SIGNIFICANCE: The scarcity of bat fossils in Africa poses a significant challenge to both scientific understanding and current conservation efforts. While this article engages in informed speculation regarding the reasons behind this scarcity, it does not lessen the importance of the issue. Without a robust fossil record, tracing the evolutionary history, biological adaptations, and historical ecological roles of bats becomes difficult. Understanding their past is instrumental in mitigating current threats to bats like habitat loss and climate change. Thus, the intriguing lack of a comprehensive fossil record not only limits scientific inquiry but also hinders effective conservation measures.

Abstract Background: The terrestrial bromeliad Puya ctenorhyncha is a near-threatened endemic species that grows between 2,500-4,050 m asl. Hypotheses: Hummingbirds are the most important visitors of this plant given its morphological and floral traits. Study site: The study was carried out along the “Death Road”, located in the Yungas montane cloud forest, La Paz, Bolivia. Methods: We monitored an average of 216 individuals monthly for two years (2018-2019). Besides we conducted direct observations of focal plants to quantify the visits of animals. Results: The reproductive season lasted from April to August in the first year and from May to June in the second. The mean nectar volume was 8.09 ± 1.59 μL per flower and its composition included fructose, glucose, and 86 % of water. With 341 hours of observations, we determined that Coeligena torquata (Trochilidae) is the main visitor and putative pollinator, followed by C. violifer. Males of both species were more frequent visitors than females. Coeligena torquata showed the highest activity during the afternoon while C. violifer was more active in the morning. Conclusions: Floral phenology seems to be annual and unimodal. Although the main pollinators seem to be hummingbirds, the nectar concentration and composition is more similar to bromeliad species of other genera which are pollinated by bats or passerine birds. It is important to evaluate, in future studies, the dependence of both hummingbirds and their behavioural response towards the plant.

Resumen: Antecedentes: La bromelia terrestre Puya ctenorhyncha es una especie endémica casi amenazada que crece entre los 2,500-4,050 m snm. Hipótesis: Los colibríes son los visitantes más importantes de esta planta dadas sus características morfológicas y florales. Sitio de estudio: El estudio se realizó en el “Camino de la Muerte”, situado en el bosque nublado montano de los Yungas, La Paz, Bolivia. Métodos: Monitoreamos un promedio de 216 individuos mensuales durante dos años (2018-2019), mediante observaciones de su biología fenológica. Asimismo, realizamos observaciones directas en plantas focales para cuantificar las visitas de animales. Resultados: La época reproductiva duró de abril a agosto en el primer año y de mayo a junio en el segundo. El volumen medio de néctar fue de 8,09 ± 1,59 μL por flor y su composición incluía fructosa, glucosa y 86 % de agua. Con 341 horas de observaciones, determinamos que Coeligena torquata (Trochilidae) es el principal visitante y polinizador putativo, seguido por C. violifer. Los machos de ambas especies fueron visitantes más frecuentes que las hembras. Coeligena torquata mostró la mayor actividad durante la tarde mientras que C. violifer fue más activa por la mañana. Conclusiones: La fenología floral parece ser anual y unimodal. Aunque los principales polinizadores parecen ser los colibríes, la concentración y composición del néctar es más similar a especies de bromelias de otros géneros que son polinizadas por murciélagos o aves paseriformes. Es importante evaluar, en estudios futuros, la dependencia de ambos colibríes y su respuesta de comportamiento a la planta.

Resumen: La vegetación ribereña en la cuenca del río Usumacinta en Tabasco, México constituye un ecosistema importante para el mantenimiento de la diversidad biológica, desgraciadamente es el más afectado por la expansión de la ganadería y la agricultura. Entender cómo la diversidad de murciélagos filostómidos se distribuye a lo largo de la franja de vegetación ribereña, es información para la toma de decisiones en la conservación del hábitat de la comunidad de murciélagos. El objetivo del estudio fue comparar la estructura y composición de los ensambles de murciélagos filostómidos en diferentes sitios de vegetación ribereña a lo largo del rio Usumacinta en Tabasco, México. Durante siete meses se realizaron capturas de murciélagos filostómidos con cuatro redes de niebla en seis diferentes sitios con vegetación ribereña. La estructura y composición se describió y comparó entre sitios con base en el número efectivo de especies, curvas-rango abundancia e índice de complementariedad. Se registraron 541 individuos agrupados en 15 especies, el 67% de las especies pertenecen a la subfamilia Stenodermatinae. No se encontraron diferencias entre la riqueza y diversidad de murciélagos filostómidos, sin embargo, se observó diferencias en la composición del ensamble entre sitios. El presente estudio aporta información básica que servirá en la toma de decisiones para conservar la diversidad de murciélagos en vegetación ribereña en el estado y la región.

