Global patterns of functional trait variation along aridity gradients in bats

Aim Our understanding of the biological strategies employed by species to cope with challenges posed aridity is still limited. Despite being sensitive water loss, bats successfully inhabit a wide range arid lands. We here investigated how functional traits bat assemblages vary along global gradient identify that favour their persistence in environments. Location Global. Time period Contemporary. Major taxa studied Bats. Methods mapped assemblage-level averages four key describing wing morphology, echolocation and body size, based on grid 100-km resolution pool 915 species, modelled them against values. To support our results, we conducted analyses also at level control for phylogenetic autocorrelation. Results At assemblage level, detected rise values aspect ratio, loading forearm length, decrease frequency increasing aridity. These patterns were consistent trends all traits. Main conclusions findings show trait variation associated suggest greater mobility larger size are advantageous features Greater favours bats’ ability track patchy temporary resources, while reduced surface-to-volume ratio likely reduce stress limiting cutaneous evaporation. highlight importance extending attention from species-specific adaptations broad scale multispecies when investigating withstand conditions.