Historical Fortresses as Hot Roosts for Bats in Urban Environments of the Colombian Caribbean

Biotropica 2026

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Authors: Aída Otálora‐Ardila, Selene Hernandez‐Muñoz, Juliana Margarita Gómez, María Camila Valdés-Cardona, Camila A. Díaz‐B, Hugo F. López‐Arévalo, Olga L. Montenegro, Fábio Z. Farneda, Carolina Gómez‐Posada
DOI: 10.1111/btp.70175
Cited by: 1
References: 27

Abstract

ABSTRACT Thermal stability of bat roosts in tropical urban structures remains understudied despite its conservation relevance. We monitored two Colombian Caribbean fortresses, finding chambers with reproductive mormoopid colonies were 5°C–9°C warmer than unoccupied, peaking at 39°C. This first documented tropical urban ‘hot roost’ is critical for conserving cave‐specialist bats in cities.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Bat Biology and Ecology Studies Amphibian and Reptile Biology Species Distribution and Climate Change

Publication details

Journal / source
Biotropica
Publisher
Wiley
Volume
58
Issue
2
Publication date
10 February 2026
Language
EN