Fernandez's sword-nosed bat | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Chiroptera |
Family: | Phyllostomidae |
Genus: | Lonchorhina |
Species: | L. fernandezi |
Binomial name | |
Lonchorhina fernandezi Ochoa & Ibanez, 1982 | |
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Fernandez's sword-nosed bat (Lonchorhina fernandezi) is a species of bat in the family Phyllostomidae. It is the smallest species of the Lonchorhina genus. [2] It is endemic to Venezuela. In 2013, Bat Conservation International listed this species as one of the 35 species of its worldwide priority list of conservation. [3] It is threatened by habitat loss. It derives its scientific name from a Venezuelan zoologist, Dr. Alberto Fernandez Badillo, whose research focused on vampire bats, in particular. [4]
They weigh 9.7–10 g (0.34–0.35 oz). [5] In addition to being the smallest of the sword-nosed bats, it also has the least-complex nose-leaf. [6] Their skulls are 17.5–17.7 mm (0.69–0.70 in) long. [7] Their fur is dark brown, with individual hairs 6 mm (0.24 in) long. [5] [6] Hairs are bicolored, and are darker at the base and lighter at the tip. [8] Their ears are 18–22 mm (0.71–0.87 in) long. [5] Three individuals encountered had partial albinism. [8] This species has one more saccral vertebra than the closely related Orinoco sword-nosed bat. [8]
Because only males have been found, little is known about their reproduction. However, juvenile bats have been observed in February, which suggests that females give birth in December. They possibly form harems during the breeding season. Males live in colonies that vary in size throughout the year, ranging from 1–130 individuals. Males will also share caves with other species of bats. In February, March, and August, lesser dog-like bats have been observed roosting with this species. In November, Parnell's mustached bats were observed roosting with them. Their wing morphology suggests that they are capable of fast, straight flight. Beetles and moths comprise a large portion of their diets, based on analysis of stomach contents. Like many bats, this species is host to ectoparasites, including bat flies and wing mites. [8]
Fernandez's sword-nosed bat is only known from two states in Venezuela: Amazonas and Bolívar. [2] This area, the Llanos, is characterized by open savanna with rocky, granite outcrops. [8] Of the forty-five specimens that have been examined by researchers, however, all have been male, which could indicate that the females use different habitats than males. [2] The habitat where the bats have been found is being lost rapidly to cattle ranching. [9] They are colonial, forming large aggregations in caves and tunnels. [9]
In addition to the threats of habitat destruction from cattle ranching, this species is also at risk from vampire bat control. [9] Humans try to exterminate vampire bats by blowing up their caves with dynamite, gassing caves with cyanide gas, or coating caves with a toxic anticoagulant. [10] These methods are often used indiscriminately because locals may not know how to distinguish vampire bats from other bats, or may mistakenly believe that all bats drink blood. [11] Technicians from Venezuela's Agriculture and Cattle Ministry have intentionally killed the Fernandez's sword-nosed bat in the past, as they applied poison to all species of bats captured in a misguided effort to control vampire bats. [12] To protect the species, the International Union for Conservation of Nature proposes that their caves receive legal protection, which would prevent extermination from misguided vampire bat control. They also suggest the cessation of ranching expansion into their known distribution [9] They are listed as endangered because it is thought that there are fewer than 250 mature individuals remaining. [9]
The New World leaf-nosed bats (Phyllostomidae) are found from southern North America to South America, specifically from the Southwest United States to northern Argentina. They are ecologically the most varied and diverse family within the order Chiroptera. Most species are insectivorous, but the phyllostomid bats include within their number true predatory species and frugivores. For example, the spectral bat, the largest bat in the Americas, eats vertebrate prey, including small, dove-sized birds. Members of this family have evolved to use food groups such as fruit, nectar, pollen, insects, frogs, other bats, and small vertebrates, and in the case of the vampire bats, even blood.
