Macrophyllum macrophyllum (CHIROPTERA, PHYLLOSTOMIDAE) IN THE BRAZILIAN CAATINGA SCRUBLANDS: RIVER BASINS AS POTENTIAL ROUTES OF DISPERSAL IN XERIC ECOSYSTEMS

(Uploaded by Plazi for the Bat Literature Project) We present the first record of Macrophyllum macrophyllum in the Brazilian Caatinga. The foraging strategy of this species, mainly over water, is consistent with the lack of records for the semi-arid Caatinga biome. During a survey in the municipality of Paripiranga, in northern Bahia, an adult male of M. macrophyllum was captured on 27th March 2012 (dry season) on the margin of the Vaza-Barris River. Given its ecological and behavioral adaptations, it seems likely that M. macrophyllum occurs only in association with the principal perennial rivers of the Caatinga. Further research may confirm that Macrophyllum is more widespread in the Caatinga, but likely restricted to local corridors of habitat associated with the region's perennial rivers.