**1. Introduction**

#### **1.1 Urbanization, suburbanization, and bats**

It is generally agreed that urbanization has had a major negative effect on populations and diversity of native plants and animals. Nevertheless, humans plant a wide variety of vegetation in their urban and suburban areas, thus initiating the food chain on which most animals depend. Although diversity is clearly greatly reduced in the urban setting, at the population level the effect has been extremely heterogeneous across the animal kingdom. Bats (Chiroptera) are an extremely

diverse group, with more than 1400 species worldwide, living in almost all habitats. The reaction of bats to urban environments was recently reviewed [1]. Jung and Caragh [1] determined that the behavioral and/or morphological traits at the level of individual species determine species' adaptability to urban areas. Further, they determined that the driving factors for species adaptability to urban areas may be regionally divergent.

town as a suburban area. In Costa Rica, in a large urban center, but recording only in city parks, the number of bat passes was much greater in the larger parks than in the smaller parks [17]. Overall, those authors found considerably less activity than we consistently found in non-suburban settings [14]. The urban bats identified from the calls were all from the families Vespertilionidae and Molossidae. In another Costa Rican study the author mist-netted in parks in the city, finding a

*More Urbanization, Fewer Bats: The Importance of Forest Conservation in Honduras*

relatively small number (for the netting effort) of bats of the family

nectar [18].

among others.

**1.2 Bat diversity in Honduras**

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96493*

and the Vespertilionidae (18 species).

**1.3 Objectives and hypothesis**

**2. Materials and methods**

**2.1 Concepts**

**163**

describe the activity patterns of those assemblages.

Phyllostomidae, all of which were very common species that eat fruit and/or

Because of its location on the relatively narrow isthmus of Central America, connecting North and South America, Honduras is home to species typical of South America, others typical of temperate North America, and some that are endemic to Central America and southern Mexico. According to a recent review, [19] there are 113 species of bats currently known from Honduras, and we expect several more species will be added in the future. In Central America, only Costa Rica has more species, with 120 listed [20]. As detailed in the paper cited [19], the bats belong to seven different families, the Emballonuridae (9 species), the Phyllostomidae (59 species), the Mormoopidae (5 species), the Noctilionidae (2 species), The Thyropteridae (1 species), the Natalidae (2 species), the Molossidae (17 species),

These species include frugivores, nectarivores, insectivores, sanguinivores, carnivores, and omnivores, and occupy many essential ecological niches in Honduras, dispersing seeds, pollinating flowers, and controlling insect numbers,

We lack information demonstrating how urbanization is affecting the diversity of bats in Honduras, Central America. We hypothesize that, on a continuum from forests to cities, the diversity of New World leaf-nosed bats (Phyllostomidae) will be significantly reduced. Therefore, this works aims to estimate and compare the diversity of phyllostomid bats in three landscapes in Honduras: forests, suburban, and urban areas; to determine if the forearm and ear length has any significant effect on species composition of bat assemblages in the three landscapes; and to

When defining "urbanization" and "suburbanization", which are processes that are closely related and linked along a continuum, we follow Tammaru et al. [21]. We will consider suburbanization as the expansion of suburbs by the increase of its population from the migration of residents of the central city [21, 22]. Thereby, we will refer to the Ciudad-Universitaria of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras (CU-UNAH) as the "urban area" in this manuscript. The same authors described suburbanization is the redistribution of a population away from central cities and into suburbs. In this work, we are referring to Sabanagrande as the

As Jung and Caragh [1] point out, bats are found in all cities over the world. Of the approximately 20 families of bats, only two tend to avoid cities entirely, the Rhinolophidae and Mormoopidae, whereas a heterogeneous reaction at the species level is typical of the other families.

Urban habitats have both potential disadvantages and advantages from the perspective of bats. Clearly cities are high in noise, light, and chemical pollution compared to natural habitats. Light pollution may be an especially difficult factor to which bats must adapt. Depending on roosting requirements, cities may provide abundant roost sites, such as buildings, or not, for example for bats that roost in vegetation. Often drinking water and food supplies are enhanced by the human residents of the city, again depending on the bats'specific requirements. Since tree cover in cities averages less than 30% [2], bats adapted to forests may not do well, whereas in grassland and savannah areas, bats may find the tree cover advantageous [3].

Although there have been many studies of urban bats, these have been concentrated in temperate North America and Europe, and focus mainly on bats of the family Vespertilionidae, e.g., Dixon [4], Hale et al. [5], Pearce and Walters [6]. Bat activity and diversity seem to be highest in older suburban areas and parks and decrease towards the center of cities where there is little vegetation. It is clear to us that the change from urban to suburban to rural is a continuum; therefore, it is not productive to divide this continuum into discrete units except very generally as we are doing here for comparative purposes. The differences between urban and suburban can, for example be exemplified by such physical differences as tree density, percent paved area, building size and density, etc. These variables change in a predictable way as we pass through the continuum. Thus, when we approach 0% paved area, very low building density, and/or 100% tree density, we have reached the end of the continuum and are in forest or agricultural zones.

Although a few species do very well in cities, as for example, the huge colony of *Tadarida brasiliensis* in downtown Austin, Texas, U.S.A. [7], the majority of species that occur in a given area are rare or absent from urban areas [1]. Norberg and Rayner [8], pointed out that bat species with high wing loadings and aspect ratios, and thus presumed to forage in open areas, seem to be the most abundant and diverse in cities. Several studies [9–11] show that in general, foraging activity of bats seems to be higher in rural and forested areas than in urban areas.

A threat to bat populations, clearly related to urbanization, is mortality on highways. This problem has been but rarely studied, mostly in the temperate zone (e.g., [12]) but clearly exists. Recently a study in Brazil demonstrated that significant bat mortality is occurring on Brazilian highways as well [13].

There are relatively few studies of bats in urban areas of the Neotropics. Jung and Kalko [14] in Panama, using audio recordings, report decreased diversity and abundance in the urban setting, compared to the high diversity in forests in that country. They also note that in the city, most of the bats are high flying species, primarily of the Molossidae. In Costa Rica one of us [15] found the same trend with audio recordings in a large metropolis and in a smaller provincial capital. Jung and Kalko [16], recording in a small city adjacent to forest, found higher diversity than in large urban centers, but noted that some species that were abundant in the nearby forest were never recorded in town. For our purposes, we may think of this

*More Urbanization, Fewer Bats: The Importance of Forest Conservation in Honduras DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96493*

town as a suburban area. In Costa Rica, in a large urban center, but recording only in city parks, the number of bat passes was much greater in the larger parks than in the smaller parks [17]. Overall, those authors found considerably less activity than we consistently found in non-suburban settings [14]. The urban bats identified from the calls were all from the families Vespertilionidae and Molossidae. In another Costa Rican study the author mist-netted in parks in the city, finding a relatively small number (for the netting effort) of bats of the family Phyllostomidae, all of which were very common species that eat fruit and/or nectar [18].

