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    net/publication/352258794

    The Yucatan Yellow Bat (Vespertilionidae, Rhogeessa aeneus): a New Record for
    Banco Chinchorro Atoll, Mexico

    Article in Caribbean Journal of Science · June 2021


    DOI: 10.18475/cjos.v51i1.a12

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    Caribbean Journal of Science (2021), 51: pp. 101–103.
    © Copyright 2021 by the College of Arts and Sciences of the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez

    The Yucatan Yellow Bat (Vespertilionidae, Rhogeessa aeneus): a New Record for Banco
    Chinchorro Atoll, Mexico
    Pierre Charruau1,*, David Macías Díaz2,3, Axel Rissac4, and Rodrigo García-Morales1
    Centro del Cambio Global y la Sustentabilidad A.C., Villahermosa, Tabasco, México
    1

    2
    Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas, Reserva de la Biosfera Banco Chinchorro, Quintana Roo, México
    3
    Grupo de Ecología y Conservación de Islas, A.C., Ensenada, Baja California, México
    4
    Université de la Réunion, La Réunion, France
    *Corresponding author: [email protected]
    Abstract—The Yucatan yellow bat (Rhogeessa aeneus) is a poorly known species endemic to the Yu-
    catan Peninsula, mainly distributed in tropical forests of the three Mexican states of Campeche, Quintana
    Roo, and Yucatan. Here, we report the first record of this species in Cayo Centro, the main cay of Banco
    Chinchorro atoll, located in southern Quintana Roo, Mexico, 47 km from the mainland in the Caribbean
    Sea. On May 2021, we captured three individuals of R. aeneus on Cayo Centro in a low coastal forest con-
    sisting mostly of Bursera simaruba. This is the second species of bat reported for the atoll, and more studies
    are needed to further the investigation on the species diversity and status of the populations there.
    Banco Chinchorro atoll is located in the Caribbe- al. (2011) and Subconsejo de Bioseguridad Insular de la
    an Sea in the south of Quintana Roo state, Mexico, at Reserva de la Biosfera Banco Chinchorro (2018). The
    approximately 30 km from the mainland (Instituto Na- objective of this study was then to make a first bat pro-
    cional de Ecología 2000). It is a Biosphere Reserve and spective sampling on Cayo Centro to obtain informa-
    a RAMSAR site that represents an important center of tion on the species present at Banco Chinchorro.
    biodiversity as well as relevance for migratory birds Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve covers
    (Instituto Nacional de Ecología 2000; Mackinnon H. 144,360 ha including extensive coral reefs, reef la-
    and Acosta Aburto 2003). Scientific research and eco- goons, adjacent oceanic waters, and four islands or cays
    nomic activities (e.g. fishing, tourism) are mainly con- (Instituto Nacional de Ecología 2000). Cayo Centro, by
    ducted in the reef lagoon and adjacent ocean water of far the largest cay (541 ha), is located at the center of
    the atoll, mostly focused on the aquatic ecosystems and the reef lagoon, 47 km from the nearest point on the
    their diversity and resources. In contrast, the different mainland. This cay presents four types of halophyte
    small islands present in the reserve receive much less or coastal dune vegetation (pioneer vegetation, coast-
    attention. Bats in particular have not been studied yet al bush with Pihtecellobium keyense Britton ex Coker
    in the area, although they are occasionally observed in (Fabaceae), low coastal forest with Bursera simaruba
    the larger cay (Cayo Centro) of the atoll. Although one (L.) Sarg. (Burseraceae), and secondary vegetation),
    species has previously been reported for the reserve, no and four types of mangrove including Rhizophora
    information about the context of this register is avail- mangle L. (Rhizophoraceae), Avicennia germinans (L.)
    able (Cepeda-González et al. 2009). The first mention L. (Acanthaceae), Conocarpus erectus L. (Combreta-
    of bats on the atoll is found in the management pro- ceae), and Laguncularia racemosa (L.) C.F. Gaertn.
    gram of the reserve, where it is mentioned that an in- (Combretaceae) (Instituto Nacional de Ecología 2000).
    dividual was observed on Cayo Centro, but no species The climate of the atoll is warm subhumid, with rains
    name is given (Instituto Nacional de Ecología 2000). during summer and winter (Instituto Nacional de
    Then, a publication from 2009 mentions the presence Ecología 2000).
    of the hairy-legged myotis bat (Vespertilionidae, Myo- We sampled for bats on four nights during May,
    tis keaysi J. A. Allen, 1914) on Banco Chinchorro, but 2021; one at the field station of the Comissión Nacion-
    without giving a reference to a specific work to obtain al de Areas Naturales Protegidas (CONANP; WGS84,
    more information about this record (Cepeda-González 4º12’50.18’’N, 89º39’13.07’’W); one near the station
    et al. 2009). Subsequent publications that mention bats on the shore of the largest interior lagoon (Chandes La-
    on Banco Chinchorro refer to the Cepeda-González et goon) at the edge of vegetation (Conocarpus erectus;
    al. (2009) publication, namely Rodriguez Malagón et WGS84, 4º12’49’’N, 89º39’13.14’’W); and two at the
    101
    102 Caribbean Journal of Science [Volume 51

