Seasonal distribution of the long-nosed bat (Leptonycteris curasoae) in North America: Does a generalized migration pattern really exist?
Por:
Rojas-Martínez A., Valiente-Banuet A., Del Coro Arizmendi M., Alcántara-Eguren A., Arita H.T.
Publicada:
1 ene 1999
Resumen:
Aim: This paper examines the migration of the tropical nectarivorous bat Leptonycteris curasoae considered as a latitudinal migrant that breeds in south-west United States and northern Mexico in spring and migrates southward during fall. We tested the hypothesis that the latitudinal migration occurs only locally given by the local availability of bat resources, leading to migratory movements in zones with seasonal scarcity of resources and to resident bat populations where resources are available throughout the year. Localization: We analysed the presence of L. curasoae along its distribution range in North America (between 14°N and 33°N). Study cases were also conducted in three Mexican localities the Tehuacan Valley (17°48'-18°58'N and 96°48'-97°43'W), Sonoran Desert (28°41'N and 110°15'W), and the coast of Jalisco (19°32'N and 105°07'W). Methods: Geographic evidence for latitudinal migration of L. curasoae was analysed using 94-year capture records housed in twenty-two collections of North America. Records were analysed using a Geographical Information System (GIS), in which floral resources and capture records were integrated. Monthly captures in the Tehuacan Valley were conducted during three years and bats abundance and reproductive status were correlated with the phenology of bat resources. Bat captures were also conducted during two consecutive years in an extratropical desert during winter and spring, and during one spring in the coast of Jalisco. Results: The latitudinal migration of L. curasoae in North America only occurs at latitudes near 30°N, whereas bats may be residents at latitudes lower than 21°N. Captures were associated always to the availability of floral resources in both geographical and local scales. Main conclusions: The existence of resident populations in the tropics with two reproductive events support the hypothesis that migration only occurs in the northern distribution limit of this nectar-feeding bat.
Filiaciones:
Rojas-Martínez A.:
Instituto de Ecologia, Univ. Nac. Auton. de México, Apartado Postal 70-275, México 04510 D.F., Mexico
Valiente-Banuet A.:
Instituto de Ecologia, Univ. Nac. Auton. de México, Apartado Postal 70-275, México 04510 D.F., Mexico
Del Coro Arizmendi M.:
Unidad de Biologia, Tecn. y Prototipos-ENEP-Iztacala, Univ. Nac. Autónoma de Mexico, Av. de los Barrios s/n, Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico
Alcántara-Eguren A.:
Instituto de Ecologia, Univ. Nac. Auton. de México, Apartado Postal 70-275, México 04510 D.F., Mexico
Arita H.T.:
Instituto de Ecología, Univ. Nac. Auton. de México, Campus Morelia, Ap. Postal 27-3 Xangari, C.P. 58089, Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico
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