Distribution of Ghost Bats of the Genus Diclidurus Wied-Neuwied 1820 (Chiroptera: Emballonuridae) in Venezuela, with a Review of Their Vocal Signatures

(Uploaded by Plazi for the Bat Literature Project) We update the distributions in Venezuela for the four species of ghost bats of the genus Diclidurus taxonomically recognized and provide additional information on their echolocation calls. Diclidurus albus has the most extensive geographical range, while the majority of the locations recorded for the other species are in the region south of the Orinoco River, with some extensions to the north. The first records of D. scutatus for the west and the northern extreme of Venezuela are reported. Acoustic patterns previously described for D. albus and D. ingens are confirmed; in addition, the first verified vocal signatures of D. isabella and a clarification of D. scutatus search phase calls are provided. We compare the echolocation parameters obtained for all four congeneric species, based on acoustic records whose identities in some cases were verified through simultaneous field observations or the collection of voucher specimens. General characteristics of vocal signatures of Diclidurus include narrow band and quasi-constant frequency (QCF) search phase pulses in ranges correlated with body size, with long inter-pulse intervals. The characteristic frequency of the dominant harmonic represents the most important acoustic parameter for species separation and identification, showing an inversely proportional relationship with body size. The majority of sampling sites for species of Diclidurus in Venezuela correspond to open spaces associated with water bodies and forests with different levels of disturbance. Diclidurus albus and D. ingens were the species found with the highest frequencies in areas whose environmental conditions have been influenced by anthropogenic activities, while D. isabella showed a greater relationship with pristine areas where primary and extensive forests represented the dominant vegetation.