Rafinesque's big-eared bat
Rafinesque's big-eared bat | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Chiroptera |
Family: | Vespertilionidae |
Genus: | Corynorhinus |
Species: | C. rafinesquii
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Binomial name | |
Corynorhinus rafinesquii Lesson, 1827
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Species distribution (in the southeastern United States) based on data from the IUCN .
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Synonyms | |
Plecotus rafinesquii |
Rafinesque's big-eared bat (Corynorhinus rafinesquii), sometimes known as the southeastern big-eared bat, is a species of
Description
As its name implies, this species has ears over an inch long. The genus name Corynorhinus means "club-nosed".[2] Similar to Townsend's big-eared bat, this species has two lumps on either side of its nose. Rafinesque's big-eared bat is a medium-sized bat with a length around 7.5–10 cm (3.0–3.9 in) and a wingspan of 25–30 cm (10–12 in). These bats range in weight from 6–13 g (0.21–0.46 oz).[3] The bat is gray on the dorsal side and white on the underside. The ears and face are a pinkish-brown color, while the forearm and wing membrane are dark brown.
Some sources report its maximum lifespan as 10 years,[4] although robust data are lacking. More research has been done on the closely related Townsend's big-eared bat, and estimates for this species' lifespan range from 16 to 30 years in the wild.[5]
While uncommon throughout its range, this species is found in a variety of habitats from coastal plains and riparian areas to mountainous areas such as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In all cases, these bats are associated with large areas of relatively mature forest.[1]
Diet
Rafinesque's big-eared bats, like all bats in the southeastern United States, are
Roosting
Due to seasonality, geographical location, and frequent roost-switching, C. rafinesquii can be found in a variety of locations. Tree roosts may be in living or dead trees but are usually quite large (one study reported average diameter at breast height of tree roosts to be 79 cm with a height of 18.5m).[7] Rafinesque's big-eared bats can also be found in abandoned buildings, under bridges, in wells, and in caves.[8]
Conservation status
While listed as least concern by the
See also
- Bats of the United States
- Bats
- Constantine Samuel Rafinesque, the 19th century naturalist after whom the species is named
References
- ^ . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ Schwartz, Charles Walsh; Schwartz, Elizabeth Reeder (2001). The Wild Mammals of Missouri (2nd ed.). p. 97.
- ^ Animal Diversity Web, Reyes, E. (2002) Corynorhinus rafinesquii
- ^ Mammalian Species, Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine Jones, C. (1977). No. 69, pp. 1-4 Plecotus rafinesquii
- ^ Channel Islands National Park - Townsend's Big-eared Bats, U.S. National Park Service.
- ^ [1], Lacki, M.J. and K.M. Ladeur. (2001). Seasonal use of lepidopteran prey by Rafinesque's big-eared bats (Corynorhinus rafinesquii). The American Midland Naturalist 145(1):213-217.
- ^ [2], Trousdale, A.W. and D.C. Beckett. (2005). Characteristics of tree roosts of Rafinesque's big-eared bat (Corynorhinus rafinesquii) in southeastern Mississippi. The American Midland Naturalist 154(2):442-449.
- ^ [3], Lance, R.F. et al. (2001). Day-roost selection by Rafinesque's big-eared bat (Corynorhinus rafinesquii) in Louisiana forests. Journal of Mammalogy 82(1):166-172.
- ^ a b [4] Archived 2015-09-23 at the Wayback Machine, Bat Conservation International and Southeastern Bat Diversity Network. (2013). A conservation strategy for Rafinesque's big-eared bat (Corynorhinus rafinesquii) and southeastern myotis (Myotis austroriparus). Bat Conservation International, Austin, TX. (specific citations from page 41-43 and page 93)
External links
- A video demonstrating one type of roost habitat for this species in Florida can be seen here.
- A poster from the Mammoth Cave International Center for Science and Learning about Rafinesque's big-eared bats within the park.
- A short video about Rafinesque's big-eared bats produced by Texas Parks and Wildlife.
- Southeastern Bat Diversity Network website