The Bogota fruit-eating bat (Dermanura bogotensis) is a species of bat found in South America.

Taxonomy and etymology

This bat was described in 1906 by Danish mammalogist Knud Andersen. He described it as a subspecies of the Gervais's fruit-eating bat, A. cinereus. The holotype had been collected near Bogotá, Colombia, undoubtedly inspiring the species name "bogotensis." Later, beginning in 1987, the taxon was considered a subspecies of the silver fruit-eating bat, D. glauca. In 2008, researchers proposed that the Bogota fruit-eating bat should be elevated to species rank.

Bogota fruit-eating bat

Description

It has pale brown fur and distinct white stripes on its face. The length of its head and body is . It lacks a tail. Its hind feet are long; its ears are ; and its forearm is long. It weighs .

Bogota fruit-eating bat

Biology and ecology

This bat is frugivorous. It is bimodally polyestrous, meaning that it has two breeding seasons in a year. These breeding seasons correspond to seasonal fruit abundance. Like many bat species, it is nocturnal, roosting in sheltered places during the day such as caves.

Bogota fruit-eating bat

Range and habitat

It has been documented in several countries in South America, including Colombia, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. It has been recorded at elevations from above sea level. It is often found in montane forests.

Conservation

It is currently evaluated as least concern by the IUCN. Major threats to this species, if any exist, have not been identified.

References

External links

Image of this species

Dermanura

Bats of South America

Mammals of Colombia

Endemic fauna of Colombia

Altiplano Cundiboyacense

Mammals described in 1906

Taxa named by Knud Andersen