Does size matter? Bat diversity and the use of rock shelters in Brazil

A positive correlation between cave size and bat diversity has been recorded by some authors for different areas in South America. We analyzed published otherwise available data from three Brazilian karst phytogeography domains, including NE SE Atlantic Forest Cerrado (savannah-like vegetation), encompassing a wide range of sizes. found no such correlation, as expected view previous observations researchers speleologists. discuss the ecological implications ways to measure diversity, i.e. accumulative number species (sequential use caves) vs. at given occasion (species actual cohabitation) abundance (numbers individuals), well speleological topics related concept caves (based on an anthropomorphic definition, not applicable other species), problems estimating topographic variables area volume, value temperatures analyses. Multiple interacting may influence composition communities richness abundance. The most important ones would be density (related lithology – calcareous siliciclastic caves), regional climates, degree preservation epigean habitat. Cave morphology, entrances, presence water bodies, interactions with species, must also considered. In conclusion, general statement tropical subtropical bats, (in human sense) itself does matter, except perhaps one-off situations. Finally, brief overview bats Brazil is presented.