Navegando por Autor "Bernard, Enrico"
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Item An Exceptionally High Bat Species Richness in a Cave Conservation Hotspot in Central Brazil(2021-07-09) Barros, Jennifer de Sousa; Bernard, Enrico; Ferreira, Rodrigo LopesCaves are among the most used and important roosts for hundreds of bat species worldwide. However, caves remain some of the least known and most threatened environments globally. Documenting the richness of bat species in caves is important not only to draw attention to the uniqueness and relevance of these roosts, but it also contributes to the identification of priority sites for the conservation of bats and the cave fauna dependent upon them. Here, we assessed and described an exceptionally high bat richness in a group of caves in southeastern Tocantins, central Brazil. Inventories carried out in 19 caves resulted in seven families and 31 bat species, of which three were new regional records. Twelve caves were used by threatened and endangered bat species, eight had high diversity indices, and seven caves had high species richness, including one cave that may hold a world record with 26 bat species found inside. The variation in beta diversity is mainly due to species turnover, which indicates that protecting the largest possible number of caves would be ideal for the most efficient conservation of local bat assemblages. The sampled region stands out for its high potential for the conservation of endangered species, and we strongly recommend the full protection of 15 caves classified as a priority for conservation.- An Exceptionally High Bat Species Richness in a Cave Conservation Hotspot in Central Brazil(2021) de Sousa Barros, Jennifer; Bernard, Enrico; Lopes Ferreira, RodrigoCaves are among the most used and important roosts for hundreds of bat species worldwide. However, caves remain some of the least known and most threatened environments globally. Documenting the richness of bat species in caves is important not only to draw attention to the uniqueness and relevance of these roosts, but it also contributes to the identification of priority sites for the conservation of bats and the cave fauna dependent upon them. Here, we assessed and described an exceptionally high bat richness in a group of caves in southeastern Tocantins, central Brazil. Inventories carried out in 19 caves resulted in seven families and 31 bat species, of which three were new regional records. Twelve caves were used by threatened and endangered bat species, eight had high diversity indices, and seven caves had high species richness, including one cave that may hold a world record with 26 bat species found inside. The variation in beta diversity is mainly due to species turnover, which indicates that protecting the largest possible number of caves would be ideal for the most efficient conservation of local bat assemblages. The sampled region stands out for its high potential for the conservation of endangered species, and we strongly recommend the full protection of 15 caves classified as a priority for conservation.
Item An exceptionally high bat species richness in a cave conservation hotspot in Central Brazil(2021-06) Ferreira, Rodrigo Lopes; de Sousa Barros, Jennifer; Bernard, EnricoCaves are among the most used and important roosts for hundreds of bat species worldwide. However, caves remain some of the least known and most threatened environments globally. Documenting the richness of bat species in caves is important not only to draw attention to the uniqueness and relevance of these roosts, but it also contributes to the identification of priority sites for the conservation of bats and the cave fauna dependent upon them. Here, we assessed and described an exceptionally high bat richness in a group of caves in southeastern Tocantins, central Brazil. Inventories carried out in 19 caves resulted in seven families and 31 bat species, of which three were new regional records. Twelve caves were used by threatened and endangered bat species, eight had high diversity indices, and seven caves had high species richness, including one cave that may hold a world record with 26 bat species found inside. The variation in beta diversity is mainly due to species turnover, which indicates that protecting the largest possible number of caves would be ideal for the most efficient conservation of local bat assemblages. The sampled region stands out for its high potential for the conservation of endangered species, and we strongly recommend the full protection of 15 caves classified as a priority for conservation.