02908nas a2200265 4500008004100000022001400041245013100055210006900186260001600255300001400271490000700285520206700292653002402359653001702383653001502400653001802415653002102433653001402454100002702468700002202495700002002517700002902537700002102566856005502587 2016 eng d a0960-311500aAssessing species traits and landscape relationships of the mammalian carnivore community in a neotropical biological corridor0 aAssessing species traits and landscape relationships of the mamm cJan-04-2016 a739 - 7520 v253 a

Mammalian carnivores play an important role in regulating food webs and ecosystems. While many carnivore populations are facing various threats such as habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching, and illegal trade, others have adapted to human-dominated landscapes. Information about Neotropical carnivore communities in particular is limited, especially in disturbed landscapes. We conducted a camera trap survey at 38 sites across the San Juan–La Selva Biological Corridor in Costa Rica to assess occupancy and detection probabilities of the carnivore community. We developed hypotheses within a likelihood-based framework in order to determine the landscape features and species traits (diet and size) that influenced their occupancy. We detected nine of the 13 native carnivores predicted to occur in the corridor. When modeled separately, each species responded to land cover changes differently, suggesting no strong community-wide predictors of occupancy. We then modeled three separate guilds within the carnivore community: omnivorous mesopredators, obligate carnivorous mesopredators, and apex predators. These community guild models revealed a negative relationship between omnivorous mesopredators and increasing forest and tree plantation cover, suggesting omnivores utilize forest fragments and edge habitats in agricultural landscapes. Obligate carnivorous mesopredator models did not reveal any strong habitat relationships, but landscape effects tended to contradict our a priori predictions. Apex predators were positively associated with increasing forest and tree plantation cover, protected areas, and increasing distances to villages. Alarmingly, apex predators and obligate carnivorous mesopredators were generally rare within the biological corridor. A lack of top-down control alone might result in heightened occupancy for all mesopredators, but because the community is dominated by omnivorous species, bottom-up release from human-induced land cover changes and resource provision may better explain their high occupancy.

10aBiological corridor10acamera traps10aCarnivores10aMesopredators10aOccupancy models10aOmnivores1 aVargas, Lain, E. Pardo1 aCove, Michael, V.1 aSpinola, Manuel1 ade la Cruz, Juan, Camilo1 aSaénz, Joel, C. uhttp://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10531-016-1089-702422nas a2200217 4500008004100000022001400041245016100055210006900216260001600285300001400301490000700315520156200322100002201884700002701906700002901933700002001962700002601982700002102008700002102029856015402050 2014 eng d a0030-605300aFactors influencing the occurrence of the Endangered Baird's tapir Tapirus bairdii : potential flagship species for a Costa Rican biological corridor0 aFactors influencing the occurrence of the Endangered Bairds tapi cJan-07-2014 a402 - 4090 v483 a

Baird’s tapir Tapirus bairdii is categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is considered rare and locally extirpated from most of its historic range in Costa Rica. We conducted camera-trap and track surveys at 38 forested sites in and around the San Juan–La Selva Biological Corridor in the Northern Zone of Costa Rica. Cameras were set along established game trails and natural funnels and operated for 14–38 days per site. Additionally, we documented tapir tracks at many sites. We used survey photographs and track presence to create detection histories to estimate the habitat and survey-specific variables that influence the probability of detection and the probability of occurrence of Baird’s tapir. The two major protected areas within and adjacent to the corridor were most positively associated with tapir occurrence, and forest cover and native and exotic tree plantations were also positively associated with tapirs’ use of sites. Although the Baird’s tapir is rare, our findings suggest that it is more resilient and better able to use available habitat in the fragmented corridor than previously thought. This is most likely a consequence of increased forest cover from reforestation and tree plantations and limited hunting pressure. Given its charismatic nature we recommend that Baird’s tapir could be used as a flagship species for the San Juan–La Selva Biological Corridor, to raise local awareness about conservation and increase economic growth from ecotourism.

