Genoways's yellow bat

Genoways's yellow bat (Rhogeessa genowaysi) is a species of vesper bat. It is found only in Mexico. It is threatened by habitat loss. Due to its imperiled status, it is identified by the Alliance for Zero Extinction as a species in danger of imminent extinction.[2]

Genoways's yellow bat
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Vespertilionidae
Genus: Rhogeessa
Species:
R. genowaysi
Binomial name
Rhogeessa genowaysi
Baker, 1984

Taxonomy and etymology

This species was described in 1984 by Robert J. Baker, based on an individual that was collected in 1981. The eponym for this species is Hugh H. Genoways, whom Baker chose "in recognition of his outstanding contributions to systematic mammalogy."[3] It is one of the seven species recognized in the black-winged little yellow bat species complex, the others being:

Its closest relative is the black-winged little yellow bat.[5]

Description

It is a small species of bat, weighing approximately 5 g (0.18 oz).[5] It has yellow fur, and its ears are small and rounded. Its uropatagium is hairless.[6] It is considered a cryptic species of bat because it is virtually identical to the black-winged little yellow bat, Rhogeessa tumida; the ranges of the two species overlap, making them sympatric.[3] The best morphological trait to distinguish it from the black-winged little yellow bat is ear length. The ears of the Genoways's yellow bat are approximately 11.13 mm (0.438 in) long, while those of the black-winged little yellow bat are 12.82 mm (0.505 in) long. Genoways's yellow bat is also more sexually dimorphic than the black-winged little yellow bat, with females larger than the males.[7] Its forearm is 27.8–30.5 mm (1.09–1.20 in) long.[3] Its dental formula is 1.1.1.33.1.2.3, for a total of 30 teeth.[6]

Biology

The only reliable way to distinguish it from the black-winged little yellow bat is through its karyotype. Genoways's yellow bat has a chromosome number of 42, while the closely related black-winged little yellow bat has chromosome numbers of 30, 32, 34, and 52. The little yellow bat, also closely related, has a chromosome number of 44. The race of the black-winged little yellow bat that is sympatric to Genoways's yellow bat has 34 chromosomes.[3] They are aerial insectivores.[7]

Range and habitat

It is found in the southern part of the Mexican state of Chiapas in the Pacific lowlands.[3] It has been captured under the canopy of mature, second growth tropical forests. It is found at elevations of 20–50 m (66–164 ft) above sea level.[1]

Conservation

It is listed as endangered by the IUCN. It meets the criteria to be listed as endangered because it is only found in one location, its extent of occurrence is less than 1,000 km2 (390 sq mi), and the extent and quality of its habitat are projected to decline in the future. Previous assessments by the IUCN had it ranked as vulnerable and near threatened in 2000 and 1996, respectively. Its population size is in decline, and its habitat is severely fragmented. A major threat to this species is habitat destruction for agriculture.[1]

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References
  1. Arroyo-Cabrales, J. 2016. Rhogeessa genowaysi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T19680A21989676. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T19680A21989676.en. Downloaded on 30 September 2017.
  2. "A Five-Year Plan for Global Bat Conservation" (PDF). batcon.org. Bat Conservation International. October 2013. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  3. Baker, R. J. (1984). A sympatric cryptic species of mammal: a new species of Rhogeessa (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae). Systematic Biology, 33(2), 178-183.
  4. Genoways, H. H., & Baker, R. J. (1996). A new species of the genus Rhogeessa, with comments on geographic distribution and speciation in the genus.
  5. Baker, R. J., Bickham, J. W., & Arnold, M. L. (1985). Chromosomal evolution in Rhogeessa (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae): possible speciation by centric fusions. Evolution, 39(2), 233-243.
  6. Goodwin, G. G., & Greenhall, A. M. (1961). A review of the bats of Trinidad and Tobago: descriptions, rabies infection, and ecology (Vol. 122). American Museum of Natural History.
  7. Roots, E. H., & Baker, R. J. (1998). Rhogeessa genowaysi. Mammalian Species, (589), 1-3.
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