Abstract: The riparian vegetation in the Usumacinta river basin in Tabasco, Mexico is an important ecosystem for the maintenance of biological diversity, unfortunately, it is the most affected by the expansion of livestock and agriculture. Understanding how the diversity of phyllostomid bats is distributed along the riparian vegetation strip is information for decision-making in the conservation of the habitat of the bat community. The study aimed to compare the structure and composition of phyllostomid bat assemblages at different riparian vegetation sites along the Usumacinta River in Tabasco, Mexico. For seven months, phyllostomid bats were captured with four mist nets at six riparian vegetation sites. Bat structure and composition were described and compared between sites based on the effective number of species, rank abundance curves, and complementarity index. A total of 541 individuals comprising 15 species were captured, 67% of the species belong to the subfamily Stenodermatinae. No differences were found between the richness and diversity of phyllostomid bats; however, we did observe differences in assemblage composition between sites. This study provides basic information that will serve in decision-making to conserve bat diversity in riparian vegetation strips in the State and the region.

Abstract The terms right and left are applicable beyond everyday life and living beings. The fingers on the right hand are arranged in relation to the center of the hand, which is not identical or superimposable to that of the left hand. Both variants are symmetrical versions, but not identical. The spatial arrangement can be observed not only in objects, but also in trajectories. For example, in the bats’ flight trajectories. In this article some examples of the chirality condition at different organization levels are defined and some of the recent advances on the subject are mentioned. Understanding the origin of chiral asymmetry found in particles, molecules, and macromolecules, allows us to infer current questions such as chemical evolution, the origin of life, and aspects related to evolution and the development of living beings, among others. beings versions objects trajectories example bats mentioned particles molecules macromolecules others

Resumen Los términos derecha e izquierda son aplicables más allá de la cotidianidad humana y los seres vivos. Los dedos de la mano derecha tienen una disposición respecto al centro de la mano, que no es idéntica o superponible a aquella de la mano izquierda. Ambas variantes son versiones simétricas, pero no idénticas. El arreglo espacial puede observarse no solo en objetos, sino también en trayectorias. Por ejemplo, en las trayectorias del vuelo de los murciélagos. En el presente artículo se definen algunos ejemplos de la condición de quiralidad en distintos niveles de organización y se mencionan algunos de los recientes avances en el tema. Entender el origen de la asimetría quiral encontrada en partículas, moléculas, y macromoléculas, permite inferir preguntas vigentes como la evolución química, el origen de la vida, y aspectos relacionados con la evolución y el desarrollo de los seres vivos, entre otras. vivos simétricas idénticas objetos ejemplo murciélagos tema partículas moléculas macromoléculas química vida otras

Resumen El Bosque seco Tropical (BsT) del Valle del Cauca está sometido a fuertes presiones, sin embargo, es un ecosistema en el que se generan procesos importantes para la conservación de la diversidad biológica, mantenimiento de estructura y función de los ecosistemas, producción de alimentos y economía, como la polinización. Entre los polinizadores destacan los murciélagos, cuyas relaciones han sido poco estudiadas en este contexto, por lo tanto, se buscó identificar las interacciones entre plantas y murciélagos con alto consumo de néctar en diez remanentes de BsT del departamento. Para esto se realizaron capturas de quirópteros nectarívoros-polinívoros y la toma de cargas polínicas en pelaje y heces. Se encontraron seis especies de murciélagos y 77 especies vegetales en interacción, las cuales formaron una red de topología modular, con dos especies animales generalistas que representaron casi el 80 % de las interacciones. El modelamiento de robustez de la red frente a la perdida de especies (extinciones secundarias) indicó que fue robusto a la pérdida de especies especialistas, pero demostró fragilidad a la eliminación de los nodos generalistas, principalmente para murciélagos. Es necesario implementar estrategias de conservación para el BsT que consideren especies de murciélagos polinizadores y plantas nativas que contribuyen al mantenimiento del ecosistema y de los servicios ecosistémicos derivados.

