Early observations on the use of termite nests by bats; Primeras observaciones sobre el uso de nidos de termitas por murciélagos
Issue Date
2021-10Author
Timm, Robert M.
Type
Article
Article Version
Scholarly/refereed, publisher version
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The remarkable discovery of Neotropical round-eared bats (Phyllostomidae, Lophostoma) actively hollowing out cavities in termite nests for roosting sites has enabled researchers to explore several aspects of their previously unknown behavior. We now know that round-eared bats excavate cavities in Nasutitermes nests that are actively used by the termites and the bats roost only in these cavities, as well as a number of other aspects of the bats’ behavior. In the early 1800s, a British naturalist, Charles Waterton, observed and published that bats “clear out” and roost in termite nests, and how he was able to ascertain if a termite nest was being used by bats. Waterton’s descriptions of this behavior have long been overlooked and now provides us with additional insights on the distribution and ecology of these poorly known bats.
El notable descubrimiento de murciélagos de orejas redondeadas neotropicales (Phyllostomidae, Lophostoma) que habitan las cavidades en los nidos de termitas como sitios de anidamiento, ha permitido a los investigadores explorar varios aspectos desconocidos de su comportamiento. Ahora sabemos que los murciélagos de orejas redondeadas excavan cavidades en los nidos de Nasutitermes que son utilizados activamente por las termitas y que los murciélagos anidan exclusivamente en esas cavidades, entre otros aspectos de su comportamiento de los quirópteros. A principios de la década de 1800, un naturalista británico, Charles Waterton, publicó la observación de que los murciélagos hacen agujeros y se posan en nidos de termitas. La descripción por parte de Waterton de este comportamiento se ha obviado durante mucho tiempo y ahora nos proporciona información adicional sobre la distribución y la ecología de estos quirópteros poco conocidos.
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Citation
Timm, R. M. 2021. Early observations on the use of termite nests by bats: Primeras observaciones sobre el uso de nidos de termitas por murciélagos. Therya Notes 2(3):140–142.
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