Phyllostomid Bats in Traditional Agriculture and Neotropical Montane Forests

Bat communities’ responses to land use change in neotropical montane forests have scarcely been studied. Therefore, we measured the diversity of understory phyllostomid bats in a montane agricultural area and two montane forests in southern Mexico. Although differences in abundance were noteworthy: 45% and 73% fewer captures in agricultural areas than in the cloud forest and pine-oak forest, respectively, we did not find differences on composition and diversity. At least for the understory phyllostomid bats, the traditional management of agricultural areas could contribute to maintaining a similar diversity than the montane forests, however, the role of the surrounding forests is irreplaceable.

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