Abstract The Tropical Dry Forest (TDF) of Valle del Cauca is subject to strong pressures, however, it is an ecosystem in which important processes are generated for the biological diversity conservation, maintenance of structure and function of ecosystems, food production and economy, such as pollination. Among the pollinators, bats stand out, whose relationships have been little studied in this context, therefore, we sought to identify the interactions between plants and bats with high nectar consumption in ten remnants of TDF in the department. For this, nectarivorous-polynivorous bats were captured and pollen loads were taken in fur and feces. Six species of bats and 77 plant species were found interacting, which formed a network of modular topology, with two animal species of generalistsrepresenting almost 80 % of the interactions. The modeling of network robustness to species loss (secondary extinctions) indicated that it was robust to the loss of specialist species, but showed fragility to the elimination of generalist nodes, mainly for bats. It is necessary to implement conservation strategies for TDF that consider species of pollinating bats and native plants that contribute to the maintenance of the ecosystem and derived ecosystem services.

Resumen El Bosque seco Tropical (BsT) es uno de los ecosistemas más amenazados del planeta dada la pérdida de cobertura vegetal causada por actividades antropogénicas. Entender cómo se dan las interacciones planta-animal en este tipo de ecosistemas es particularmente importante porque promueven su mantenimiento y funcionamiento. Nuestro objetivo fue identificar las interacciones entre murciélagos frugívoros y plantas a través de redes de interacción mutualistas en diez remanentes de BsT del Valle del Cauca. Para esto se caracterizó el ensamblaje de murciélagos y las semillas encontradas en sus heces y se evaluaron las propiedades estructurales de redes (anidamiento, modularidad y robustez). Se encontraron 36 especies de murciélagos y 1142 individuos; adicionalmente, se identificaron 19 669 semillas y 85 interacciones entre 18 especies de murciélagos y 19 especies de plantas. La red de interacción resultante presentó una estructura anidada, modular y robusta a la pérdida de especies especialistas pero susceptible a la pérdida de especies generalistas. Estos resultados dejan en evidencia la importancia de los murciélagos para el análisis de las interacciones planta-animal y a su vez los propone como un grupo clave para ser incluidos en planes de conservación y restauración de ecosistemas altamente perturbados como el BsT del Valle del Cauca.

Abstract The Tropical Dry Forest is one of the most threatened ecosystems due to the loss of vegetation cover caused by anthropogenic activities. Understanding how plant-animal interactions occur in this type of ecosystem is particularly important because these interactions promote the maintenance and functioning of the ecosystems. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify interactions between fruit bats and plants through mutualistic interaction networks in ten tropical dry forest fragments in Valle del Cauca, Colombia. For this purpose, we characterized the bat community, as well as the seeds found in their feces; with the data obtained, the structural properties of the network (nestedness, modularity and robustness) were evaluated. Our results show 36 species and 1142 individuals of bats, where we identified 19 669 seeds grouped in 85 interactions between 18 bat species and 19 plant species. Moreover, the resulting interaction network presented a nestedness, modular structure, robust to the loss of specialist species but susceptible to the loss of generalist species. These results demonstrate the importance of bats for the analysis of plant-animal interactions and highlight them as a key group to be considered in conservation and restoration plans in highly disturbed ecosystems such as the Tropical Dry Forest of Valle del Cauca.

ABSTRACT Streblid flies (Diptera: Streblidae) are hematophagous and highly specialized parasitic insects, found only on bats (Chiroptera). Caves are important roosts for bats but, despite harboring high bat richness, relatively few studies exist on the ecology and biology of streblid flies in cave environments, especially in Amazonia, the largest domain in northern Brazil, with >140 bat species and thousands of caves. To fill some of the gaps in the geographical distribution and interspecific relationships for streblid flies in the region, we sampled bats in six caves in Carajás National Forest, a protected area in Pará state (Brazil). Thirteen of the 14 streblid species found are new records for Carajás, with three new records for Pará state and two for the northern region of Brazil. Nycterophilia fairchildi was recorded for the first time in Brazil. Most streblids had host-specific behavior, however, N. fairchildi, Trichobius caecus, and T. johnsonae were less host-specific, parasitizing different Pteronotus bat species. The gregarious behavior of Pteronotus species and the spatial distribution of their colonies within the caves may be important factors in the flies’ exchange among congener hosts and deserve special attention in future studies. Furthermore, studies on ecological interaction networks between bats and their ectoparasitic flies in caves will be useful for a broader understanding of how this relationship is structured over time and space, as well as its impact on both bats and flies.

RESUMO Moscas estréblidas (Diptera: Streblidae) são insetos hematófagos e parasitas encontrados apenas sobre morcegos (Chiroptera). As cavernas são abrigos importantes para morcegos, mas, apesar de abrigarem alta riqueza desses mamíferos, são relativamente poucos os estudos focados na ecologia e biologia de moscas estréblidas em ambientes cavernícolas, especialmente na Amazônia, o maior domínio no norte do Brasil, com >140 espécies de morcegos e milhares de cavernas. Para preencher algumas das lacunas na distribuição geográfica e nas relações interespecíficas de moscas estréblidas na região, amostramos morcegos cavernícolas em seis cavernas na Floresta Nacional de Carajás, uma área protegida no estado do Pará. Treze das 14 espécies de moscas estréblidas encontradas são novos registros para Carajás, com três novos registros para o Pará e dois para a região norte do Brasil. Nycterophilia fairchildi foi registrada pela primeira vez no Brasil. A maioria das espécies de moscas foi hospedeiro-específica; entretanto, N. fairchildi, Trichobius caecus e T. johnsonae foram menos específicas, parasitando diferentes espécies de morcegos do gênero Pteronotus. O comportamento gregário das espécies de Pteronotus e a distribuição espacial de suas colônias dentro das cavernas podem ser fatores importantes na troca de moscas entre hospedeiros congêneres e merecem atenção especial em estudos futuros. Adicionalmente, estudos sobre redes de interação ecológica entre morcegos e suas moscas ectoparasitas em cavernas serão úteis para uma compreensão mais ampla de como essa relação se estrutura no tempo e no espaço, bem como sobre o seu impacto, tanto sobre os morcegos como sobre as moscas.

SUMMARY: The myodural bridge is a dense connective tissue connecting muscles and ligaments to the spinal dura mater in the atlanto-occipital interspace. Some researchers believe that the myodural bridge may play a vital physiological role. It is possible, for instance, that the prevention of spinal dura mater infoldings might be involved in regulated cerebrospinal fluid circulation. For instance, it is possible to prevent spinal dura mater infoldings, regulating cerebrospinal circulation. Bats are nocturnal and the only mammals that can perform a genuine and sustained flight, whereas tree shrews are arboreal mammals that often climb to a high altitude of about 10,000 feet. Both animals have lifestyles that are different from other previously studied mammals. The study of these two animals will shed further light on the existence of the myodural bridge in mammals. Gross anatomical dissection was used to observe the connections between the deep muscles of the neck and the dura mater at the level of the atlanto-occipital interspace. The existing structures were analyzed using conventional and special histological staining techniques. The suboccipital regions in bats and tree shrews contained the rectus capitis dorsal major (RCDma), rectus capitis dorsal minor (RCDmi), oblique capitis anterior (OCA), and oblique capitis posterior (OCP). Dense connective tissue connects the RCDmi to the posterior atlanto-occipital membrane (PAOM) and the latter to the spinal dura mater. The myodural bridge in these mammals shares a similar structure to the myodural bridge in humans. Histological analyses confirmed that the connective fibers of the myodural bridge were primarily type I collagen fibers. In this study, it is supplemented by the existence of the myodural bridge in mammals. This further demonstrates that myodural bridge widely exists in the normal anatomy of mammals. This provides morphological support for a comparative anatomical study of the physiological function of the myodural bridge.

