Bat community structure in the Tabasco Plain wetlands

Objetive: Describe the diversity of bat communities in two types of wetlands within the coastal plain of Tabasco's state to. Metodology: Samplings were carried out during three consecutive years in two different seasons of the year, dry and rainy; two types of vegetation, mangrove forest and popal-tular were considered. Mist-nets were used during three effective sampling days per station, spanning six-hour periods within 30-minute monitoring intervals. Results: A total of 510 individuals representing 22 bat species of six families were registered; the phyllostomid bats presented the highest richness and abundance. The bat species Artibeus jamaicensis, Noctilio leporinus, and Glossophaga soricine were the most representative. We found enhanced richness in the mangrove forest with 18 bat species, while popal-tular vegetation 12 species were found; the diversity of order 1 indicated that the mangrove forest richness is 0.78, which is highest than the popal-tular vegetation. Seven food guilds were identified, the frugivores were the most dominant; additionally, three bat species are under protection based on NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010, representing 12% of the state's protected species. Implications: Evaluating the bats community in wetlands is important to know the richness and abundance of this group, to generate base information Conclusions: Mangrove forests were the type of vegetation with the largest richness and abundance of bats, which might be considered crucial for the conservation of this group of mammals, providing shelter and food. In general, wetlands are important habitats for this group.Objective: To describe the diversity of bat communities in two types of wetlands in the coastal region of the Tabasco Plain. Methodology: Sampling was carried out at two different times of the year (dry and wet seasons) for three consecutive years, considering two types of vegetation (mangrove and popal-tular). The samples were collected during 3 effective days (6 h periods with 30 min monitoring intervals) per station, using mist nets. Results: A total of 510 individuals belonging to 22 species of six families were recorded; the phyllostomid bats were the most diverse and abundant. The Artibeus jamaicensis, Noctilio leporinus, and Glossophaga soricina species were the most representative. The vegetation with the greatest diversity was the mangrove with 18 species, while 12 species were found in the popal-tular areas. The diversity of order 1 indicates that the mangrove has 0.78 more diversity than the popal-tular. Seven food guilds were present, including the dominant frugivorous animals. Only three species fall within a protection category, according to NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010; they comprise 12% of the protected species in the state of Tabasco, Mexico. Implications: In order to determine their diversity and abundance —and ultimately to develop base information—, communities in the wetlands must be evaluated. Conclusions: The mangroves host the greatest diversity and abundance of bats to which they provide shelter and food. Therefore, they are considered crucial for their conservation and, overall, they are important habitats for this grou