Superregnum: Eukaryota
Cladus: Unikonta
Cladus: Opisthokonta
Cladus: Holozoa
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Megaclassis: Osteichthyes
Cladus: Sarcopterygii
Cladus: Rhipidistia
Cladus: Tetrapodomorpha
Cladus: Eotetrapodiformes
Cladus: Elpistostegalia
Superclassis: Tetrapoda
Cladus: Reptiliomorpha
Cladus: Amniota
Cladus: Synapsida
Cladus: Eupelycosauria
Cladus: Sphenacodontia
Cladus: Sphenacodontoidea
Cladus: Therapsida
Cladus: Theriodontia
Cladus: Cynodontia
Cladus: Eucynodontia
Cladus: Probainognathia
Cladus: Prozostrodontia
Cladus: Mammaliaformes
Classis: Mammalia
Subclassis: Trechnotheria
Infraclassis: Zatheria
Supercohors: Theria
Cohors: Eutheria
Infraclassis: Placentalia
Cladus: Boreoeutheria
Superordo: Laurasiatheria
Cladus: Scrotifera
Ordo: Chiroptera
Subordo: Yangochiroptera
Superfamilia: Vespertilionoidea
Familia: Natalidae
Genus: Chilonatalus
Species: Chilonatalus tumidifrons
Name
Chilonatalus tumidifrons Miller, 1903
Type locality: Bahamas, Watling Island.
Note:
Sometimes considered as Natalus tumidifrons.
References
Miller, 1903. Proceedings of the Biological Soc. of Washington, 16: 119.
Conservation status: IUCN: Chilonatalus tumidifrons (Vulnerable) (as Natalus tumidifrons)
Chilonatalus tumidifrons in Mammal Species of the World.
Wilson, Don E. & Reeder, DeeAnn M. (Editors) 2005. Mammal Species of the World – A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Third edition. ISBN 0-8018-8221-4.
Distribution
Islands of the Bahamas
Vernacular names
English: Bahamian Lesser Funnel-eared Bat.
The Bahaman funnel-eared bat (Chilonatalus tumidifrons) is a species of bat in the family Natalidae.
It is endemic to the Bahamas, in the northeastern Caribbean. It was first discovered by Miller in 1903. They are listed as "near threatened" by the IUCN due to the decline in their habitat.[2]
Description and biology
Females gather in maternity colonies where they give birth and care for their single offspring. Average gestation period is around ten months. Birth occurs in the late dry season, suggesting that mating occurs after the late dry season. The offspring are relatively large, often close to 50% of their mothers’ weight. Females are fully responsible for giving care to their newborn. The population of the Bahaman funnel-eared bat is decreasing due to their declining habitat environment.[1]
All funnel-eared bats have very large and funnel-shaped ears. These allow them to detect near-silent sounds and return echoes through echolocation. Small papillae cover their ears, increasing auditory sensitivity. Like other animals, they use olfactory and tactile cues to communicate.[3]
Habitat and ecology
This species is not very well known, because they are only located in Bahamian dry deciduous forests. The deep caves where they are found, are hot and moist and are maintained constantly. During active hours, Bahaman funnel-eared bats forage for insects in the dense areas of the surrounding forests. The bats are hard to catch because they are very agile flyers.[4]
Nothing is known about Bahaman funnel-eared bats home range, but they live near roosting caves.[5]
Threats
Bahaman funnel-eared bats are threatened due to their reliance on caves, and because of climate change.[2] The main conservation action needed is protecting the cave they live in.[1]
References
Solari, S. (2018). "Chilonatalus tumidifrons". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T14361A22041195. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T14361A22041195.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
Buden, D. (1987). "A Guide to the Identification of the Bats of the Bahamas". Caribbean Journal of Science: 362–367.
Dalquest, W (1950). "The Genera of the Chiropteran Family Natalidae". Journal of Mammalogy. 23 (4): 436–443. doi:10.2307/1375114. JSTOR 1375114.
Koopman, K. (1957). "Notes on the Mammals of the Bahamas with special reference to bats". Journal of Mammalogy. 38 (2): 164–174. doi:10.2307/1376306. JSTOR 1376306.
Miller, G (1903). "The mammals of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands". Proceedings of the United States National Museum. 24 (1269): 751–795. doi:10.5479/si.00963801.24-1269.751. hdl:2027/hvd.32044107357428.
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