V spectrum with GPS.

The two largest carnivorous bats of the Neotropics, Vampyrum spectrum and Chrotopterus auritus, can be considered the jaguars of the bat world and are on the top of the trophic chain. However, in Mexico, Chrotopterus is listed as Threatened and Vampyrum as Endangered. Information on their ecology is scarce and the few studies that are available on either species date back several decades. Capturing them is very difficult and happens mostly in pristine rainforest, which makes us believe they rely on these untouched forests and can be considered to be sensitive to human disturbance. But since there is no detailed information on the type and size of habitat these species need to thrive, it becomes almost impossible to predict their conservation status and the effect deforestation and habitat loss has on their populations. Last year we encountered roosts of Chrotopterus and found the first roost of Vampyrum in the Biosphere Reserve of Calakmul in Mexico. This gives a unique opportunity to study them and get detailed information on their habitat selection and home range. To be able to get detailed information on the habitat preference of both species we are going to use the smallest GPS trackers in the world.

This information will be crucial for the future conservation of both species in Mexico and in other countries of Latin America. Our project is the first in studying the ecology of these bats in great detail with the use of the newest technology and our findings will have very important contribution to the conservation of these carnivorous bats in Mexico and in other counties in Latin America. This study will contribute to essential data on habitat and roost preference of both carnivorous bat species.