New records of bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) for a southern locality of the Argentine Yungas

Abstract

The forests of northwestern Argentina represent one of the most diverse areas of the country, but also one of the most affected by human activities. The southern border of this region is a transition area with the Dry Chaco Ecoregion and represents a poorly studied zone. The aim of this study was to assess the diversity of bats at the village of Escaba, southern Tucuman. Seven field surveys were conducted at five different sites. A total of 120 specimens in three families and 14 species were recorded, 12 of them representing new records for the study area, increasing the species richness of Escaba from four to 16 species. The area will be recommended as an AICOM, a status given by the RELCOM, thereby promoting actions to preserve the species of bat in the area.