- Análise de relevância de cavernas: uma revisão da IN 02/2017 sob a perspectiva dos morcegos(2020-11) Barros, Jennifer; Da Cunha Tavares, Valeria; Dias-Silva, Leonardo Henrique; Milagres, Augusto; da Rocha, Patrício Adriano; Guimarães, Maricelio; Bernard, EnricoA relação entre várias espécies de morcegos e ecossistemas cavernícolas é altamente especializada, complexa e frágil. Comunidades de invertebrados cavernícolas são, frequentemente, dependentes do guano dos morcegos para sua sobrevivência, assim como os próprios morcegos dependem também destes abrigos para atividades sociais, proteção, descanso e reprodução. No Brasil, espécies associadas a cavernas tornaram-se mais susceptíveis a impactos decorrentes da destruição de seus abrigos, principalmente após alterações na legislação que flexibilizaram a proteção desses ambientes. A atual legislação determina que cavernas inseridas em áreas passíveis de licenciamento ambiental devem passar por um processo de classificação quanto ao seu grau de relevância. Estas regras estão incluídas na Instrução Normativa 02/2017 do Ministério do Meio Ambiente. Avaliamos aqui as disposições na IN 02/2017 considerando o grupo dos morcegos como foco específico, e considerando a clareza, objetividade, e aplicabilidade prática da normativa, bem como pontos frágeis e critérios subjetivos que necessitam de modificações. Identificamos trechos cuja redação é subjetiva, vaga ou imprecisa, tornando alguns dos critérios apontados para a designação de relevância problemáticos quando analisados sob o enfoque do grupo dos morcegos. Sugerimos que a IN passe por extensa atualização, com alterações de redação, exclusão de alguns critérios (e.g., espécies com função ecológica importante; troglóxenos obrigatório) e inclusão de outros (e.g., presença de fêmeas grávidas e filhotes).
- Bat mobility and roosts in a fragmented landscape in central Amazonia, Brazil(Biotropica, 2003) Bernard, Enrico; Fenton, M. Brock
Item Big family, warm home, and lots of friends: Pteronotus large colonies affect species richness and occupation inside caves(2023-03-01) Barros, Jennifer S.; Bernard, EnricoRoosts are essential for the survival of most animals. Due to homothermic requirements, mammals are particularly dependent on roost quality and availability. Bats select their roosts in a species-specific way, likely related to species´ different physiological and adaptive needs. Unlike species whose individuals roost solitarily, roost selection is critical for bats forming large colonies due to the requirements for maintaining thousands of individuals in a single shelter. This is the case of Pteronotus (Mormoopidae), whose colonies reach hundreds of thousands of bats. Using captures, bioacoustics, and automated censuses, we evaluated how cave size, ceiling characteristics, environmental stability, temperature, and humidity influence the formation of exceptionally large colonies, species richness and composition in caves in north-eastern Brazil. We expected that colonies would be positively related to cave size and stability, internal cave selection would be species-specific, but larger and more environmentally stable caves would have higher richness. Pteronotus colonies were positively related to cave size, stability, and ceiling characteristics, and their presence strongly influenced cave temperature variation. Species richness was positively correlated to a cave stability index. Species other than Pteronotus preferred different climatic and ceiling characteristics. We detected an indirect influence of the large colonies of Pteronotus on the species richness and occupation inside caves. On the other hand, such caves favor species coexistence, as they offer a range of microenvironments, reducing niche overlap in their interior. Pteronotus gymnonotus and Pteronotus personatus are both key- and umbrella-species for cave ecosystems, stressing the need for specific conservation strategies in Brazil.- A biodiversity assessment of bats(Chiroptera) in a tropical lowland rainforest of central Amazonia, including methodological and conservation considerations(Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment, 2003) Sampaio, Erica M.; Kalko, Elisabeth K. V.; Bernard, Enrico; Rodríguez-Herrera, Bernal; Handley Jr, Charles O.Chiroptera , inventários , amostragem métodos , conservação , Amazônia Central.
