Chilean bats: advances knowledge, contributions for conservation and future projections

Abstract

Bats are the second most diverse order of mammals. South America is rich in bats, however Chile has low species diversity (12 especies) and absence of endemism. Scientific publications that have addressed the biological diversity and taxonomy of these Chilean mammals are also scarce. This review assessed the state of knowledge of bats in Chile and its main results. We critically characterize those knowledge areas more developed and those that require further work. Additionally, we propose an explanation regarding this low diversity. Finally, we make a map that organizes bat diversity according to natural biomes of Chile. As results, we find 27 publications in the last two decades. These works are mainly focused on Infectology and Ecophysiology. The Chilean biome concentrating the highest bat diversity is the Atacama Desert, and the diversity is decreasing latitudinally. In spite of long periods of stasis, the taxonomy of Chilean bats abruptly changed in the last century. We propose a biogeographical and ecophysiological interaction for the observed patter of diversity. Finally, we stressed the importance of further micro and macroevolutionary research, as well as conservation and bioacustic studies, for better understanding of important issues still unsolved.