#### **1.2 Bat diversity in Honduras**

diverse group, with more than 1400 species worldwide, living in almost all habitats. The reaction of bats to urban environments was recently reviewed [1]. Jung and Caragh [1] determined that the behavioral and/or morphological traits at the level of individual species determine species' adaptability to urban areas. Further, they determined that the driving factors for species adaptability to urban areas may be

As Jung and Caragh [1] point out, bats are found in all cities over the world. Of the approximately 20 families of bats, only two tend to avoid cities entirely, the Rhinolophidae and Mormoopidae, whereas a heterogeneous reaction at the species

Urban habitats have both potential disadvantages and advantages from the perspective of bats. Clearly cities are high in noise, light, and chemical pollution compared to natural habitats. Light pollution may be an especially difficult factor to which bats must adapt. Depending on roosting requirements, cities may provide abundant roost sites, such as buildings, or not, for example for bats that roost in vegetation. Often drinking water and food supplies are enhanced by the human residents of the city, again depending on the bats'specific requirements. Since tree cover in cities averages less than 30% [2], bats adapted to forests may not do well, whereas in grassland and savannah areas, bats may find the tree cover

Although there have been many studies of urban bats, these have been concentrated in temperate North America and Europe, and focus mainly on bats of the family Vespertilionidae, e.g., Dixon [4], Hale et al. [5], Pearce and Walters [6]. Bat activity and diversity seem to be highest in older suburban areas and parks and decrease towards the center of cities where there is little vegetation. It is clear to us that the change from urban to suburban to rural is a continuum; therefore, it is not productive to divide this continuum into discrete units except very generally as we are doing here for comparative purposes. The differences between urban and suburban can, for example be exemplified by such physical differences as tree density, percent paved area, building size and density, etc. These variables change in a predictable way as we pass through the continuum. Thus, when we approach 0% paved area, very low building density, and/or 100% tree density, we have reached

Although a few species do very well in cities, as for example, the huge colony of *Tadarida brasiliensis* in downtown Austin, Texas, U.S.A. [7], the majority of species that occur in a given area are rare or absent from urban areas [1]. Norberg and Rayner [8], pointed out that bat species with high wing loadings and aspect ratios, and thus presumed to forage in open areas, seem to be the most abundant and diverse in cities. Several studies [9–11] show that in general, foraging activity of

the end of the continuum and are in forest or agricultural zones.

bats seems to be higher in rural and forested areas than in urban areas.

cant bat mortality is occurring on Brazilian highways as well [13].

A threat to bat populations, clearly related to urbanization, is mortality on highways. This problem has been but rarely studied, mostly in the temperate zone (e.g., [12]) but clearly exists. Recently a study in Brazil demonstrated that signifi-

There are relatively few studies of bats in urban areas of the Neotropics. Jung and Kalko [14] in Panama, using audio recordings, report decreased diversity and abundance in the urban setting, compared to the high diversity in forests in that country. They also note that in the city, most of the bats are high flying species, primarily of the Molossidae. In Costa Rica one of us [15] found the same trend with audio recordings in a large metropolis and in a smaller provincial capital. Jung and Kalko [16], recording in a small city adjacent to forest, found higher diversity than in large urban centers, but noted that some species that were abundant in the nearby forest were never recorded in town. For our purposes, we may think of this

regionally divergent.

advantageous [3].

**162**

level is typical of the other families.

*Natural History and Ecology of Mexico and Central America*

Because of its location on the relatively narrow isthmus of Central America, connecting North and South America, Honduras is home to species typical of South America, others typical of temperate North America, and some that are endemic to Central America and southern Mexico. According to a recent review, [19] there are 113 species of bats currently known from Honduras, and we expect several more species will be added in the future. In Central America, only Costa Rica has more species, with 120 listed [20]. As detailed in the paper cited [19], the bats belong to seven different families, the Emballonuridae (9 species), the Phyllostomidae (59 species), the Mormoopidae (5 species), the Noctilionidae (2 species), The Thyropteridae (1 species), the Natalidae (2 species), the Molossidae (17 species), and the Vespertilionidae (18 species).

These species include frugivores, nectarivores, insectivores, sanguinivores, carnivores, and omnivores, and occupy many essential ecological niches in Honduras, dispersing seeds, pollinating flowers, and controlling insect numbers, among others.

#### **1.3 Objectives and hypothesis**

We lack information demonstrating how urbanization is affecting the diversity of bats in Honduras, Central America. We hypothesize that, on a continuum from forests to cities, the diversity of New World leaf-nosed bats (Phyllostomidae) will be significantly reduced. Therefore, this works aims to estimate and compare the diversity of phyllostomid bats in three landscapes in Honduras: forests, suburban, and urban areas; to determine if the forearm and ear length has any significant effect on species composition of bat assemblages in the three landscapes; and to describe the activity patterns of those assemblages.

### **2. Materials and methods**

#### **2.1 Concepts**

When defining "urbanization" and "suburbanization", which are processes that are closely related and linked along a continuum, we follow Tammaru et al. [21]. We will consider suburbanization as the expansion of suburbs by the increase of its population from the migration of residents of the central city [21, 22]. Thereby, we will refer to the Ciudad-Universitaria of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras (CU-UNAH) as the "urban area" in this manuscript. The same authors described suburbanization is the redistribution of a population away from central cities and into suburbs. In this work, we are referring to Sabanagrande as the

"suburban area". All other studied areas in this work are considered as "forests" located in the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve. See below for the description of each studied area.

