Diversity, similarity and richness of bats in native area and agroforestry system in the Atlantic Forest, Brazil

Abstract

The intense fragmentation of natural areas, with consequent pressure under native fauna, emphasizes the need to seek alternatives to the monoculture system, such as Agroforestry Systems (AFSs), which, simultaneously, cultivate agricultural and native species, can contribute to the subsistence and conservation of species. The present study aimed to investigate which species of bats use the Native, Semideciduous Forest, and AFS areas of CEPTA-ICMBio, in the city of Pirassununga (SP). It was recorded 228 individuals belonging to 20 species and three families. About species, 14 (N = 95) were captured in Native Area and 13 (N = 133) in AFS. The results point to a certain degree of species similarity among the studied areas and absence of significant differences on richness and diversity indexes among the areas of native forest and agroforestry. The studied agroforestry attracted frugivorous, nectarivorous and insectivorous bats. It is suggested, then, that the AFS can function as a corridor between different natural matrices and contribute to the maintenance of common species of bats.