RESUMEN: El puente miodural es un tejido conjuntivo denso que conecta los músculos y los ligamentos a la duramadre espinal en el espacio atlanto-occipital. Algunos investigadores creen que el puente miodural puede desempeñar un papel fisiológico vital. Es posible, por ejemplo, que la prevención de los pliegues de la duramadre espinal pueda estar involucrada en la circulación regulada del líquido cefalorraquídeo. En esta instancia, es posible prevenir los pliegues de la duramadre espinal, regulando la circulación cerebro espinal. Los murciélagos son animales nocturnos y los únicos mamíferos que pueden realizar un vuelo real y sostenido, mientras que las musarañas arborícolas son mamíferos arbóreos que a menudo ascienden a una gran altura de unos 10 000 pies. Ambos animales tienen estilos de vida diferentes a los de otros mamíferos previamente estudiados. El estudio de estos dos animales ofrecerá más información sobre la existencia del puente miodural en los mamíferos. Se realizó una disección anatómica macroscópica para observar las conexiones entre los músculos profundos del cuello y la duramadre a nivel del espacio atlanto-occipital. Las estructuras existentes se analizaron mediante técnicas de tinción histológica convencionales y especiales. Las regiones suboccipitales en murciélagos y musarañas arbóreas presentaban el músculo recto dorsal mayor de la cabeza (RCDma), el recto dorsal menor de la cabeza (RCDmi), el oblicuo anterior de la cabeza (OCA) y el oblicuo posterior de la cabeza (OCP). El tejido conjuntivo denso conecta el RCDmi con la membrana atlanto- occipital posterior (PAOM) y esta última con la duramadre espinal. El puente miodural en estos mamíferos comparte una estructura similar al puente miodural en humanos. Los análisis histológicos confirmaron que las fibras conectivas del puente miodural son principalmente fibras de colágeno tipo I. Esto demuestra además que el puente miodural existe ampliamente en la anatomía normal de los mamíferos. Esta investigación proporciona apoyo morfológico para un estudio anatómico comparativo de la función fisiológica del puente miodural.

Resumo Os morcegos apresentam grande importância na homeostasia dos ecossistemas e são hospedeiros de uma rica diversidade de micro-organismos como bactérias, vírus e fungos com potencial patogênico. Portanto, este estudo visou isolar fungos presentes em amostras biológicas de morcegos na cidade de Sinop - MT, que possui grandes áreas de desmatamento devido à urbanização e agricultura. Foram capturados 48 morcegos de diferentes espécies, em onze fragmentos florestais urbanos definidos de acordo com fluxo de pessoas e animais domésticos, para obtenção de amostras biológicas. Essas amostras foram processadas e submetidas aos cultivos microbiológicos, para isolamento e identificação dos gêneros dos fungos. Dos 48 morcegos, 34 (70,83%) foram positivos para pelos menos um gênero de fungo, sendo 18 (37,5%) fêmeas e 16 (33,33%) machos, e os gêneros isolados a partir das amostras biológicas foram Penicillium sp., Scopulariopsis sp., Fusarium sp., Aspergillus sp., Alternaria sp., Cryptococcus sp., Trichosporon sp. e Candida sp., que podem ser causadores de infecções oportunistas. Desse total, a espécie que apresentou maior positividade para pelo menos um gênero de fungo foi Molossus molossus com 21 (43,8%). Nossos resultados demonstram que os morcegos capturados nos fragmentos florestais urbanos na cidade de Sinop - MT, podem atuar como agentes veiculadores de fungos com potencial patogênico, aumentando assim o risco de exposição e aquisição de infecções fúngicas oportunistas por pessoas e animais domésticos.

Abstract Bats are important for the homeostasis of ecosystems and serve as hosts of various microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, and fungi with pathogenic potential. This study aimed to isolate fungi from biological samples obtained from bats captured in the city of Sinop (state of Mato Grosso, Brazil), where large areas of deforestation exist due to urbanization and agriculture. On the basis of the flow of people and domestic animals, 48 bats were captured in eleven urban forest fragments. The samples were processed and submitted to microbiological cultures, to isolate and to identify the fungal genera. Thirty-four (70.83%) of the captured bats were positive for fungi; 18 (37.5%) and 16 (33.33%) of these bats were female and male, respectively. Penicillium sp., Scopulariopsis sp., Fusarium sp., Aspergillus sp., Alternaria sp., Cryptococcus sp., Trichosporon sp., and Candida sp., which may cause opportunistic infections, were isolated. The bat species with the highest number of fungal isolates was Molossus molossus: 21 isolates (43.8%). According to our results, bats captured in urban forest fragments in Sinop harbor pathogenic fungi, increasing the risk of opportunistic fungal infections in humans and domestic animals.

