<div>We use generalized joint attribute modeling (GJAM) to estimate how the
proclivity to consume different <i>Piper</i> species varies among three
syntopic <i>Carollia</i> species my depend on bat traits (e.g., body
size and age) or <i>Piper</i> fruit traits. How these ecologically and
morphologically similar bats coexist is unclear. Compared to the
<i>Piper</i>-specialist <i>Carollia castanea</i>, generalist <i>C.
perspicillata</i> had a higher proclivity for several <i>Piper</i> species
that were the lowest ranked for the specialist, indicating some degree
of niche partitioning. <i>Piper</i> proclivity estimates were associated
with bat forearm length and age after controlling for bat species,
reproductive condition and sex. However, neither fruit nor seed shape
influence dietary differences among bats. Understanding the mechanisms
of coexistence for closely related species with a high degree of
morphological and behavioral similarity is complex, but simultaneously
controlling for multiple sources of variation among different data types
allowed us to discover key differences in resource consumption and
traits contributing to niche partitioning among frugivores.</div>