Inventário de vespas sociais (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) e comparação da eficiência de armadilhas atrativas em diferentes estratos vegetais na Floresta Estadual Edmundo Navarro de Andrade, Rio Claro, SP

Hymenoptera é uma das maiores ordens de insetos, com mais de 130 mil espécies descritas. Dentre as principais famílias destacam-se: Formicidae, Apidae e Vespidae, sendo que a última inclui a grande diversidade de vespas sociais presentes no Brasil. Este grupo tem grande importância no controle biológico de outras populações, como predadores ou controladores de pragas agrícolas, além de serem visitantes florais e polinizadores ocasionais. Sendo assim, o presente estudo consiste em um inventário das vespas sociais da Floresta Estadual Edmundo Navarro de Andrade (FEENA) em Rio Claro, SP, que possibilitou a comparação entre diferentes métodos de coleta empregados na captura de vespas sociais (coleta ativa e armadilhas atrativas em diferentes estratos na vegetação) e a comparação da fauna atual com um inventário realizado a mais de 30 anos na mesma localidade. Os dados foram coletados em diferentes estratos da vegetação utilizando armadilhas de garrafa PET contendo líquido atrativo (uma próximo ao solo, outra a 1,5 m de altura e a outra acima de 3 m na copa das árvores), e através de técnicas de coletas ativa com auxílio de redes entomológicas. Foram realizadas quatro coletas no decorrer de um ano, uma em cada estação. A riqueza das espécies do atual inventário foi comparada com a de Rodrigues & Machado (1982) e observou-se uma diminuição do número de espécies ao longo dos anos, de 32 para 21, sendo que 17 espécies foram amostradas em ambos os inventários. Dentre as armadilhas atrativas, houve diferença entre os estratos, sendo que as armadilhas de dossel mostraram ser de grande importância, pois capturaram 41,8% dos indivíduos e ainda apresentaram quatro espécies capturadas exclusivamente neste estrato. A técnica de coleta ativa com redes entomológicas também foi relevante, sendo responsável pela coleta de 93,75% dos indivíduos da tribo Mischocyttarini

Elaboração de um roteiro interpretativo para trilha de ciclista da Florestal Estadual Edmundo Navarro de Andrade, Rio Claro/SP

The State Forest Edmundo Navarro de Andrade (FEENA), Rio Claro/SP has a huge potential for cyclists tracks; the Unit already have a trail at the principal entrance, passing by firebreaks bordering the towers quadrants and finishing at the municipal road. This work aims the ambiental interpretation of this trail already established and implant activities planned before at the public use program of the State Forest according to the management plan of the Unit; to interpret the tracks for mountain bike cyclists; promote the conservation of natural, historic and cultural resources of the Forest. At the present work has been accomplished the Ambiental Interpretation through the panels, containing the characteristic native flora and fauna, the existing water resources at the Unit and also the representatives individuals of the exotic arboreal species, found around the trail. Ten points were chosen for interpretation, therefore, for preparation of the script it was considered besides the bibliographic literature, experiences of project team members at FEENA, Unit Management Plan knowledge relating the gaps in the public use program and field work. The panels contain figures and texts about the chosen topics, to promote a language easily understandable to the visitor and concomitantly, inform to the population who attends the Unit, increasing this way the user satisfaction

Inventário de vespas sociais (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) e comparação da eficiência de armadilhas atrativas em diferentes estratos vegetais na Floresta Estadual Edmundo Navarro de Andrade, Rio Claro, SP

Hymenoptera é uma das maiores ordens de insetos, com mais de 130 mil espécies descritas. Dentre as principais famílias destacam-se: Formicidae, Apidae e Vespidae, sendo que a última inclui a grande diversidade de vespas sociais presentes no Brasil. Este grupo tem grande importância no controle biológico de outras populações, como predadores ou controladores de pragas agrícolas, além de serem visitantes florais e polinizadores ocasionais. Sendo assim, o presente estudo consiste em um inventário das vespas sociais da Floresta Estadual Edmundo Navarro de Andrade (FEENA) em Rio Claro, SP, que possibilitou a comparação entre diferentes métodos de coleta empregados na captura de vespas sociais (coleta ativa e armadilhas atrativas em diferentes estratos na vegetação) e a comparação da fauna atual com um inventário realizado a mais de 30 anos na mesma localidade. Os dados foram coletados em diferentes estratos da vegetação utilizando armadilhas de garrafa PET contendo líquido atrativo (uma próximo ao solo, outra a 1,5 m de altura e a outra acima de 3 m na copa das árvores), e através de técnicas de coletas ativa com auxílio de redes entomológicas. Foram realizadas quatro coletas no decorrer de um ano, uma em cada estação. A riqueza das espécies do atual inventário foi comparada com a de Rodrigues & Machado (1982) e observou-se uma diminuição do número de espécies ao longo dos anos, de 32 para 21, sendo que 17 espécies foram amostradas em ambos os inventários. Dentre as armadilhas atrativas, houve diferença entre os estratos, sendo que as armadilhas de dossel mostraram ser de grande importância, pois capturaram 41,8% dos indivíduos e ainda apresentaram quatro espécies capturadas exclusivamente neste estrato. A técnica de coleta ativa com redes entomológicas também foi relevante, sendo responsável pela coleta de 93,75% dos indivíduos da tribo Mischocyttarini

