Morfometria e metabólitos sanguíneos como medidas de condição corporal para Carollia perspicillata (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae) em uma área de Mata Atlântica no Nordeste do Brasil

Abstract

Changes in Body Condition Index (ICC), blood glucose and ketonemia of Carollia perspicillata (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae) were observed in an area of Atlantic Forest remnants in northeastern Brazil. The ICC with best performance was chosen through correlations with the forearm length and blood metabolites. The selected ICC was subsequently analyzed with season, age, gender, breeding status, presence of ectoparasites and stool volume. Blood glucose and ketonemia were also correlated with the ICC chosen and the other variables. The results showed that the Simple Reason and Observed Mass ICCs were the best to represent the body condition in this population of C. perspicillata. The ICCs varied significantly with the activity time and the presence of fecal material, and showed no changes from the season, sex, nor the presence of ectoparasites. The concentration of glucose was significantly affected by the capture time and the age of bats, while the ketone showed no significant changes in relation to any of the variables used. C. perspicillata probably inhabits a place with plenty of resources, since the body condition represented by the ICCs and the blood metabolites did not change significantly throughout the year.