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Leaf-nosed bat

{{Short description|Family of bats}}

{{Automatic taxobox

| name = Leaf-nosed bats

| image = Artibeus sp. Tortuguero National Park crop.jpg

| image_caption = Artibeus sp.

| image_alt = The image depicts three Artibeus bats hiding under a leaf canopy.

| taxon = Phyllostomidae

| authority = Gray, 1825

| type_genus = Phyllostomus

| type_genus_authority = Lacépède, 1799

| subdivision_ranks = Subfamilies

| subdivision = {{br separated entries

|Carolliinae

|Desmodontinae

|Glossophaginae

|Glyphonycterinae

|Lonchophyllinae

|Lonchorhininae

|Macrotinae

|Micronycterinae

|Phyllostominae

|Rhinophyllinae

|Stenodermatinae}}

}}

The New World leaf-nosed bats (Phyllostomidae){{cite book |last1=Fleming |first1=Theodore |last2=Dávalos |first2=Liliana |last3=Mello | first3=Marco | title=Phyllostomid Bats: A Unique Mammalian Radiation |date=2020 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |location=Chicago |isbn=978-0-226-69612-6 |page=512 |edition=1st |url=https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/P/bo50700096.html |access-date=4 November 2020}} are bats found from southern North America to South America, specifically from the Southwest United States to northern Argentina. They are ecologically the most varied (ecology) and diverse (ecology) family within the order Chiroptera. Most species are insectivorous, but the phyllostomid bats include within their number true predatory species and frugivores (subfamily Stenodermatinae and Carolliinae). For example, the spectral bat (Vampyrum spectrum), the largest bat in the Americas, eats vertebrate prey, including small, dove-sized birds. Members of this family have evolved to use food groups such as fruit, nectar, pollen, insects, frogs, other bats, and small vertebrates, and in the case of the vampire bats, even blood.

Both the scientific and common names derive from their often large, lance-shaped noses, greatly reduced in some of the nectar- and pollen-feeders. Because these bats echolocate nasally, this "nose-leaf" is thought to serve some role in modifying and directing the echolocation call. Similar nose leaves are found in some other groups of bats, most notably the Old World leaf-nosed bats.

Image:Desmodus rotundus A Catenazzi.jpg (Desmodus rotundus)]]

New World leaf-nosed bats are usually brown, grey, or black, although five species are white. They range in size from {{convert|4.0|to|13.5|cm|in|abbr=on}} in head-body length, and can weigh from {{convert|7|to|200|g|oz|abbr=on}}. Most roost in fairly small groups within caves, animal burrows, or hollow trees, although some species aggregate in colonies of several hundred individuals.{{Cite journal|last1=Garbino|first1=Guilherme S. T.|last2=Tavares|first2=Valéria da Cunha|title=Roosting ecology of Stenodermatinae bats (Phyllostomidae): evolution of foliage roosting and correlated phenotypes|journal=Mammal Review|volume=48|issue=2|language=en|pages=75–89|doi=10.1111/mam.12114|issn=1365-2907|year=2018|s2cid=89929161|doi-access=free}} They do not hibernate, although some species have been reported to aestivate.{{cite book|editor= Macdonald, D.|year= 1984|title= The Encyclopedia of Mammals|publisher= Facts on File|location= New York|pages= [https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofma00mals_0/page/805 805]|isbn= 978-0-87196-871-5|url-access= registration|url= https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofma00mals_0/page/805}}{{cite journal |last=Wetterer |first=Andrea L. |year=2000 |title=Phylogeny of Phyllostomid Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera): Data from Diverse Morphological Systems, Sex Chromosomes, and Restriction Sites |journal=Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History |volume=248 |issue=1 |pages=1–200 |doi=10.1206/0003-0090(2000)248<0001:POPBMC>2.0.CO;2 |display-authors=etal|hdl=2246/1595 |hdl-access=free }}

