environments are extremely scarce and fragmented. This study characterized the chiropteran fauna from two sandstone caves under the influence of the Belo Monte hydroelectric dam (Belo Monte UHE) in Pará, Brazil. The Kararaô and Kararaô Novo caves are located on the same ridge, 250 m apart. Three expeditions were carried out in 2013 and 2014, with a 4- to 5-month interval in between. A total of 589 animals were caught, 246 in the Kararaô cave and 343 in the Kararaô Novo cave. Fifteen species were recorded (13 in each cave) representing 79% similarity. With the exception of Vampyrum spectrum, which is not a cave species, the remaining recorded species were mostly cave bat species. Some species seemed to use the caves seasonally, although the basis of this pattern is still unknown. The most commonly observed species were Pteronotus personatus (dominant in the Kararaô cave), P. parnellii (dominant in the Kararaô Novo cave), and Lionycteris spurrelli, which accounted for 65% of all captures recorded for the two caves. Natalus macrourus is a species recorded in the Kararaô cave that is regionally threatened with extinction. Both caves are less than 500 m from the future reservoir; however, because the Kararaô cave entry is in an area that is lower than the reservoir, it can suffer alterations that would affect its dynamics. This raises great concern about the cave’s associated fauna.

O Brasil, com sua vasta porção territorial compreende uma alta riqueza de cavernas com cerca de 12 mil já registradas. Não obstante, os estudos sobre morcegos nestes ambientes são extremamente escassos e fragmentados. Neste estudo caracterizamos a quiropterofauna de duas cavernas areníticas sob influência da Usina Hidrelétrica de Belo Monte no Pará. As cavernas Kararaô e Kararaô Novo estão localizadas na mesma escarpa separadas por 250 m uma da outra. Foram realizadas três expedições com intervalo de 4 e 5 meses nos anos de 2013 e 2014. Realizou-se 589 capturas, sendo 246 na caverna Kararaô e 343 na Kararaô Novo. Quinze espécies foram registradas das quais duas foram exclusivas de cada caverna, equivalendo a 79% de similaridade. Excetuando-se o registro de Vampyrum spectrum, uma espécie não cavernícola, todas as demais são morcegos usualmente ou preferencialmente cavernícolas. Algumas espécies parecem usar sazonalmente as cavernas embora o porquê deste padrão seja ainda desconhecido. As espécies mais comumente observadas foram Pteronotus personatus (dominante na Kararaô), P. parnellii (dominante na Kararaô Novo) e Lionycteris spurrelli que totalizaram 65% das capturas somando-se os registros das duas cavernas. Uma espécie ameaçada regionalmente de extinção, Natalus macrourus, foi registrada na Kararaô. As duas cavernas estão a menos de 500 metros do futuro reservatório da UHE Belo Monte, porém, a entrada da caverna Kararaô está em uma cota mais baixa que a do limite do reservatório, podendo sofrer alteração em sua dinâmica, denotando maior preocupação em relação a sua fauna associada.

The bat fauna of the Kararaô and Kararaô Novo caves in the area under the influence of the Belo Monte hydroelectric dam, in Pará, Brazil / A fauna de morcegos das cavernas Kararaô e Kararaô Novo na área de influência da Usina Hidrelétrica de Belo Monte, Pará

Abstract Brazil’s large territory displays significant richness in caves with about 12 thousand caves already recorded. Nevertheless, studies on bats in these environments are extremely scarce and fragmented. This study characterized the chiropteran fauna from two sandstone caves under the influence of the Belo Monte hydroelectric dam (Belo Monte UHE) in Pará, Brazil. The Kararaô and Kararaô Novo caves are located on the same ridge, 250 m apart. Three expeditions were carried out in 2013 and 2014, with a 4- to 5-month interval in between. A total of 589 animals were caught, 246 in the Kararaô cave and 343 in the Kararaô Novo cave. Fifteen species were recorded (13 in each cave) representing 79% similarity. With the exception of Vampyrum spectrum, which is not a cave species, the remaining recorded species were mostly cave bat species. Some species seemed to use the caves seasonally, although the basis of this pattern is still unknown. The most commonly observed species were Pteronotus personatus (dominant in the Kararaô cave), P. parnellii (dominant in the Kararaô Novo cave), and Lionycteris spurrelli, which accounted for 65% of all captures recorded for the two caves. Natalus macrourus is a species recorded in the Kararaô cave that is regionally threatened with extinction. Both caves are less than 500 m from the future reservoir; however, because the Kararaô cave entry is in an area that is lower than the reservoir, it can suffer alterations that would affect its dynamics. This raises great concern about the cave’s associated fauna.

