Greater long-nosed bat

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Greater long-nosed bat
Leptonycteris nivalis.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Phyllostomidae
Genus: Leptonycteris
Species:
L. nivalis
Binomial name
Leptonycteris nivalis
(Saussure, 1860)
Leptonycteris nivalis map.svg

The greater long-nosed bat or Mexican long-nosed bat (Leptonycteris nivalis) is a species of bat in the family Phyllostomidae. It is found in Mexico and the United States. [1] It chiefly consumes pollen and nectar, particularly from agave plants and cacti. [1] Its habitat includes desert scrub and open woodlands, however, [1] it is threatened by habitat loss. [1]

Contents

Description

They are sooty brown in color, with a darker dorsally and lighter ventrally. Individual hairs are white at the base, and silver at the tips. [2] Their forearms are 54–59 mm (2.1–2.3 in) long. [3] They have moderately-furred interfemoral membranes, and their short tails only have three vertebrae. [2] Their muzzles are elongated, and their tongues are long and tipped with filiform papillae. [2] The tongue attaches at the posterior side of the sternum. Their nose-leafs are triangular and erect. [2] The average mass is 24 g (0.85 oz) [2] Their ears are 15 mm (0.59 in) long. [2] Like other nectarivores, this species has reduced teeth, missing the third molar while the other two molars are weakly cusped. [2] Loss of teeth and dental ridges indicate accurately that their diet does not necessitate biting and chewing. [4]

Range

The species is found in southern Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico from June through August. [5] [6] It is found in central Mexico throughout the rest of the year. [5] They roost primarily in caves and mines, but can also be found in unoccupied buildings, hollow trees, and even sewers. [5] While it has been alleged that the bats are found as far south as Guatemala, [7] the IUCN disputes this notion, and lists its southernmost occurrence as central Guerrero. [1]

Reproduction

Little research has focused on reproduction in this species, but there are speculations based on this limited body of work. Mating occurs in November and December in Cueva del Diablo, which coincides with the greatest availability of food around the cave. [5] They likely have a polygynandrous mating system, where males and females mate multiple times with different individuals. [8] Because male testes are significantly larger during the mating season and females mate with multiple males, there is likely sperm competition between males. [5] Females are hypothesized to exhibit sperm storage or embryonic diapause. [5] It is thought that they are monoestrous; therefore they only breed once per year. [5] Birth likely occurs during May, during female migration to northern Mexico or the southwestern United States. [5] Litters likely consist of a single pup. [9] Males are likely non-migratory, and adult males are rarely encountered in the United States. [10] Females form maternity colonies in the northern parts of their range, with lactating females and their young arriving at a cave in Texas in June. [11] There are records, however, of pregnant females arriving as early as mid-April, which shows that some females do not give birth until completing migration. [10] Based on censuses, it is thought that the pups do not become volant until July. [12] The adult females and their young leave Texas in August. [11]

Ecology

While the greater long-nosed bat consumes nectar from the same plants as the southern long-nosed bat, the two species utilize different habitats. The greater long-nosed bat prefers higher altitudes and lower temperatures than the southern long-nosed bat, though they're both found in dry habitats. [13] The greater long-nosed bat selects habitats with more pine and oak trees than the southern long-nosed bat. [13] The species mates in only one known cave–Cueva del Diablo near Tepoztlán, Mexico, which it shares with the common vampire bat and Parnell's mustached bat. [5]

The greater long-nosed bat consumes nectar from multiple plants, including tree-like cacti, Ceiba trees, shaving brush trees, morning glory trees, powder puff plants, flowering shrubs, and four species of Agave (Agave dasylirioides, Agave horida, Agave inaequidens, and Agave of Salm). [14] This species is highly opportunistic, rotating its dietary selection as different plants come into bloom. [14]

Conservation

Population numbers of this species have likely been in decline for several decades. [5] In 1988, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service listed it as endangered. [15] The species is listed as threatened in Mexico. [16] In 1995, The Program for the Conservation of Migratory Bats between Mexico and the United States was started by a concerned group of international bat specialists in response to a decline of multiple bat species in Mexico. [5] PCCM has been valuable in conducting censuses of the greater long-nosed bats in Cueva del Diablo. [5] To reduce vandalism in Cueva del Diablo and promote appreciation of bats, PCCM created a series of children's books, educational activities, and TV reports. [5] In 2013, Bat Conservation International listed this species as one of the 35 species of its worldwide priority list of conservation. [17] There is evidence that the population in the United States has increased since 1984, with the population in Arizona one hundred times greater in 2000 than it was in 1984. [6] Because it is a highly colonial species, disturbance at a single cave can have a significant negative impact on the entire species. [6]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leaf-nosed bat</span> Family of bats

The New World leaf-nosed bats (Phyllostomidae) are bats 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">Spectral bat</span> Species of bat

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lesser long-nosed bat</span> Species of bat

The lesser long-nosed bat is a medium-sized bat found in Central and North America. It is sometimes known as Sanborn's long-nosed bat or the Mexican long-nosed bat, though the latter name is better avoided since it is also used for the entire genus Leptonycteris and for one of the other species in it, the greater long-nosed bat.

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

The Jamaican, common, or Mexican fruit bat is a frugivorous bat species native to the Neotropics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honduran white bat</span> Species of bat

The Honduran white bat, also called the Caribbean white tent-making bat, is a species of bat in the family Phyllostomatidae. It is the only member of the genus Ectophylla. The genus and the species were both scientifically described for the first time in 1892. It has distinctive, entirely white fur, which is only found in six of the roughly 1,300 known species of bat. It constructs "tents" out of understory plant leaves by strategically cutting the leaf ribs with its teeth; it roosts in these tents during the day. It is a specialist frugivore, consuming almost exclusively the fruits of one species of fig. Females can likely become pregnant twice per year, giving birth to one offspring at a time.

