Quiropterofauna da Fazenda Salambaia, Cabaceiras, Paraíba: quais espécies conseguem permanecer em uma das regiões mais secas do Brasil?

Abstract

Bats exhibit a wide ecological and evolutionary diversity, providing various ecosystem services. They are the most diverse mammals in the Caatinga, despite it being the brazilian biome where they are least studied. The Cariri Paraibano is particularly undersampled regarding its chiropterofauna. In this context, this study aimed to describe the patterns of species richness, abundance, and composition of bats in rock slabs areas and shrub-arboreal Caatinga at Fazenda Salambaia, in Cabaceiras, comparing the effectiveness of regular mist nets with ultrathin nets over a one-year period across 22 sampling points. A total of 350 individuals from 19 species were captured. Significant differences in species richness, abundance, and composition were found between the types of areas sampled. Regarding net types, no significant difference was observed in the abundance of individuals; however, species richness and composition were significantly different, suggesting that ultrathin nets were more efficient than conventional nets in recording bats. There was no significant difference in species richness, abundance, or composition in relation to seasonality, indicating that the preservation status of the locality allows it to sustain a highly representative diversity even during the dry season, emphasizing the importance of the APA do Cariri Paraibano for bat conservation in the Caatinga. Including records from pilot samplings, a total of 20 species were recorded, representing approximately 22% of the bat diversity in the Caatinga and increasing the number of species known for the Cariri Paraibano to 27. The significance of sampling different microhabitats is highlighted, as well as the use of ultrathin nets to obtain more robust inventories. The importance of well-preserved areas for the maintenance of the chiropterofauna in the Caatinga is also underscored.