POLYCHAETE ASSEMBLAGE OF AN IMPACTED ESTUARY, GUANABARA BAY, RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

Thirty-eight stations were sampled in Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to assess the spatio-temporal diversity and biomass of sublittoral polychaetes. Samples were collected during the dry (September 2000) and rainy season (May 2001) in shallow sublittoral sediments. The polychaete spatial composition showed a heterogeneous distribution throughout the bay. A negative gradient of diversity and biomass was observed towards the inner parts of the bay and sheltered areas. A wide azoic area was found inside the bay. Some high-biomass and low-diversity spots were found near a sewage-discharge point. In these areas, the polychaete biomass increased after the rainy season. A diversified polychaete community was identified around the bay mouth, with no dramatic changes of this pattern between the two sampling periods. Deposit-feeders were dominant in the entire study area. The relative importance of carnivores and omnivores increased towards the outer sector, at stations with coarse sediment fractions. Guanabara Bay can be divided into three main zones with respect to environmental conditions and polychaete diversity and biomass patterns: A) High polychaete diversity, hydrodynamically exposed areas composed of sandy, oxidized or moderately reduced sediments with normoxic conditions in the water column. B) Low diversity and high biomass of deposit and suspension-feeding polychaete species in the middle part of the bay near continental inflows, comprising stations sharing similar proportions of silt, clay and fine sands. C) Azoic area or an impoverished polychaete community in hydrodynamically low-energy areas of silt and clay with extremely reduced sediments, high total organic matter content and hypoxic conditions in the water column, located essentially from the mid-bay towards the north sector. High total organic matter content and hypoxic conditions combined with slow water renewal in the inner bay seemed to play a key role in the polychaete diversity and biomass. Sedimentation processes and organic load coming from untreated sewage into the bay may have negatively affected the survivorship of the fauna.

Fauna e Flora do Brasil (especialmente do Mato Grosso) segundo Joseph Barbosa de Sáa (1769): (Dialogos geograficos, coronologicos, polliticos, e naturais, escripos [sic] por Joseph Barbosa de Sáa nesta Villa Reyal do Senhor Bom Jesus do Cuyaba – Manuscrito 235 da Biblioteca Pública do Porto)

Joseph Barbosa de Sáa (? – 1775), mais conhecido por seus escritos sobre a história do estado do Mato Grosso, Brasil, completou em 1769 um volumoso (408 fólios) e erudito manuscrito, intitulado “Dialogos geograficos, coronologicos, polliticos e naturais”, que nunca foi publicado na íntegra. Esse manuscrito está depositado na Biblioteca Pública do Porto (manuscrito no. 235), em Portugal. Dez capítulos desse manuscrito tratam dos produtos naturais do Brasil (acima de mil, quase a metade sendo animais), observados por Sáa ao longo da costa do Rio de Janeiro, em São Paulo, sul de Goiás e especialmente no Mato Grosso, sendo a primeira monografia sobre a história natural deste último estado. Esses capítulos são aqui transcritos e comentados.

