| Argentine brown bat | |
|---|---|
 | |
| An Argentine brown bat, sitting among rocks | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Vespertilionidae |
| Genus: | Eptesicus |
| Species: | E. furinalis |
| Binomial name | |
| Eptesicus furinalis | |
 | |
| Argentine brown bat range | |
The Argentine brown bat (Eptesicus furinalis), is a bat species from South and Central America.
The Argentine brown bat is a small to medium sized bat, its dorsal pelage is a cinnamon brown color. Its ventral pelage is a dark brown to almost black. Based on time of year and the climate which the bat is found their dorsal pelage can range in various shades. [2] usually from mid-September through march they may be slightly lighter, than in summer months. Argentine brown bats have distinctive; husky bodies, a large broad head, with short round ears. This species of bat differ from other species of the same family because their average body size is larger than E. diminutus but they are smaller than both E. basillensis and E. fuscus . One of the main defining characteristics is that Argentine brown bats maxillary tooth row differ in length compared to other species in that their average maxillary tooth-row length is between 5.4 and 6.3 mm in length. Sexual dimorphism is found in the Argentine brown bat where females are usually bigger in size. [2]
Argentine brown bats are found in highland terrains, usually higher than 3,300 feet (1,000 m). Typically Eptesicus furinalis is found in grasslands and forested regions, but they are never seen in arid lands. they prefer to live in forest near rivers and lakes, were moisture is higher. [2] They usually will nest in bark of trees and rock crevices. This species has a vast range from southern Mexico through lower Central America including countries like Belize, Guatemala, and Panama. In South America the Argentine brown bat is found over northern regions down through Brazil and into Argentina, the farthest south that this species is found is as far south as La Pampa. [2]
Eptesicus furinalis are considered insectivorous. Their diet will change slightly depending on the season of the year, whether it is the rainy or dry season. [3] like other bats the Argentine brown bat hunts for its food using echolocation near streams and small bodies of water. their diet consist of various types of moths, some beetles, butterflies. One threat to the Argentine brown bat is insecticides that are encountered through ingestion of sprayed insects and plants which the insects eat. [3]
The Argentine brown bat is known to be able to reproduce year round, most tropical species of bats do not hibernate or use torpor in off seasons so the bats are able to exhibit reproductive habits through the year. It is more common for the Argentine brown bat to breed during the rainy season when there is more food available. [4] Females can hold sperm for up to three months until fertilization occurs. Gestation takes about three months before the litter is born, usually litter size is only one to two. Even though Argentina brown bats can reproduce at any time of the year both male and females experience times usually in the dry season were the is regression or shrinking of reproductive organs due to lack of food in yearly cycles. [2]
Argentine brown bats have shown the ability to become carriers of the rabies virus. This species has been known to live close to human structures and even live in the rafters of homes and buildings, making nests out of insulation. [5] Argentine brown bats are not known to migrate, so the likelihood of this species to carry the rabies virus is small. However there have been known cases in Brazil, up to 90 individuals have been found living in buildings within Brazil. From these 90 individuals only about six tested positive. [6]
Vespertilionidae is a family of microbats, of the order Chiroptera, flying, insect-eating mammals variously described as the common, vesper, or simple nosed bats. The vespertilionid family is the most diverse and widely distributed of bat families, specialised in many forms to occupy a range of habitats and ecological circumstances, and it is frequently observed or the subject of research. The facial features of the species are often simple, as they mainly rely on vocally emitted echolocation. The tails of the species are enclosed by the lower flight membranes between the legs. Over 300 species are distributed all over the world, on every continent except Antarctica. It owes its name to the genus Vespertilio, which takes its name from a word for bat, vespertilio, derived from the Latin term vesper meaning 'evening'; they are termed "evening bats" and were once referred to as "evening birds".
The big brown bat is a species of vesper bat distributed widely throughout North America, the Caribbean, and the northern portion of South America. It was first described as a species in 1796. Compared to other microbats, the big brown bat is relatively large, weighing 15–26 g (0.53–0.92 oz) and possessing a wingspan of 32.5–35 cm (12.8–13.8 in).
The serotine bat, also known as the common serotine bat, big brown bat, or silky bat, is a fairly large Eurasian bat with quite large ears. It has a wingspan of around 37 cm (15 in) and often hunts in woodland. It sometimes roosts in buildings, hanging upside down, in small groups or individually. The name serotine is derived from the Latin serotinus, which means 'evening', while the generic name derives from Greek ἔπιεν and οίκος, which means 'house flyer'.
The big-eared woolly bat or (Peters's) woolly false vampire bat is a species of bat, belonging to the family Phyllostomidae.
The black myotis is a vesper bat species from South and Central America.
The velvety myotis, is a species of vesper bat from South America.
Eptesicus is a genus of bats, commonly called house bats or serotine bats, in the family Vespertilionidae. The genus name is likely derived from the Greek words ptetikos 'able to fly' or petomai 'house flier', although this is not certain.
The Guadeloupe big brown bat is a species of vesper bat. It is found only on the island of Guadeloupe. It is one of the eleven species of bat found on Guadeloupe, and one of three that are endemic.
The silver-haired bat is a solitary migratory species of vesper bat in the family Vespertilionidae and the only member of the genus Lasionycteris.
The golden-tipped bat is a species of Microchiropteran in the family Vespertilionidae. It is found in Papua New Guinea and in Australia, especially scattered along the eastern part of Australia. The species is considered uncommon, and is listed as endangered in Australia.
The inland forest bat is a vesper bat that occurs in central and arid regions in Australia. They were first described in 1987, published in a review of poorly surveyed microbat populations. A tiny flying mammal, whose body is around twelve millimetres (½ inch) long, that occupies small cavities in trees and buildings while roosting. The nocturnal activity is foraging for insects, typically moths.
The little brown bat or little brown myotis is an endangered species of mouse-eared microbat found in North America. It has a small body size and glossy brown fur. It is similar in appearance to several other mouse-eared bats, including the Indiana bat, northern long-eared bat, and Arizona myotis, to which it is closely related. Despite its name, the little brown bat is not closely related to the big brown bat, which belongs to a different genus.
Taddei's serotine is a species of medium-sized bat belonging to the family Vespertilionidae. It is restricted to the Atlantic Forest of southern Brazil.
The Isalo serotine is a vesper bat of Madagascar in the genus Laephotis. It is known only from the vicinity of the Isalo National Park in the southwestern part of the island, where it has been caught in riverine habitats. After the first specimen was caught in 1967, it was described as a subspecies of Eptesicus somalicus in 1995. After four more specimens were collected in 2002 and 2003, it was recognized as a separate species. Because of its small distribution and the threat of habitat destruction, it is considered "vulnerable" in the IUCN Red List.
Husson's yellow bat is a species of vesper bat found in Suriname and southern Brazil.
Thomas's big-eared brown bat is a species of vesper bat found in South America.
Eptesicus lobatus is a species of bat of genus Eptesicus and family Vespertilionidae.
Eptescini is a tribe of bats in the family Vespertilionidae. This tribe has a cosmopolitan distribution.
The Moche big-eared brown bat is a species of vesper bat in the family Vespertilionidae. It is endemic to coastal Peru. It is notable for its likely depiction in Moche ceramics over a millennium prior to its discovery to Western science in 2012 and scientific description in 2021.
