Climate change, range shifts, and the disruption of a pollinator-plant complex

Climate change has significant impacts on the distribution of species and alters ecological processes that result from species interactions. There is concern that such distribution shifts will affect animal-plant pollination networks. We modelled the potential future (2050 and 2070) distribution of an endangered migratory bat species (Leptonycteris nivalis) and the plants they pollinate (Agave spp) during their annual migration from central Mexico to the southern United States. Our models show that the overlap between the Agave and the endangered pollinating bat will be reduced by at least 75%. The reduction of suitable areas for Agave species will restrict the foraging resources available for the endangered bat, threatening the survival of its populations and the maintenance of their pollination service. The potential extinction of the bat L. nivalis will likely have negative effects on the sexual reproduction and genetic variability of Agave plants increasing their vulnerability to future environmental changes.

Pollination biology of Agave horrida (Agavaceae) in the Chichinautzin mountain range, in Central Mexico”

<p><strong>Background:</strong> the predictability of nectarivorous bats and their greater fecundity efficiency promote specialized pollination systems in columnar cactus in central Mexico. Some authors have suggested the same pollination pattern for <em>Agave</em> genus, and even when recent meta-analysis does not find such pattern, they have suggested this could be due to the lack of descriptive studies of pollination for this genus.</p><p><strong>Hypothesis:</strong> according to the chiropterophily syndrome of its flowers, the most efficient pollinator of <em>Agave horrida</em> will be nectarivorous bats leading to a pollination system with a specialist tendency in this agave species.</p><p><strong>Studied species:</strong><em> Agave horrida </em>and floral visitors.</p><p><strong>Study site and years of study: </strong>lava<strong> </strong>field of the Chichinautzin mountain range, in Morelos State in Central Mexico in 2005.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> we studied the floral biology of <em>A. horrida</em>, its floral offer (density of flowers in a given area), visitor rate, and visitor abundance, and conducted exclusion experiments for diurnal and nocturnal visitors.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> <em>A. horrida </em>has protandric flowers with chiropterophilous characteristics (larger nectar production at night and nocturnal anther dehiscence and stigma receptivity). Nectarivorous bats were the most frequent flower visitors and the guild that most frequently presented pollen on their bodies. Pollinator exclusion experiments show that both birds and bats can successfully pollinate <em>A. horrida</em>. Nevertheless, the predictability and abundance of the nectarivorous bat <em>Leptonycteris nivalis</em>, along with the greater fruit and seed production than birds, makes it the most efficient pollinator.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> our results support the hypothesis of a specialized pollination system towards nectarivorous bats in agaves in central Mexico.</p>

MAMÍFEROS DE AGUASCALIENTES

RESUMENEl estado de Aguascalientes es uno de los más pequeños de la república, y ocupa el lugar 29 por su extensión territorial. Dada su superficie territorial, su diversidad de mamíferos es una de las menores entre los estados del país. Aguascalientes no cuenta con una lista actualizada. Aquí reportamos 86 especies de mamíferos. El orden con mayor número de especies es Rodentia, seguido por el Chiroptera; ambos incluyen el 71% de la mastofauna del estado. No hay especies endémicas al estado, pero dos especies de murciélagos, seis de roedores y un carnívoro son endémicas de México. Según la norma oficial mexicana (NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010) de especies en riesgo de extinción, la musaraña (Notiosorex crawfordi), el tejon (Taxidea taxus) y tres murciélagos (Choeronycteris mexicana, Leptonycteris nivalis y L. yerbabuenae) se encuentran en la categoría de Amenazada (A) y Leopardus pardalis (ocelote) está en Peligro de extinción (P). Palabras clave: Mamíferos, Aguascalientes, Estado de conservación.ABSTRACTThe state of Aguascalientes is very small in size and has a relatively small mammalian fauna diversity. There is not an updated checklist of the mammal fauna of the state, so here we reported 86 species; the orders Rodentia and Chiroptera are the most diverse and together comprised 71% of the mammal species. There are no endemic species in Aguascalientes, but two bat species and six rodents are endemic to Mexico. According to the Mexican endangered species act (NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010), the dessert shrew (Notiosorex crawfordi), the American badger (Taxidea taxus), and three species (Choeronycteris mexicana, Leptonycteris nivalis and L. yerbabuenae, are listed as threatened species, and the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) as endangered. Key words: Mammals, Aguascalientes, Conservation status.

Murciélagos del Estado de Puebla, México.

RESUMEN: En este trabajo se listan 60 especies, 58 previamente conocidas más Pteronotus personatus y Myotis yumanensis que se agregan como nuevos registros. De éstas, sólo examinamos 53 de seis familias: dos embalonúridos (3.8%), cuatro mormópidos (7.6%), 26 filostómidos (50.0%), tres molósidos (5.7%), 17 vespertiliónidos (32.7%) y un natálido (1.9%). La mayor diversidad de murciélagos (64.2%) se encontró en la Sierra Madre Oriental y el 59 % en el bosque mesófilo de montaña. Las 142 localidades de los ejemplares examinados se ubican entre los 100 y 3,200 m, y la riqueza y diversidad de especies disminuyen conforme aumenta la altitud. Glossophaga morenoi, Artibeus hirsutus, Corynorhinus mexicanus, Rhogeessa alleni y R. gracilis son endémicas de México, y pueden ser encontradas en el Estado de Puebla. Por otro lado, Choeronycteris mexicana, Leptonycteris curasoae, Leptonycteris nivalis, Enchisthenes hartii y Myotis albescens se encuentran en la Norma Oficial Mexicana en alguna categoría de riesgo.PALABRAS CLAVE: fauna de murciélagos, tipos de vegetación, regiones mastofaunisticas, intervalos altitudinales, Puebla, México, Chiroptera.ABSTRACT: In this work we present a list of 60 species, 58 previously known plus Pteronotus personatus and Myotis yumanensis which are added as new registers. From them, we examinated 53 of six families: two embalonurid (3.8 %), four mormopid (7.6%), 26 filostomid (50.0%), three molosid (5.7%), 17 vespertilionid (32.7%) and one natalid (1.9%). Higher diversity of bats (64.2%) was found in Sierra Madre Oriental, and 59% were taken from Cloud forest. The 142 localities of reviewed samples are located between 100 and 3200 m, and richness and diversity decrease as highness increase. Glossophaga morenoi, Artibeus hirsutus, Corynorhinus mexicanus, Rhogeessa alleni and R. gracilis are endemic from México, and can be found in Puebla. In the other hand, Choeronycteris mexicana, Leptonycteris curasoae, Leptonycteris nivalis, Enchisthenes hartii and Myotis albescens can be found on Norma Oficial Mexicana included in some category of risk.KEY WORDS: bats, types of vegetations, regions, altitudinal levels, Puebla, Mexico, Chiroptera.