Distribution of bats along an elevational gradient in the Andes of south‐eastern Peru

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1996.tb05313.x
• Publication Date: 2009-05-14T10:36:19Z
• Authors: B. D. Patterson; V. Pacheco; S. Solari
• Keywords: Endemism

At least 193 species of mammals are known to occur within the Manu Biosphere Reserve in south‐eastern Peru, contributing its stature as one world's richest protected areas. Bats (Order Chiroptera) comprise more than 42% (82 species) this diversity. Analyses bat capture records over a transect extending 3 km elevation show that most at widely distributed Amazon Basin. Few montane endemics or localized although exceptions generalization include two new science. Highland faunas tend be attenuated versions those found below, and elevational zonation communities is weak. Species turnover with monotonic more‐or‐less smooth, Jaccard's similarity values falling 0.5 for sites differing by 750m elevation. Subtle orderly change composition also reflected nested‐subset structure these communities; 19 different levels, pattern hierarchical both striking highly significant. Elevational ranges generally increase elevation, accordance Stevens' extension ‘Rapoport's rule’ range amplitude. However, support ‘Stevens' may trivial, given Amazonian richness Andean impoverishment. Reduced poorly developed endemism contrast patterns shown sympatric rodent faunas, which diverse strongly endemic on Altiplano markedly zoned along Eastern Versant. Contrasts less sharp bird communities, nevertheless exhibit stronger higher endemicity. Factors responsible distinctive distributional discussed.