Diversity and resource partitioning in three assemblages of leaf nosed bats

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Why are there so many species in tropical rainforests, and how can they coexist at one site? Neotropical leaf-nosed bats (Phyllostomidae) exhibit higher species richness than any other mammalian family. This work explores diversity, assemblage structure, interspecific competition, and resource partitioning of food and foraging space in three bat assemblages with varying species richness. It begins with a validation of species richness estimation methods, presenting the most species-rich bat assemblage documented. Additionally, it reveals that large-scale floral patterns may influence phyllostomid bat assemblage composition. Resource partitioning occurs evenly across the assemblage, indicating that interspecific competition extends beyond dietary guilds. The study of vertical stratification using stable carbon isotopes shows that species share foraging space along the forest's vertical axis. Dietary analyses from fecal samples and nitrogen isotopes demonstrate that leaf-nosed bats are opportunistic omnivores, adjusting their diets based on local and seasonal food availability. This dietary flexibility is likely crucial for maintaining the extraordinarily high local diversity in phyllostomid bat assemblages.