Choeronycteris mexicana in Guatemala: temporal occurrence, feeding habits and reproductive activity

During 2003, 2007, 2008 and 2010, bat assemblages were studied at different dry valleys in Guatemala. Ten individuals of Choeronycteris mexicana (7 females and 3 males) were captured almost exclusively during the dry season. Pollen of columnar cacti (Stenocereus pruinosus and Pilosocereus leucocephalus) and Ceiba aesculifolia were found in samples recovered from hair. Remains of insects were recovered from feces samples of one individual. Reproductive females and a juvenile were captured between March and June of the different years. The captures coincided with the blooming of columnar cacti flowers, and with the presence of Leptonycteris yerbabuenae. Our data suggest that C. mexicana is a seasonal visitant at sub-humid biological corridor in Guatemala.

ResumenDurante 2003, 2007, 2008 y 2010 se estudió el ensamble de murciélagos en distintos valles secos en Guatemala. Se capturaron 10 individuos de Choeronycteris mexicana (7 hembras y 3 machos) casi exclusivamente durante la estación seca. En muestras recuperadas del pelo se encontró polen de cactus columnares (Stenocereus pruinosus y Pilosocereus leucocephalus) y Ceiba aesculifolia. Asimismo, se recuperaron restos de insectos en muestras de heces de un individuo. Se capturaron hembras reproductivas y un juvenil entre los meses de marzo y junio de los diferentes años. Las capturas coincidieron con la floración de los cactus columnares y con la presencia de Leptonycteris yerbabuenae. Nuestros datos sugieren que Choeronycteris mexicana es una especie visitante en el corredor biológico subhúmedo de Guatemala.