| Platyrrhinus ismaeli | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Phyllostomidae |
| Genus: | Platyrrhinus |
| Species: | P. ismaeli |
| Binomial name | |
| Platyrrhinus ismaeli Velazco, 2005 | |
 | |
Platyrrhinus ismaeli is a species of bat found in South America.
It was described as a new species in 2005 by zoologist Paul Velazco. Its description was the result of a taxonomic split in Thomas's broad-nosed bat, P. dorsalis. [1] The holotype was collected in May 1987 near Balsas District, Peru. [2] Phylogenetically, it belongs to the "Andean" clade of its genus. Other members of this clade are P. albericoi , P. aurarius , P. chocoensis , P. dorsalis , P. infuscus , P. masu , P. nigellus , and P. vittatus . P. masu is the sister taxa of P. ismaeli, or its closest relative. [3]
The eponym of the species name is Ismael Ceballos Bendezú, a Peruvian mammalogist. [4] Velazco named the species after him "in recognition of his important contributions to the study of Peruvian bats." [2]
It is a medium-sized member of its genus, with a forearm length of 50–56 mm (2.0–2.2 in) and a body mass of 30–51 g (1.1–1.8 oz). The fur on its back is dark brown, and its ventral fur is grayish. It has dark facial stripes of differing sizes. It has a stripe running down the length of its spine that is lighter than its facial stripes. Its nose-leaf is longer than it is wide. Males and females are similar in appearance. [2]
Little is known about its reproduction. A pregnant female was once documented in late January, while another female with more advanced pregnancy was documented in early March. [5] It is "basically frugivorous". [1]
It has been documented on both sides of the Andes in Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. It occurs at relatively high elevation, from 1,230–2,950 m (4,040–9,680 ft) above sea level. [2] It is often found in montane forests. [1]
It is currently evaluated as near-threatened by the IUCN. Its most recent assessment in 2016 was a down-listing from its 2008 assessment as vulnerable. [1]
