Bat predation by Phyllostomus hastatus
Oprea, MonikB. Vieira, ThiagoT. Pimenta, ViníciusMendes, PolianaBrito, DanielD. Ditchfield, AlbertV. de Knegt, LeonardoE. L. Esbérard, Carlos
Predation is well studied experimentally and empirically, even though it may be difficult to be observedin the field for nocturnal species, such as bats. We studied bat assemblages through mist-netting in four AtlanticForest sites in the states of Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais, Southeastern Brazil. Here we reportthe observation of four predation events of individuals of the species Glossophaga soricina, Carollia perspicillata and Myotis nigricans by Phyllostomus hastatus. Our observations suggest that P. hastatus may opportunistically prey upon smaller bats.