AV Script: Bats: BATS OF LATIN AMERICA - Bat Conservation ...

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54. Slash-and-burn of rain forest (#0002405) As more and more rain forest areas are cut, reforestation by seed-dispersing bats becomes ever more important. 55. Peters' dwarf epauletted fruit bat (Micropteropus pusillus) eating fig (#0002406) In West Africa small flying foxes account for up to 98 percent of forest regeneration on abandoned farm lands. 56. Yellow-shouldered bat ( Sturnira lilium) picking Solanum (#0002407) In Latin America, yellow-shouldered (Sturnira lilium) and other small fruit bats also can have a dramatic impact through their nightly transport of seeds. 57. Yellow-shouldered bat (Sturnira lilium) in flight with Solanum fruit (# 0002408) Solanum seeds are just some of many pioneer types carried into clearings almost exclusively by bats. 58. Barren area showing early re-growth of Solanum (#0002409) In this South American clearing, the first pioneer plants to regrow came from seeds carried by bats. These extra-hardy species assure shade and moisture in the barren clearing, conditions essential to the survival and growth of delicate forest vegetation. 59. Same barren area three years later (#0002410) Three years later, reforestation has progressed to a point where other animals, especially birds, can assist the process begun by bats. Birds, too, serve as essential seed dispersers, but since they primarily drop seeds only beneath existing perches, they have little impact until the first pioneer plants grow. RAIN FOREST ALLIES 12
60. Pallas' long-tongued nectar bats (Glossophaga soricina) roosting in cave (#0002411) Unfortunately, rain forest bats, especially those that live in caves, are among the most rapidly declining of tropical animals. 61. Common vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) roosting in cave (#0002412) In Latin America, they are often confused with vampire bats. 62. Common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus) The common vampire does feed on the blood of cattle and other feeding on cow (#0002413) livestock, has become overpopulated and often must be controlled. 63. Wrinkle-lipped free-tailed bat (Chaerephon plicata) emergence from cave (#0002414) Unfortunately, beneficial bats that form far larger, more conspicuous colonies in caves are the most easily found and are often mistakenly killed, sometimes by the millions, instead of vampires. 64. Marianas flying foxes (Pteropus mariannus) colony on Guam (#0002415) Rain forest bats on Pacific islands are killed for other reasons. Several flying fox species are already endangered or extinct due to unregulated commercial hunting for food. These are among the last survivors on the island of Guam, where game wardens are working diligently to protect both local and imported species from illegal trade. 65. Inspection officers in Guam (#0002416) Hundreds of thousands have been killed, though populations can recover where protection is afforded. RAIN FOREST ALLIES 13
Page 1 and 2: Presents Rain Forest Allies A SLIDE
Page 3 and 4: 6. Waterhouse's leaf-nosed bat (Mac
Page 5 and 6: 17. Heliconia leaf (#0002116) A var
Page 7 and 8: 28. Greater bulldog bat (Noctilio l
Page 9 and 10: 38. Close-up of Underwood's long-to
Page 11: 49. Wahlberg's epauletted fruit bat
Page 15 and 16: (#0002507) 73. Gray-headed flying f

AV Script: Bats: BATS OF LATIN AMERICA - Bat Conservation ...

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