ABSTRACT
— The West Indies forms a zoogeographically distinct region within the Neotropics. Modern bat faunas in these islands are likely the consequence of overwater dispersal rather than random assemblages from tropical mainland source pools. Of the 56 extant species of bats known from the West Indies, 28 (50%) are endemic. The core community is represented by six species (Monophyllus redmani, Brachyphylla cavernarum, Artibeus jamaicensis, Noctilio leporinus, Tadarida brasiliensis, and Molossus molossus). Proximity to mainland sources, presence of caves, diversity of food resources, existence of “gatekeeper” islands, and island area all are important in defining species-packing patterns.