The spectral bat, also called the great false vampire bat, great spectral bat, American false vampire bat or Linnaeus's false vampire bat, is a large, carnivorous leaf-nosed bat found in Mexico, Central America, and South America. It is the only member of the genus Vampyrum; its closest living relative is the big-eared woolly bat. It is the largest bat species in the New World, as well as the largest carnivorous bat: its wingspan is 0.7–1.0 m (2.3–3.3 ft). It has a robust skull and teeth, with which it delivers a powerful bite to kill its prey. Birds are frequent prey items, though it may also consume rodents, insects, and other bats.
Desmodus is a genus of bats which—along with the genera Diaemus and Diphylla—are allied as the subfamily Desmodontinae, the carnivorous, blood-consuming vampire bats of the New World leaf-nosed bat family Phyllostomidae.
The hairy-legged vampire bat is one of three extant species of vampire bats. It mainly feeds on the blood of wild birds, but can also feed both on domestic birds and humans. This vampire bat lives mainly in tropical and subtropical forestlands of South America, Central America, and southern Mexico. It is the sole member of the genus Diphylla.
The tailed tailless bat is a species of leaf-nosed bat from South America.
The silver fruit-eating bat is a South American bat species of the family Phyllostomidae.
Dekeyser's nectar bat is a bat species found in Brazil and Bolivia.
Tomes's sword-nosed bat, also known as the common sword-nosed bat is a bat species from South and Central America. It is also found in the Bahamas, but is known from only one specimen collected on the island of New Providence.
Marinkelle's sword-nosed bat is a bat species found in Colombia. In 2013, Bat Conservation International listed this species as one of the 35 species of its worldwide priority list of conservation. Its species name marinkellei was chosen to honor the Dutch scientist Cornelis Johannes Marinkelle, who worked in Colombia.
The little big-eared bat is a bat species in the order Chiroptera and family Phyllostomidae. It is from South and Central America particularly Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, French Guiana, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Argentina, Paraguay, Suriname and Trinidad. Though its exact population is unknown, it is considered widespread and occurs in protected areas, although deforestation may be a minor threat, it is classified as Least Concern. It is found in multistratal evergreen forests and dry thorn forests and forages near streams and is found hollow trees, logs, caverns, or houses with groups up to twelve. The head and body length measures at 44 millimetres (1.7 in) for males and 45 millimetres (1.8 in) for females. Males usually weigh about 5 grams (0.18 oz) while females weigh 5.7 grams (0.20 oz).
The great stripe-faced bat or stripe-faced vampire bat is a bat species found from southern Mexico to Bolivia and northwestern Brazil, as well as on Trinidad. The great stripe-faced bat is a frugivore. It is one of two species within the genus Vampyrodes the other being Vampyrodes major.
Lonchorhina is a genus of Central and South American bats in the family Phyllostomidae.
The Guadeloupe big-eyed bat is a species of bat in the family Phyllostomidae. It is found in Guadeloupe and Montserrat. It is threatened by habitat loss mostly because of Hurricane Hugo, which destroyed 90% of its population in 1989. The species may be locally extinct in some areas of Guadeloupe.
The southern long-nosed bat is a South American species of bat in the family Phyllostomidae.
The greater long-nosed bat or Mexican long-nosed bat is a species of bat in the family Phyllostomidae. It is found in Mexico and the United States. It chiefly consumes pollen and nectar, particularly from agave plants and cacti. Its habitat includes desert scrub and open woodlands. It is threatened by habitat loss.
The Orinoco sword-nosed bat is a species of bat in the family Phyllostomidae. It is found in Colombia and Venezuela.
The Cuban flower bat, also called Poey's flower bat, is a species of bat in the family Phyllostomidae. It is found on the Caribbean islands of Cuba and Hispaniola.
Phyllostominae is a subfamily of bats that include big-eared, spear-nosed, sword-nosed bats and relatives.
Desmodus draculae is an extinct species of vampire bat that inhabited Central and South America during the Pleistocene, and possibly the early Holocene. It was 30% larger than its living relative the common vampire bat. Fossils and unmineralized subfossils have been found in Argentina, Mexico, Ecuador, Brazil, Venezuela, Belize, and Bolivia.
Bat Conservation International (BCI) is an international nongovernmental organization working to conserve bats and their habitats through conservation, education, and research efforts.