Ecological aspects of the sandfly fauna (Diptera, Psychodidae) in an American cutaneous leishmaniasis endemic area under the influence of hydroelectric plants in Paranapanema river, State of Paraná, Brazil

INTRODUCTION: An epidemiological study was undertaken to identify determinant factors in the occurrence of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in areas under the influence of hydroelectric plants in Paranapanema river, State of Paraná, Brazil. The ecological aspects of the phlebotomine fauna were investigated. METHODS: Sandflies were sampled with automatic light traps from February 2004 to June 2006 at 25 sites in the urban and rural areas of Itambaracá, and in Porto Almeida and São Joaquim do Pontal. RESULTS: A total of 3,187 sandflies of 15 species were captured. Nyssomyia neivai predominated (34.4%), followed by Pintomyia pessoai (32.6%), Migonemyia migonei (11.6%), Nyssomyia whitmani (8.8%), and Pintomyia fischeri (2.7%), all implicated in the transmission of Leishmania. Males predominated for Ny. neivai, and females for the other vector species, with significant statistical differences (p < 0.001). Nyssomyia neivai, Pi. pessoai, Ny. whitmani, Brumptomyia brumpti, Mg. migonei, and Pi. fischeri presented the highest values for the Standardized Species Abundance Index (SSAI). The highest frequencies and diversities were found in the preserved forest in Porto Almeida, followed by forests with degradation in São Joaquim do Pontal and Vila Rural. CONCLUSIONS: Sandflies were captured in all localities, with the five vectors predominating. Ny. neivai had its highest frequencies in nearby peridomestic environments and Pi. pessoai in areas of preserved forests. The highest SSAI values of Ny. neivai and Pi. pessoai reflect their wider dispersion and higher frequencies compared with other species, which seems to indicate that these two species may be transmitting leishmaniasis in the area.

Lamelibrânquios triássicos de Rio Claro (Estado de São Paulo)

No presente trabalho o autor estuda uma coleção de lamelibrânquios triássicos da série Corumbataí por ele próprio organizada no Município de Rio Claro, Estado de São Paulo. Coleções menores da mesma região foram versadas por K. Holdhaus (1918) e C. Reed (1932). O bom estado geral de conservação dos espécimes da atual coleção tornou possível a observação de particularidades morfológicas e a discussão dos valores sistemáticos anteriormente conferidos. São propostos dois novos gêneros, jacquesia e Pinzonellopis, para formas referidas antes por Reed, respectivamente, aos gêneros Myophoriopis Whörmamm e Pachycardia Hauer e descritas quatro novas espécies: Pseudocorbula caquensis, P. triangularis, Anodontophora intricans e Pinzonella trigona. O total das espécies registradas é de 16 (Reed registrou um total de 9), distribuídas por 2 horizontes faunística e litologicamente distintos. Duas das conchas referidas por Reed, Pachycardia neotropical e Myophoriopis cf. carinata, não foram verificadas pelo autor. Com exceção das 4 entidades novas e duma forma não determinada especificamente, as demais constituem espécies já assinaladas nesse ou em outros pontos do triássico do Sul do Brasil. A malacofauna dos dois horizontes fossilíferos estudados, é idêntica às triássicas conhecidas de outras localidades do Sul do Brasil, bem como do Uruguai e Paraguai. Quanto ao valor cronológico da associação, parece que as evidências continuam favorecendo a idade triássica superior, proposta por Reed, apesar das alterações sistemáticas aqui introduzidas. Só estudos futuros, entretanto, poderão fornecer elementos mais seguros para uma avaliação satisfatória.

Entomobryoidea e Symphypleona (Collembola, Hexapoda) em remanescentes de Mata Atlântica do Estado Do Rio Grande do Norte

Colêmbolos são pequenos artrópodes extremamente abundantes na natureza. São semelhantes a insetos em seu padrão de tagmose, ecologicamente muito importantes e podem ser usados como bioindicadores. Mais de 8.300 espécies já foram descritas no mundo, mas se estima que a riqueza real corresponda a um número muito maior. A Mata Atlântica corresponde ao domínio fitogeográfico mais alterado pela ação antrópica no Brasil, restando menos de 8,5% de sua cobertura original. No Rio Grande do Norte a Mata Atlântica cobre apenas 0,27% do território do Estado. Assim, considerando a importância de se conhecer a fauna de Collembola, sobretudo num ambiente ameaçado como a Mata Atlântica, este trabalho objetivou estudar a riqueza de colêmbolos Entomobryoidea e Symphypleona ocorrentes em dois remanescentes de Mata Atlântica do Rio Grande do Norte através de coletas ativas com aspirador entomológico e passivas com pitfall, durante os períodos de chuva e seca. Foram identificadas 22 espécies de colêmbolos, sendo que destas 19 (mais de 85% do total) são novas para a ciência, incluindo um novo gênero da família Sminthuridae. As coletas realizadas no período chuvoso apresentaram praticamente o dobro de espécies em relação às realizadas no período seco. Este fato possivelmente está associado à dependência dos colêmbolos de umidade, assim como estratégias de resistência a período secos. São descritas quatro novas espécies, incluindo o novo gênero (Trogolaphysa sp.nov., Gen.nov. sp.nov., Szeptyckitheca sp.nov. e Sminthurinus sp.nov.). Este expressivo número de espécies novas identificadas, os novos registros para o gêneros e famílias para a Mata Atlântica do Rio Grande do Norte e a descoberta de um novo gênero corroboram o pressuposto que motivou este trabalho: o Rio Grande do Norte apresenta uma fauna de Collembola desconhecida e potencialmente diversificada. Além disso, foram geradas informações importantes sobre a morfologia das espécies descritas, que por sua vez são de grande importância para a sistemática dos Collembola. O novo gênero descrito faz parte de um visível subgrupo dentro da família Sminthuridae (aqueles com o unguis com cavidade) que aparentemente tem potencial para ser reconhecido futuramente em alguma categoria taxonômica supragenérica.

