Guadeloupe big brown bat
The Guadeloupe big brown bat (Eptesicus guadeloupensis) is a species of vesper bat. It is found only on the island of Guadeloupe. It is one of the 11 species of bat found on Guadeloupe, and one of the 3 that are endemic.[2]
| Guadeloupe big brown bat | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Vespertilionidae |
| Genus: | Eptesicus |
| Species: | E. guadeloupensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Eptesicus guadeloupensis Genoways & Baker, 1975 | |
Taxonomy and etymology
It was described by Genoways and Baker in 1975. The holotype used for the species description was collected in July 1974 by the authors in eastern Baie-Mahault of Guadeloupe. They believed that it was most closely related to the big brown bat, Eptesicus fuscus. They placed it in the fuscus group of the genus Eptesicus, as defined by Davis in 1966.[3] Before the description of the Guadeloupe big brown bat, the only other member of the fuscus group was its identifier, Eptesicus fuscus: the big brown bat.[4] Its species name guadeloupensis is a Latinized version of Guadeloupe, where the bat is found.
Description
It is the largest member of its genus that occurs in the New World. Its wing membranes are black in color. Its fur is bicolored, with individual hairs black at the base and lighter at the tip. The hairs are chocolate brown at the tip on its back, and buffy at the tip on its belly. From snout to tail, it is 129–133 mm (5.1–5.2 in) long. Its forearm is 49.6–51.5 mm (1.95–2.03 in) long. Ears are 22.5–24 mm (0.89–0.94 in) long, tail is 54–60 mm (2.1–2.4 in) long, and hind foot is 11–14 mm (0.43–0.55 in) long.[3]
Biology
Like all other members of its genus, it is diploid with 50 chromosomes and a fundamental number of 48.[3] It is insectivorous. During the day, it is thought to roost in trees within gallery forests.[1] It is infrequently encountered, therefore little is known about its reproduction. A post-lactating female and a juvenile female were once encountered in late July, suggesting that females could give birth in May or June.[2]
Range and habitat
It is endemic to the Basse-Terre Island of Guadeloupe, which is in the Lesser Antilles of the Caribbean. It is encountered in tropical rainforests and gallery forests. It is most often found at low elevations, from 0–300 m (0–984 ft) above sea level.[1]
Conservation
It is currently listed as endangered by the IUCN. It meets the criteria for this designation because its population has likely declined by 30% from 1994-2015, it is known from fewer than five locations, its extent of occurrence is 2,500 km2 (970 sq mi), and its habitat is declining in extent and quality due to human activities and extreme weather. Major threats to this species include habitat loss, hurricanes, and the spread of exotic, invasive species such as rats, mice, and mongooses. It may also be threatened by competition with the native velvety free-tailed bat, which is abundant.[1]
References
- Barataud, M. (2016). "Eptesicus guadeloupensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T7929A22117922. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T7929A22117922.en.
- Baker, R. J.; Genoways, H. H.; Patton, J. C. (1978). "Bats of Guadeloupe". Occasional Papers, Museum of Texas Tech University. 50.
- Genoways, H. H.; Baker, R. J. (1975). "A new species of Eptesicus from Guadeloupe, Lesser Antilles (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)". Occasional Papers of the Museum of Texas Tech University. 34.
- Davis, W. B. (1966). "Review of South American bats of the genus Eptesicus". The Southwestern Naturalist. 11 (2): 245–274. doi:10.2307/3669648. JSTOR 3669648.