LONCHOPHYLLINI, THE CHOCOAN BATS

Abstract

Models of potential distribution for representatives
of the glossophagine tribe Lonchophyllini were constructed to investigate the ecological and evolutionary history within this group of bats. Models created pointed on a concentration of species richness on the northwestern portion of South America with high richness values in the Chocó Biogeographic region. Evapotranspiration and precipitation were positively correlated with Lonchophyllini richness, at the same time species richness was inversely correlated with altitude. Ecological data support a process of geographic isolation by niche partitioning within nectar feeding bat tribes. Based upon phylogenetic, geologic, and ecological data, a model of evolutionary radiation for members of the tribe Lonchophyllini is proposed.