    low coastal forest with Bursera simaruba (WGS84, Literature Cited


    4º12’58.32’’N, 89º39’12.24’’W). At each site we in- Cepeda-González, M. F., M. García, A. Vega-Zepeda,
    stalled two mist nets (one of 12 m and one of 6 m) at C. Lasch, and J. Morales. 2009. Planeación para
    8 pm and revised them every 15 min until 12 pm. We la Conservación de la Reserva de la Biosfera Ban-
    determined the sex, and measured the mass (g, Pesola® co Chinchorro: Un Esfuerzo Conjunto. The Nature
    spring scale 100g), the forearm length (mm, vernier), Conservancy, Comisión Nacional de Áreas Natu-
    and the body length (mm, vernier) of each individual rales Protegidas, Amigos de Sian Ka’an, A.C., and
    captured. We also took several photographs of the indi- United States Agency for Internacional Develop-
    viduals for the identification of the species. ment.
    We captured only three individuals, one male and Instituto Nacional de Ecología. 2000. Programa de
    two females, all in the low coastal forest with Bursera manejo Reserva de la Biosfera Banco Chinchorro,
    simaruba (Table 1). All the individuals were identi- México. Instituto Nacional de Ecología, Ciudad de
    fied as Rhogeessa aeneus Goodwin 1958, the Yucatan México, Distrito Federal, México.
    yellow bat, pertaining to the family Vespertilionidae
    Loreto, R. M., M. Lara, and J. J. Schmitter-Soto. 2003.
    (Fig. 1). This is a poorly known insectivorous species,
    Coral reef fish assemblages at Banco Chinchorro,
    endemic to the Yucatan Peninsula, mainly distribut-
    Mexican Caribbean. Bulletin of Marine Science 73:
    ed in tropical forests of the three Mexican states of
    153–170.
    Campeche, Quintana Roo, and Yucatan (Solari 2019).
    MacKinnon H., B. and J. Acosta Aburto. 2003. Critical
    Rhogeessa aeneus is classified as Least Concern by
    Habitat for Migratory Land Birds, Banco Chinchor-
    the IUCN (Solari 2019), and does not appear in CITES
    ro, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Bulletin of Marine Sci-
    Appendices, nor in the Mexican list of protected spe-
    ence 73: 171–186.
    cies (NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010). This is the first
    Rodríguez Malagón, M. A., B. Roldán Clarà, R.
    record of this species for Banco Chinchorro Biosphere
    González Gómez, F. Torres García, Y. Bedolla Guz-
    Reserve. The great distance between Cayo Centro and
    mán, A. Samaniego Herrera, K. Ramos Rendón,
    the mainland (47 km), as well as the small size of the
    and E. Soqui Gómez. 2011. Catálogo Fotográfico
    individuals, leads us to hypothesize that the species is
    de Especies Representativas de Banco Chinchorro,
    resident on the atoll. However, we have yet to find any
    México. Grupo de Ecología y Conservación de Islas
    refuges. More studies should be carried out to deepen
    A.C.
    our knowledge of the biology and ecology of R. ae-
    Solari, S. 2019. Rhogeessa aeneus. The IUCN Red List
    neus on Cayo Centro in order to implement adequate
    of Threatened Species 2019: e.T136810A22043785.
    protection measures. Finally, it is recommended that a
    Downloaded on 18 May 2021.
    systematic monitoring program be developed using ul-
    Subconsejo de Bioseguridad Insular de la Reserva de
    trasonic detectors and mist nets in order to adequately
    la Biosfera Banco Chinchorro. 2018. Protocolo de
    characterize the composition of the chiropterofauna on
    Bioseguridad insular de la Reserva de la Biosfera
    the reserve’s islands.
    Banco Chinchorro. México: Grupo de Ecología y
    Acknowledgements—The bat sampling was autho- Conservación de Islas, A.C., Comisión Nacional
    rized by the Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos de Áreas Naturales Protegidas, Comisión Nacional
    Naturales (SEMARNAT) of Mexico with permit num- para el Uso y Conocimiento de la Biodiversidad.
    ber SGPA/DGVS/05989/20.

    Table 1. Characteristics of three individuals of Rhogeessa aeneus captured in 2021 at Cayo Centro, Banco
    Chinchorro atoll. Dash means lack of data.
    Date Hour Sex Forearm length (mm) Weight (g) Body length (mm)
    May 16 8:00 pm Female 28.0 - 27.0
    May 16 8:19 pm Male 28.6 - 36.0
    May 20 9:18 pm Female 28.5 5 38.4
    2021] Charruau et al.: Rhogeesa aeneus on Banco Chinchorro Atoll 103

    Fig. 1. Photographs of the three individuals of Rhogeessa aeneus captured at Cayo Centro, Banco Chinchorro
    atoll. Photos by David Macías Díaz and Pierre Charruau.

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