Do bats seek clean water? A perspective on biodiversity from the Namib Desert

摘要: Abstract Water abundance, distribution, and quality are key elements affecting species distributions in arid environments, yet how their interactions structure specific animal communities is often unclear. To address this knowledge gap, we examined relationships between bodies of water bat the northern Namib Desert. We predicted that would be poorer (i.e., higher indices electrical conductivity ion concentrations) during dry season at artificial pools, richness activity consequently lower these sites. conducted extensive fieldwork terminus hot, from November 2016 to January 2017 conclusion following wet March May 2017, collecting samples acoustic recordings both natural springs (n = 18) pools (n = 5). Overall (but not richness) was greater but did find systematic differences driven by seasonality or body type. Although individual harbored significantly activity, >35% recorded were present only springs. While reduced saline sites, Zulu serotine also related quality. In general, surface area more associated with Desert than