Resumo Um total de 10 espécimes foi capturado em locais selecionados da Bajaur Agency FATA, Paquistão, usando redes de neblina. Os espécimes capturados foram identificados morfologicamente e várias medidas morfométricas foram realizadas. O comprimento da cabeça e do corpo (HB) de Pipistrellus coromondra e Pipistrellus kuhlii lepidus (n = 10) foi de 43 ± 0,11 mm e 45 ± 1,1, respectivamente. Pipistrellus kuhlii identificado morfologicamente e confirmado como Pipistrellus kuhlii lepidus com base em sequências de rRNA 16S. As sequências de DNA foram submetidas ao GenBank e os números de acesso foram obtidos (MN 719478 e MT430902). As sequências do gene 16S rRNA disponíveis de Pipistrellus coromondra e Pipistrellus kuhlii lepidus foram recuperadas do NCBI e incorporadas na análise da árvore N-J. No geral, as variações genéticas interespecíficas entre Pipistrellus coromondra e Pipistrellus kuhlii lepidus foram de 8% e 1%, respectivamente. Em nossa recomendação, uma identificação molecular abrangente de morcegos precisa de uma hora para relatar mais espécies crípticas e novas do Paquistão.

Abstract A total of 10 specimens were captured from selected sites of Bajaur Agency FATA, Pakistan using mist nets. The captured specimens were morphologically identified and various morphometric measurements were taken. The head and Body length (HB) of Pipistrellus coromondra and Pipistrellus kuhlii lepidus (n=10) was 43±0.11 mm and 45±1.1 respectively. Morphologically identified Pipistrellus kuhlii confirmed as Pipistrellus kuhlii lepidus based on 16S rRNA sequences. The DNA sequences were submitted to GenBank and accession numbers were obtained (MN 719478 and MT430902). The available 16S rRNA gene sequences of Pipistrellus coromondra and Pipistrellus kuhlii lepidus were retrieved from NCBI and incorporated in N-J tree analysis. Overall, the interspecific genetic variations among Pipistrellus coromondra and Pipistrellus kuhlii lepidus were 8% and 1% respectively. In our recommendation, a comprehensive molecular identification of bats is need of hour to report more cryptic and new species from Pakistan.

Resumen Artibeus aztecus es un murciélago montano mesoamericano, cuyas tres poblaciones alopátricas son reconocidas como subespecies. Sin embargo, no hay estudios filogenéticos que permitan aclarar su situación taxonómica, por lo que, a través del análisis de su nicho ecológico y distribución geográfica, se analizó si existe diferenciación en los requerimientos climáticos para cada subespecie, evaluando si la evolución del nicho es un factor potencial en la diferenciación de las subespecies. Se llevaron a cabo modelos de nicho ecológico para cada subespecie, se analizaron las curvas de respuesta de las variables más importantes y, se generó el modelo de distribución potencial para cada subespecie. Adicionalmente se realizaron pruebas de similitud de background entre las tres subespecies para determinar qué tan similares son sus nichos. Se encontraron diferencias en los requerimientos climáticos entre las tres subespecies, así como en las variables más importantes y sus curvas de respuesta. Los modelos de distribución potencial coinciden con las tierras altas de Mesoamérica y destacan las zonas bajas del istmo de Tehuantepec y la depresión de Nicaragua como posibles barreras geográficas. Las diferencias encontradas en los nichos ecológicos de las subespecies contrastan con los hallazgos previos para la especie y otros murciélagos filostómidos. Conservadurismo de nicho ecológico pudo provocar aislamiento geográfico en el pasado y las diferencias en los requerimientos climáticos pudieron aparecer después. Son necesarios análisis moleculares y morfológicos que permitan conocer de manera más amplia los patrones evolutivos involucrados en la diversificación de la especie.

Abstract Artibeus aztecus is a Mesoamerican montane bat with three currently recognized, allopatric subspecies. No study has evaluated the phylogenetic status of the subspecies. However, through an analysis of its ecological niche and its geographic distribution, here we analyze whether there is differentiation of the climatic requirements for each subspecies, assessing whether niche evolution is a potential factor in subspecies differentiation. We assayed ecological niche models for each subspecies, analyzed the response curves for the most important climatic variables of each model, and generated the potential distribution model for each subspecies. We assayed a background similarity test between the subspecies to determine how similar their niches were. We found differences in climatic requirements for the three allopatric subspecies and the most important variables and their response curves. Potential distribution models concur with Mesoamerican highlands and highlight the lowlands of the isthmus of Tehuantepec and the Nicaraguan depression as possible geographic barriers. Differences found between ecological niches for each subspecies contrast with previous findings for the species and other phyllostomid bats. Niche conservatism may have caused geographic isolation in the past, and differences in environmental requirements may have appeared later. Molecular and morphological analyses are necessary to clarify the taxonomic status of these populations and the evolutionary processes involved in their diversification.

