Taxonomic, Functional, and Phylogenetic Diversity of Bats in Urban and Suburban Environments in Southern México
Urbanization is one of the leading causes of habitat loss, which has increased significantly in tropical regions in recent years, leading to the loss of species, their ecological functions, and evolutionary history. To determine the effect of urbanization on the diversity of bat communities in urban...
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2024-09-01
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| author | Miguel Briones-Salas Gabriela E. Medina-Cruz Cintia Natalia Martin-Regalado |
| author_facet | Miguel Briones-Salas Gabriela E. Medina-Cruz Cintia Natalia Martin-Regalado |
| author_sort | Miguel Briones-Salas |
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| description | Urbanization is one of the leading causes of habitat loss, which has increased significantly in tropical regions in recent years, leading to the loss of species, their ecological functions, and evolutionary history. To determine the effect of urbanization on the diversity of bat communities in urban and suburban environments, we analyzed the α and β taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversities at four sites along urbanization gradients surrounding a rapidly expanding city (Oaxaca City) in southern Mexico. We recorded bats using conventional techniques such as mist nets and acoustic monitoring. We calculated the diversity of bats in four sites with different urbanization conditions: urban (1), suburban (1), and rural (2). To assess the degree of total differentiation and components of bat turnover and nestedness between sites, we calculated the β taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversities. A total of 33 bat species were recorded. The highest taxonomic and functional diversity was observed in the Center of Oaxaca (the site with the highest level of urbanization). In contrast, the highest phylogenetic diversity was found in the West (the site with the lowest level of urbanization). The total β taxonomic diversity was higher than the functional and phylogenetic diversity. Regarding the contributions of turnover and nestedness, turnover made a more significant contribution than nestedness to the taxonomic and phylogenetic β diversity. In contrast, functional nestedness contributed more to the functional β diversity than turnover. <i>Tadarida brasiliensis</i>, <i>Desmodus rotundus</i>, <i>Sturnira hondurensis</i>, and <i>S. parvidens</i> were recorded in all three urbanization conditions. In the most urbanized site, four <i>Myotis</i> species were recorded: <i>M. fortidens</i>, <i>M. keaysi</i>, <i>M. thysanodes</i>, and <i>M. velifer</i>. We suggest that the analysis of different dimensions of diversity is essential and should be considered to strengthen conservation strategies; moreover, we suggest the preservation of native vegetation mosaics and water bodies within the city to maintain bat diversity. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1424-2818 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-09-01 |
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| series | Diversity |
| spelling | doaj-art-7938f2b155d34f5690bd9d261e484b492025-08-20T01:55:30ZengMDPI AGDiversity1424-28182024-09-0116952710.3390/d16090527Taxonomic, Functional, and Phylogenetic Diversity of Bats in Urban and Suburban Environments in Southern MéxicoMiguel Briones-Salas0Gabriela E. Medina-Cruz1Cintia Natalia Martin-Regalado2Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigación para el Desarrollo Integral Regional, Unidad Oaxaca, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán, Oaxaca 71230, MexicoCentro Interdisciplinario de Investigación para el Desarrollo Integral Regional, Unidad Oaxaca, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán, Oaxaca 71230, MexicoCentro Interdisciplinario de Investigación para el Desarrollo Integral Regional, Unidad Oaxaca, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán, Oaxaca 71230, MexicoUrbanization is one of the leading causes of habitat loss, which has increased significantly in tropical regions in recent years, leading to the loss of species, their ecological functions, and evolutionary history. To determine the effect of urbanization on the diversity of bat communities in urban and suburban environments, we analyzed the α and β taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversities at four sites along urbanization gradients surrounding a rapidly expanding city (Oaxaca City) in southern Mexico. We recorded bats using conventional techniques such as mist nets and acoustic monitoring. We calculated the diversity of bats in four sites with different urbanization conditions: urban (1), suburban (1), and rural (2). To assess the degree of total differentiation and components of bat turnover and nestedness between sites, we calculated the β taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversities. A total of 33 bat species were recorded. The highest taxonomic and functional diversity was observed in the Center of Oaxaca (the site with the highest level of urbanization). In contrast, the highest phylogenetic diversity was found in the West (the site with the lowest level of urbanization). The total β taxonomic diversity was higher than the functional and phylogenetic diversity. Regarding the contributions of turnover and nestedness, turnover made a more significant contribution than nestedness to the taxonomic and phylogenetic β diversity. In contrast, functional nestedness contributed more to the functional β diversity than turnover. <i>Tadarida brasiliensis</i>, <i>Desmodus rotundus</i>, <i>Sturnira hondurensis</i>, and <i>S. parvidens</i> were recorded in all three urbanization conditions. In the most urbanized site, four <i>Myotis</i> species were recorded: <i>M. fortidens</i>, <i>M. keaysi</i>, <i>M. thysanodes</i>, and <i>M. velifer</i>. We suggest that the analysis of different dimensions of diversity is essential and should be considered to strengthen conservation strategies; moreover, we suggest the preservation of native vegetation mosaics and water bodies within the city to maintain bat diversity.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/16/9/527evolutionary historyfunctional traitsOaxacaspecies richness |
| spellingShingle | Miguel Briones-Salas Gabriela E. Medina-Cruz Cintia Natalia Martin-Regalado Taxonomic, Functional, and Phylogenetic Diversity of Bats in Urban and Suburban Environments in Southern México Diversity evolutionary history functional traits Oaxaca species richness |
| title | Taxonomic, Functional, and Phylogenetic Diversity of Bats in Urban and Suburban Environments in Southern México |
| title_full | Taxonomic, Functional, and Phylogenetic Diversity of Bats in Urban and Suburban Environments in Southern México |
| title_fullStr | Taxonomic, Functional, and Phylogenetic Diversity of Bats in Urban and Suburban Environments in Southern México |
| title_full_unstemmed | Taxonomic, Functional, and Phylogenetic Diversity of Bats in Urban and Suburban Environments in Southern México |
| title_short | Taxonomic, Functional, and Phylogenetic Diversity of Bats in Urban and Suburban Environments in Southern México |
| title_sort | taxonomic functional and phylogenetic diversity of bats in urban and suburban environments in southern mexico |
| topic | evolutionary history functional traits Oaxaca species richness |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/16/9/527 |
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