Species accounts are being updated to inlcude bats from the Neotropics.

Welcome to NEOBAT, which is comprised of databases on Neotropical bats including both, textual, spatial and acoustic information on bats know to occur in the Neotropics.

The initial emphasis has been on the non-phyllostomids, as they are historically the least known component of the Central American bat fauna. In addition to updated species accounts with distribution maps, the site serves as an archive for acoustic data used in identification of Neotropical bats. This includes both Zero Crossing (Anabat) and spectral analysis (BatSoundPro) formats. Sample Anabat files will be available for downloading. Each species account includes Analook graphics as well as graphics and data from time expanded sounds recordings extracted from BatSoundPro will be posted as data become available. A summary of echolocation call parameters is being compiled for each species. One hundred and fifty giga-bytes of storage space is reserved for the acoustic archives. All acoustic contributions made by collaborators will be fully cited in the species accounts.

Initially distribution maps and acoustic data are only available for the non-phyllostomids that are known to occur in Belize. The Phyllostomidae occurring in Belize are currently summarized under the mammal section of the Belize Biodiversity Information System although updated maps are under construction.

Links to the updated species accounts for the remainder of Central and South American bats are being compiled and will be added as completed. Each country will have a separate page similar to that for Belize. At the completion of the project updated distribution maps for each species will be posted for the entirety of Central America.

This is a five-year project to assess the conservation status of the bats of Central America. A GAP ANALYSIS is being undertaken to determine the extent of critical habitats and protected status throughout Central America and when data are available, the Caribbean. A risk assessment using meta-population models will also be undertaken when sufficient data has been compiled for each country.

Species distributions are being complied as point coverages for the region. Data points are from published and unpublished sources. In an effort to rapidly update the baseline data for the protected areas of the region, training and field equipment is being made available to collaborators by this Wildlife Conservation Society project. This includes harp traps, notebook computers and acoustic monitoring equipment for use during this five-year project.

GIS coverages include protected areas and habitat classifications based upon the recent World Bank's Central American Ecosystems project. Each species account is fully referenced pointing to the original sources. All data sources are cited and contributions from collaborators are clearly noted. All interested in collaborating, contributing data or joining the project are welcome. Project collaborators will have access to a full reference library of Anabat call files compiled for Neotropical bats.

Initial collaborators include the following country coordinators: SE Mexico - Enrique Escobedo and Marycarmen Garcia; Guatemala - Sergio Perez; Costa Rica - Richard LaVal and Bernal Rodríguez; Honduras - Gustavo Cruz and Carla Suarez; El Salvador - Juan Pablo Domínguez; Belize - Bruce Miller. Country coordinators are needed for Nicaragua and Panamá as well as additional collaborators in other South American countries.

Volunteers are needed to assist with compiling information from published sources in preparation for inclusion into the master databases. Volunteers will be acknowledged for their contributions.