1 aCove, Michael, V.1 aVargas, Lain, E. Pardo1 ade la Cruz, Juan, Camilo1 aSpinola, Manuel1 aJackson, Victoria, L.1 aSaénz, Joel, C.1 aChassot, Olivier uhttp://www.journals.cambridge.org/abstract_S0030605313000070https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S003060531300007003012nas a2200133 4500008004100000245011700041210006900158260004100227520240700268653003202675100001802707700002102725856013202746 2014 eng d00aNeoichnology of Costa Rican bats: track morphology and trackmaking ability of phyllostomid and emballonurid bats0 aNeoichnology of Costa Rican bats track morphology and trackmakin aVancouver, British Columbiac10/20143 a

Of the four groups of animals to have developed powered flight, only bats are unknown from the trace fossil record. In comparison, pterosaurs, flying quadrupeds like bats, are recognized from at least three valid ichnogenera that are known from every continent except Antarctica. With a body fossil record of over 52 million years combined with the rapid colonization of most continents, bats are ideal candidates to have produced trace fossils. Modern bats display a wide range of terrestrial abilities, from aerial insectivores, to those that forage for insects and other arthropods on the ground, to the New Zealand short-tailed bat and common vampire bat that possess a suite of terrestrial behaviors including running and hopping. We present the first broad survey of trackmaking ability in an ecologically diverse family of Neotropical bats, the Phyllostomidae, as well as representatives from another New World family, the Emballonuridae. In late June and early July 2014, trackmaking trials were conducted with members of the five Costa Rican subfamilies of Phyllostomidae: Carollia perspicillata and C. sowelli (Carollinae), Lonchorhina aurita and Micronycteris microtus (Phyllostominae), Demanura phaeotis and Artibeus lituratus (Stenodermatinae), Desmodus rotundus (Desmodontinae), and Hylonycteris underwoodi (Glossophaginae), and the emballonurid Saccopteryx bilineata. These bats represent different ecological niches and hindlimb morphologies resulting in differing terrestrial behaviors and track morphology. Most bats were limited to an uncoordinated terrestrial gait that we have termed the breaststrokelike crawl, while a few, notably Desmodus, proved terrestrially adept. Tracks produced corresponded primarily to the forelimbs, while hindlimb tracks were much less likely to be preserved. Various track morphologies produced include linear and arcuate tracks corresponding to digit one of the manus, and isolated and clustered pedal traces featuring four or five subparallel digit impressions. Only Desmodus produced definitive trackways. This research will better illuminate what bat tracks and trackways may look like in the rock record, and future research will address how trackways, such as those produced by Desmodus, compare to pterosaur trackways.

10aReserva Ecológica Bijagual1 aJones, M., T.1 aHasiotis, S., T. uhttps://bijagual.myspecies.info/content/neoichnology-costa-rican-bats-track-morphology-and-trackmaking-ability-phyllostomid-and02292nas a2200133 4500008004100000245007200041210006700113260003000180520177100210653003201981100001902013700002202032856010402054 2014 eng d00aNeoichnology and Tracemaking Behavior of Desmodus rotundus 0 aNeoichnology and Tracemaking Behavior of i Desmodus rotundus i aAlbany, New Yorkc10/20143 a

Trace fossils are useful tools for interpreting the behavior of extinct and ancient organisms as well as providing clues to the potential distribution and occurrence of organisms in areas where body fossils are absent. Tracks and trackways of flying organisms are present in the fossil record, including insects, birds, and pterosaurs; bat trace fossils, however, are not known. The absence of bat trace fossils may be due to their small size, unfavorable preservation conditions of the environment, or misidentification. The lack of traces is likely not due to an aversion to terrestrial locomotion, as modern bats display a range of terrestrial abilities from strictly aerial insectivores to the unique terrestrial behaviors of the common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus) and the New Zealand short-tailed bat (Mystacina tuberculata). We present the first study of the trackway-making ability of the common vampire bat, and compare it to the terrestrially inept genus Carollia. Four Desmodus rotundus were captured at Reserva Ecológica Bijagual de Sarapiquí in the Caribbean lowlands of Costa Rica during early summer 2014. A custom-built Plexiglas® and PVC enclosure allowed the bats to walk across sediment but prevented them from flying. The resulting trackmaking behaviors were video recorded and trackways were cast with plaster and analyzed. All Desmodus exhibited a more typical quadrupedal gait than did Carollia. Desmodus, in contrast, did not display the breaststrokelike crawl performed by the less terrestrially-adept species. Trackways produced by Desmodus are characterized by deep manus impressions and scattered, more infrequent pedal tracks.

