Flat-faced fruit-eating bat

The flat-faced fruit-eating bat (Artibeus planirostris) is a South American species[1] of bat in the family Phyllostomidae. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of the Jamaican fruit bat,[2] but can be distinguished by its larger size, the presence of faint stripes on the face, and of a third molar tooth on each side of the upper jaw. Genetic analysis has also shown that the two species may not be closely related.[3]

Flat-faced fruit-eating bat

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Phyllostomidae
Genus: Artibeus
Species:
A. planirostris
Binomial name
Artibeus planirostris
(Spix, 1823)
Synonyms

Artibeus jamaicensis planirostris

Description

Flat-faced fruit-eating bats are moderately sized bats, with adults measuring 8 to 11 centimetres (3.1 to 4.3 in) in total length and weighing 40 to 69 grams (1.4 to 2.4 oz). The fur is brownish-grey over most of the body, becoming grey on the underparts, although there are faint whitish stripes on the face. As their name suggests, the bats have a broad skull with a short snout. The ears are triangular, with rounded tips, although short compared with those of many other bats, and with a small tragus. The snout bears a prominent triangular nose-leaf. The wings are dark brown or blackish, with white tips. A well-developed uropatagium stretches between the legs, but there is no visible tail.[3]

Distribution and habitat

Flat-faced fruit-eating bats are found through much of northern and central South America east of the Andes. They inhabit a range of forested environments from sea level to 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) elevation, including montane, transitional, and lowland tropical forests and open cerrado habitats. Three subspecies are currently recognised:[3]

Behaviour and biology

Flat-faced fruit-eating bats are nocturnal and herbivorous. They feed almost entirely on fruit, although they may also eat small quantities of insects and mites.[4] They are active throughout the night, and spend the day roosting in trees.[5] Favoured fruit include those of Vismia trees, figs, and Amazon grape.[3] They are apparently capable of breeding throughout the year, although, in at least some areas, births are more common during the wet season. Gestation lasts at least three and a half months, and results in the birth of a single young.[3]

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References
  1. Barquez, R. & Diaz, M. (2008). "Artibeus planirostris". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008. Retrieved 29 Dec 2012.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. Simmons, N.B. (2005). "Order Chiroptera". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 312–529. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
  3. Hollis, L. (2005). "Artibeus planirostris". Mammalian Species: Number 775: pp. 1–6. doi:10.1644/1545-1410(2005)775[0001:AP]2.0.CO;2.
  4. Willig, M.R.; et al. (1993). "Dietary overlap in frugivorous and insectivorous bats from edaphic Cerrado habitats of Brazil". Journal of Mammalogy. 74 (1): 117–128. doi:10.2307/1381910. JSTOR 1381910.
  5. Davis, W.B.; Dixon, J.R. (1976). "Activity of bats in a small village clearing near Iquitos, Peru". Journal of Mammalogy. 57 (4): 747–749. doi:10.2307/1379444. JSTOR 1379448.
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