Evolution

The Phyllostomidae, also known as New World leaf-nosed bats, are among the most ecologically diverse mammal families. This variation is measured by diversity in skull morphology and diet-related characteristics: Phyllostomidae consists of species that have evolved physical modifications for insectivory, frugivory, hematophagy, nectarivory, and omnivory.{{Cite journal|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235412317|title=Diversification among New World leaf-nosed bats: An evolutionary hypothesis and classification inferred from digenomic congruence of DNA sequence|pages=1–32|journal=Occasional Papers, Museum of Texas Tech University|volume=230|language=en|access-date=2018-10-31|date=2003-12-19|last1=j. Baker|first1=Robert|last2=r. Hoofer|first2=Steven|last3=Porter|first3=Calvin|last4=Van Den Bussche|first4=Ronald}}{{Cite journal|last1=Dumont|first1=Elizabeth R.|last2=Dávalos|first2=Liliana M.|last3=Goldberg|first3=Aaron|last4=Santana|first4=Sharlene E.|last5=Rex|first5=Katja|last6=Voigt|first6=Christian C.|date=2012-05-07|title=Morphological innovation, diversification and invasion of a new adaptive zone|journal=Proc. R. Soc. B|language=en|volume=279|issue=1734|pages=1797–1805|doi=10.1098/rspb.2011.2005|issn=0962-8452|pmid=22113035|pmc=3297451}} The nose-leaf—a distinctive characteristic of the family—is thought to have evolved to reflect the dietary and foraging behavior of different species of Phyllostomidae.{{Cite journal|last1=Bogdanowicz|first1=W.|last2=Csada|first2=R. D.|last3=Fenton|first3=M. B.|date=1997-08-22|title=Structure of Noseleaf, Echolocation, and Foraging Behavior in the Phyllostomidae (Chiroptera)|journal=Journal of Mammalogy|language=en|volume=78|issue=3|pages=942–953|doi=10.2307/1382954|issn=1545-1542|jstor=1382954|doi-access=free}} With an evolutionary history tracing back to the Oligocene, fossil and phylogenetic evidence suggests the family originated about 30 million years ago.{{Cite journal|last1=Rojas|first1=Danny|last2=Warsi|first2=Omar M.|last3=Dávalos|first3=Liliana M.|date=2016-02-10|title=Bats (Chiroptera: Noctilionoidea) Challenge a Recent Origin of Extant Neotropical Diversity|journal=Systematic Biology|language=en|volume=65|issue=3|pages=432–448|doi=10.1093/sysbio/syw011|pmid=26865275|issn=1063-5157|doi-access=free}} Leaf nosed bats evolved from Yangochiroptera and Miniopteridae with sister groups also evolving from this group. The Phyllostomidae consists of 61 genera and about 227 species.{{cite journal |last1=Camacho |first1=M Alejandra |last2=Cadar |first2=Dániel |last3=Horváth |first3=Balázs |last4=Merino-Viteri |first4=Andrés |last5=Murienne |first5=Jérôme |title=Revised phylogeny from complete mitochondrial genomes of phyllostomid bats resolves subfamilial classification |journal=Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society |date=2022-12-01 |volume=196 |issue=4 |doi=10.1093/zoolinnean/zlac055}}

Description

File:Whole bat.png

New World leaf-nosed bats are bilaterally symmetrical and endothermic mammals{{Cite web|url=http://eol.org/pages/7637/overview|title=Phyllostomidae — Overview New World Leaf-nosed Bats|website=Encyclopedia of Life}} characterized by an elaborate outgrowth of skin on their noses, called a nose-leaf, which is believed to aid in echolocation.{{Cite web|url=https://www.arkive.org/griffins-leaf-nosed-bat/hipposideros-griffini/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130302091623/http://www.arkive.org/griffins-leaf-nosed-bat/hipposideros-griffini/|archive-date=2013-03-02|title=Griffin's leaf-nosed bat videos, photos and facts - Hipposideros griffini|website=Arkive|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-11-01}} The nose-leaf can be adorned with a vertical leaf, a concave upward leaf, or multiple accessory leaves; varying by species.{{Cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.britannica.com/animal/leaf-nosed-bat|title=Leaf-nosed bat {{!}} mammal|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica|access-date=2018-11-01|language=en}} Leaf-nosed bats lack a tail, have triangular-shaped ears that can have pointed or rounded tips, range in body size from {{Convert|4 to 13.5|cm|abbr=on}}, and have a wingspan of up to {{Convert|90|cm|abbr=on}} or more.