Descrição de novas espécies de Entomobryoidea, Womersley, 1934 (Collembola, Hexapoda) em remanescentes urbanos de mata atlântica no Estado do Rio Grande do Norte

Springtails are commonly recognized microarthropods edaphic environments. Among the most common (and most visible) forms of these animals are the Entomobryoidea, one of the most diverse groups of springtails. Although more than 8,300 species of Collembola are registered on the globe, in Brazil a little over 310 species are recorded, mostly in the Southeast. In the Northeast, particularly in Rio Grande do Norte, these records are still reduced, even in the Atlantic Forest domain for this admittedly diverse fauna and specifically, for Entomobryoidea. This study aimed to describe new species of Entomobryoidea in urban remnants of Atlantic Forest in Rio Grande do Norte, specifically in Parque das Dunas, Natal in the Environmental Protection Area Genipabu, Extremoz. The collections were made in the months July and August 2012 and January and February 2013, using entomological vacuums and plastic trays. The specimens were identified in the laboratory and described in detail by looking at the literature. In this paper four new species were described Entomobryidae family: Entomobrya sp. nov. 1, Seira sp. nov. 1, Seira sp. nov. 2 and Trogolaphysa sp. nov. 1. Seira sp. nov. 1 has clear similarities to S. paraibensis, however the chaetotaxy of the mesothorax and abdomen IV distinguishes both species. The number of phylogenetic proximity suggests similarities between species. Seira sp. nov. 2 is characterized by its chaetotaxy, mainly in the 'M' head and his mesothorax. There is possibility of a phylogenetic relationship with S. praiana and S. Potiguara due to some similarities. Entomobrya sp. nov. 1 has little resemblance to Brazilian species, from the point of view of color, however there is for the latter detailing the dorsal chaetotaxy, which might obscure evolutionary relationships of proximity. Even so, the main diagnostic feature Entomobrya sp. nov. 1 compared to other species of the genus is the complexity of the chaetotaxy of the fifth abdominal segment. Descriptions of new species of Collembola, potentially endemic to their habitats of occurrence may help to understand the morphological and evolutionary patterns in the sampled taxa, as well as the preservation of the environments in which they were found.

Influência dos fatores abióticos sobre a variação espaço-temporal de paralonchurus brasiliensis (Steindachner, 1875) (pisces, sciaenidae) componente da fauna acompanhante da pesca de camarões no litoral Norte de São Paulo

Knowledge of the environmental factors influence on the spatial-temporal variation of fishes is important to fisheries management and conservation. Thus, the aim of this work was to analyze the influence of the abiotical factors on the spatial-temporal distribution of Paralonchurus brasiliensis (Pisces, Sciaenidae) caught by-catch with the shrimp fishing of Ubatuba and Caraguatatuba regions, north coast of São Paulo State. The fishes were captured every month from January to December 2002. Samples were collected by otter trawl at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35m depths. The temperatures (surface and bottom), salinities (surface and bottom), sediment features and organic matters were verified for each depth. During all period of the study 12.642 specimens of P. brasiliensis were captured at Ubatuba and 17.166 at Caraguatatuba, which totalized the biomass of 267 for the first and 339kg for the other region. The females outnumbered males in fish population. The greatest values of biomass and number of individuals were registered at the summer and autumn seasons, while the lowest values were observed at the winter and spring seasons. The greatest abundances were found from 15 to 25m depth. In this study, it was verified that P. brasiliensis is a coastal waters associate species. The spatialtemporal distribution of P. brasiliensis is affected by intrusion of SACW and depth for the coastal region and by depth and sediment in sheltered areas such as Caraguatatuba

