Lesser bulldog bat

Lesser bulldog bat
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Noctilionidae
Genus: Noctilio
Species:
N. albiventris
Binomial name
Noctilio albiventris
Desmarest, 1818

The lesser bulldog bat (Noctilio albiventris) is an insectivorous and occasionally carnivorous bat of the (Neotropics), ranging through Central America and northern South America. Some unique characteristics of the bat include, large feet that are used to rake the surface of water to capture prey, and precise echolocation. Occasionally, the larger bats catch and consume small fish (the most closely related species, the greater bulldog bat, is known for its fishing ability).

Description

The lesser bulldog bat is a sexually dimoprhic species with males significantly larger than females and with a more pronounced sagittal crest.[2] Furthermore, coloration varies between individuals among the same sex, and between different populations.[3] They have a length of about three inches (7.5 cm), a forearm length of 2+1⁄2 inches (6.4 cm), and weight of about one ounce (30 grams).[3] The bats plump lips and chin that has well-developed cross ridges give rise to the bats "bulldog-like" appearance.[3] The lesser bulldog bat has large feet that are claw-like and can be used capture prey.[3]

Habitat

The bats prefer terrestrial habitats and they live near water or damp locations, residing in hollow trees or domestic dwellings.[1] The locations that they can be found in includes: Argentina; Belize; Bolivia, Plurinational States of; Brazil; Costa Rica; Ecuador; El Salvador; French Guiana; Guatemala; Guyana; Honduras; Mexico; Nicaragua; Panama; Paraguay; Peru.[1]

Feeding

The species prefers to feed predominantly on insects, catching them while flying over water. Studies on Costa Rican population say that the bats also consume tree pollen.[4]

Echolocation

The lesser bulldog bat echolocates to navigate and locate insects to eat.[5] As they skim across the water, they will bombard the water with their vocalization and when they detect a disturbance of the vocalization they move to the disturbance.[5] Additionally, since the lesser bulldog bat prefers to forage in small groups, they also use echolocation to communicate during foraging.[5]

Development and lifespan

They are seasonal breeders, with the breeding season in late November and December.[2] They are likely polygynous, with males mating with multiple females. The litter size is most frequently a single pup, with one study reporting a single set of twins from 72 pregnant females.[3] The young fledge at around one month old.[2]

Predators

Predation on bats is uncommon however large birds are known to prey upon bats.[6] One distinct bird that preys on the lesser bulldog bat is the great rufous woodcreeper. The woodcreeper will invade the bats roost and take the bat from its habitat.[6] Upon capture the woodcreeper pecks the bat with its sharp beak until the bat dies.[6] Other predators of the bat include hawks, falcons, owls, and motmots.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Barquez, R.; Perez, S.; Miller, B.; Diaz, M. (2015). "Noctilio albiventris". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015 e.T14829A22019978. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T14829A22019978.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Dewey, Tanya (2004). Davies, S.J.J.F. (ed.). Grzimek's Animal Life Ecyclopedia. Vol. 13: Mammals II (2nd ed.). Gale. p. 443-451.
  3. ^ a b c d e Hood, C. S., & Pitocchelli J., (1983). Noctilio albiventris. American Society of Mammalogists,197, 1-5
  4. ^ Vaughan, Terry A. (1978). Mammalogy. W.B. Saunders Company. ISBN 0-7216-9009-2.
  5. ^ a b c Brown, P. E., Brown, T. W., & Grinell, A. D., (1983). Echolocation, development, and vocal communication in the lesser bulldog bat, Noctilio albiventris. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 13(4), 287-298
  6. ^ a b c Camargo, P. H. S. A., & Laps, R. R., (2016). Predation on Lesser Bulldog Bat (Noctilio albiventris Noctilionidae) by Great Rufous Woodcreeper (Xiphocolaptes major Dendrocolaptidae) The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 128(4),903–912
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