Biology and ecology

Like other bats, leaf-nosed bats are nocturnal foragers that use echolocation to locate food sources, though the food sources vary between species.{{cite journal |last1=Fenton |first1=M.B. |title=The foraging behaviour and ecology of animal-eating bats |journal=Canadian Journal of Zoology |date=1990 |volume=68 |issue=3 |pages=411–422|doi=10.1139/z90-061 }} Many bats in the family Phyllostomidae appear to have limited reliance on echolocation, likely because frugivorous bats do not need to quickly identify flying insects like many other bats. Instead, species of leaf-nosed fruit bats appear to use scent to identify their preferred food sources.{{cite journal |last1=Ganesh |first1=A. |last2=Mukilan |first2=M. |last3=Marimuthu |first3=G. |last4=Rajan |first4=K.E. |title=A Novel Food Preference in the Greater Short-Nosed Fruit Bat, Cynopterus sphinx: Mother-Pup Interaction a Strategy for Learning |journal=Acta Chiropterologica |date=June 2016 |volume=18 |issue=1 |pages=193–198|doi=10.3161/15081109ACC2016.18.1.009 |s2cid=89108122 }}

When they are not foraging, leaf-nosed bats roost in abandoned buildings, caves, and beneath folded leaves depending on the species. Nearly every roosting option present among bats is represented within this family, including species that prefer to roost alone, as well as species that roost with thousands of other individuals every day.{{cite journal |last1=Kries |first1=Kelly |last2=Barros |first2=Marilia |last3=Duytschaever |first3=Gwen |title=Colour vision variation in leaf‐nosed bats (Phyllostomidae): Links to cave roosting and dietary specialization |journal=Molecular Ecology |date=30 July 2018 |volume=27 |issue=18 |pages=3627–3640 |doi=10.1111/mec.14818 |pmid=30059176 |s2cid=51865266 }}{{cite journal |last1=Rodriguez-Herrera |first1=Bernal |last2=Rodriguez |first2=Melissa |last3=Otarola |first3=Mauricio Fernandez |title=Ecological Networks between Tent-Roosting Bats (Phyllostomidae: Stenodermatinae) and the Plants Used in a Neotropical Rainforest |journal=Acta Chiropterologica |date=2018 |volume=20 |issue=1 |pages=139–145|doi=10.3161/15081109ACC2018.20.1.010 |s2cid=92615188 }}

=Diet=

The Phyllostomidae demonstrate the most diverse dietary habits of any family of bats across the globe.{{cite journal | last1 = Korine | first1 = C. | last2 = Kalko | first2 = E. K. V. | year = 2005 | title = Fruit detection and discrimination by small fruit-eating bats (Phyllostomidae): echolocation call design and olfaction | journal = Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology | volume = 59 | issue = 1| pages = 12–23 | doi = 10.1007/s00265-005-0003-1 | s2cid = 40436513 }} Because of this, general dietary patterns are categorized for each species. Leaf-nosed bats generally specialize in a particular type of diet which leads to classification in one of these groups: frugivore, nectarivore, insectivore, omnivore, or haematophagous. However, categorizations are based only on primary consumption habits, therefore observing species that occasionally consume food items outside of their particular classifications is not uncommon. Usually, when leaf-nosed bats consume outside of their primary dietary categorization, it is to ensure sufficient intake of nutrients that their primary food source may not provide. For example, nectar and ripe fruits provide sufficient amounts of carbohydrates and water, but are lacking in protein and fat.Elangovan, V., Marimuthu, G., Kunz, T.H. Temporal patterns of resource use by the short-nosed fruit bat, Cynopterus sphinx (Megachiroptera: Pteropodidae) (2001) Journal of Mammalogy, 82 (1), pp. 161-165. To meet basic nutritional requirements, leaf-nosed bats that primarily feed on fruit and nectar must also consume insects to ensure sufficient protein and fat intake and visit salt licks to acquire sodium and other nutrients.{{cite journal | last=Bravo | first=Adriana | last2=Harms | first2=Kyle E. | last3=Stevens | first3=Richard D. | last4=Emmons | first4=Louise H. | title=Collpas: Activity Hotspots for Frugivorous Bats (Phyllostomidae) in the Peruvian Amazon | journal=Biotropica | publisher=Wiley | volume=40 | issue=2 | date=2007 | doi=10.1111/j.1744-7429.2007.00362.x | pages=203–210| doi-access=free }}{{cite journal | last=Bravo | first=Adriana | last2=Harms | first2=Kyle E. | last3=Emmons | first3=Louise H. | title=Puddles created by geophagous mammals are potential mineral sources for frugivorous bats (Stenodermatinae) in the Peruvian Amazon | journal=Journal of Tropical Ecology | volume=26 | issue=2 | date=2010 | doi=10.1017/s0266467409990472 | pages=173–184}}

