Hispaniolan greater funnel-eared bat

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Hispaniolan greater funnel-eared bat

Near Threatened  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Natalidae
Genus: Natalus
Species:
N. major
Binomial name
Natalus major
(Miller, 1902)

The Hispaniolan greater funnel-eared bat (Natalus major) is a

Natalus stramineus
. It lives primarily in caves and feeds on insects.

Taxonomy

The Hispaniolan greater funnel-eared bat was first described scientifically in 1902 by

Natalus jamaicensis.[10] Previous reports of Natalus on the island had also been referred considered Natulus major.[11]

The genus Natalus was traditionally placed into three subgenera: Natalus, Chilonatalus and Nyctielleus.

conspecific with the N. stramineus,[12] and conservative estimations that some or all Natalidae species were in fact forms of N. stramineus were common.[13] Recent studies which have included N. major within N. stramineus include those by Hugh Genoways and colleagues,[14] supported by a later paper which claimed that there were no "structural" differences between the populations.[13] A 2005 study conducted by Adrian Tejedor and colleagues concluded the three populations of Natalus were distinct to a degree that they should be considered separate species, and so the author offered new descriptions of the three.[4]

Description

The Mexican funnel-eared bat, which is nearly morphologically identical to the Hispaniolan greater funnel-eared bat but for the latter's greater size.[3]

The Hispaniolan greater funnel-eared bat is similar in appearance to a larger version of the Mexican funnel-eared bat (Natalus stramineus).[7] The two species have such similar morphology that in his original description of the Hispaniolan greater funnel-eared bat, Miller declined to offer a description of its physical appearance, writing "Except for its greater size, Natalus major so closely resembles specimens of N. stramineus from Dominica as to require no detailed description."[3]

The Hispaniolan greater funnel-eared bat has a forearm length of between 40 and 45 millimetres (1.6 and 1.8 in).[7] The fur covering the body of the species is soft and moderately long, with a wool-like texture at the base. The upperparts are tawny-olive, while the underparts, and the base of the hairs, are pink-buff. The membranes on the wing are umber. The large natalid organ (the structure located on the forehead) is bell-shaped. No sexual dimorphism is apparent.[7]

Distribution, habitat and ecology

The species is found widely[1] throughout the island of Hispaniola, in both the Dominican Republic and Haiti.[4] Previous reports of the species from Jamaica[7] and other islands are now recognised as records of separate species.[11] For the most part, the species is found in caves, though a record from a hollow tree is also known. Due to the delicate wing membrane, it is assumed that the species requires relatively humid caves for daytime roosting.[1]

The Hispaniolan greater funnel-eared bat is insectivorous,[1] like all members of its genus.[11] Individuals are assumed to forage in dense vegetation over a limited range near their preferred roost. No information on reproduction is known.[1]

Conservation status

The

Near Threatened" as, although reasonably well distributed, the caves upon which it relies are a fragile habitat. Among the threats are tourists damaging cave ecosystems, mining, and guano extraction. The IUCN's recommended conservation action is simply "protect the caves".[1]

References

  1. ^
    doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T136548A21992984.en
    . Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  2. OCLC 62265494
    .
  3. ^
    JSTOR 4062747
    .
  4. ^ a b c Tejedor, Tavares and Silva-Taboada 2005, p. 4.
  5. ^ Tejedor, Tavares and Silva-Taboada 2005, p. 21.
  6. hdl:2246/1358
    .
  7. ^
    JSTOR 3503782. Archived from the original
    (PDF) on 2014-05-12. Retrieved 2013-06-19.
  8. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T136548A21992984.en
    . Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  9. ^ Goodwin, George G. (1959). "Bats of the subgenus Natalus" (PDF). American Museum Novitates (1977): 1–22.
  10. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T136824A22043871.en
    . Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  11. ^ a b c d e Tejedor, Tavares and Silva-Taboada 2005, p. 2.
  12. hdl:2246/2001
    .
  13. ^ a b Tejedor, Tavares and Silva-Taboada 2005, p. 3.
  14. ^ Genoways, Hugh H.; Timm, Robert R.; Baker, Robert J.; Phillips, Carleton J.; Schlitter, Duane A. (2001). "Bats of the West Indian island of Dominica: Natural history, areography, and trophic structure". Museum of Texas Tech University Special Publications. 43: 1–43.

Cited texts

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