Resumen Los hábitos de selección de refugios de los murciélagos de ventosas del género Thyroptera (Chiroptera: Thyropteridae) han sido desconocidos o muy poco conocidos, con excepción a los hábitos de T. tricolor, que es la especie que se encuentra comúnmente. Muchas publicaciones de literatura secundaria afirman que los hábitos de selección de refugio de los Thyroptera en general son los mismos que los de tricolor, que son conocidos por descansar casi exclusivamente en hojas grandes verticales y parcialmente enrolladas, especialmente hojas de Heliconia nativa y banano introducido (género Musa). Sin embargo, por el momento no se conoce ninguna otra especie de Thyroptera que elija este tipo de refugio. Hasta 1993, las únicas especies de Thyroptera conocidas eran tricolor y discifera y habían sido las únicas dos especies conocidas durante 139 años. Durante este largo período, los hábitos particulares de selección de refugios de tricolor frecuentemente se atribuyeron a todo género, como a veces todavía sucede hoy en día. Actualmente se conocen tres especies más en este género: lavali, devivoi y wynneae. En este artículo, corregimos los conceptos erróneos sobre selección de refugios en Thyroptera, resumimos lo que se conoce de las cinco especies y brindamos las primeras observaciones detalladas sobre la selección de refugios de discifera. Thyroptera discifera se ha encontrado descansando adherido a la parte inferior de un folíolo o folíolos de palma en Brasil y en porciones de hojas muertas de plátano enrolladas cónicamente en Costa Rica.

Abstract Roosting habits of disk-winged bats of the genus Thyroptera (Chiroptera: Thyropteridae) have been unknown to very poorly known except for those of the commonly encountered T. tricolor. Many secondary literature publications state that roosting habits of Thyroptera in general are those of tricolor, known to roost almost exclusively in vertical, unfurling large leaves, especially of native Heliconia and introduced banana (genus Musa). However, so far as known, no other species of Thyroptera chooses such roosts. Until 1993, the only species of Thyroptera known were tricolor and discifera-they had been the only two known for 139 years. During this long period, the unique roosting habits of tricolor often were attributed to the genus as a whole, as sometimes still happens today. Now there are three more known species-lavali, devivoi, and wynneae. In this paper, we correct misconceptions concerning roosting habits in Thyroptera, summarize what is known for all five species, and provide the first detailed observations on roosting in discifera. Thyroptera discifera has been found roosting attached to the underside of a palm leaflet or leaflets in Brazil and in conically curled portions of dead banana leaves in Costa Rica.

Resumen La taxonomía de murciélagos Neotropicales está en un estado de constante cambio, con algunas especies siendo descritas, sinónimos menores siendo elevados o especies siendo reconocidas como sinónimos menores o subespecies. El género Platyrrhinus no ha sido la excepción a esta tendencia, y presenta una larga historia de cambios taxonómicos persistiendo algunas dudas acerca del estado actual de sus subespecies. Evaluamos la variación en forma y tamaño del cráneo en Platyrrhinus dorsalis y P. umbratus basándonos en análisis de morfometría geométrica. P. dorsalis se encuentra presente en elevaciones desde el nivel del mar hasta por encima de los 2,000 m y se distribuye desde Panamá al sur hasta Colombia, y a lo largo de ambas vertientes de los Andes en Ecuador. P. umbratus se encuentra presente en elevaciones desde 400 m hasta los 3,150 m, con distribución en los Andes de Venezuela a Bolivia y el Sistema Montañoso del Caribe de Venezuela y Colombia. Nuestros análisis no apoyan el reconocimiento de subespecies en P. dorsalis o P. umbratus. La diferencia en el tamaño y forma del cráneo entre poblaciones de P. dorsalis está asociada con la elevación, sugiriendo que esta especie presenta una variación clinal altitudinal, con individuos grandes a elevaciones menores y pequeños en las altas. En P. umbratus también el tamaño y forma del cráneo está asociada con una clina latitudinal, con los más grandes en la parte septentrional de la distribución. Nuestros análisis no revelan la presencia de variación sexual secundaria en ninguna de las dos especies.