Item Compilação atualizada das espécies de morcegos (Chiroptera) para a Amazônia Brasileira(Biota Neotropica, 2011) Bernard, Enrico; Tavares, Valéria da Cunha; Sampaio, EricaCompilação atualizada das espécies de morcegos da Amazônia Legal Brasileira, com registros formais de 146 espécies, distribuídas em nove famílias, e 64 gênerosItem Cormura brevirostris(American Society of Mammalogists, 2003-12) Bernard, EnricoItem Diet, activity and reproduction of bat species (Mammalia, Chiroptera) in Central Amazonia, Brazil(Revista Brasileira de Zoologia, 2002) Bernard, Enrico- Ecological preferences of neotropical cave bats in roost site selection and their implications for conservation(2020-06) de Sousa Barros, Jennifer; Bernard, Enrico; Lopes Ferreira, RodrigoBats frequently use caves as roosts due to higher environmental stability and protection. However, species-specific ecological and physiological requirements and conditions of roosts and their surroundings can influence species presence. Little is known on cave choice by bats in the Neotropics, a species- and cave-rich region. Understanding how bats, cave characteristics and the surrounding landscape are related with each other helps the management and conservation of bats and caves. Based on sampling 19 caves using both diurnal observations and captures, we tested (1) whether bat richness was positively related to cave temperature, humidity, size, stability, and heterogeneity of microhabitats, and the preservation and heterogeneity of the surrounding landscape in central Brazil; (2) whether cave and landscape characteristics influenced on species composition; (3) how species responded to cave and landscape variables; and (4) whether these relationships changed between seasons. Temperature was a limiting factor, whereas environmental stability, humidity, and structural attributes of caves favored the occurrence of more species. Larger caves, rich in microhabitats – but more stable than the external environment – supported more species, especially in the dry season. Landscape context did not influence species richness and composition in the caves, but the percentage of vegetation around caves was important for certain species. Our results highlight the influence of environmental variables in the process of cave selection by Neotropical bat species. Moreover, we emphasize the importance of cave protection for bats and provide useful information for decision-making in processes of environmental licensing.
- Ecology of Antricola ticks in a bat cave in north-eastern Brazil(2020-09-12) Barbier, Eder; Bernard, Enrico; Dantas‑Torres, FilipeArgasid ticks are a diverse group of acarines that parasitize numerous vertebrate hosts. Along with birds, bats serve as hosts for several argasid ticks, which are commonly found in bat caves. Argasid ticks have regained attention from tick taxonomists in recent dec-ades, with a number of new species described in various zoogeographical regions. None-theless, studies on their ecology are still scarce. We conducted a 1-year longitudinal study to assess the presence of argasid ticks in a bat cave in the drylands of north-eastern Brazil and evaluate their possible response to abiotic factors. From July 2014 to June 2015, 490 ticks were collected (272 nymphs, 169 males and 49 females) in a cave chamber hosting a large colony of Pteronotus spp. bats, being relatively more frequent from July to December 2014. Adults were identified as Antricola guglielmonei, whereas nymphs were assigned to the genus Antricola. Almost all ticks (98%) were collected on the cave walls. Only 2% were on the ceiling and, surprisingly, no specimens were found on the floor and/or guano. Adults were usually clustered in the crevices and little mobile, whereas nymphs were dispersed and more active, moving over the walls or ceiling of the cave. Although present in most of the studied period, there was a significantly negative correlation between tick abundance and relatively humidity, and A. guglielmonei was more frequent during the dry season. Moreover, there was no evident correlation between the abundance of ticks and bats. Fur-ther long-term studies will be able to verify whether this pattern is repeated over time, and even whether other variables can influence the population dynamics of A. guglielmonei.
