Evidence from citizen science suggests foliage as a possible day roost for the hairy big‐eyed bat (Chiroderma villosum)

• Published in: Austral ecology Vol. 49; no. 11
• Main Authors: Garbino, Guilherme S. T., Oliveira, Eulerson Xavier, Bertrands, Joachim, Berghe, Eric
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Richmond Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.11.2024
• Subjects: Belize; Brazil; Caves; Chiroderma; Chiroptera; citizen science; Foliage; frugivores; fur; genus; iNaturalist; leaves; Nicaragua; Pelage; Phyllostomidae; Rainforests; Roosting behavior; roosting ecology; species; subfamily; trees; tropical rain forests; Brazil; Belize; Nicaragua
• DOI: 10.1111/aec.70010
• ISSN: 1442-9985

Frugivorous bats in the subfamily Stenodermatinae are known to use foliage and cavities, such as tree hollows or caves, as roosting sites. Species with paler facial and dorsal markings are typically thought to prefer enclosed spaces, while those with more conspicuous markings often roost in more exposed locations. Among the genus Chiroderma, the hairy big‐eyed bat (C. villosum) has the widest distribution and is the most studied ecologically, yet its roosting habits remain poorly understood. We present three observations of C. villosum using foliage as daytime roosting sites, with records from tropical rainforest areas in Belize, Brazil and Nicaragua. These findings challenge the assumption that C. villosum prefers enclosed spaces due to its less conspicuous pelage markings. The apparent scarcity of day roost reports for Chiroderma species may be due to their solitary roosting habits and the difficulty of spotting them in exposed shelters. Frugivorous bats in the Stenodermatinae subfamily typically use foliage and cavities for roosting, with species' markings influencing roost preference. Observations of Chiroderma villosum using foliage as daytime roosts in Brazil, Nicaragua and Belize challenge the assumption that it prefers enclosed spaces. The study highlights the role of citizen science platforms like iNaturalist in uncovering the roosting habits of elusive species.