ONGOING PROJECTS
 

2006 on: Frugivory and seed dispersal in bats of the family Phyllostomidae (Mammalia: Chiroptera)
 

Main objective: to describe the structure and understand mechanisms that determine bat-fruit interactions at different levels, from individuals to communities.


Specific objectives:

1. To test hypotheses derived from the optimal foraging theory, in order to understand mechanisms that determine fruit selection by bats at the levels of species, individual plants and fruits;

2. Based on the theory of seed dispersal, to test hypotheses on how bats may help or harm plants by consuming fruits and removing seeds;

3. Using the theory of complex networks, to test hypotheses about the structure, dynamics and fragility of bat-fruit interactions at the community level, in the context of mutualisms between free-living organisms.

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FORMER PROJECTS
   

  • 2002.2006: Effects of bat-plant interactions on temporal and spatial patterns of seed dispersal. Powered by FAPESP, CAPES, DAAD, BCI and IW.
  • 2000-2002: Interactions between the bat Carollia perspicillata (Linnaeus, 1758) (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) and plants of the genus Piper (Linnaeus, 1737) (Piperales: Piperaceae) in an Atlantic Forest area. Powered by FAPERJ.
  • 1998-2000: Conservation, management and restoration of Atlantic Forest fragments in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: mammals as a focal taxon for the elaboration of strategies. Powered by PROBIO and LPZ.