FRUGIVOROUS BATS IN ISOLATED TREES AND RIPARIAN VEGETATION ASSOCIATED WITH HUMAN-MADE PASTURES IN A FRAGMENTED TROPICAL LANDSCAPE

Conversion of tropical rain forest to pasture and cropland often leads to a loss of local species. However, information on the role of some isolated elements of the fragmented landscape on maintaining biodiversity is lacking. This study, carried out in human-made pastures in Veracruz, Mexico, demonstrated the year-round presence of frugivorous bats in isolated trees inside pastures and in riparian corridors of vegetation among pastures. During a 1-year study (October 1995 through September 1996), we captured 652 bats belonging to 20 species, representing 56% of the total species recorded for the area. Higher abundance and diversity of bats were recorded for riparian sites than for isolated trees. Of the bats we captured, 82% were frugivorous, 15% insectivorous, 2% nectarivorous-frugivorous, and 2% sanguivorous. Bats visited isolated trees regardless of tree species or phenological state. Abundance decreased with distance from the nearest forest fragment. We discuss how riparian corridors and isolated trees in pastures might contribute to maintaining diversity of frugivorous bats and plants in a fragmented landscape.