| Allen's yellow bat | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Vespertilionidae |
| Genus: | Baeodon |
| Species: | B. alleni |
| Binomial name | |
| Baeodon alleni Thomas, 1892 | |
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| Synonyms | |
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Allen's yellow bat (Baeodon alleni) is a species of vesper bat. There is some taxonomic debate surrounding this species, with some authors considering Baeodon a genus rather than a subgenus. It is endemic to Mexico.
It was described as a new species in 1892 by British zoologist Oldfield Thomas. Thomas noted that the eponym for the species name "alleni" was Harrison Allen, calling him "the chief authority on North-American bats." [2] In 1906, Gerrit Smith Miller Jr. placed Allen's yellow bat into a newly coined genus, Baeodon. [3] At present, some authors keep Allen's yellow bat as part of Rhogeessa within the subgenus Baeodon, [4] while others believe that it is distinct enough that Baeodon should be considered a monotypic genus rather than a subgenus. [5]
It is a small species of bat, weighing only 5.8–8 g (0.20–0.28 oz). [6] It has large ears, with long tragi. The tragi are rounded at the tips, with a straight or slightly concave inner margin and a slightly convex outer margin. The posterior edges of its wings are white. It has a small and narrow calcar. The head and body is 47 mm (1.9 in), while the tail is 41 mm (1.6 in) long. Its forearm length is 35 mm (1.4 in). [2] Its dental formula is 1.1.1.33.1.2.3 for a total of 30 teeth. [6]
It is endemic to Mexico, with its range encompassing several states in southwest Mexico. [6] It has been documented at a range of elevations, from 125–1,990 m (410–6,529 ft) above sea level. [1] However, most records of this species are at elevations greater than 1,000 m (3,300 ft) above sea level. Its habitat consists of tropical deciduous forests, thorny forests, deciduous forests, and xeric shrublands. [6]
It is currently evaluated as least concern by the IUCN —its lowest conservation priority. [1] However, it is infrequently encountered and is considered rare or locally uncommon. [6]
