PATRONES DE DISTRIBUCIÓN Y ZOOGEOGRAFÍA DE LOS MURCIÉLAGOS DE BOLIVIA (PATTERNS OF DISTRIBUTION AND ZOOGEOGRAPHY OF BATS OF BOLIVIA)

(Uploaded by Plazi for the Bat Literature Project) We evaluated bat distribution patterns, according to their presence in biogeographic provinces, of the 110 species known to exist in Bolivia. Most of the bat species are well represented in lowland humid and subhumid tropical areas (Acre Madre de Dios, Cerrado, and Beni), montane forests (Yungas and Boliviano-Tucumano), and in a smaller proportion in dryer tropical areas, where forest is scarce (Chaco). In the Chaco, insectivorous bats dominate the communities. However, in forested tropical areas, frugivorous bats are predominant. Body size distribution is similar for all the provinces and, generally, small to medium size species (30 - 50 cm) dominate. We also identify priority areas for research and survey of bat species in Bolivia, among them the Altiplano Province and areas located north of La Paz.