ASSEMBLAGE OF CHIROPTERANS IN A REMNANT OF SEMIDECIDUOUS SEASONAL FOREST IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL AND LATITUDINAL PATTERNS OF SPECIES DIVERSITY IN THE ATLANTIC FOREST

Observed and expected richness, capture success, diversity, dominance, evenness and the effect of latitude on the above variables at the regional level were evaluated with regard to the chiropteran fauna of a semideciduous seasonal forest remnant in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. Sampling occurred between July 2008 and June 2010 using mist nets erected at ground level. So that chiropteran fauna could be described and compared to other studies in the Atlantic Rainforest throughout the 10°-30°S using multivariate regression. One hundred and sixteen specimens were captured, comprising 9 species and 3 families: Phyllostomi- dae, Vespertilionidae and Molossidae. Capture success was 0.0008 ind/m²h, with a diversity index (H') of 1.623; dominance (BP) of 0.4783; evenness (J') of 0.7385, and expected richness of 11 species. Sturnira lilium had the highest capture rate. There was a significant relationship between latitude and capture success and richness (CS: R²=0.64, p=0.0005; S: R² = 0.28, p=0.0473). Distribution and abundance of bats at the regional scale was related to latitude as well as the differentiation of assemblages in the Atlantic Rainforest.