Bats as prey

Mikula P.; Lučan R.K.; Pellón J.J.; Valdez J.W.; Fenton B. · A Natural History of Bat Foraging: Evolution, Physiology, Ecology, Behavior, and Conservation (2023) · DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-91820-6.00003-6

Resumen

Bats are one of the most diverse mammalian groups and an important component of global ecosystems and food webs. These nocturnal mammals are usually perceived as agile predators with few natural enemies, ignoring that bats can form one of the largest aggregations of mammals, becoming a tempting prey for other animals. Accumulating evidence reveals that bats may also be a prey and be an important source of food for other animals. Here, we focus on providing a short review of bat predators, biological aspects that make them attractive to predators, their behavioral responses to predation, and potential evolutionary consequences of predation for bat nocturnality. We also briefly identify important topics for future research on interactions between bats and their predators.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos