Lunar phobia in the greater fishing bat Noctilio leporinus (Chiroptera: Noctilionidae)
Rev. biol. trop
;
54(4): 1117-1123, dic. 2006. graf
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-492172
ABSTRACT
The nightly activity patterns of Noctilio leporinus, a piscivorous neotropical bat, were documented by visual observation over one lunar cycle at a large dock in Golfito, Costa Rica. The activity patterns were compared to the intensity of the moonlight, and a strong correlation between darkness and activity was observed (n = 776, r2 = 0.96). This correlation has been observed in many species of mammals and may indicate adaptation by potential prey species to avoid predation by visually oriented nighttime predators and/or an adaptation by predators to maximize hunting success.
RESUMEN
Documenté los patrones de actividad nocturna de Noctilio leporinus, murciélago piscívoro neotropical, mediante observaciones visuales durante un ciclo lunar en un muelle de Golfito, Costa Rica. Considerando la intensidad de la luz lunar, hubo una fuerte correlación entre la oscuridad y la actividad (n = 776, r2 = 0.96). Esta correlación ha sido observada en muchas especies de mamíferos y puede indicar una adaptación de presas potenciales para evadir los depredadores nocturnos y/o una adaptación de los depredadores para maximizar el éxito de cacería.
Full text:
Available
Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Phobic Disorders
/
Predatory Behavior
/
Chiroptera
/
Moon
Limits:
Animals
Language:
English
Journal:
Rev. biol. trop
Journal subject:
Biology
/
Tropical Medicine
Year:
2006
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States
Institution/Affiliation country:
University of Kansas/US
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