ABSTRACT Eptesicus Rafinesque, 1820 is widely distributed in the Old and New World (26 species), and Histiotus Gervais, 1856 is a South American endemic (11 species). Molecular phylogenies have recovered Eptesicus (sensu lato) as polyphyletic, with New World Eptesicus and the sister genus Histiotus in a paraphyletic American clade sister to Old World Eptesicus. Based on these phylogenetic reconstructions, authors have treated Histiotus as either a subgenus of Eptesicus or restricted Eptesicus to the New World species, treating Histiotus as a full genus, and using the name Cnephaeus Kaup, 1829 at the generic rank to comprise Old World Eptesicus. Based on recently published molecular studies, and on novel qualitative and quantitative morphological comparisons of representatives of Histiotus and New and Old World Eptesicus, we provide evidence for restricting the name Eptesicus to the species E. fuscus (Palisot de Beauvois, 1796) and E. guadeloupensis Genoways & Baker, 1975, allocating the remaining New World species under a new genus, keeping Histiotus as a full genus, and raising Cnephaeus to generic rank to comprise all Old World taxa currently under Eptesicus. This arrangement resolves the paraphyly of New World Eptesicus, and promotes taxonomic stability for Histiotus, which is a well-established genus of easily recognizable Neotropical bats and treated separate from Eptesicus by most authorities.

Morcegos filostomídeos são localmente abundantes, ecologicamente diversos, e formam ricas assembleias. Eles fornecem serviços ecossistêmicos essenciais, cuja disponibilidade pode mudar ao longo do ano por flutuações na sua abundância. Nos reportamos aqui a uma assembleia de filostomídeos estudada na Reserva Biológica União (RBU), uma área com grande diversidade no sudeste do Brasil. Apresentamos uma avaliação da variação sazonal de perfis de diversidade para os componentes alfa e beta, assim como da abundância das espécies mais comuns. Variação espacial na riqueza e diversidade de filostomídeos também foi investigada a partir de dados publicados de três sítios próximos. Baseado em uma amostra de 786 capturas em redes de neblina e registros a partir do monitoramento de abrigos, a assembleia de filostomídeos da RBU inclui pelo menos 19 espécies, duas das quais reconhecidas nacionalmente como ameaçadas de extinção (Lonchorhina aurita e Lonchophylla peracchii). O perfil de diversidade da RBU mostrou-se fortemente influenciado pelas espécies mais comuns, sendo um dos mais ricos da região mas pouco diverso em função da distribuição pouco equitativa. Os perfis de diversidade alfa indicaram a ausência de diferenças sazonais. Os perfis de diversidade beta para análises espaciais e sazonais mostraram que as assembleias locais se comportam como subconjuntos de uma única assembleia, sugerindo uma relativa homogeneidade de recursos nessas dimensões. Em nível populacional, entretanto, variações sazonais já esperadas foram confirmadas (e.g., Artibeus spp. e C. perspicillata). A frequência elevada de Sturnira tildae na RBU diferencia esse site dos demais aqui analisados, reforçando sua importância para a conservação.

Phyllostomids are locally abundant, ecologically diverse, and form rich assemblages. They also provide essential ecosystem services, which may change along the year in response to changes in bat abundances. Here we report on a phyllostomid assemblage studied at Reserva Biológica União (RBU), an Atlantic Forest area with outstanding diversity in southeastern Brazil. We assessed seasonal variation in diversity profiles for alpha and beta components, as well as in the abundance of the most common species. Spatial variation in phyllostomid diversity profiles and components was also assessed, using published information from three nearby sites. Based on a sample of 786 mist net captures and records from monitored roosts, the phyllostomid assemblage at RBU was found to include at least 19 species, two of which recognized as endangered at the national level (Lonchorhina aurita and Lonchophylla peracchii). The diversity profile for RBU was heavily influenced by common species and was one of the richest but less diverse in the region due to its uneven distribution. The diversity profiles suggested no seasonal differences in alpha diversity. Beta diversity profiles for spatial and seasonal analyses showed that samples behaved as subsets of a single assemblage, suggesting a relative homogeneity of resources in these dimensions. At the population level, however, some expected seasonal variation in abundance was confirmed (e.g., in Artibeus spp. and in Carollia perspicillata). The high relative frequency of Sturnira tildae at RBUdifferentiated this site, thus reinforcing its conservation importance.

The Caatinga-endemic nectar-feeding bat, Xeronycteris vieirai Gregorin & Ditchfield, 2005 was described based on four specimens. Since then, only two additional specimens have been reported in the literature. Examination of a new specimen that closely agrees with the original description but presents two additional upper premolars, led us to review the type series of this taxon. Our analysis provided support to the recognition of the new specimen as a X. vieirai with supernumerary teeth and revealed new diagnostic characters that can help in the field identification of this species. Xeronycteris vieirai presents tricolored dorsal fur, entirely naked forearm, connection of the base of the spear of the noseleaf with the upper limit of the horseshoe with a marked ridge, and chin with simple dermal pads and a relatively slight cleft. Additional new characters described here include anterior zygomatic arches reduced and not extending laterally and upward with respect to upper toothrow, basioccipital pits deep and separated by a high and thin bone septum, and mandible with a pronounced ridge at anterior symphysis. We propose an emended diagnosis based on morphological characters and provide a rectification on the original notation related to the holotype.

Uroderma magnirostrum Davis, 1968 is reported from four new localities in southeastern Brazil, significantly extending its geographical distribution south and westward. A total of 12 adult specimens collected in areas of Caatinga and Atlantic Forest in the states of Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, and Rio de Janeiro, including specimens from the new localities and museum specimens were examined. Females from southeastern Brazil were larger than males in all external measurements analyzed, but after univariate statistical analyses using corrected p values for multiple tests no significant sexual dimorphism was detected. Mean values obtained from this sample fall within the known range documented for the species in both external and cranial measurements, and are similar to those found in specimens from north and northeastern Brazil. The habitats of the new localities of U. magnirostrum in southeastern Brazil ranged from pristine and secondary forests to a small urban park. Uroderma magnirostrum is apparently a rare species in southeast Brazil, which corroborates most previous reports of populations of this bat at other localities.

Furipterus horrens (Cuvier, 1828), the only species in the family Furipteridae known to occur in the Brazilian territory, is reported for the first time in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The single specimen obtained was found alone in its diurnal roost in a cavity formed among large granite blocks in a well-preserved Atlantic Forest area. Morphometric data obtained from this specimen are within the known range documented for the species.

Saccopteryx leptura (Schreber, 1774) is reported from two new localities in southeastern Brazil, both in Atlantic forest remains in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Analysisof food material showed that individuals from both localities had preyedon insects in the order Hymenoptera. Cheek contents were available from one specimen, and in this case identification of the food item (flying ants) achieved generic level (Pheidole Westwood, 1841). Aspects in the social behavior observed in a colony suggest that the same traits documented in Central American populations (small colonies, monogamic mating system, and retention of young for up to a year in the parental unit) may also characterize this species in the southern most part of its range. In both external and craniodental selected measurements, specimens from Rio de Janeiro were close to the upper limits of the ranges known for the species.