Research Overview
My PhD research explored how inselbergs influence tropical bat diversity. Inselbergs, isolated rocky outcrops, form distinct ecosystems within otherwise homogenous landscapes, offering specialized habitats for resident species and transient visitors. I focused on the Mbam Minkom Massif, a tropical inselberg in the Centre Region of Cameroon, applying an integrative diversity framework to assess the taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity of bat communities. Surveys were conducted along three transects: an elevational transect on the inselberg, a near-inselberg transect extending 15 km into the surrounding forest, and a control transect 50 km distant from the inselberg in homogenous lowland forest. My findings revealed significantly higher taxonomic and functional diversity near the inselberg, with corresponding increases in phylogenetic diversity. The increase in cave-dependent species on and near the inselberg underscores its critical role in shaping local bat assemblages.
Photo of the Mbam Minkom Massif, captured during fieldwork in 2022.
Featured Media & Press
We got a shout out in Bat Conservation International’s BATS magazine! You can read the full article HERE.
Podcast episode discussing Pseudoromicia mbamminkom!
Bonus: I recently recorded a fun review of the 1999 B-movie Bats for the New Species Podcast—coming soon!
We were highlighted in the Field Museum of Natural History’s Bulletin!
Publications
Grunwald, A. L., Demos, T. C., Nguéagni, Y., Tchamba, M. N., Monadjem, A., Webala, P. W., Peterhans, J. C. K., Patterson, B. D., & Ruedas, L. A. (2023). A review of bats of the genus Pseudoromicia (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) with the description of a new species. Systematics and Biodiversity, 21(1), 2156002.
Patterson B. D., Webala P. W., Torrent, L., Grunwald, A. L., Kerbis Peterhans J. C., McDonough, J. C., Dick, C. W., Bartonjo, M., Goodman, S. M., Schoeman, M. C., Ruedas, L. A., Juste, J., & Demos, T. C. (2024) Systematics of the Rhinolophus landeri complex, with evidence for 3 additional Afrotropical horseshoe bat species. Journal of Mammalogy, gyae085.
Grunwald, A. L., Demos, T. C., Atagana, P. J., Volk, C. M., Monadjem, A., Meyo Okono, F. P., Nguéagni, Y., Merrill, R. T., Bevers, I., Armstrong, K. D., Kilber, E. E., Talla, A., Bakwo Fils, E. M., Patterson, B. D., Ballhorn, D. J, & Ruedas, L. A. (2024). Uncovering the diversity of bats in the Mbam Minkom Massif, Cameroon: insights into the importance of tropical inselbergs. Acta Chiropterologica. (Accepted, In Press)
Manuscripts in preparation:
Grunwald, A. L., Demos, T. C., Volk, C. M., Ruedas, L. A., Merrill, R. T., Atagana, P. J., Monadjem, A., Meyo Okono, F. P., Bevers, I., Armstrong, K. D., Kilber, E. E., Talla, A., Bakwo Fils, E. M., Patterson, B. D., & Ballhorn, D. J. Influence of inselbergs on bat taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity in Cameroon. Intended Journal: Journal of Mammalogy. Status: Finalizing manuscript; submission planned for December 2024.