Item Estimates of insect consumption and guano input in bat caves in Brazil(2022-03-12) Pimentel, Narjara Tércia; da Rocha, Patrício Adriano; Pedroso, Mônica Aparecida; Bernard, EnricoBat caves harbor exceptional populations of insectivorous bats. Those bats play an important role as insect suppressors and produce large quantities of guano, which is essential for maintaining cave ecosystems since entire highly specialized cave biotas may heavily rely on bat guano as their main energy input. Although ecologically relevant, few studies have estimated insect consumption and guano input in Neotropical bat caves. We provide estimates for five bat caves used by Pteronotus gymnonotus and P. personatus (Mormoopidae) in northeastern Brazil. Using a non-invasive automated system, we counted bats, then captured and weighted individuals to estimate insect consumption, and, with collectors and rulers, estimated the amount and speed of guano accumulation in cave sectors. Bat abundance varied between and within caves, up to 158,884 bats, indicating highly dynamic occupation patterns. Insect consumption varied from 0.6 to 2.5 g/bat for P. gymnonotus (~5 to 20% of their body weight) and 0.8 to 2.0 g/bat for P. personatus (~10 to 28% of their body weight). Guano deposition was spatially and temporally heterogeneous (from 0 to 738 g/m2/96h). Some caves showed a 15-cm increase in guano deposits on the cave floor in 7 months. Bulky guano deposits in those caves stressed the bat role as insect suppressors. The present study provides baseline quantitative data on the contributions of bats to cave ecosystems and valuable data for estimates of ecosystem services provided by bats.Item Filling data gaps on the diversity and distribution of Amazonian bats (Chiroptera): the case of Amapá, easternmost Brazil(Zoologia, 2011-04) Martins, Ana C. M.; Bernard, Enrico; Gregorin, Renato; Silva, Wanuyze A. S.Item Filling data gaps on the diversity and distribution of Amazonian bats (Chiroptera): the case of Amapá, easternmost Brazil(Zoologia, 2011-04) Martins, Ana C. M.; Bernard, Enrico; Gregorin, Renato; Silva, Wanuyze A. S.Item Living in the dark: Bat caves as hotspots of fungal diversity(2020-12-04) O. B. Cunha, Aline; D. P. Bezerra, Jadson; G. L. Oliveira, Thays; Barbier, Eder; Bernard, Enrico; R. Machado, Alexandre; M. Souza-Motta, Cristina; Sabrina SarroccoBat caves are very special roosts that harbour thousands of bats of one or more species. Such sites may hold an incredible “dark fungal diversity” which is still underestimated. We explored the culturable fungal richness in the air, on bats, and in the guano in a bat cave in Brazil’s Caatinga dry forest. Fungal abundance was 683 colony-forming units (CFU) in the guano, 673 CFU in the air, and 105 CFU on the bats. Based on morphological and phylogenetic analysis of ITS, LSU, and TUB2 sequences, fungal isolates of 59 taxa belonging to 37 genera in the phyla Ascomycota (28 genera, including Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, and Talaromyces), Basidiomycota (eight genera, including Rhodotorula and Schizophyllum), and Mucoromycota (only Rhizopus) were identified. The fungal richness in the air was 23 taxa (especially Aspergillus taxa), mainly found at 15 m and 45 m from the cave entrance; on the bodies of bats it was 36 taxa (mainly Aspergillus taxa), especially on their wing membranes (21 taxa, nine of which were exclusively found in this microhabitat); and in guano 10 fungal taxa (especially Aspergillus and Penicillium) were found. The fungal richness associated with guano (fresh and non-fresh) was similar from bats with different eating habits (insectivorous, frugivorous, and haematophagous). Sampling effort was not sufficient to reveal the total fungal taxa richness estimated. Eight (21.6%) of the 37 genera and 17 (53.1%) of the 32 identified fungal species are reported for the first time in caves. Our results highlight bat caves in Brazil as hotspots of fungal diversity, emphasizing the need to protect such special roosts.- Living in the dark: Bat caves as hotspots of fungal diversity(2020-12-04) O. B. Cunha, Aline; D. P. Bezerra, Jadson; G. L. Oliveira, Thays; Barbier, Eder; Bernard, Enrico; R. Machado, Alexandre; M. Souza-Motta, Cristina; Sabrina SarroccoBat caves are very special roosts that harbour thousands of bats of one or more species. Such sites may hold an incredible “dark fungal diversity” which is still underestimated. We explored the culturable fungal richness in the air, on bats, and in the guano in a bat cave in Brazil’s Caatinga dry forest. Fungal abundance was 683 colony-forming units (CFU) in the guano, 673 CFU in the air, and 105 CFU on the bats. Based on morphological and phylogenetic analysis of ITS, LSU, and TUB2 sequences, fungal isolates of 59 taxa belonging to 37 genera in the phyla Ascomycota (28 genera, including Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, and Talaromyces), Basidiomycota (eight genera, including Rhodotorula and Schizophyllum), and Mucoromycota (only Rhizopus) were identified. The fungal richness in the air was 23 taxa (especially Aspergillus taxa), mainly found at 15 m and 45 m from the cave entrance; on the bodies of bats it was 36 taxa (mainly Aspergillus taxa), especially on their wing membranes (21 taxa, nine of which were exclusively found in this microhabitat); and in guano 10 fungal taxa (especially Aspergillus and Penicillium) were found. The fungal richness associated with guano (fresh and non-fresh) was similar from bats with different eating habits (insectivorous, frugivorous, and haematophagous). Sampling effort was not sufficient to reveal the total fungal taxa richness estimated. Eight (21.6%) of the 37 genera and 17 (53.1%) of the 32 identified fungal species are reported for the first time in caves. Our results highlight bat caves in Brazil as hotspots of fungal diversity, emphasizing the need to protect such special roosts.