Abstract The taxonomy of Neotropical bats is constantly changing, with new species being described and junior synonyms elevated, while other taxa are relegated to junior synonyms or subspecies. The genus Platyrrhinus has followed this trend, with some issues persisting about the current status of its subspecies. Here we evaluate variation in cranial shape and size based on geometric morphometric analyses of Platyrrhinus dorsalis and P. umbratus. P. dorsalis occurs at elevations from sea level to above 2,000 m and is found from southern Panama southward into Colombia and along both slopes of the Andes in Ecuador. P. umbratus occurs at elevations from 400 m to above 3,150 m in the Andean from Colombia south through Bolivia and Caribbean Mountain systems of Venezuela and Colombia. Our analyses did not support the recognition of subspecies in either species. The difference in skull size and shape between populations of P. dorsalis is associated with elevation, suggesting that this species exhibits an altitudinal clinal variation, with individuals being larger in the lower elevation and smaller in higher elevations. In P. umbratus the difference in skull size and shape between populations is associated with a latitudinal cline, with individuals tending to be larger in the northern part of their range. Our analyses did not reveal the existence of secondary sexual variation in P. dorsalis nor in P. umbratus.

Abstract Cattle raising is a crucial element of production systems in the tropics and subtropics. However, in recent years, global public health security has been threatened by disease emergence. In Orellana Province, livestock is the most important activity to generate economic income. Nevertheless, there is no available data about Animal Health status. With this objective, a study was performed to describe the major Bovine diseases recorded between 2011 to 2019, and the main Risk factors associated. Data on main Bovine diseases were retrieved from the World Animal Health Information System database. Whereas Bovine population data used to calculate the prevalence rates and confidence intervals were obtained from Ecuador's Ministry of Agriculture. By contrast, the Risk factors identified with an epidemiological questionnaire were applied to 300 livestock farmers. As a result, from 2011 to 2019 in Orellana has been confirmed: 90 cases of Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (31.58%), Bovine Rabies by hematophagous bats (Desmodus rotundus), 83 cases (29.12%), Bovine viral diarrhea with 43 cases (15.10%), Brucellosis by Brucella abortus 35 cases, which was (12.28%), and 34 cases related to Enzootic bovine leukosis (11.92%). Overall, the prevalence rates ranged from (0.24 to 15.37%). In addition, farm size, presence of forest, herd, and paddock sizes, cutting frequency of forages, and other animal species were involved as Risk factors (OR = 3.15 to 11.75; 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.69). In conclusion, there are animal diseases with reproductive and neurologic symptomology and high-Risk factors implicated in the transmission. Consequently, space-temporal and seroprevalence epidemiological studies should be performed in Orellana.

Resumo A criação de gado é um elemento crucial dos sistemas de produção nos trópicos e subtrópicos. No entanto, nos últimos anos, a segurança da saúde pública global tem sido ameaçada pelo surgimento de doenças. Na província de Orellana, a pecuária é a atividade mais importante para gerar renda econômica. Contudo, não há dados disponíveis sobre o estado de saúde animal. Com este objetivo, foi realizado um estudo para descrever as principais doenças dos bovinos registradas entre 2011 e 2019, além dos principais fatores de risco associados. Os dados sobre as principais doenças bovinas foram recuperados do banco de dados do World Animal Health Information System. Os dados da população bovina usados para calcular as taxas de prevalência e os intervalos de confiança foram obtidos do Ministério da Agricultura do Equador. Por outro lado, os fatores de risco identificados com um questionário epidemiológico foram aplicados a 300 criadores de gado. Como resultado, de 2011 a 2019 em Orellana foram confirmados: 90 casos (31,58%) de rinotraqueíte infecciosa bovina, 83 casos (29,12%) de raiva bovina por morcegos hematófagos (Desmodus rotundus), 43 casos (15,10%) de diarreia viral bovina, 35 casos (12,28%) de brucelose por Brucella abortus e 34 casos relacionados à leucose enzoótica bovina (11,92%). No geral, as taxas de prevalência variaram de 0,24 a 15,37%. Além disso, tamanho da fazenda, presença de floresta, tamanho do rebanho e dos piquetes, frequência de corte de forragens e outras espécies animais estiveram envolvidos como fatores de risco (OR = 3,15-11,75; IC 95% 0,01-0,69). Em conclusão, existem doenças animais com sintomatologia reprodutiva e neurológica e fatores de alto risco implicados na transmissão. Portanto, estudos epidemiológicos espaço-temporais e de soroprevalência devem ser realizados em Orellana.