**Departament Locality Municipality Latitude Longitude Elevation**

*More Urbanization, Fewer Bats: The Importance of Forest Conservation in Honduras*

Carboneras Sabanagrande 13.794 �87.248 985 Suburban

Brus Laguna 15.246 �84.969 250 Forest

Brus Laguna 15.246 �84.972 214 Forest

Brus Laguna 15.245 �84.96 245 Forest

Brus Laguna 15.245 �84.969 225 Forest

Brus Laguna 15.248 �84.968 223 Forest

Brus Laguna 15.245 �84.965 204 Forest

Brus Laguna 15.251 �84.974 239 Forest

Brus Laguna 15.244 �84.966 233 Forest

Brus Laguna 15.241 �84.969 206 Forest

Sabanagrande 14.561 �87.801 1105 Suburban

15.680 �84.838 33 Forest

15.679 �84.846 50 Forest

15.676 �84.851 28 Forest

15.676 �84.843 33 Forest

15.695 �84.915 373 Forest

15.695 �84.915 360 Forest

15.692 �84.915 394 Forest

15.695 �84.917 433 Forest

15.694 �84.915 383 Forest

14.008 �87.165 1073 Urban

14.087 �87.166 1050 Urban

El Ocotal Sabanagrande 13.791 �87.314 976 Suburban

La Tigra Sabanagrande 13.800 �87.313 790 Suburban

1 Francisco Morazán

2 Gracias a Dios

3 Gracias a Dios

4 Gracias a Dios

5 Gracias a Dios

6 Gracias a Dios

7 Gracias a Dios

8 Gracias a Dios

9 Gracias a Dios

10 Gracias a Dios

11 Francisco Morazán

12 Francisco Morazán

13 Francisco Morazán

14 Gracias a Dios

15 Gracias a Dios

16 Gracias a Dios

17 Gracias a Dios

18 Gracias a Dios

19 Gracias a Dios

20 Gracias a Dios

21 Gracias a Dios

22 Gracias a Dios

23 Francisco Morazán

24 Francisco Morazán

**165**

Ciudad Blanca 1

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96493*

Ciudad Blanca 2

Ciudad Blanca 3

Ciudad Blanca 4

Ciudad Blanca 5

Ciudad Blanca 6

Ciudad Blanca 7

Ciudad Blanca 8

Ciudad Blanca 9

La Finca "Divisadero"

Las Marías Pesh 1

Las Marías Pesh 2

Las Marías Pesh 3

Las Marías Pesh 4

Juan Francisco Bulnes

Juan Francisco Bulnes

Juan Francisco Bulnes

Juan Francisco Bulnes

Bulnes

Bulnes

Bulnes

Bulnes

Bulnes

Central

Central

Pico Dama 1 Juan Francisco

Pico Dama 2 Juan Francisco

Pico Dama 3 Juan Francisco

Pico Dama 4 Juan Francisco

Pico Dama 5 Juan Francisco

UNAH (CC) Distrito

UNAH (JB) Distrito

**(m asl)**

**Landscape**

#### **2.2 Studied areas**

All the coordinates are given in **Table 1** and represented in **Figure 1**, and each site is described below:

#### *2.2.1 CU-UNAH*

Surveys were carried out at the National University Campus' Botanical Garden in Tegucigalpa, capital city of Honduras, in the Department of Francisco Morazán (**Table 1**). The ecosystem is a tropical dry forest [23]. The species of Fabaceae, Myrtaceae, and Asteraceae are the most common, including *Muntingia calabura*, *Byrsonima crassifolia*, *Lonchocarpus sanctuarii* and cultivated plants, such as *Hibiscus rosa-sinensis*, *Russelia equisetiformis* and *Psidium guajava* [24].

#### *2.2.2 Sabanagrande*

We studied a tropical moist forest [23] located in the central region of Honduras in the Department of Francisco Morazán, municipality of Sabanagrande (**Table 1**). The vegetation included *Pinus oocarpa*, *P*. *maximinoi*, *Quercus oleoides*, and plants of the genus *Miconia* (Melastomataceae), *Curatella* (Dilleniaceae), *Psidium* (Myrtaceae), *Calliandra* (Fabaceae), and *Ficus* (Moraceae). Extensive livestock and crops of *Zea mays* (Poaceae) can also be found near the studied areas [25].

#### *2.2.3 RPBR*

The RPBR, including La Moskitia, is located within the departments of Gracias a Dios, Olancho, and Colón. Based on Holdridge [23], the life zone represented is tropical wet forest. The RPBR is the only site in Honduras declared as world Heritage. Some plant species associated with the study area are *Swietenia macrophylla* (Meliaceae), *Cedrela odorata* (Meliaceae), *Cordia alliodora* (Meliaceae), *Chamaedorea tepejilote* (Arecaceae), *Geonoma congesta* (Arecaceae), *Cecropia obtusifolia* (Urticaceae), *Psychotria poeppigiana* (Rubiaceae), and *Sloanea picapica* (Eleocarpaceae) [26].

#### **2.3 Taxonomy, mist-netting, and ethical guidelines**

We followed the most recent taxonomic checklist of the bats that occur in Honduras [19]. All the bats were captured using mist-nets of 12.5 x 2.5 m with a mesh of 35 mm. We followed Kunz and Kurta [27] for positioning the mist nets according to the vegetation, landscape, bodies and water and phenophases (fruits and flowers) of the plants. Bats were identified and measured (FA = forearm length; E = ear length; BH = body height) using taxonomic keys of Timm, LaVal and Rodriguez [28] Medina-Fitoria [29], and Mora [30]. We quantified the sampling effort by multiplying the area of all of the mist-nets that were opened during each night by the number of hours that remained open [31] in which a total of 47,686.8 m<sup>2</sup> \*h was accumulated. All the bats were handled according to the guidelines for the use of wild mammals in research and education [32].


*More Urbanization, Fewer Bats: The Importance of Forest Conservation in Honduras DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96493*

"suburban area". All other studied areas in this work are considered as "forests" located in the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve. See below for the description of each

All the coordinates are given in **Table 1** and represented in **Figure 1**, and each

Surveys were carried out at the National University Campus' Botanical Garden in Tegucigalpa, capital city of Honduras, in the Department of Francisco Morazán (**Table 1**). The ecosystem is a tropical dry forest [23]. The species of Fabaceae, Myrtaceae, and Asteraceae are the most common, including *Muntingia calabura*, *Byrsonima crassifolia*, *Lonchocarpus sanctuarii* and cultivated plants, such as *Hibiscus*

We studied a tropical moist forest [23] located in the central region of Honduras in the Department of Francisco Morazán, municipality of Sabanagrande (**Table 1**). The vegetation included *Pinus oocarpa*, *P*. *maximinoi*, *Quercus oleoides*, and plants of

(Myrtaceae), *Calliandra* (Fabaceae), and *Ficus* (Moraceae). Extensive livestock and

The RPBR, including La Moskitia, is located within the departments of Gracias a Dios, Olancho, and Colón. Based on Holdridge [23], the life zone represented is tropical wet forest. The RPBR is the only site in Honduras declared as world Heritage. Some plant species associated with the study area are *Swietenia macrophylla*

the genus *Miconia* (Melastomataceae), *Curatella* (Dilleniaceae), *Psidium*

crops of *Zea mays* (Poaceae) can also be found near the studied areas [25].

