Discussion
Mata de Plátano Field Station and Nature Reserve (MPFS) is best known
for its bat-snake interactions, yet no faunal surveys for either of
these groups have been published. Our study shows that while small
(~5100 m2), this reserve has a rich
herpetofauna and bat fauna representative of the overall diversity of
the island. This rapid inventory provides the first local,
taxonomic-focused checklist for these species in north-central Puerto
Rico.
In our 10-day rapid inventory, we found a total of 14 species of
reptiles and amphibians. We documented four amphibians, seven lizards,
and three snakes, totaling up to ~22% (4 out of 18) and
~14% (10 out of 72) of the amphibians and squamate
diversity on Puerto Rico. Our observations in during field work also
provide important natural history information. We documented A.
cristatellus copulating on the field station walls, which is not
surprising as this species is often found in man-made structures
throughout the island and is abundant in urban areas. Additionally, we
documented two morphs of A. cristatellus : 1) light grey/tan (with
or without darker mottling), and 2) a morph that is dark or light brown
with a light yellow or cream colored mid-dorsal stripe and light-colored
dorsal and lateral flecks. The dorsum of the first morph sometimes has
dark gray or black spots running down the spine but are not nearly as
distinct or as large as the saddle-shaped botched of A. stratulus(Fig. 6). The dorsal crest and tail fin in both morphs is sometimes
prominent, while other observations the cutest was hardly distinct from
the rest of the body. We also report notes on the
endemic Chilabothrus inornatus . This species is known for
consumption of bats on the island, and many individuals aggregate at the
entrance and inside caves to opportunistically catch them. We saw one
adult individual attack and devour a ghost faced bat (Mormoops
blainvillei ). In our night surveys, we observed juvenile C.
inornatus snakes (N = 3) at the entrance of Cueva de los Culebrones,
which suggests an actively breeding population of this endemic snake. We
also found three live (and an additional two separate
skeletons) C. inornatus inside the cave, at 17.6 m and
~20 m depth. The latter of these two depths is the
thermocline of the cave (~35° C), where we found two
live C. inornatus . Individuals found deeper in the cave range
from light grey to dark, charcoal grey (Fig. 5G). Compared to the
ambient temperature (average: 24.4–31.1° F), the endemic Puerto Rican
Boas tolerate a wide range of temperatures.
During this rapid inventory we observed nine species of bat, all of
which were documented in a single 1.75-hour period of mist netting. This
bat diversity represents 70% (i.e. 9 of 13) of the living alpha
diversity present on the island of Puerto Rico. Most of the bats we
observed are residents of MPFS. While our sampling efforts do not permit
a more thorough examination of species abundance or comparisons with
other reserves in the island, these data highlight the importance of
MPFS as a local center of bat diversity. The moist forest area where
MPFS is located is adjacent to pastures, unprotected rustic forest
areas, and the urbanized center of the municipality of Arecibo to the
north. However, more importantly, the station connects with the larger
Río Abajo State Forest to the south. Together these two protected areas
form a hub in the northcentral part of Puerto Rico extending from
coastal to mountainous areas and linking multiple forested corridors
that connect with reserves along the Karst Conservation Zone
(Calderón-Acevedo et al., 2001).
Two endemic bat species documented in this rapid survey are of
particular importance. The endemic Puerto Rican moustached bat
(Pteronotus portoricensis ) specifically roosts in hot cave
chambers where temperatures often exceed 35°C, such as those present in
Cueva de los Culebrones (Rodríguez-Durán and Soto-Centeno, 2003).
Previous studies show that the population this species at Cueva de los
Culebrones was not affected by hurricanes (Jones et al., 2001).
Nonetheless, P. portoricensis seems to be a new resident to the
cave, and thus effects of natural phenomena on this species at this
locality are not well known. A single individual of another endemic, the
red fig-eating bat (Stenoderma rufum ), was captured during our
survey. This endemic frugivorous bat is known to roost in the thick
foliage of trees and occurs in low abundance throughout the island
(Genoways 2023; Calderón-Acevedo et al., 2021). Given these
characteristics, S. rufum is a species particularly affected by
strong hurricanes (Gannon and Willig 1994), which can decrease the
structural habitat connectivity through the island. The protection of
MPFS in the wider northcentral habitat connectivity hub of Puerto Rico
(Calderón-Acevedo et al., 2021), may be key for the recovery and
population connectivity of this rare bat.