Cinnamon red bat

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Cinnamon red bat

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Vespertilionidae
Genus: Lasiurus
Species:
L. varius
Binomial name
Lasiurus varius
(Poeppig, 1835)
Distribution of the Cinnamon red bat (1992)
Synonyms[2]
  • Nycticeius varius Poeppig, 1835
  • Nycticeus poepingii (Lesson, 1836)
  • Atalpha varia (Poeppig, 1835)
  • Atalapha noveboracensi (Dobson, 1878)

The cinnamon red bat (Lasiurus varius) is a species of bat in the family Vespertilionidae. It was first described from a specimen that had been collected in Chile. For more than one hundred years after its initial description, it was largely considered a synonym of the eastern red bat (Lasiurus borealis). From the 1980s onward, it was frequently recognized as distinct from the eastern red bat due to its fur coloration and differences in range. It has deep red fur, lacking white "frosting" on the tips of individual hairs seen in other members of Lasiurus. It has a forearm length of 39–42 mm (1.5–1.7 in) and a weight of 9.5–11.0 g (0.34–0.39 oz).

As in all members of its genus, females have four teats. Little is known about its reproduction, though females may give birth in winter to an average litter of two young. The young are born with their eyes closed, opening them by two weeks of age. Individuals roost solitarily or in small family groups. It is insectivorous, foraging for prey like moths and beetles using echolocation. Its echolocation calls consist of three types: search, approach, and final buzz. It is found only in South America in Chile and Argentina, and has one of the southernmost ranges of any bats. Little is known about its population size, but it is presumably large due to its large geographic range. Threats are unknown, but could include development of wind energy.

Taxonomy

The cinnamon red bat was

desert red bat (L. blossevillii).[3]

Beginning in the 1980s, the cinnamon red bat was more frequently recognized as distinct from the eastern red bat due to its unique fur coloration and restricted range.[3] Genetic analysis in 2015 further confirmed they were significantly different. Based on a mitochondrial gene, the cinnamon red bat is the sister taxon to a clade containing the eastern red bat, Pfeiffer's red bat, and Seminole bat.[6] It does not have any subspecies.[5]

Description

The cinnamon red bat has a forearm length of 39–42 mm (1.5–1.7 in) and a total length of 105–118 mm (4.1–4.6 in). Individuals weigh 9.5–11.0 g (0.34–0.39 oz). The wings are long and narrow, with black membranes.

uropatagium (tail membrane) is densely furred, with hairs extending past the edge of the membrane. The hairs of its back are tricolored, with black bases, yellowish middles, and vibrant, cinnamon-red tips. It has yellowish shoulder patches, a black snout, and pale, yellowish-orange coloration of its forehead and neck. Individual hairs on its belly are also tricolored, though the black bases extend much further along the hair, making the yellow band much narrower than on its back hairs.[3]

Biology and ecology

Like all members of Lasiurus, the cinnamon red bat has four teats.[3] This is unusual, as most female bats only have one pair of teats.[7] Its breeding season is not well-studied, but several pregnant females have been documented in November and a juvenile was once captured at the end of February. Females have a typical litter size of two young. Newborns in Lasiurus are born with their eyes closed; eyes open at 10–12 days old. It is a solitary species, though individuals may roost in small family groups.[3]

It is

Hz. Approach-phase calls are similar to search-phase calls, though occur closer together. The final feeding buzz consists of steep, downward frequency-modulated calls. Echolocation characteristics are influenced by environmental clutter. In more cluttered environments, the cinnamon red bat emits shorter search-phase calls closer together, whereas in less cluttered environments, search-phase calls are longer and further apart.[8]

Range and habitat

The cinnamon red bat is one of the southernmost bats in South America,

sympatric with only one other member of Lasiurus, the desert red bat. During the day, it roosts in the foliage of trees, though occasionally some have been documented roosting on rocks.[3]

Conservation

There is no information about its population size, but due to its large distribution it is presumed to have a large population and is therefore considered a least-concern species. Specific threats to the species are unknown, though it could be negatively impacted by the ongoing development of wind energy.[1] Regionally, it is evaluated as least concern in Chile and as data deficient in Argentina.[3]

References

  1. ^
    doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T136690A22040066.en
    . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. OCLC 62265494
    .
  3. ^
    hdl:11336/107460
    .
  4. ^ Poeppig, E. F. (1835). Reise in Chile, Peru und auf dem Amazonenstrome: während der Jahre 1827-1832 [Trip to Chile, Peru and the Amazon River: 1827–1832]. p. 451.
  5. ^
    ISBN 978-0226282428
    .
  6. doi:10.1093/jmammal/gyv135
    .
  7. ^ Simmons, N. B. (1993). "Morphology, function, and phylogenetic significance of pubic nipples in bats (Mammalia, Chiroptera)" (PDF). American Museum Novitates (3077).
  8. doi:10.1644/13-MAMM-A-327
    .
  9. ^
    hdl:11336/127755
    .
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