Small long-tailed flower bat
| Small long-tailed flower bat | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Choeroniscus minor | ||||||||||||
| ( Peters , 1868) |
The small long-tailed flower bat ( Choeroniscus minor ) is a bat species from the leaf-nosed family (Phyllostomidae), which is native to South America.
description
The small long-tailed flower bat is a small species of bat with an average weight of 9.8 g in females and 8.0 g in males. The total length is 61–70 mm, with the females also being larger than the males (sexual dimorphism ). Like all representatives of the flower bats , it also has an elongated snout, and like most representatives of the leaf-noses a conspicuous nasal blade , which is 4 mm long in this species. The ears are rounded with a short tragus . Half of the tail is embedded in the tail membrane. The fur is dense and dark brown, and the upper arms are also hairy. The individual hairs are darker at the base with yellowish-brown tips.
The upper incisors are tiny and separated by a gap, while the lower incisors are completely absent. This allows the bat to stick its tongue out through a kind of channel. The tongue reaches a length of up to 50% of the bat's total body length. The tip of the tongue is provided with bristle-like papillae that are directed backwards. This makes it easier for the bat to absorb nectar from calyxes. Typical of large flower bats , Choeroniscus minor has relatively short but wide wings that are ideally adapted to hovering in front of flowers.
Way of life
The small long-tailed flower bat inhabits tropical rainforests , with primary forest being preferred. Like most bats , this species is nocturnal. It feeds mainly on pollen and nectar, which is licked from calyxes while hovering. The bat takes on the important role of pollinator for night-flowering plants. Insects are also eaten as a nutritional supplement. During the day, Choeroniscus minor hangs in small groups under fallen tree trunks and in hollow trees. Little is known about reproduction and social behavior.
distribution and habitat
The distribution of the small long-tailed flower bat ranges from Colombia via Venezuela and Ecuador to Bolivia and is also found in the Amazon basin . Thanks to its widespread use, the IUCN classifies its population as safe.
Web links
- Photo of a Choeroniscus minor ( Memento from January 6, 2013 in the web archive archive.today )
literature
- EH. Solmsen, H. Schliemann (2008): Choeroniscus minor , Mammalian Species, No. 822, pp. 1-6