Estudo da quiropterofauna da Ilha de Cotijuba, Pa. (mammalia: chiroptera)

Abstract

Research on the chiropterofauna of the Amazon reveals the occurrence of at least 135 regional species, with varied feeding habits - insectivorous, frugivorous, pollinivorous, carnivorous" heat-eating, etc. Bats contribute to the balance of the Amazonian biota by different means, e.g. insect population, seed dispersal and pollination. Potentially dangerous to human health are the hematophagous bats that carry the rabies virus. The objectives of the study were defined as follows: (a) systematic characterization associated with the analysis of behavioral and ecological variables of existing bats on Cotijuba Island (Municipality of Belém, Pará); (b) delineation of priority areas for species conservation purposes, due to anthropic pressures on local fauna and flora; (c) promotion of environmental education programs for riverside dwellers, (d) research on the occurrence of rabies virus among the captured hematophages, in view of recent reports (last four years) of attacks of these chiropterans on domestic animals and sometimes on humans; (e) scientific advice and consultancy to public health agencies of the State of Pará. In the first stage of the research, quarterly collections were carried out: (a) nocturnal captures between 18h and 24h or during the whole dark phase of the day, with the help of ten mist-nets in most collection sites; (b) weighing, measuring anatomical distances, ascertaining the reproductive status of females; (c) removal of the brain mass of hematophages, for laboratory research on rabies virus. Twenty-seven species of bats were found, most of them frugivorous (e.g. Carolia spp, Artibeus spp, Uroderma spp, Glossophaga ssp), i.e., potential dispersers of the local flora. Two species of hematophages were observed: Desmodus rotundus (about 5% of the sample) and Diaemus yungii (less than 1% of the sample)