Bahaman funnel-eared bat

The Bahaman funnel-eared bat (Chilonatalus tumidifrons) is a species of bat in the family Natalidae.

Bahaman funnel-eared bat
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Natalidae
Genus: Chilonatalus
Species:
C. tumidifrons
Binomial name
Chilonatalus tumidifrons
Miller, 1903
Synonyms

Natalus tumidifrons (Miller, 1903)

This bat is endemic to the Bahamas, in the northeastern Caribbean. It was first discovered by Miller in 1903. Their category list and criteria is near threatened. The justification of their status is due to their bad habitat circumstances.[2]

Population

Females gather in maternity colonies where they give birth and care for their offspring. Average gestation period is around ten months. Birth occurs in the late dry season, suggesting that mating occurs after the late dry season. The offspring are relatively large, often close to 50% of their mothers’ weight. Females are fully responsible for giving care to their newborn, due to the fact that they give one offspring per event. The population of the Bahaman funnel-eared bat is decreasing due to their declining habitat environment.[3]

Communication

All funnel-eared bats have, very large and funnel-shaped ears. These allow them to detect near silent sounds and return echoes through echolocation. Small papillae cover the ears of these bats, which increases auditory sensitivity. They use olfactory and tactile cues in communication as other mammals do.[4]

Habitat and ecology

This species is not very well known, because they are only located in Bahamian dry deciduous forests. The deep caves where they are found, are hot and moist and are maintained constantly. During active hours, Bahaman funnel-eared bats forage for insects in the dense areas of the surroundings forests. The bats are hard to catch because they are very agile flyers.[5]

Home range

Nothing is known about Bahaman funnel-eared bats home range, but they relatively live near roosting caves.[6]

Threats

There are two factors that influence the lifespan of Bahaman funnel-eared bats negatively; the first is restricted to caves, and the second is climate change.[2]

Conservation actions

For Bahaman funnel-eared bats, the main conservation action is protecting the cave they live in.[7]

References
  1. Solari, S. (2018). "Chilonatalus tumidifrons". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T14361A22041195. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T14361A22041195.en.
  2. Buden, D. (1987). "A Guide to the Identification of the Bats of the Bahamas". Caribbean Journal of Science: 362–367.
  3. "Chilonatalus tumidifrons at IUCN Red List". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
  4. Dalquest, W (1950). "The Genera of the Chiropteran Family Natalidae". Journal of Mammalogy. 23 (4): 436–443. doi:10.2307/1375114. JSTOR 1375114.
  5. Koopman, K. (1957). "Notes on the Mammals of the Bahamas with special reference to bats". Journal of Mammalogy. 38 (2): 164–174. doi:10.2307/1376306. JSTOR 1376306.
  6. Miller, G (1903). "The mammals of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands". Proceedings of the United States National Museum. 24 (1269): 751–795. doi:10.5479/si.00963801.24-1269.751. hdl:2027/hvd.32044107357428.
  7. "Conservation". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
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