Mixed-species groups in bats: non-random roost associations and roost selection in neotropical understory bats.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Mixed-species groups in animals have been shown to confer antipredator, foraging and other benefits to their members that may provide selective advantages. In most cases, however, it is unclear whether functional benefits are a principal driver of heterospecific groups, or whether groups simply result from simultaneous exploitation of common resources. Mixed-species groups that form independently of environmental conditions may, however, evidence direct benefits of species associations. Bats are among the most gregarious mammals, with sometimes thousands of individuals of various species roosting communally. Despite numerous potential functional benefits of such mixed-species roosting groups, interspecific attraction has never been shown. To explore alternative explanati

SUBMITTER: Kelm DH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8507185 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature