| Thomas's yellow bat | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Vespertilionidae |
| Genus: | Rhogeessa |
| Species: | R. io |
| Binomial name | |
| Rhogeessa io Thomas, 1903 | |
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| Synonyms [2] | |
R. bombyx(Thomas, 1913) Contents | |
Thomas's yellow bat (Rhogeessa io) is a species of bat from the family Vespertilionidae.
Thomas's yellow bat was given its binomial nomenclature by Oldfield Thomas in 1903 as Rhogeessa io. [1] Synonyms for the species include Rhogeessa bombyx (Thomas, 1913), Rhogeessa riparia (Goodwin, 1958), and Rhogeessa velilla (Thomas, 1903). [2] The Thomas's yellow bat was formerly included as a subspecies of the black-winged little yellow bat, but was considered distinct in 1996. [2]
The species needs taxonomic review for a number of reasons. [1] One of these reasons includes the possibility that subspecies of the Thomas's yellow bat may be their own species. [1]
Thomas's yellow bat is native to Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Nicaragua, Panama, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela. [1] It is listed as "Least Concern" by the IUCN Red List due to its wide distribution, presumed large population, occurrence in a number of protected areas, having some degree of tolerance to habitat modification, and unlikeliness of population decline at the rate to qualify for a more threatened listing. [1]
Thomas's yellow bat inhabits many habitats, such as both evergreen and deciduous forest, thorn shrub, open areas, and villages, though it appears to favor slightly disturbed deciduous forests. [1] Like other species in its genus, the Thomas's yellow bat can take refuge in buildings and hollow trees, although its roosts are unknown. [1]
The species is crepuscular, with peaks of activity within an hour of both dusk and of dawn, flying low to the ground along wide trails or roads. [1] The Thomas's yellow bat is an insectivore, feeding on small, flying insects and with established hunting routes among individuals. [1]
The maximum energy of echolocation calls in the Thomas's yellow bat is 50 to 60 kHz. [1]