(Meliaceae), *Cedrela odorata* (Meliaceae), *Cordia alliodora* (Meliaceae), *Chamaedorea tepejilote* (Arecaceae), *Geonoma congesta* (Arecaceae), *Cecropia obtusifolia* (Urticaceae), *Psychotria poeppigiana* (Rubiaceae), and *Sloanea picapica*

We followed the most recent taxonomic checklist of the bats that occur in Honduras [19]. All the bats were captured using mist-nets of 12.5 x 2.5 m with a mesh of 35 mm. We followed Kunz and Kurta [27] for positioning the mist nets according to the vegetation, landscape, bodies and water and phenophases (fruits and flowers) of the plants. Bats were identified and measured (FA = forearm length; E = ear length; BH = body height) using taxonomic keys of Timm, LaVal and Rodriguez [28] Medina-Fitoria [29], and Mora [30]. We quantified the sampling effort by multiplying the area of all of the mist-nets that were opened during each

night by the number of hours that remained open [31] in which a total of

guidelines for the use of wild mammals in research and education [32].

\*h was accumulated. All the bats were handled according to the

**2.3 Taxonomy, mist-netting, and ethical guidelines**

*rosa-sinensis*, *Russelia equisetiformis* and *Psidium guajava* [24].

*Natural History and Ecology of Mexico and Central America*

studied area.

**2.2 Studied areas**

*2.2.1 CU-UNAH*

*2.2.2 Sabanagrande*

*2.2.3 RPBR*

(Eleocarpaceae) [26].

47,686.8 m<sup>2</sup>

**164**

site is described below:


**Table 1.**

*Description of all the 27 localities that were studied and were classified among urban, suburban, and forests.*

**Figure 1.** *Forest, suburban, and urban areas used in this study.*

#### **2.4 Diversity, landscape, and activity patterns analyses**

The diversity of each landscape was measured using the Alpha Diversity Index (following Jost [33] and Moreno et al. [34]), and species richness was estimated with Chao 1. These analyses were based in the sampling effort of each site and the abundances of each species using EstimateSMac 910 with 100 randomizations [35, 36].

For the activity patterns analyses we used the abundances of all the species [37] and correlated them with the time and the percentage of the moon illumination in which bats were captured from each type of landscape. Moon illumination was taken for each date from the following website: https://www.moongiant.com/ [38]. We used the Shapiro–Wilk test to test for the normal distribution and Levene's test to test for the homogeneity of variances of the data. Considering that data was normally distributed, means of the forearm length, ear length, body height, time, and moon percentage were represented by the ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) analyses in **Table 2**. To compare means we performed posthoc Tukey tests at a

**Landscape**

**167**

Forests

Suburban

Urban

**Table 2.**

*Diversity data and means of the* 

*morphometrics*

 *and ecological data of the 688 bats studied.*

 143

 7

 14,280.0

 7.5

 1.54

0.01

 0.0005

 67.71

23.99

68.73

50.06

5:30 PM –

(0.06–100)

2:20 AM

(31.10–

(9.82–28.34)

(55.96–81.50)

72.00)

 169

 17

 18,839.4

 19.24

 4.71

0.01

 0.0009

 67.74

16.59

57.60

47.46

6:00 PM –

(0.24–94.43)

2:00 AM

(33.01–

(7.67–17.83)

(45.9–69.30)

69.46)

 376

 24

 14,567.4

 28.97

 5.72

0.03

 0.0016

 74.68

30.75

53.29

65.26

5:30 PM –

*More Urbanization, Fewer Bats: The Importance of Forest Conservation in Honduras*

(15.5–99.52)

5:20 AM

(29.00–

(9.48–42.54)

(36.8–69.78)

91.35)

 **Individuals**

 **Species**

 **Sampling**

**Chao 1**

**Alpha**

**Individuals**

**Species**

**FA (mm)**

 **E**

**BH (mm)**

 **Moon**

**Time**

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96493*

**illumination**

**(%)**

**(mm)**

**diversity**

**per m2\*h**

**per m2\*h**

**index**

**estimator**

**effort (m2\*h)**



### *More Urbanization, Fewer Bats: The Importance of Forest Conservation in Honduras DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96493*

**2.4 Diversity, landscape, and activity patterns analyses**

*Forest, suburban, and urban areas used in this study.*

[35, 36].

**166**

**Figure 1.**

We used the Shapiro

25 Francisco Morazán

26 Francisco Morazán

27 Gracias a Dios

**Table 1.**

UNAH (Lagunas)

*Natural History and Ecology of Mexico and Central America*

UNAH (Polideportivo)

The diversity of each landscape was measured using the Alpha Diversity Index (following Jost [33] and Moreno et al. [34]), and species richness was estimated with Chao 1. These analyses were based in the sampling effort of each site and the abundances of each species using EstimateSMac 910 with 100 randomizations

**Departament Locality Municipality Latitude Longitude Elevation**

Distrito Central

Distrito Central

Bulnes

*Description of all the 27 localities that were studied and were classified among urban, suburban, and forests.*

Waikna Tara Juan Francisco

14.086

14.086

15.660

**(m asl)**

�87.160 1050 Urban

�87.169 1062 Urban

�84.893 44 Forest

**Landscape**

For the activity patterns analyses we used the abundances of all the species [37] and correlated them with the time and the percentage of the moon illumination in which bats were captured from each type of landscape. Moon illumination was taken for each date from the following website: https://www.moongiant.com/ [38].

to test for the homogeneity of variances of the data. Considering that data was normally distributed, means of the forearm length, ear length, body height, time, and moon percentage were represented by the ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) analyses in **Table 2**. To compare means we performed posthoc Tukey tests at a

–Wilk test to test for the normal distribution and Levene

's test

confidence level of 95%. For all the analyses we considered significant differences when p ≤ 0.05. Except for time, in which we use the Spearman's correlation coefficient to determine any relation between the landscapes and the time activity.

