Abstract

HOYOS-DIAZ, José M; VILLALBA-ALEMAN, Evaristo; RAMONI-PERAZZI, Paolo  and  MUNOZ-ROMO, Mariana. Impact of artificial lighting on capture success in two species of frugivorous bats (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) in an urban locality from the Venezuelan Andes. Mastozool. neotrop. [online]. 2018, vol.25, n.2, pp.473-478. ISSN 0327-9383.

Artificial light is becoming a major issue for bats because it affects critical activities such as foraging, reproduction, and communication. We assessed the effect of artificial lighting on Artibeus lituratus and Artibeus jamaicensis in a small secondary growth forest patch near a street subjected to unexpected illumination. Bats were captured in the forest patch using a 12-m long mist net. Results indicated a nearly six-fold, significant decrease in capture success after the street lamps were installed. Artificial light from street lamps functions as a “light barrier” that inhibits bats from conducting short and long-distance movements, which might have detrimental consequences for bats and the plants they disperse.

Keywords : Artibeus; Foraging; Light pollution; Mammals; Venezuela.

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