Post-fire phyllostomid assemblages in forest patches of the Pantanal wetland

We report on phyllostomid assemblages just after a wildfire and again three months later across burned and unburned forest patches. We recorded 10 species throughout the fire disturbance gradient, mainly determined by changes in the understory. Burned patches presented high abundance of predator bats right after fire, including gleaning insectivorous, carnivorous, and sanguivorous. Three months later, burned forests were empty of predators and dominated by large frugivores that occurred throughout the whole gradient in both periods. The fire appears to create ephemeral opportunity to predator phyllostomids right after its passage, but subsequent vegetation recovery seems to reduce diversity in burned forests.

Automated summary

Following a wildfire, predator bats were abundant in burned forest patches, but three months later, these predators disappeared and were replaced by large frugivores. The fire provided a temporary opportunity for predator phyllostomids, but subsequent vegetation recovery led to reduced diversity in burned forests.