PONE-D-25-10917Cooperative Behaviors and Social Interactions in the Carnivorous Bat Vampyrum spectrumPLOS ONE

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Additional Editor Comments:

Kindly address all the remaining minor issues highlighted by the reviewers, and in the revised final version of the article, provide a short account of how you have done so, or alternatively address each of them pint by point

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Reviewers' comments:

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Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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2. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously?

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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5. Review Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: The manuscript titled “Cooperative Behaviors and Social Interactions in the Carnivorous Bat Vampyrum spectrum” presents observations from a single group of the charismatic and rarely studied Vampyrum spectrum. This is an exceptional and rare opportunity, and I believe the authors have taken full advantage of it. The manuscript makes a valuable contribution to our understanding of this elusive species.

Using relatively simple and straightforward methods, the authors describe a range of behaviors among group members—some of which are quite fascinating and, as noted, poorly documented in bats. The manuscript is clearly written, well organized, and the authors are careful not to over-interpret their findings. In my opinion, the manuscript is in excellent shape and requires only very minor revisions.

Below, I offer a few small suggestions for improvement. However, these are not essential, and the authors should feel free to disregard them if they prefer:

Line 76: You say “living in” twice.

In the methods section “Individual distinction by size estimation” it wasn’t immediately clear why this analysis was being conducted. Only later, in the results, did it become apparent that it was used to differentiate younger and older individuals. I suggest clarifying the purpose of this analysis earlier in the methods section.

Line 216: Remove “may”.

Line 288: “our data suggest that…”

Line 303: This sentence could be made clearer—perhaps: “…the approaching bat successfully wrestled the prey away from the original possessor.”

Discussion (Lines 356–368): After reading about biparental care, I found myself wondering whether you have any observations or data regarding the relative investment in pup care by the male and female. I understand that without tagging individuals this may be difficult, but if there is any indication—such as who provided prey items—it could be valuable to include here.

Overall, this is a well-executed and insightful manuscript that offers a rare glimpse into the social behavior of Vampyrum spectrum, and I believe it will be a valuable addition to the literature on bat sociality. Great job!

Reviewer #2: Only a few details that need to be provided to better understand the context and the background please. It is very important that they discuss their dry forest and more detail about the roost and the bats that compose the group

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Reviewer #1: Yes:  Gloriana Chaverri

Reviewer #2: Yes:  Rodrigo Medellin

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Attachments

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Submitted filename: Review of PONE.docx

Cooperative Behaviors and Social Interactions in the Carnivorous Bat Vampyrum spectrum

PONE-D-25-10917R1

Dear Dr. Tietge,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

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Kind regards,

Nickson Erick Otieno, PhD

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

The two reviewers have submitted their reports on your article and they both are of the opinion that after the revision by the authors, the manuscript now meets not only the standards of rigorous bat ecology research but also makes an important and timely contribution to understanding the nexus between bat feeding ecology  and their social dynamics. They also feel and the editors agree that the technical quality of the manuscript is now also at a level acceptable to PLOS ONE, if the authors are willing to make the remaining few minor changes. These suggested changes are highlighted within the reviewer’s reports accessible to the authors through the journal’s submission platform

In addition:

The title: Please ensure only the first word has a capitalized first letter, unless it is a proper noun, major place-name or genus in scientific name

Line 298: Please consider replacing ‘wrestled’ with ‘wrested’

Line 326-327: Please consider replacing “…substitute their diet on their way to independence” with “…for purposes of weaning”

In the Conclusion section, could the authors use a few lines to venture into potential future research on the topic, perhaps what they were unable to achieve within the constraints of the project’s resources?

Line 635: Please either ‘behaviour’ or ‘behavior’ consistently throughout (preferably the latter)

Please add the list of Figure legends in the manuscript body just before the Supporting information section

Reviewers' comments: