Wing Morphology, Foraging Strategies, and Flight Performance in Six Sympatric Species of Molossid Bats (Chiroptera: Molossidae) from Argentina.

Abstract

Differences in total wing area and shape have long been emphasized in relation to flight and foraging performance in bats. Molossid have a high species richness in the northern portion of Argentina, with many of them coexisting in sympatry and occupying very similar trophic niches. We characterize the wing shape and size of a molossid bat assemblage of six species from the humid Chaco region of northeastern Argentina. Considering that wing shape and size are good indicators of ecological and behavioral traits, we analyze the morphological variation using geometric morphometric tools. Our results provide information on changes in wing membrane morphology that are useful for explaining aspects of species sympatry. The variation in wing membranes is related to aspects of maneuverability, which consequently affects foraging strategies and prey (insects) capture. Also, this study serves as an example of the importance of applying geometric morphometric techniques in ecomorphological approaches.