Mineral and organic pollution in river Sabor (Northeastern Portugal): ecotoxicological effects on freshwater fauna

Aquatic ecosystems are final collectors of all kinds of pollution as an outcome of anthropogenic inputs, such us untreated industrial and municipal sewage and agricultural pollutants. There are several aquatic ecosystems that are threatened by mineral and organic pollution. In Northeastern Portugal, near Bragança, different watercourses are suffering negative impacts of human activities. It has been developed several studies in the monitoring of environmental impacts in these river basins, namely in Rio Fervença, affected by organic pollution, and in Portelo stream, affected, since 2009, by the collapse and continuous input of mining deposits. In this sense, the present study aimed to continue the monitoring study of ecological status of freshwater ecosystems of Northeastern Portugal, namely the following objectives: a) mineral pollution effects of mining deposits sudden incorporated into Portelo stream; b) organic pollution due to domestic and industrial inputs in River Fervença. Also, since fish are useful experimental models to evaluate toxicological mechanisms of contaminants, c) acute toxicity tests with Cu were conducted in laboratory conditions. During 2015/2016, it was made abiotic and biotic characterization of 16 sampling sites distributed by both Portelo and Fervença rivers, tributaries of main River Sabor (Douro Basin). Several physicochemical parameters were determined and Riparian Quality (QBR Index) and Channel Quality (GQC) Indexes were determined for habitat evaluation. Fish and invertebrate communities were sampled, according to protocols of Water Framework Directive (WFD). Several metrics were determined, with particular emphasis on the Biotic Index IBMWP and the Northern Portuguese Invertebrate Index (IPtIN). Acute toxicity tests were conducted with an Iberian fish species, common barbel (Luciobarbus bocagei) and some plasmatic electrolytes levels were evaluated, to assess their contribution to mitigate osmoregulatory adverse effects of Cu. Also, same electrolytes were measured after changing to clean water, in attempt to assess fish capacity to reverse this situation. Results obtained for both rivers showed a significant level of disturbance that affected decisively water, habitat and biological quality of aquatic ecosystems. Mineral and Organic Pollution in River Sabor (NE Portugal): Ecotoxicological Effects on Freshwater Fauna Due to this change of environmental conditions in Portelo stream (extreme pH values, high conductivity and presence of heavy metals), several biological metrics (e.g. taxonomic richness, abundance, diversity, evenness) confirmed, comparatively with reference sites, a substantial decrease on ecological integrity status. The same pattern was found for Fervença River; however other water parameters, namely the content of most limiting nutrients (e.g. N and P) seemed to have more influence in the composition and structure of macroinvertebrate and fish communities. In fact, despite the operation of the Sewage Treatment Plant of Bragança, Fervença River presented significant levels of disturbance that affected decisively the quality and ecological integrity of the aquatic ecosystem. The synergic effect of domestic and industrial pollution, intensive agriculture, regulation and degradation of aquatic and riparian habitats contributed to the decrease of ecological condition, namely in the downstream zones (after Bragança). The results for acute toxicity, showed that fish can change Na+ and K+ levels face to Cu exposition and, depending of Cu concentration tested, can also return to normal levels, providing some insights to that are believed to occurred in fish population, near the Portelo mines. The low ecological integrity status detected in the lotic ecosystems in NE Portugal as a result of mineral and organic pollution deserves the development of several measures for rehabilitation and improving of water quality. On the other hand, environmental education actions are needed to contribute to improvement of ecological integrity of the river and its conservation.

Influência dos fatores abióticos sobre a variação espaço-temporal de paralonchurus brasiliensis (Steindachner, 1875) (pisces, sciaenidae) componente da fauna acompanhante da pesca de camarões no litoral Norte de São Paulo

Knowledge of the environmental factors influence on the spatial-temporal variation of fishes is important to fisheries management and conservation. Thus, the aim of this work was to analyze the influence of the abiotical factors on the spatial-temporal distribution of Paralonchurus brasiliensis (Pisces, Sciaenidae) caught by-catch with the shrimp fishing of Ubatuba and Caraguatatuba regions, north coast of São Paulo State. The fishes were captured every month from January to December 2002. Samples were collected by otter trawl at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35m depths. The temperatures (surface and bottom), salinities (surface and bottom), sediment features and organic matters were verified for each depth. During all period of the study 12.642 specimens of P. brasiliensis were captured at Ubatuba and 17.166 at Caraguatatuba, which totalized the biomass of 267 for the first and 339kg for the other region. The females outnumbered males in fish population. The greatest values of biomass and number of individuals were registered at the summer and autumn seasons, while the lowest values were observed at the winter and spring seasons. The greatest abundances were found from 15 to 25m depth. In this study, it was verified that P. brasiliensis is a coastal waters associate species. The spatialtemporal distribution of P. brasiliensis is affected by intrusion of SACW and depth for the coastal region and by depth and sediment in sheltered areas such as Caraguatatuba

Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera) capturados em armadilhas Malaise, em Rio Branco, AC.

