Ribeiro, Carolina da Silva Correia Santos2026-02-112026-02-112025http://hdl.handle.net/10400.5/117007Tese de mestrado, Biologia da Conservação, 2025, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de CiênciasUnderstanding how closely related species coexist in dynamic agroecosystems requires detailed knowledge of their dietary ecology and resource use. This study presents the first molecular-based dietary assessment of three sympatric pipistrelle-like bats – Afronycteris nanus, Neoromicia somalicus and Pseudoromicia rendalli – foraging in lowland rice fields in Guinea-Bissau. Using DNA metabarcoding of 105 individuals, sampled throughout the months of June and December, between 2021 and 2023, we identified a diverse prey assemblage spanning over 13 insect orders, with Hemiptera, Coleoptera and Blattodea dominating year-round. Although overall dietary overlap among the three species was moderate, species-specific differences in prey composition reflected distinct morphological traits, echolocation call structure, and behaviours, supporting niche differentiation as a mechanism of coexistence. Multivariate analyses confirmed significant variation at the OTU-level, consistent with species-specific foraging strategies: A. nanus, the smallest and most manoeuvrable species, exploited small and soft-bodied prey; while N. somalicus maintained a comparatively stable diet dominated by predictable prey; and P. rendalli, the largest species, combined the consumption of larger ground-dwelling prey with opportunistic exploitation of Lepidoptera peaks during the wet season. Temporal analyses revealed clear seasonal dynamics, with convergence during the wet season, when prey was abundant, and divergence in the dry season, when resource scarcity increased partitioning. Together, these findings show that coexistence is facilitated by a combination of broad generalist diets, fine-scale species-specific prey preferences, and temporal adjustments in resource use. Beyond advancing understanding of coexistence in morphologically similar bats, this study highlights the ecological importance of insectivorous bats in West African rice agroecosystems, where predation on agricultural pests and potential disease vectors underpin key ecosystem services.application/pdfengPipistrelle-likeDNA metabarcodingDietNiche partitioningTemporal variationmaster thesis204173582