10aReserva Ecológica Bijagual1 aJones, Matthew1 aHasiotis, Stephen uhttps://bijagual.myspecies.info/content/neoichnology-and-tracemaking-behavior-i-desmodus-rotundus-i00781nas a2200205 4500008004100000245012100041210006900162490000700231653001500238653001500253653001900268653003200287653002200319653001700341100002200358700002100380700001800401700002400419856013200443 2008 eng d00aObservations of cavity-roosting behavior in Costa Rican Lophostoma brasiliense (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae)0 aObservations of cavityroosting behavior in Costa Rican i Lophost0 v7310aCosta Rica10aLophostoma10aPhyllostomidae10aReserva Ecológica Bijagual10aroosting behavior10atermite nest1 aYork, Heather, A.1 aFoster, Paul, F.1 aJones, M., F.1 aSchwarz, Walter, H. uhttps://bijagual.myspecies.info/content/observations-cavity-roosting-behavior-costa-rican-i-lophostoma-brasiliense-i-chiroptera01903nas a2200193 4500008004100000245011800041210006900159490000700228520119500235653002001430653001901450653001601469653003201485653001601517653001501533100001901548700002101567856012101588 2013 eng d00aReproductive strategies and natural history of the arboreal Neotropical vesper mouse, Nyctomys sumichrasti0 aReproductive strategies and natural history of the arboreal Neot0 v773 a

The vesper mouse, Nyctomys sumichrasti (Rodentia: Cricetidae), a poorly known, arboreal, nocturnal, rodent found in Central America, has been considered rare, and limited information is available about its biology, especially reproduction. We obtained vesper mice from several sites in Costa Rica and prepared them as scientific specimens with standard external measurements and reproductive data recorded. We expanded our dataset by including specimens from museum collections. Vesper mice have 1:1 sex ratios throughout their range. They reproduce year-round and litters may occur in rapid succession. Testis size is positively correlated with body mass; however, we could not determine the onset of sperm production. The onset of reproduction for females, based on mass, is variable but most females are parous by 60 g. Litter size is small with a mode of two, and embryos are not evenly distributed across the uterine horns. Vesper mice exhibit striking morphological differences in terms of tooth-wear and pelage patterns across their range. Much work is needed to fully appreciate N. sumichrasti, its role in tropical habitats, and its reproductive biology.

10aCentral America10aembryo balance10alitter size10aReserva Ecológica Bijagual10aseasonality10asex ratios1 aRomero, Andrea1 aTimm, Robert, M. uhttps://bijagual.myspecies.info/http%3A//kuscholarworks.ku.edu/dspace/bitstream/1808/12441/1/Romero%2526Timm2013.pdf02412nas a2200265 4500008004100000022001400041245011100055210006900166260001600235300001600251490000700267520152900274653001301803653001001816653001401826653001601840653001601856653002301872653003201895653002001927653001801947100002101965700002401986856013602010 2009 eng d a0022-237200aStable-isotope Analysis of Diets of Short-tailed Fruit Bats (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae: Carollia )0 aStableisotope Analysis of Diets of Shorttailed Fruit Bats Chirop cMar-12-2010 a1469 - 14770 v903 a

The coexistence of multiple species of short-tailed fruit bats (Phyllostomidae: Carollia) is common throughout the range of the genus. Previous studies of fecal and stomach contents have documented differences in dietary breadth and in habitat use as mechanisms by which these species may partition dietary niches. By comparing values of ð15N and δ13C across species of Carollia from 17 sites in Central and South America, we show that co-occurring Carollia frequently differ in dietary breadth, foraging habitats, and level of insectivory. Values of δ15N, which tended to be enriched in C. castanea, depleted in C. perspicillata, and intermediate in C. brevicauda and C. sowelli, indicate trophic stratification. Values of δ13C followed the opposite trend, tending to be enriched in C. perspicillata and depleted in C. castanea, suggesting interspecific differences in breadth of the foraging area. Isotopic comparisons among Carollia, other bat species, and potential food items at 5 of our sites illustrate that populations of Carollia tend to be trophically intermediate between strictly phytophagous and strictly insectivorous organisms, and, contrary to the paucity of insect remains found in fecal samples, indicate that the consumption of insects by Carollia is more common and potentially more important than previously was thought.

10aCarollia10afeces10afrugivory10ahabitat use10ainsectivory10aniche partitioning10aReserva Ecológica Bijagual10astable isotopes10atrophic level1 aYork, Heather, A1 aBillings, Sharon, A uhttps://bijagual.myspecies.info/content/stable-isotope-analysis-diets-short-tailed-fruit-bats-chiroptera-phyllostomidaei-carollia-i