Resumo O Brasil, com sua vasta porção territorial compreende uma alta riqueza de cavernas com cerca de 12 mil já registradas. Não obstante, os estudos sobre morcegos nestes ambientes são extremamente escassos e fragmentados. Neste estudo caracterizamos a quiropterofauna de duas cavernas areníticas sob influência da Usina Hidrelétrica de Belo Monte no Pará. As cavernas Kararaô e Kararaô Novo estão localizadas na mesma escarpa separadas por 250 m uma da outra. Foram realizadas três expedições com intervalo de 4 e 5 meses nos anos de 2013 e 2014. Realizou-se 589 capturas, sendo 246 na caverna Kararaô e 343 na Kararaô Novo. Quinze espécies foram registradas das quais duas foram exclusivas de cada caverna, equivalendo a 79% de similaridade. Excetuando-se o registro de Vampyrum spectrum, uma espécie não cavernícola, todas as demais são morcegos usualmente ou preferencialmente cavernícolas. Algumas espécies parecem usar sazonalmente as cavernas embora o porquê deste padrão seja ainda desconhecido. As espécies mais comumente observadas foram Pteronotus personatus (dominante na Kararaô), P. parnellii (dominante na Kararaô Novo) e Lionycteris spurrelli que totalizaram 65% das capturas somando-se os registros das duas cavernas. Uma espécie ameaçada regionalmente de extinção, Natalus macrourus, foi registrada na Kararaô. As duas cavernas estão a menos de 500 metros do futuro reservatório da UHE Belo Monte, porém, a entrada da caverna Kararaô está em uma cota mais baixa que a do limite do reservatório, podendo sofrer alteração em sua dinâmica, denotando maior preocupação em relação a sua fauna associada.

Snakebites in southwestern Goiás State, Brazil

The present study evaluated snakebite cases recorded by the Southwest II Regional Health Bureau [Regional de Saúde Sudoeste II], Goiás State, Brazil. The following data were analyzed: accident period; patient's age and gender; bite site; envenomation severity; and time elapsed between the bite and medical treatment. We evaluated 211 cases recorded between January 2002 and December 2005, which resulted in an incidence coefficient of 32.4/100,000 inhabitants. Most accidents were due to the bite of snakes from the Bothrops genus (78.2 percent). The months between January and April had a larger number of accidents (93 percent-44.1 percent), although no significant differences were observed. Only one death occurred, resulting in a mortality rate of 0.5 percent. The lower limbs were the most frequently affected (66.3 percent). The majority of the victims were male (75.1 percent). The age group of most of the patients was from 21 to 30 years (20.8 percent). The accidents were classified as mild, moderate and severe, representing 44.9 percent, 47.6 percent and 7.5 percent of the cases, respectively. The time elapsed between the accident and medical treatment was less than 3h in most of the cases (80.7 percent), reflecting the high frequency of mild and moderate accidents (92.5 percent) as well as the large number of healed patients.

Reproductive patterns and feeding habits of three nectarivorous bats (Phyllostomidae: Glossophaginae) from the Brazilian Cerrado

The reproductive patterns and feeding habits of three sympatric nectarivorous bats, Glossophaga soricina, Anoura caudifera, and A. geoffroyi were studied in the Pousada das Araras Natural Reserve, located in Central Brazil. The bats were captured with mist nets from August 2000 to July 2001. Reproductive condition was determined by external analyses of the specimens and feeding habits from fecal samples. Glossophaga soricina was the most abundant species (65 percent), followed by A. geoffroyi (30 percent) and A. caudifera (5 percent). Significant differences were observed in the sex-ratio of the two more abundant species. Anoura geoffroyi showed a monoestrous pattern; its reproductive peaks occurred between the end of the dry season and the beginning of the rain season. A seasonal bimodal pattern was recorded for G. soricina, with pregnant specimens showing one peak observed in the dry season and another in the middle of the rainy season. The reproductive pattern of A. caudifera could not be satisfactorily defined because of the small sample size. However, this species apparently has a reproductive cycle similar to that of G. soricina. The patterns observed in this study seem to be related with the climate in the Brazilian savanna (Cerrado), with two well-defined seasons (dry and wet). By adjusting the parturition close to or in the rain season the three species could be favoring a greates survival rate for the offspring, since the critical lactation period would then occur in a time of maximum food availability. The three bat species showed a generalist diet, consuming fruits, pollen-nectar, and arthropods. Significant differences were observed in the diet of G. soricina: fruits and arthropods predominated in the dry season and pulp (fruits) in the rainy season. Males and females of this species ate the same items in similar proportions. Although A. geoffroyi has not showed a preference for a specific item, consumption of fruits and arthropods was generally greater than that of pollen