Item Low-Cost 3D Reconstruction of Caves(2023) Teixeira, Joao Marcelo; Pimentel, Narjara; Barbier, Eder; Bernard, Enrico; Teichrieb, Veronica; Chaves, GimenaCaves are spatially complex environments, frequently formed by different shapes and structures. Capturing cave’s spatial complexity is often necessary for different purposes – from geological to biological aspects – but difficult due to the challenging logistics, frequent absence of light, and because the necessary equipment is prohibitively expensive. Efficient and low-cost mapping systems could produce direct and indirect benefits for cave users and policy-makers, enabling from non-invasive research of fragile structures (like speleothems) to new forms of interactive experiences in tourism, for example. Here we present a low-cost solution that combines hardware and software to allow capturing cave spatial information through RGB-D sensors and the later interpretation of the processed data. Our solution allows the navigation in a 3D reconstructed cave, and may be used to estimate volume and area information, frequently necessary for conservation or environmental licensing. We validated the proposed solution by partially reconstructing one cave in Northeastern Brazil. Although some challenges have to be overcome, our approach showed that it was possible to retrieve relevant information despite using low-cost RGB-D sensors.Item Mobility of bats between caves: ecological aspects and implications for conservation and environmental licensing activities in Brazil(2021-08-17) Leal, Edson Silva Barbosa; Bernard, EnricoBats are highly mobile animals, moving rapidly over long distances. Detecting such movements is challenging, especially in cave areas, a commonly-used roost by bats. Brazil has a large number of caves and bat species, but details on bat mobility among caves is still poorly documented there. Such monitoring provides insights on the structuring and conservation of cave-dwelling communities, with possible legal implications for the environmental licensing in Brazil. Based on marking (2,490 bats captured; 2,142 marked) and recapture (35 events; 14 extra-site), here we present data on the mobility of mormoopid bats between two bat caves 15 km apart in northeastern Brazil. Sexual segregation between caves may explain mobility: one cave is likely a maternity roost; the other is a satellite cave used for copulae. Nomadic behavior due to seasonal distribution of resources in the semi-arid Northeastern Brazil cannot be ruled out. Based on the distance between the two caves, bats could potentially forage over an area of ~170,000 hectares, in a wider use of the landscape. Our data have implications for the conservation of bat species and their roosts, and contribute to a more evidence-based discussion of key concepts governing the environmental licensing of mining activities in Brazil.- Multi-Objective Tracking Applied to Bat Populations(Rastreamento Multi-Objetivo Aplicado a Populações de Morcegos)(2016) Rodrigues, Eduardo; Teixeira, João Marcelo; Teichrieb, Veronica; Bernard, EnricoMultiple target tracking is one of the greatchallenges faced by the computer vision community in lastyears. This paper presents a solution developed in order totrack bats in a clutter environment to account the populationof their colony. The algorithm is able to start detections,treat wrong or lost detections and process the detections inprogress. Tracked targets have their next state estimated byKalman Filter usage. As new measurements are performed,the algorithm can identify which of them are considerednoise, which are new targets and which are new statesof a previously detected target. A 3D viewer was alsoimplemented in order to help the analysis of the trackedflights by researchers in areas like biodiversity and biology.The aim of this paper is to present the operation of thedeveloped system, collaborate with other researchers workingwith tracking of multiple objects and make society aware ofthe importance of preserving the environment, exposing someof the consequences of changing its natural characteristics.The proposed algorithm showed amazing results in the teststages, reaching to overcome the current state of the art.