To determine taxonomic similarities between the landscapes (urban and suburban areas and forest) we performed multiple regressions of distance matrices [39]. In addition, to represent graphically the taxonomic composition in the distinct habitat types, we performed a NMDS (non-metric multi-dimensional scaling) analysis with two dimensions and plotted the NMDS axes against landscapes [40]. All analyses were performed in R Core Team [41] version 3.4.2, using the vegan [42] and ecodist [43].

## **3. Results**

#### **3.1 Alpha diversity in three landscapes**

According to Chao 1 (**Table 2**), urban areas (percentage of how many species According to Chao 1, urban areas (percentage of how many species were recorded in parentheses) are the least diverse, as expected, because only 7.5 species are expected (93.3%) followed by suburban areas (87.2%) with 19.24, and then by forests with 28.97 (82.2%). Supporting Chao 1, the Alpha diversity index was highest in forests with 5.72, followed by suburban and urban areas (**Table 2**), in that order. Considering the sampling effort, urban areas are not only the least diverse but also the least abundant based on number of bats captured, followed by suburban areas and forests (**Table 2**). Even though we found three different assemblages (**Figure 2**) we found no significant correlation between taxonomical α-diversity and the type of landscape (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.04; DF = 1,24; P = 0.24). However, we found species such as *Artibeus jamaicensis*, *A. lituratus*, *Glossophaga soricina* and *Sturnira parvidens* that were recorded in all three landscapes. But there were certain species that were recorded only in certain landscapes, for example, *Glossophaga leachii* in urban areas, *Lonchorhina aurita* in suburban areas, and *Tonatia bakeri* and *Vampyressa thyone* on forests (**Table 3**; **Figure 3**).

**Figure 2.**

*Non-metric multi-dimensional scaling (NMDS) of three landscapes which represents three different bat assemblages.*

**3.2 Activity patterns vs. morphological traits**

**Table 3.**

**169**

Considering time (**Figure 4**), we found no significant correlations in any type of landscape: forests and suburban areas (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.00; DF = 1,154; P = 0.23), forests and

*Description of the occurrence of the landscapes in which the 33 phyllostomid bats were recorded.*

**Total 376 169 143 688**

**Species Forest Suburban Urban Total**

*More Urbanization, Fewer Bats: The Importance of Forest Conservation in Honduras*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96493*


#### *More Urbanization, Fewer Bats: The Importance of Forest Conservation in Honduras DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96493*

#### **Table 3.**

confidence level of 95%. For all the analyses we considered significant differences when p ≤ 0.05. Except for time, in which we use the Spearman's correlation coefficient to determine any relation between the landscapes and the time activity.

and ecodist [43].

**3.1 Alpha diversity in three landscapes**

*Natural History and Ecology of Mexico and Central America*

forests (**Table 3**; **Figure 3**).

**Figure 2.**

**168**

*assemblages.*

**3. Results**

To determine taxonomic similarities between the landscapes (urban and suburban areas and forest) we performed multiple regressions of distance matrices [39]. In addition, to represent graphically the taxonomic composition in the distinct habitat types, we performed a NMDS (non-metric multi-dimensional scaling) analysis with two dimensions and plotted the NMDS axes against landscapes [40]. All analyses were performed in R Core Team [41] version 3.4.2, using the vegan [42]

According to Chao 1 (**Table 2**), urban areas (percentage of how many species According to Chao 1, urban areas (percentage of how many species were recorded in parentheses) are the least diverse, as expected, because only 7.5 species are expected (93.3%) followed by suburban areas (87.2%) with 19.24, and then by forests with 28.97 (82.2%). Supporting Chao 1, the Alpha diversity index was highest in forests with 5.72, followed by suburban and urban areas (**Table 2**), in that order. Considering the sampling effort, urban areas are not only the least diverse but also the least abundant based on number of bats captured, followed by suburban areas and forests (**Table 2**). Even though we found three different assemblages (**Figure 2**) we found no significant correlation between taxonomical α-diversity and the type of landscape (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.04; DF = 1,24; P = 0.24). However, we found species such as *Artibeus jamaicensis*, *A. lituratus*, *Glossophaga soricina* and *Sturnira parvidens* that were recorded in all three landscapes. But there were certain species that were recorded only in certain landscapes, for example, *Glossophaga leachii* in urban areas, *Lonchorhina aurita* in suburban areas, and *Tonatia bakeri* and *Vampyressa thyone* on

*Non-metric multi-dimensional scaling (NMDS) of three landscapes which represents three different bat*

*Description of the occurrence of the landscapes in which the 33 phyllostomid bats were recorded.*

#### **3.2 Activity patterns vs. morphological traits**

Considering time (**Figure 4**), we found no significant correlations in any type of landscape: forests and suburban areas (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.00; DF = 1,154; P = 0.23), forests and

**Figure 3.** *Occurrence of phyllostomid bats based on the elevation of the studied areas.*

urban areas (R2 <sup>=</sup> �0.01; DF = 1,139; P = 0.62), and urban and suburban areas (R2 <sup>=</sup> �0.00; DF = 1,139; P = 0.99). In the case of body height means, only the suburban areas and forests have no significant differences (F (2,203) = 2.3, p = 0.21; **Figure 5A**), and were divided into two groups urban areas (a) and forests and subruban areas (b). See **Table 4** to see the other p values of this and other analyses. The ear length means were only significant different in suburban and forests landscapes (F (2,165) = 4.57, p = 0.05; **Figure 5B**), however, all the landscapes were assigned to the same group (a). When comparing forearm length means with posthoc Tukey tests, landscapes were classified into two groups urban (a) and suburban and forests (a) and only the comparison between suburban areas and forests was not significant (F (2,431) = 21.41, p = 0.99; **Figure 5C**). Finally, the moon

percentage mean in which bats were captured was significant different among all the landscapes (**Figure 5D**), categorized into three different groups a (forest), b

*Statistical results from the comparison of the posthoc Tukey analyses. Abbreviations are as follow: FA = forearm*

*ANOVA analyses of the body height (A), ear length (B), forearm length (C), and moon percentage (D) time in*

**Landscape Forests Suburban Urban** Forests - FA — 0.99 <0.01 Suburban - FA 0.99 — <0.01 Urban - FA <0.01 <0.01 — Forests – E — 0.05 0.17 Suburban - E 0.05 — 0.61 Urban - E 0.17 0.61 — Forests - BH — 0.21 <0.01 Suburban - BH 0.21 — <0.01 Urban - BH <0.01 <0.01 — Forests - moon — <0.01 <0.01 Suburban – moon <0.01 — <0.01 Urban - moon <0.01 <0.01 —

*More Urbanization, Fewer Bats: The Importance of Forest Conservation in Honduras*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96493*

As expected in Honduras, there is a consistent decrease of phyllostomid bat diversity and abundance from forests to cities. As anticipated, we found that the

(urban areas), and c (suburban areas).