Most leaf-nosed bats are classified as insectivores and feed on a variety of small insects. Certain species with this classification capture their prey either while in flight or from foliage in trees or on the ground. Carnivorous species feed on a variety of animals ranging from frogs to other bats. The Desmodontinae fall into this general carnivorous category, but are further distinguished by feeding exclusively on blood. In contrast, some species in this family feed on exclusively plants, gaining needed nutrients from fruits and leaves. Glossophaginae and Lonchophyllinae are nectar-feeding subfamilies.{{cite journal |last1=Bolzan |first1=Dayana P. |last2=Pessôa |first2=Leila M. |last3=Peracchi |first3=Adriano L. |last4=Strauss |first4=Richard E. |title=Allometric Patterns and Evolution in Neotropical Nectar-Feeding Bats (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae) |journal=Acta Chiropterologica |date=2015 |volume=17 |issue=1 |doi=10.3161/15081109ACC2015.17.1.005 |issn=1508-1109}}

= Life cycle =

Leaf-nosed bats are gonochoric (separate sexes) that partake in sexual copulation. These bats can live for 20–30 years{{Cite web|url=https://www.desertmuseum.org/kids/bats/california_leaf_nosed_bat.php|title=California Leaf-nosed bat Fact Sheet|website=www.desertmuseum.org|language=en|access-date=2018-11-01}} and females become sexually active at two years of age.{{Cite web|url=https://www.drecp.org/documents/docs/baseline_biology_report/10_Appendix_B_Species_Profiles/10d_Mammal/California%20Leaf-Nosed%20Bat.pdf|title=California Leaf-Nosed Bat (Macrotus californicus)|website=DUDEK ICF International}} Female ovulation occurs from October through September, after the female mates, the gestation period ranges from 8–9 months with an initial 3- to 5-month diapause period when the fetus growth is slowed; this diapause period is controlled by hormones. The female gives birth to a single pup, which has open ears, open eyes, and the first set of deciduous teeth,{{Cite journal|last1=Jin|first1=Long-ru|last2=Lin|first2=Ai-qing|last3=Sun|first3=Ke-ping|last4=Liu|first4=Ying|last5=Feng|first5=Jiang|date=2010-11-05|title=Postnatal development of morphological features and vocalization in the pomona leaf-nosed bat Hipposideros pomona|journal=Acta Theriologica|language=en|volume=56|issue=1|pages=13–22|doi=10.1007/s13364-010-0011-z|issn=0001-7051|doi-access=free}} and is fully furred at birth.