Reproductive patterns and feeding habits of three nectarivorous bats (Phyllostomidae: Glossophaginae) from the Brazilian Cerrado

The reproductive patterns and feeding habits of three sympatric nectarivorous bats, Glossophaga soricina, Anoura caudifera, and A. geoffroyi were studied in the Pousada das Araras Natural Reserve, located in Central Brazil. The bats were captured with mist nets from August 2000 to July 2001. Reproductive condition was determined by external analyses of the specimens and feeding habits from fecal samples. Glossophaga soricina was the most abundant species (65%), followed by A. geoffroyi (30%) and A. caudifera (5%). Significant differences were observed in the sex-ratio of the two more abundant species. Anoura geoffroyi showed a monoestrous pattern; its reproductive peaks occurred between the end of the dry season and the beginning of the rain season. A seasonal bimodal pattern was recorded for G. soricina, with pregnant specimens showing one peak observed in the dry season and another in the middle of the rainy season. The reproductive pattern of A. caudifera could not be satisfactorily defined because of the small sample size. However, this species apparently has a reproductive cycle similar to that of G. soricina. The patterns observed in this study seem to be related with the climate in the Brazilian savanna (Cerrado), with two well-defined seasons (dry and wet). By adjusting the parturition close to or in the rain season the three species could be favoring a greates survival rate for the offspring, since the critical lactation period would then occur in a time of maximum food availability. The three bat species showed a generalist diet, consuming fruits, pollen-nectar, and arthropods. Significant differences were observed in the diet of G. soricina: fruits and arthropods predominated in the dry season and pulp (fruits) in the rainy season. Males and females of this species ate the same items in similar proportions. Although A. geoffroyi has not showed a preference for a specific item, consumption of fruits and arthropods was generally greater than that of pollen.

Os padrões reprodutivos e alimentares de três espécies simpátricas de morcegos nectarívoros, Glossophaga soricina, Anoura caudifera e A. geoffroyi, foram estudados na Reserva Natural Pousada das Araras no Brasil Central. Os morcegos foram capturados mensalmente durante um ano (agosto de 2000 a julho de 2001), com redes de neblina. Os estágios reprodutivos foram inferidos por intermédio de análises externas dos animais e a dieta, por intermédio da coleta de fezes dos animais. Glossophaga soricina foi a espécie mais abundante (65%), seguida por A. geoffroyi (30%) e A. caudifera (5%). Foram observadas diferenças significativas na razão sexual das duas espécies mais abundantes. Anoura geoffroyi apresentou um padrão monoéstrico de reprodução com o pico reprodutivo ocorrendo entre o final da estação seca e o início da estação chuvosa. Um padrão poliéstrico bimodal foi identificado para G. soricina, com um pico de fêmeas grávidas observado no final da estação seca e outro na metade da estação chuvosa. O período reprodutivo de A. caudifera não pôde ser definido satisfatoriamente em função do pequeno tamanho da amostra. Contudo, essa espécie apresentou aparentemente um ciclo similar a G. soricina. Os padrões observados neste estudo parecem estar relacionados à sazonalidade climática do Cerrado, que apresenta duas estações bem definidas (seca e chuvosa). As três espécies, ajustando os picos de nascimentos para a estação chuvosa, poderiam garantir maior sucesso de sobrevivência dos filhotes, visto que o período crítico da lactação estaria ocorrendo numa época de máxima oferta de alimentos. Os morcegos estudados apresentaram dieta generalista, consumindo frutos, pólen-néctar e artrópodes. Ocorreu diferença significativa na dieta de G. soricina, em que frutos e artrópodes foram os itens predominantes na estação seca, enquanto frutos (polpa) predominou na estação chuvosa. Machos e fêmeas dessa espécie comeram os mesmos itens numa proporção semelhante. Embora A. geoffroyi não tenha tido preferência por determinado item específico, frutos e artrópodes foram mais consumidos do que pólen.