*length; E = ear length; BH = body height; moon = moon percentage.*

**4. Discussion**

**171**

**Table 4.**

**Figure 5.**

*which phyllostomids were captured.*

**Figure 4.**

*Time activity patterns of the 33 phyllostomid species recorded.*

*More Urbanization, Fewer Bats: The Importance of Forest Conservation in Honduras DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96493*

#### **Figure 5.**

urban areas (R2 <sup>=</sup> �0.01; DF = 1,139; P = 0.62), and urban and suburban areas (R2 <sup>=</sup> �0.00; DF = 1,139; P = 0.99). In the case of body height means, only the suburban areas and forests have no significant differences (F (2,203) = 2.3, p = 0.21; **Figure 5A**), and were divided into two groups urban areas (a) and forests and subruban areas (b). See **Table 4** to see the other p values of this and other analyses. The ear length means were only significant different in suburban and forests landscapes (F (2,165) = 4.57, p = 0.05; **Figure 5B**), however, all the landscapes were assigned to the same group (a). When comparing forearm length means with posthoc Tukey tests, landscapes were classified into two groups urban (a) and suburban and forests (a) and only the comparison between suburban areas and forests was not significant (F (2,431) = 21.41, p = 0.99; **Figure 5C**). Finally, the moon

*Occurrence of phyllostomid bats based on the elevation of the studied areas.*

*Natural History and Ecology of Mexico and Central America*

**Figure 3.**

**Figure 4.**

**170**

*Time activity patterns of the 33 phyllostomid species recorded.*

*ANOVA analyses of the body height (A), ear length (B), forearm length (C), and moon percentage (D) time in which phyllostomids were captured.*


#### **Table 4.**

*Statistical results from the comparison of the posthoc Tukey analyses. Abbreviations are as follow: FA = forearm length; E = ear length; BH = body height; moon = moon percentage.*

percentage mean in which bats were captured was significant different among all the landscapes (**Figure 5D**), categorized into three different groups a (forest), b (urban areas), and c (suburban areas).

#### **4. Discussion**

As expected in Honduras, there is a consistent decrease of phyllostomid bat diversity and abundance from forests to cities. As anticipated, we found that the diversity is less in urban areas (cities) and suburban areas in comparison to forests. However, these remnants of forest are important for bat conservation in urban areas. For example, the high abundance of *Artibeus* and *Glossophaga* in CU-UNAH are, hopefully, helping in the regeneration of trees by seed dispersal and pollination [44] in this small remnant of forest in the capital city of Honduras. On the other hand, suburban areas may also have important species. For instance, Sabanagrande may be the most important area for the conservation of *Artibeus inopinatus* [25, 45], which is considered to be Data Deficient (DD) by the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) [46]. That suburb also houses species such as *Micronycteris microtis* which is more typical of forest remnants [47]. In contrast to urban and suburban areas, forests clearly have the highest diversity and abundance of phyllostomid bats. Unfortunately, except in protected areas, these forests are being constantly fragmented and with time, they tend to become agricultural or urban landscapes. Species that cannot acclimatize or adapt to these anthropogenically modified landscapes will disappear. Those that occupy very limited geographic distributions likely will become extinct. Olivier et al. [48] point out that two major drivers of habit degradation are urbanization and agricultural intensification which decrease community stability, including bats.

Secondly, the functional traits varied. For example, the well-conserved forests of the RPBR have larger species that were only recorded there (e.g.,*T. bakeri*) but in less abundance. In these species their ear length and wingspan are relatively larger, in contrast to those of the large species *Artibeus lituratus*, found in CU-UNAH and Sabanagrande. Ramírez-Mejía et al. [55] demonstrated that the most dominant functional group of bats in their studies were those with intermediate values of body mass and wing morphology, which represents the phyllostomids' adaptive

*More Urbanization, Fewer Bats: The Importance of Forest Conservation in Honduras*

Species such as *Phyllostomus hastatus*, which is widespread in Honduras, have a larger forearm length and therefore a larger wingspan. Additionally, these species

Glyphonycterinae, have larger ears because they are gleaners and thus ear length is related to their dietary habits, and these gleaners are more susceptible to the gradual degradation of remnant forests and effects of urbanization (e.g., sound and light pollution) [47]. In other words, phyllostomid gleaners (e.g., phyllostomines) and related subfamilies are indicators of relatively undisturbed rainforests [47, 56]. However, a few species, notably *Micronycteris microtis,* for example, may tolerate moderate levels of urbanization. More ecological data is needed to support this

**4.2 From cities to forests: Activity patterns of phyllostomids in Honduras**

We hypothesize that New World leaf-nosed bats in forests are more likely to be negatively affected by brightness of the moon because of safety concerns (hunting activities by visually oriented predators like owls) when the moon is brighter [15]. In contrast, urban and suburban areas have equally high light intensity every night (e.g., traffic lights, streetlights, shopping centers, etc.). Another feature that supports our hypothesis is that we found significant difference between all the areas. This is probably because the light intensity of suburban areas is increasing in the same way as in urban areas, and the bats that survive there are able to acclimatize quickly. However, the time patterns were not significantly different among the three landscapes due to the wide range and different foraging behaviors. In general, phyllostomids have an early activity peak and then declining activity through the night [57]. Habitat specialization, nutrient intake, and food procurement are features that are associated with bat success in transformed landscapes [55, 58]. There are two more works describing activity patterns in Honduras. The first one, Medina-Fitoria et al. [59] studied certain areas included in the RPBR, and determined that in the Caribbean slope of Nicaragua and Honduras, mature and intact primary forests are the most important habitats to conserve. They also determined that fragmentation due to extensive cattle farming and agriculture is perhaps the major threat to these forests. And the second study, in the northwestern region of Honduras, in Cusuco National Park, by Medina-Berkum et al. [60] indicated that the presence of *Chrotopterus auritus* and *Trachops cirrhosus* only in the core zone of the park is probably because the core zone still comprises intact and closed forest habitats that may provide a higher abundance of prey for them, and that these species are generally more abundant in undisturbed areas. Primary and pristine forests are clearly among the most important remaining habitats for bat conservation in Honduras, considering that many phyllostomids depend on this type of forest. For example, the core zone and areas nearby of the RPBR are the only ones left in which *Ectophylla alba* may be found in Honduras due to the requirements of the species [61]. (Even in 1967 that was the only habitat in which one of us, RKL,

and others of the subfamily Micronycterinae, Lonchorhininae, and

response to landscape degradation.

