Brazilian bigeye bat
| Brazilian bigeye bat | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Chiroderma doriae | ||||||||||||
| Thomas , 1891 |
The Brazilian bigeye bat ( Chiroderma doriae ) is a bat species from the leaf-nosed family (Phyllostomidae), which is native to South America. The genus name Chiroderma is derived from the Greek words for hand and skin, while the first descriptor Oldfield Thomas dedicated the species name to his colleague Marquis G. Doria.
description
With a total length of 69 to 78.5 mm and an average weight of 30 g, the Brazilian bigeye bat is the second largest species of the genus Chiroderma , which comprises a total of five species. Only Chiroderma improvisum is bigger. The nasal bones of the genus Chiroderma are reduced, but this is not visible from the outside in living animals. The coat color of Chiroderma doriae is gray-brown to reddish brown with a light stripe on the back and a white stripe above and below the eye. The ears have a yellowish edge. Like most representatives of the leaf noses , this species also has a conspicuous nasal blade .
Way of life
Little is known about the way of life of this species. It is believed that it specializes in figs and therefore makes a valuable contribution to the reforestation of forests as a seed disperser. However, Chiroderma doriae and Chiroderma villosum are the only fig-eating bat species that chew the seeds of the figs to get the nutrients, which reduces the effect of the seed disperser. Like most fruit-eating bats, this species has a fast digestive system. On average, food only remains in the digestive tract for 14 minutes before indigestible components are excreted.
The Brazilian bigeye bat is found in primary and secondary rainforests . Observations in human-impaired habitats are rare and limited to Rio de Janeiro . The species is mostly caught near fruiting fig trees together with Chiroderma villosum , Artibeus planirostris , Artibeus lituratus , Platyrrhinus lineatus and Sturnira lilium .
The Brazilian bigeye bat is active all night, but is mostly caught after midnight.
distribution and habitat
The species is native to south-western Brazil and Paraguay . Thanks to its widespread use, the IUCN classifies its population as safe.
literature
- M. Oprea, DE Wilson (2008): Chiroderma doriae , Mammalian Species, No. 816, pp. 1-7