Flat-faced fruit-eating bat

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Flat-faced fruit-eating bat
Artibeus planirostris.png
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Phyllostomidae
Genus: Artibeus
Species:
A. planirostris
Binomial name
Artibeus planirostris
(Spix, 1823)
Artibeus planirostris map.svg
Synonyms

Artibeus jamaicensis planirostris

The flat-faced fruit-eating bat (Artibeus planirostris) is a South American species [1] of bat in the family Phyllostomidae. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of the Jamaican fruit bat, [2] but can be distinguished by its larger size, the presence of faint stripes on the face, and of a third molar tooth on each side of the upper jaw. Genetic analysis has also shown that the two species may not be closely related. [3]

Contents

Description

Flat-faced fruit-eating bats are moderately sized bats, with adults measuring 8 to 11 centimetres (3.1 to 4.3 in) in total length and weighing 40 to 69 grams (1.4 to 2.4 oz). The fur is brownish-grey over most of the body, becoming grey on the underparts, although there are faint whitish stripes on the face. As their name suggests, the bats have a broad skull with a short snout. The ears are triangular, with rounded tips, although short compared with those of many other bats, and with a small tragus. The snout bears a prominent triangular nose-leaf. The wings are dark brown or blackish, with white tips. A well-developed uropatagium stretches between the legs, but there is no visible tail. [3]

Distribution and habitat

Flat-faced fruit-eating bats are found through much of northern and central South America east of the Andes. They inhabit a range of forested environments from sea level to 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) elevation, including montane, transitional, and lowland tropical forests and open cerrado habitats. Three subspecies are currently recognised: [3]

Behaviour and biology

Flat-faced fruit-eating bats are nocturnal and herbivorous. They feed almost entirely on fruit, although they may also eat small quantities of insects and mites. [4] They are active throughout the night, and spend the day roosting in trees. [5] Favoured fruit include those of Vismia trees, figs, and Amazon grape. [3] They are apparently capable of breeding throughout the year, although, in at least some areas, births are more common during the wet season. Gestation lasts at least three and a half months, and results in the birth of a single young. [3]

Related Research Articles

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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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamaican fruit bat</span> Species of bat

The Jamaican, common or Mexican fruit bat is a fruit-eating bat native to Mexico, through Central America to northwestern South America, as well as the Greater and many of the Lesser Antilles. It is also an uncommon resident of the Southern Bahamas. Populations east of the Andes in South America are now usually regarded a separate species, the flat-faced fruit-eating bat. The distinctive features of the Jamaican fruit bat include the absence of an external tail and a minimal, U-shaped interfemoral membrane.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geoffroy's tailless bat</span> Species of bat

Geoffroy's tailless bat is a species of phyllostomid bat from the American tropics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great fruit-eating bat</span> Species of bat

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dark fruit-eating bat</span> Species of bat

The dark fruit-eating bat, is a bat species from South America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brazilian big-eyed bat</span> Species of bat

The Brazilian big-eyed bat is a species of phyllostomid bat from South America. The scientific name honours Italian naturalist Giacomo Doria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andersen's fruit-eating bat</span> Species of bat

Andersen's fruit-eating bat is a bat species from South America. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, and Peru.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silver fruit-eating bat</span> Species of bat

The silver fruit-eating bat is a South American bat species of the family Phyllostomidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bidentate yellow-eared bat</span> Species of bat in the family Phyllostomidae

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fraternal fruit-eating bat</span> Species of bat from South America

The fraternal fruit-eating bat is a species of bat in the family Phyllostomidae that is found in drier habitats in Ecuador and Peru. It was formerly considered to be a subspecies of the Jamaican fruit bat, but was raised to species level in 1978. The smallest species in the group of large Artibeus, it has a forearm length of 52–59 mm (2.0–2.3 in), a total length of 64–76 mm (2.5–3.0 in), and a weight of 30–55 g (1.1–1.9 oz).

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toltec fruit-eating bat</span> Species of bat

The Toltec fruit-eating bat is a species of bat in the family Phyllostomidae. It is also sometimes called the "lowland fruit eating bat."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stenodermatinae</span> Subfamily of bats

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<i>Cynomops milleri</i> Species of bat

Cynomops milleri is a species of bat that is native to South America. It was previously considered a subspecies of the Para dog-faced bat. It is considered a small- to medium-sized member of its genus. It is classified as least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature because it appears to be common and widespread. It is found in Venezuela, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Brazil, and Peru.

The Bogota fruit-eating bat is a species of bat found in South America.

Dermanura rava is a species of leaf-nosed bat found in Central and South America.

References

  1. 1 2 Barquez, R.; Diaz, M. (2015). "Artibeus planirostris". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015: e.T2139A21997607. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T2139A21997607.en . Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  2. 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. pp. 312–529. ISBN   978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC   62265494.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Hollis, L. (2005). "Artibeus planirostris". Mammalian Species. 775: Number 775: pp. 1–6. doi:10.1644/1545-1410(2005)775[0001:AP]2.0.CO;2. S2CID   198968662.
  4. Willig, M.R.; et al. (1993). "Dietary overlap in frugivorous and insectivorous bats from edaphic Cerrado habitats of Brazil". Journal of Mammalogy. 74 (1): 117–128. doi:10.2307/1381910. JSTOR   1381910.
  5. Davis, W.B.; Dixon, J.R. (1976). "Activity of bats in a small village clearing near Iquitos, Peru". Journal of Mammalogy. 57 (4): 747–749. doi:10.2307/1379444. JSTOR   1379448.