Amazonian sac-winged bat

Amazonian sac-winged bat
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Chiroptera
Family:	Emballonuridae
Genus:	Saccopteryx
Species:	S. gymnura
Binomial name
Saccopteryx gymnura Thomas, 1901 [2]
Amazonian sac-winged bat range

The Amazonian sac-winged bat (Saccopteryx gymnura) is a species of bat in the family Emballonuridae. ^[3] It is native to South America. ^[1]

Taxonomy and etymology

It was described as a new species in 1901 by British zoologist Oldfield Thomas. ^[2] Thomas identified "Mr. Wickham" as the collector of the holotype, possibly referring to British explorer Henry Wickham who also collected bird specimens in South America. ^[4] Wickham collected the holotype in Santarém along the Amazon River. ^[2] The species name "gymnura" is from Ancient Greek " gumnós " meaning "naked" and " ourá " meaning "tail." Thomas wrote, "the nakedness of the interfemoral [membrane] will readily distinguish this bat from any of its allies." ^[2]

Biology and ecology

It is insectivorous, catching its prey in the air ^[1] and inhabits tropical rainforests. It is found in several countries and territories in northern South America, including Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname. ^[1] It is uncommonly encountered and its range is not clearly defined.

It is currently evaluated as data deficient by the IUCN. ^[1]

References

1. Sampaio, E.; Lim, B.; Peters, S. (2016). "Saccopteryx gymnura". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 e.T19806A22005356. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T19806A22005356.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
2. Thomas, O. (1901). "New species of Saccopteryx, Sciurus, Rhipidomys, and Tatu from South America". The Annals and Magazine of Natural History; Zoology, Botany, and Geology. 7. 7 (39): 367–368.
3. Simmons, N.B. (2005). "Order Chiroptera". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 391. ISBN   978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC   62265494.
4. Sclater, P. L. & Salvin, O. (1867). "List of birds collected on the Blewfields River, Mosquito Coast, by Mr. Henry Wickham". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. 1867: 278–280.