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96493*

hypothesis.

captured *Ectophylla alba*).

**173**

### **4.1 How urbanization is affecting bat diversity**

Urbanization is the second most detrimental anthropogenic agent of landscape change [49], since bat diversity and species abundance are comparatively lower in cities than in primary forests or rural areas [3]. This is the case not only for Honduras, but worldwide. For example, in Poland, urbanization pressure is a common phenomenon in several protected areas due to the dispersion of buildings and the expansion of summer construction [49]. Additionally, artificial lighting and sound pollution can alter commuting processes in foraging bats, especially sound which has a more deterrent effect for bats than light as some insectivorous bats feed on the insects that are attracted to streetlights [50–52]. Interestingly, habitat degradation affects the diversity of bat communities in more complex ways than simply population stability [48].

Bat response and sensitivity to urbanization varies among species assemblages in urbanized landscapes. In this way species with high tolerance become more abundant and dominant. However, the low diversity and abundance of urban bat fauna can be attributed, at least partially, to a shortage of roosting sites [53]. For a better understanding of bats that do not fly below canopy in urban areas, acoustic monitoring can provide data for species that are rarely captured in mist nets ([17], and see introduction, this chapter). Unfortunately, we have little such data for Honduras as of now.

The fact that forearm length was only significantly different between forests and urban areas and the ear length between suburban areas and forests can be explained from two points of view. First, we found that Sabanagrande has a mixture of the other two assemblages, and even has species that were found only there (e.g., *L. aurita*). Additionally, Sabanagrande has a mixture of ecological characters, and even though it is becoming urbanized, there are still important forest remnants. Similar to Mexico [47], we found that in suburban areas (referred to as intermediate disturbance sites), the predominant species was *Carollia perspicillata,* (subfamily Carollinae*).* Our results support the hypothesis of Medellín et al. [47] in which phyllostomines (subfamily Phyllostominae) disappear from disturbed areas because of their specific requirements (e.g., foraging activity; [54]) because all the phyllostomines recorded in this study were in forest remnants.

*More Urbanization, Fewer Bats: The Importance of Forest Conservation in Honduras DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96493*

Secondly, the functional traits varied. For example, the well-conserved forests of the RPBR have larger species that were only recorded there (e.g.,*T. bakeri*) but in less abundance. In these species their ear length and wingspan are relatively larger, in contrast to those of the large species *Artibeus lituratus*, found in CU-UNAH and Sabanagrande. Ramírez-Mejía et al. [55] demonstrated that the most dominant functional group of bats in their studies were those with intermediate values of body mass and wing morphology, which represents the phyllostomids' adaptive response to landscape degradation.

Species such as *Phyllostomus hastatus*, which is widespread in Honduras, have a larger forearm length and therefore a larger wingspan. Additionally, these species and others of the subfamily Micronycterinae, Lonchorhininae, and Glyphonycterinae, have larger ears because they are gleaners and thus ear length is related to their dietary habits, and these gleaners are more susceptible to the gradual degradation of remnant forests and effects of urbanization (e.g., sound and light pollution) [47]. In other words, phyllostomid gleaners (e.g., phyllostomines) and related subfamilies are indicators of relatively undisturbed rainforests [47, 56]. However, a few species, notably *Micronycteris microtis,* for example, may tolerate moderate levels of urbanization. More ecological data is needed to support this hypothesis.

#### **4.2 From cities to forests: Activity patterns of phyllostomids in Honduras**

We hypothesize that New World leaf-nosed bats in forests are more likely to be negatively affected by brightness of the moon because of safety concerns (hunting activities by visually oriented predators like owls) when the moon is brighter [15]. In contrast, urban and suburban areas have equally high light intensity every night (e.g., traffic lights, streetlights, shopping centers, etc.). Another feature that supports our hypothesis is that we found significant difference between all the areas. This is probably because the light intensity of suburban areas is increasing in the same way as in urban areas, and the bats that survive there are able to acclimatize quickly. However, the time patterns were not significantly different among the three landscapes due to the wide range and different foraging behaviors. In general, phyllostomids have an early activity peak and then declining activity through the night [57]. Habitat specialization, nutrient intake, and food procurement are features that are associated with bat success in transformed landscapes [55, 58].

There are two more works describing activity patterns in Honduras. The first one, Medina-Fitoria et al. [59] studied certain areas included in the RPBR, and determined that in the Caribbean slope of Nicaragua and Honduras, mature and intact primary forests are the most important habitats to conserve. They also determined that fragmentation due to extensive cattle farming and agriculture is perhaps the major threat to these forests. And the second study, in the northwestern region of Honduras, in Cusuco National Park, by Medina-Berkum et al. [60] indicated that the presence of *Chrotopterus auritus* and *Trachops cirrhosus* only in the core zone of the park is probably because the core zone still comprises intact and closed forest habitats that may provide a higher abundance of prey for them, and that these species are generally more abundant in undisturbed areas. Primary and pristine forests are clearly among the most important remaining habitats for bat conservation in Honduras, considering that many phyllostomids depend on this type of forest. For example, the core zone and areas nearby of the RPBR are the only ones left in which *Ectophylla alba* may be found in Honduras due to the requirements of the species [61]. (Even in 1967 that was the only habitat in which one of us, RKL, captured *Ectophylla alba*).

diversity is less in urban areas (cities) and suburban areas in comparison to forests. However, these remnants of forest are important for bat conservation in urban areas. For example, the high abundance of *Artibeus* and *Glossophaga* in CU-UNAH are, hopefully, helping in the regeneration of trees by seed dispersal and pollination [44] in this small remnant of forest in the capital city of Honduras. On the other hand, suburban areas may also have important species. For instance, Sabanagrande may be the most important area for the conservation of *Artibeus inopinatus* [25, 45], which is considered to be Data Deficient (DD) by the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) [46]. That suburb also houses species such as *Micronycteris microtis* which is more typical of forest remnants [47]. In contrast to urban and suburban areas, forests clearly have the highest diversity and abundance of phyllostomid bats. Unfortunately, except in protected areas, these forests are being constantly fragmented and with time, they tend to become agricultural or urban landscapes. Species that cannot acclimatize or adapt to these anthropogenically modified landscapes will disappear. Those that occupy very limited geographic distributions likely will become extinct. Olivier et al. [48] point out that two major drivers of habit degradation are urbanization and agricultural intensification which

Urbanization is the second most detrimental anthropogenic agent of landscape change [49], since bat diversity and species abundance are comparatively lower in cities than in primary forests or rural areas [3]. This is the case not only for

Honduras, but worldwide. For example, in Poland, urbanization pressure is a common phenomenon in several protected areas due to the dispersion of buildings and the expansion of summer construction [49]. Additionally, artificial lighting and sound pollution can alter commuting processes in foraging bats, especially sound which has a more deterrent effect for bats than light as some insectivorous bats feed on the insects that are attracted to streetlights [50–52]. Interestingly, habitat degradation affects the diversity of bat communities in more complex ways than simply

Bat response and sensitivity to urbanization varies among species assemblages in urbanized landscapes. In this way species with high tolerance become more abundant and dominant. However, the low diversity and abundance of urban bat fauna can be attributed, at least partially, to a shortage of roosting sites [53]. For a better understanding of bats that do not fly below canopy in urban areas, acoustic monitoring can provide data for species that are rarely captured in mist nets ([17], and

see introduction, this chapter). Unfortunately, we have little such data for

phyllostomines recorded in this study were in forest remnants.

The fact that forearm length was only significantly different between forests and urban areas and the ear length between suburban areas and forests can be explained from two points of view. First, we found that Sabanagrande has a mixture of the other two assemblages, and even has species that were found only there (e.g., *L. aurita*). Additionally, Sabanagrande has a mixture of ecological characters, and even though it is becoming urbanized, there are still important forest remnants. Similar to Mexico [47], we found that in suburban areas (referred to as intermediate disturbance sites), the predominant species was *Carollia perspicillata,* (subfamily Carollinae*).* Our results support the hypothesis of Medellín et al. [47] in which phyllostomines (subfamily Phyllostominae) disappear from disturbed areas because of their specific requirements (e.g., foraging activity; [54]) because all the

decrease community stability, including bats.

population stability [48].

Honduras as of now.

**172**

**4.1 How urbanization is affecting bat diversity**

*Natural History and Ecology of Mexico and Central America*

Although we predicted that from forests to cities, the diversity of phyllostomids will decrease, this is the first attempt to describe their activity patterns in these areas in Honduras. Considering the extension of forests, Duarte et al. [62] mentioned that 48% of the Honduran territory is covered by forests. With the high rate in which they are being diminished is approximately 23,303.56 hectares per year [63], the probability of losing bat species in Honduras is all too real. On the other hand, there are some species that have been adapting very well, as is the case of *A. jamaicensis* and *A. lituratus*. These are species that were recorded in all three landscapes we studied and were the most common in urban areas. And even if they are considered as tolerant species, they have an important role in urban and suburban area as seed dispersers [64], and probably they should be considered as the phyllostomid species most tolerant to urbanization in Honduras. It appears that species of *Sturnira* and *Glossophaga* are also adapting well to this phenomenon.

helped us during all this research. Finally, MATC wants to personally thank Marcia Flores-Casco and her family for their gracious hospitality in Brazil during the

*More Urbanization, Fewer Bats: The Importance of Forest Conservation in Honduras*

\*, Richard K. LaVal<sup>2</sup>

Forestal, Áreas Protegidas y Vida Silvestre, Francisco Morazán, Honduras

Forestal, Áreas Protegidas y Vida Silvestre, Olancho, Honduras

4 Panthera Corporation, Francisco Morazán, Honduras

\*Address all correspondence to: manturcios21@gmail.com

1 Departamento de Vida Silvestre, Instituto Nacional de Conservación y Desarrollo

3 Región Biosfera del Río Plátano, Instituto Nacional de Conservación y Desarrollo

© 2021 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,

, Marcio Martínez<sup>3</sup>

COVID-pandemic while he was writing this chapter.

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96493*

The authors declare no potential conflict of interest.

**Conflict of interest**

**Author details**

Manfredo A. Turcios-Casco<sup>1</sup>

2 The Bat Jungle, Monteverde, Costa Rica

provided the original work is properly cited.

**175**

and Hefer D. Ávila-Palma<sup>4</sup>

### **5. Conclusion**

Undoubtedly, the RPBR is one of the most important regions in Honduras, and probably in Central America, for bat conservation due to the large extensions of pristine forests and the limited occurrence and abundance of certain species (e.g., *Chiroderma gorgasi*) in that region. Unfortunately, even this region will be subject to the effects of encroaching clearing for agriculture and urbanization, if inadequately protected. Indeed, some species become acclimatized to urbanization, and some species, most notably *A. jamaicensis* and *A. lituratus*, now tolerate higher levels of disturbance than many other species. More studies are needed to determine and explain their tolerance to urbanization. There are other species that have very specific requirements, including intact primary forest, for their survival. (e.g.,*T*. *saurophila*). This is the first attempt to study how urbanization is affecting a mammalian group in Honduras and is also the first comparison of bat diversity among three different landscapes. Yet, there are many variables that should be analyzed, compared, and described. For example, we recommend measuring light and sound intensity in urbanized areas and comparing them with those of the forests, to determine more specifically how these characteristics are affecting the diversity and abundance of phyllostomid bats in Honduras. Finally, it is still unknown which morphometrical characteristics are important in explaining the adaption of some phyllostomid bat species to urbanized areas. Another factor is the relative amount of fragmentation in the various areas we studied. There are many gaps in our knowledge of how totally or partially urbanized areas are affecting phyllostomid bats in Honduras, and even though there are some similar activity patterns, we can conclude that their diversity and abundance is decreasing in urbanized areas. Considering the increase of urbanization in Honduras plus the high rate of deforestation (approximately 63.85 hectares per day), a conservation plan for Honduran bats is fundamental.

#### **Acknowledgements**

We would like to thank to Alejandro Orellana, Diego Mazier, and Eduardo Ordoñez because most of the field work was done with them and for their comments to this chapter. We are grateful to the staff of El Ocotal, especially to Alejandro Velásquez, for all their support during this research. To the ICF, for the research permit: Resolución–DE–MP–064–2017. We want to thank to all the wildlife and forest manager, native people, civilians, and police and military officer that *More Urbanization, Fewer Bats: The Importance of Forest Conservation in Honduras DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96493*

helped us during all this research. Finally, MATC wants to personally thank Marcia Flores-Casco and her family for their gracious hospitality in Brazil during the COVID-pandemic while he was writing this chapter.