= Social systems =

Among species that roost in groups, some evidence exists for a social hierarchy with higher-ranking individuals gaining access to preferred areas of the site.{{cite journal |last1=Selvanayagam |first1=P.F.L. |last2=Marimuthu |first2=G. |title=Spatial organization of roosting in the insectivorous tropical bat Hipposideros speoris |journal=Behavioural Processes |date=April 1984 |volume=9 |issue=2–3 |pages=113–121|doi=10.1016/0376-6357(84)90033-0 |pmid=24896509 |s2cid=11192675 }} Solitary roosting bats, though, live alone and maintain a strict fidelity to a single roosting site.{{cite journal |last1=Dwyer |first1=P.D. |title=Social organization in the bat Myotis adversus |journal=Science |date=1970 |volume=168 |issue=3934 |pages=1006–1008|doi=10.1126/science.168.3934.1006 |pmid=5441022 |bibcode=1970Sci...168.1006D |s2cid=19871045 }} In some cases, males live alone or with harems, while females prefer to roost with other individuals and their pups.{{cite journal |last1=York |first1=H.A. |last2=Foster |first2=P.F. |last3=Jones |first3=M.F. |title=Observations of cavity-roosting behavior in Costa Rican Lophostoma brasiliense (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) |journal=Mammalian Biology |date=1 May 2008 |volume=73 |issue=3 |pages=230–232|doi=10.1016/j.mambio.2007.02.008 }} In nearly every species that has been studied, mothers and pups maintain a social bond that lasts beyond nursing. Apparently, young bats can learn food preferences from their mothers and when they are reluctant to leave the nest, mothers literally nudge the infants out of the roost.{{cite web |last1=Lallensack |first1=Rachael |title=Mama Bats Literally Nudge Their Babies Out of the Nest |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/mama-bats-literally-nudge-their-babies-out-roost-180970670/ |website=Smithsonian.com |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}

Range

New World leaf-nosed bats range from the United States, in southern Arizona and the West Indies to northern Argentina.{{Cite journal|last1=Rossoni|first1=Daniela M.|last2=Assis|first2=Ana Paula A.|last3=Giannini|first3=Norberto P.|last4=Marroig|first4=Gabriel|date=2017-09-11|title=Intense natural selection preceded the invasion of new adaptive zones during the radiation of New World leaf-nosed bats|journal=Scientific Reports|language=En|volume=7|issue=1|page=11076|doi=10.1038/s41598-017-08989-6|pmid=28894101|pmc=5593990|issn=2045-2322|bibcode=2017NatSR...711076R}}{{Cite journal|last1=Villalobos|first1=Fabricio|last2=Arita|first2=Héctor T.|date=2009-11-27|title=The diversity field of New World leaf-nosed bats (Phyllostomidae)|journal=Global Ecology and Biogeography|language=en|volume=19|issue=2|pages=200–211|doi=10.1111/j.1466-8238.2009.00503.x|issn=1466-822X}} The family inhabits a diverse array of environments and habitats ranging from forests to deserts.{{Cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.britannica.com/animal/Phyllostomidae|title=Phyllostomidae {{!}} mammal family|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica|access-date=2018-10-31|language=en}}

Human impact

Species of New World leaf-nosed bats that make their homes in forested areas are greatly affected by agricultural intensification.Williams‐Guillén, K., & Perfecto, I. (2010). Effects of Agricultural Intensification on the Assemblage of Leaf-Nosed Bats (Phyllostomidae) in a Coffee Landscape in Chiapas, Mexico. Biotropica, 42(5), 605–613. Specifically, it has been found that increased agricultural activity by humans causes negative conservation effects on these habitats and as a result reduces abundance and diversity of leaf-nosed bats that live there. California leaf-nosed bats in particular are susceptible to human disruption. This species is known to create large roosts in closed mine shafts due to their potential to provide warmth and isolation.Kunz, T.H. (1982). Roosting Ecology of Bats. Ecology of Bats pp. 1-55. When humans enter the shafts or rework old mines, this disrupts the roosts of the leaf-nosed bats and has the potential to be detrimental to the population as a whole.{{citation needed|date=November 2018}}

Classification

{{further|List of phyllostomids}}

{{div col}}

FAMILY PHYLLOSTOMIDAE{{cite web|url=https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=180055#null|website=ITIS|title=Phyllostomidae|access-date=14 January 2024| year=2021}}

{{div col end}}

References

{{Commons category|Phyllostomidae}}

{{Wikispecies|Phyllostomidae}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Phyllostomidae}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q600042}}

Category:Phyllostomidae

Category:Taxa named by John Edward Gray