SPATIAL SEGREGATION IN LONG-NOSED BATS, LEPTONYCTERIS-NIVALIS AND LEPTONYCTERIS-CURASOAE, IN MEXICO

Analysis of distributional patterns of bats of the genus Leptonycteris in Mexico showed a spatial segregation of the two species. Data on climate and vegetation were gathered for 43 localities of L. nivalis and 269 of L. curasoae reported in a recent taxonomic revision of the genus. A statistical analysis using a grid of quadrats of 1-degrees of latitude and longitude showed no segregation of the two species at the macrogeographic scale. However, significant differences were found between the altitude and mean annual temperature of localities of the two species; L. nivalis occurs in higher and cooler places than L. curasoae. No significant differences exist in terms of mean annual precipitation; both species occur in drier zones of the country. L. nivalis occurs more frequently in areas with pine (Pinus)-oak (Quercus) and tropical deciduous forests than expected by chance, whereas L. curasoae is found mainly in areas with tropical deciduous and thorn forests. Bats of the genus Leptonycteris are the main pollinators of some species of maguey plants (Agave), and the ranges of the bats coincide with that of certain species of Agave, such as A. angustifolia (mezcal plant), A. salmiana (pulque plant), and A. tequilana (tequila plant).