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

The tailed tailless bat is a species of leaf-nosed bat from South America.

<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">Dekeyser's nectar bat</span> Species of bat

Dekeyser's nectar bat is a bat species found in Brazil and Bolivia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marinkelle's sword-nosed bat</span> Species of bat

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.

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

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).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tent-making bat</span> Species of bat

The tent-making bat is an American leaf-nosed bat (Phyllostomidae) found in lowland forests of Central and South America. This medium-sized bat has a gray coat with a pale white stripe running down the middle of the back. Its face is characterized by a fleshy noseleaf and four white stripes. Primarily a frugivore, it may supplement its diet with insects, flower parts, pollen, and nectar. Its common name comes from its curious behavior of constructing tents out of large, fan-shaped leaves. These roosts provide excellent protection from the tropical rains, and a single tent roost may house several bats at once. This bat is quite common in its geographic range; hence, its conservation status is listed as Least Concern.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gray short-tailed bat</span> Species of bat

The gray short-tailed bat, or Hahn's short-tailed bat, is a species of bat in the family Phyllostomidae native to Mexico and Central America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mexican long-tongued bat</span> Species of bat

The Mexican long-tongued bat is a species of bat in the family Phyllostomidae. It is the only species within the genus Choeronycteris. The species is found in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buffy flower bat</span> Species of bat

The buffy flower bat is a species of bat in the leaf-nosed bat family, Phyllostomidae. It is found in the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, Cuba, and Jamaica.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern long-nosed bat</span> Species of bat

The southern long-nosed bat is a South American species of bat in the family Phyllostomidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fernandez's sword-nosed bat</span> Species of bat

Fernandez's sword-nosed bat is a species of bat in the family Phyllostomidae. It is the smallest species of the Lonchorhina genus. 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. 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Banana bat</span> Species of mammals belonging to the New World leaf-nosed bat family

The banana bat is an endangered species of bat in the family Phyllostomidae. It is also commonly known as the trumpet-nosed bat or the Colima long-nosed bat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Choco broad-nosed bat</span> Species of bat

The Choco broad-nosed bat is a species of bat in the family Phyllostomidae. It is native to Colombia, Panama, and Ecuador, where it is found in the Choco region lowlands. It is threatened by habitat loss. In 2013, Bat Conservation International listed this species as one of the 35 species of its worldwide priority list of conservation.

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

Glossophaginae is a subfamily of leaf-nosed bats.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Medellín, R. (2016). "Leptonycteris nivalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T11697A22126172. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T11697A22126172.en . Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Hensley, A., Wilkins, K. 1988. Mammalian Species. The American Society of Mammalogists. 307(1-4).
  3. ↑ Baker, R. J., & Cockrum, E. L. (1966). Geographic and ecological range of the long-nosed bats, Leptonycteris. Journal of Mammalogy, 47(2), 329-331.
  4. ↑ Dumont, E. R. (1997). Cranial shape in fruit, nectar, and exudate feeders: implications for interpreting the fossil record. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 102(2), 187-202.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 López Segurajáuregui, Gabriela; Toledo Gutiérre, Karla; Medellín, Rodrigo (2006). "Cueva del Diablo: a Bat cave in Tepoztlan" (PDF). AMCS Bulletin 19. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  6. 1 2 3 "Species of Common Conservation Concern in North America" (PDF). fws.gov. Commission for Environmental Cooperation. 18 October 2000. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
  7. ↑ Simmons, N. B. 2005. Chiroptera. Pp. 312–529 in Mammal species of the world: a taxonomic and geographic reference (D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder, eds.). Third edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, Maryland.
  8. ↑ Caballero, L. 2004. Observaciones sobre la conducta reproductiva de Leptonycteris nivalis (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) en Tepoztlán, Morelos, México. Tesis de Licenciatura. Facultad de Ciencias. UAEM
  9. ↑ Davis, W.B. 1974. The mammals of Texas. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 41:1-294.
  10. 1 2 Adams, E. R. (2015). Seasonal and nightly activity of Mexican long-nosed bats (Leptonycteris nivalis) in Big Bend National Park, Texas (Doctoral dissertation, Angelo State University).
  11. 1 2 Schmidly, D.J. 1991. The Bats of Texas, Texas A&M Press, College Station, TX
  12. ↑ Ammerman, L. K., McDonough, M., Hristov, N. I., & Kunz, T. H. (2009). Census of the endangered Mexican long-nosed bat Leptonycteris nivalis in Texas, USA, using thermal imaging. Endangered Species Research, 8(1-2), 87-92.
  13. 1 2 Arita, H. T. (1991). Spatial segregation in long-nosed bats, Leptonycteris nivalis and Leptonycteris curasoae, in Mexico. Journal of Mammalogy, 72(4), 706-714.
  14. 1 2 Sánchez, R., & Medellín, R. A. (2007). Food habits of the threatened bat Leptonycteris nivalis (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) in a mating roost in Mexico. Journal of Natural History, 41(25-28), 1753-1764.
  15. ↑ "Mexican Long-Nosed bat (Leptonycteris nivalis)". ecos.fws.gov. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
  16. ↑ "Especies en riesgo". biodiversidad.gob.mx. Biodiversidad Mexicana. 2010. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
  17. ↑ "Annual Report 2013-2014" (PDF). batcon.org. Bat Conservation International. August 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 July 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
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