The Talamancan yellow-shouldered bat (Sturnira mordax) is a species of bat in the family Phyllostomidae. It is found only in Costa Rica and Panama, and there are no subspecies.
| Talamancan yellow-shouldered bat | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Phyllostomidae |
| Genus: | Sturnira |
| Species: | S. mordax
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| Binomial name | |
| Sturnira mordax Goodwin, 1938
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Description
editThe bat is relatively small, with adults measuring only 6 cm (2.4 in) in head-body length, and weighing between 20 and 28 g (0.7 and 1 oz). Males are larger than females. It is very similar in appearance to the closely related highland yellow-shouldered bat, but with a more uniform dark colour, a longer, narrower, head, and larger canine teeth. The forearm has a thick coating of fur for about a third of its length, whereas there is only sparse hair on the hind feet. Other distinctive features include a notch at the tip of the tragus, and the presence of two points on each of the upper middle incisors.[2] It has a relatively simple nose-leaf, and short, pointed ears, and does not have a tail.[3]
Little is known of the bat's biology, although it is believed to breed throughout the year.[2]
Distribution and habitat
editFirst described by George Goodwin in 1938, the Talamancan yellow-shouldered bat was initially known only from Costa Rica.[3] In the 1980s, it was also discovered to inhabit Panama, but reports that it is also found in Colombia and Ecuador have since been disputed.[2]
It inhabits damp tropical forests at elevations of up to 3,000 m (9,800 ft), where it feeds on fruits such as those of Cecropia, Anthurium, Centropogon, and Musa.[2] Although formerly also found at lower elevations, recent changes in the local climate mean that it is now uncommon below about 1,250 m (4,100 ft).[4]
Sources
edit- ^ Solari, S. (2019). "Sturnira mordax". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T20957A22050440. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T20957A22050440.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d Matson, J.O. & McCarthy, T.J. (2004). "Sturnira mordax". Mammalian Species. 755: Number 755: pp. 1–3. doi:10.1644/755.
- ^ a b Goodwin, G.G. & Underwood, C.F. (1938). "A new genus of bat from Costa Rica". American Museum Novitates (976): 1–2. hdl:2246/3916.
- ^ LaVal, R.K. (2004). "Impact of global warming and locally changing climate on tropical cloud forest bats". Journal of Mammalogy. 85 (2): 237–244. doi:10.1644/BWG-016.