Bat assemblage in remnants of Atlantic Forest in Minas Gerais State, southeastern Brazil

Abstract

The process of habitat fragmentation has been intensified by human action, and therefore becomes increasingly more important to establish protected areas for conservation of native species, including with the participation of private entities. Wildlife surveys are essential to understanding the regional patterns of biological diversity, allowing a better characterization of the geographic distribution of specific taxa, supporting an adequate planning for nature conservation. We conducted an inventory of bats in a fragmented area of Atlantic Forest at Private Reserve of Natural Heritage Fazenda Lagoa, Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. With 110 captures, we recorded 16 species of bats belonging to four families, with dominance of generalist frugivorous species. Seven of the 10 trophic guilds categorized for Neotropical bats were recorded at the study area. This study adds important information about a region that represents a gap in the knowledge of Brazilian chiropterofauna, subsidizing possible conservation plans in the future.