A ordem Hymenoptera abriga espécies com hábitos parasitas ou predadores de outros insetos e, ainda, espécies polinizadoras de plantas. Constituem um grupo muito diversificado no que tange aos hábitos alimentares e comportamentais. As vespas parasitoides participam em mais de 50% das cadeias alimentares dos ambientes terrestres. A família Ichneumonidae é uma das maiores entre os Insecta, com aproximadamente 60.000 espécies descritas, sendo cerca de 17.000 na região Neotropical. Embora sua importância seja evidente, estudos da biodiversidade de parasitoides na região amazônica são escassos. Neste sentido, o objetivo deste levantamento foi aumentar o conhecimento sobre a fauna de Ichneumonidae no estado do Acre. Foram instaladas duas armadilhas Malaise (uma na bordadura e outra no interior) em um remanescente florestal, localizado no município de Rio Branco, AC. Semanalmente os frascos coletores, contendo álcool a 90%, eram recolhidos e trocados por novos. O material foi triado em laboratório e os parasitoides identificados em nível de subfamília, sob microscópio estereoscópio. A armadilha localizada na bordadura capturou 133 parasitoides de 13 subfamílias, enquanto a localizada no interior da mata capturou 210, de 15 subfamílias. As principais subfamílias foram Cryptinae e Cremastinae, correspondendo a aproximadamente 75% de todos os parasitoides capturados neste levantamento.

Palaeoecology of the Mount Etna bat fauna, coastal Eastern Queensland

Global warming is already threatening many animal and plant communities worldwide, however, the effect of climate change on bat populations is poorly known. Understanding the factors influencing the survival of bats is crucial to their conservation, and this cannot be achieved solely by modern ecological studies. Palaeoecological investigations provide a perspective over a much longer temporal scale, allowing the understanding of the dynamic patterns that shaped the distribution of modern taxa. In this study twelve microchiropteran fossil assemblages from Mount Etna, central-eastern Queensland, ranging in age from more than 500,000 years to the present day, were investigated. The aim was to assess the responses of insectivorous bats to Quaternary environmental changes, including climatic fluctuations and recent anthropogenic impacts. In particular, this investigation focussed on the effects of increasing late Pleistocene aridity, the subsequent retraction of rainforest habitat, and the impact of cave mining following European settlement at Mount Etna. A thorough examination of the dental morphology of all available extant Australian bat taxa was conducted in order to identify the fossil taxa prior to their analysis in term of species richness and composition. This detailed odontological work provided new diagnostic dental characters for eighteen species and one genus. It also provided additional useful dental characters for three species and seven genera. This odontological analysis allowed the identification of fifteen fossil bat taxa from the Mount Etna deposits, all being representatives of extant bats, and included ten taxa identified to the species level (i.e., Macroderma gigas, Hipposideros semoni, Rhinolophus megaphyllus, Miniopterus schreibersii, Miniopterus australis, Scoteanax rueppellii, Chalinolobus gouldii, Chalinolobus dwyeri, Chalinolobus nigrogriseus and Vespadelus troughtoni) and five taxa identified to the generic level (i.e., Mormopterus, Taphozous, Nyctophilus, Scotorepens and Vespadelus). Palaeoecological analysis of the fossil taxa revealed that, unlike the non-volant mammal taxa, bats have remained essentially stable in terms of species diversity and community membership between the mid-Pleistocene rainforest habitat and the mesic habitat that occurs today in the region. The single major exception is Hipposideros semoni, which went locally extinct at Mount Etna. Additionally, while intensive mining operations resulted in the abandonment of at least one cave that served as a maternity roost in the recent past, the diversity of the Mount Etna bat fauna has not declined since European colonisation. The overall resilience through time of the bat species discussed herein is perhaps due to their unique ecological, behavioural, and physiological characteristics as well as their ability to fly, which have allowed them to successfully adapt to their changing environment. This study highlights the importance of palaeoecological analyses as a tool to gain an understanding of how bats have responded to environmental change in the past and provides valuable information for the conservation of threatened modern species, such as H. semoni.