ABSTRACT
Bats are the second most diverse order of mammals and play a central role in ecosystem dynamics. They are also important reservoirs of potentially zoonotic microorganisms, of which rabies virus is the most lethal among the bat-transmitted zoonotic pathogens. Importantly, recent outbreaks of human rabies have been reported from the Brazilian Amazon. Here we present a survey of bat species and rabies virus (RABV) circulation in a bat assemblage in the Marajó region, northern Brazil. Using data from mist-net captures and bioacoustic sampling, 56 bat species were recorded along the Jacundá River basin over a 10-day expedition in November 2022. For the investigation of RABV, we used the direct fluorescent antibody test (DFAT) and the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT). In total, 159 bat individuals from 22 species were investigated for RABV. Five adults of the common vampire bat, Desmodus rotundus, showed RABV-specific antibodies in serum samples. Additionally, we report on local residents with injuries caused by D. rotundus bites and the occurrence of colonies of non-hematophagous bats from different species roosting inside human residences. This scenario raises concerns about the risks of new cases of human rabies and other zoonotic diseases associated with bats in the region and highlights the need for epidemiological surveillance and mitigation measures to prevent outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases.
ABSTRACT
Histiotus is a Neotropical genus of bat that currently includes 11 species. The systematics of Histiotus has been the focus of several studies over the last decades. However, no broad systematic revision has been made, and taxonomic issues such as synonymies, use of subspecies, and specimens that do not fit the description of valid species still persist, as pointed out by several authors. Histiotusalienus was described in 1916 and is known only by the holotype. Here we present a second record of H.alienus and an amended diagnosis of this species. We use qualitative, quantitative, and morphometric analyses based on data from 184 specimens of Histiotus and almost all valid species. Our amended diagnosis establishes the taxonomic limits of H.alienus, as well as a comprehensive comparison with congeners. We also explore new diagnostic characters for H.alienus and provide a few notes on the natural history of this species. Our results highlight skull similarities among Histiotus species and reinforce the usefulness of external morphology for their correct identification. Despite our new insights into the taxonomy of the genus, several taxonomic issues remain, and a comprehensive revision of the genus is needed.
ABSTRACT
Abstract: The Serra da Bocaina National Park (SBNP) is a large remnant of Atlantic Forest located within an endangered biodiversity hotspot, which contributes to the connectivity among protected areas in the region. Despite the ecological importance of the SBNP, its bat fauna is poorly-known, and no comprehensive inventory is available. The present study provides an updated list of the bat species found in the SBNP. The four-year study was based on a capture-mark-recapture approach at four sites within the park, in the municipality of Paraty, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. A total of 22 bat species were recorded, representing two families, Phyllostomidae (n = 19 species) and Vespertillionidae (n = 3). This added 14 species to the known bat fauna of the SBNP, which is hereby updated to 24 species, including Dermanura cinerea Gervais, 1856, Platyrrhinus recifinus (Thomas, 1901), and Myotis ruber (É. Geoffroy, 1806), which are listed as endangered in Rio de Janeiro state. The specimen of Trinycteris nicefori (Sanborn, 1949) captured in the present study is the first record of the occurrence of this species in Rio de Janeiro state. This record extends the geographic range of the species by approximately 650 km to the southeast. Additional inventories, in particular at poorly-studied Atlantic Forest sites, combined with environmental suitability analyses, and taxonomic and biogeographic data, are urgently required to elucidate the distribution of many Brazilian bat species, such as T. nicefori.
Resumo: O Parque Nacional da Serra da Bocaina (PNSB) é um grande remanescente de Mata Atlântica localizado em um hotspot de biodiversidade ameaçado, que contribui para a conectividade entre áreas protegidas na região. Apesar da importância ecológica do PNSB, a sua quiropterofauna é pobremente conhecida e nenhum inventário abrangente está disponível. O presente estudo fornece uma lista atualizada das espécies de morcegos do PNSB. O estudo de quatro anos foi baseado em uma abordagem de captura-marcação-e-recaptura em quatro localidades dentro do parque, no município de Paraty, estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Um total de 22 espécies de morcegos foi registrado, representando duas famílias, Phyllostomidae (n = 19 espécies) e Vespertillionidae (n = 3). Isso adiciona 14 espécies à quiropterofauna conhecida do PNSB, que é atualizada para 24 espécies, incluindo Dermanura cinerea Gervais, 1856, Platyrrhinus recifinus (Thomas, 1901) e Myotis ruber (É. Geoffroy, 1806), que são listadas como ameaçadas de extinção no estado do Rio de Janeiro. O espécime de Trinycteris nicefori (Sanborn, 1949) capturado no presente estudo representa o primeiro registro da espécie no estado do Rio de Janeiro. Esse registro expande a distribuição geográfica da espécie aproximadamente 650 km a sudeste. Inventários adicionais, particularmente em localidades de Mata Atlântica pobremente estudadas, combinados com análises de adequação, e estudos taxonômicos e biogeográficos, são urgentemente necessários para esclarecer a distribuição de muitas espécies de morcegos brasileiras, como T. nicefori.
ABSTRACT
Lonchophylla Thomas, 1903 is a Neotropical bat genus that comprises 12 species, with little cytogenetic information available. Here we present the description of the karyotype of three species collected in Southeastern Brazil. Lonchophylla bokermanni Sazima, Vizotto & Taddei, 1978, Lonchophylla dekeyseri Taddei, Vizotto & Sazima, 1983, and Lonchophylla peracchii Dias, Moratelli & Esberard, 2013 showed the same diploid number 2n = 28 and the same autosomal fundamental number FNa = 50, in both Lonchophylla bokermanni and Lonchophylla peracchii. We observed that the karyotypes were also cytogenetically similar when we compared the studied species with other species within the same genus. It is therefore not possible to differentiate the species using only karyotypes with conventional staining. However, this information increases the knowledge of the genus and can be one more important character for a better phylogenetic comprehension of this taxon.
