Natalidae

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Funnel-eared bats
Natalus stramineus.jpg
Mexican funnel-eared bat (Natalus stramineus)
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Superfamily: Vespertilionoidea
Family: Natalidae
Gray, 1866
Type genus
Natalus
Gray, 1838
Genera

The family Natalidae, or funnel-eared bats, are found from Mexico to Brazil and the Caribbean islands. [1] The family has three genera, Chilonatalus , Natalus and Nyctiellus . They are slender bats with unusually long tails and, as their name suggests, funnel-shaped ears. They are small, at only 3.5 to 5.5 cm (1.4 to 2.2 in) in length, with brown, grey, or reddish fur. Like many other bats, they are insectivorous, and roost in caves.[ citation needed ]

Classification

Family Natalidae contains the following 10 species in 3 genera: [1]

Related Research Articles

Mexican funnel-eared bat Species of bat

The Mexican funnel-eared bat is a bat species found in Central America and the Caribbean.

Cuban funnel-eared bat Species of bat

The Cuban funnel-eared bat is a species of bat in the family Natalidae. It is one of two species within the genus Chilonatalus. It is found in Colombia's Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina, Hispaniola, and Jamaica in the Caribbean.

<i>Chilonatalus</i> Genus of bats

The genus Chilonatalus of funnel-eared bats is found in South America and the Antilles. It has three species.

The Bahaman funnel-eared bat is a species of bat in the family Natalidae.

<i>Natalus</i> Genus of bats

The genus Natalus of funnel-eared bats is found from Mexico to Brazil and the Caribbean islands. They are slender bats with unusually long tails and, as their name suggests, funnel-shaped ears. They are small, at only 3.5 to 5.5 cm in length, with brown, grey, yellow, or reddish fur. Their tail is completely enclosed in the interfemoral membrane. Adult males have a natalid organ, a large glad-like organ, on the muzzle or face. Their skulls are delicate and extended. They have swollen, rounded braincase and narrow, somewhat tubular rostrum. They have nineteen teeth on both sides, with two upper and three lower being incisors, one upper and lower canine, three upper and lower premolars, and three upper and lower molars. Like many other bats, they are insectivorous, and roost in caves. The genus is similar to the Furipteridae and Thyropteridae genera. All three genera have mostly the same geographic ranges.

Trinidadian funnel-eared bat Species of bat

The Trinidadian funnel-eared bat is a species of bat in the family Natalidae. It is endemic to Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Trinidad and Tobago and Netherlands Antilles.

Hispaniolan greater funnel-eared bat Species of bat

The Hispaniolan greater funnel-eared bat is a species of funnel-eared bat endemic to the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean. First described in 1902, it has a complex taxonomic history, with some authors identifying multiple subspecies, now recognised as the separate species Natalus primus and Natalus jamaicensis, and others considering Natalus major to be itself a subspecies of Natalus stramineus. It lives primarily in caves and feeds on insects.

The Jamaican greater funnel-eared bat is a species of funnel-eared bat found in Jamaica. It was first described as Natalus major jamaicensis, later as a subspecies of Natalus stramineus, and now as its own species. It is of a similar appearance to many species of the genus Natalus. It lives solely in St. Clair Cave in Jamaica and feeds on insects.

Cuban greater funnel-eared bat Species of bat

The Cuban greater funnel-eared bat is a species of funnel-eared bat. It is endemic to a cave in westernmost Cuba. Natalus primus is a member of the order Chiroptera and the family Natalidae.

Mexican greater funnel-eared bat Species of bat

The Mexican greater funnel-eared bat is a species of bat found in Central America. While initially and currently described as a species, from 1959–2006 it was considered a subspecies of the Mexican funnel-eared bat, Natalus stramineus.

Chilonatalus macer is a species of bat endemic to Cuba.

References

  1. 1 2 "Natalidae - funnel eared bats". nhptv.org. New Hampshire PBS.