Big-eared brown bat
The big-eared brown bat (Histiotus macrotus) is a species of vesper bat found in Argentina, Paraguay, and Chile.
| Big-eared brown bat | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Vespertilionidae |
| Genus: | Histiotus |
| Species: | H. macrotus |
| Binomial name | |
| Histiotus macrotus (Poeppig, 1835) | |
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| Synonyms | |
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Taxonomy
It was described as a new species in 1835 by German zoologist Eduard Friedrich Poeppig. Poeppig placed it in the genus Nycticeius, with a binomial of N. macrotus.[2] By 1875, it was published under its current name combination, Histiotus macrotus.[3]
Description
It has large ears that exceed 33 mm (1.3 in) in length.[4] The fur on its back is dark brown, while its belly fur is whitish. The flight membranes and ears are the darkest parts of its body.[5]
Range and habitat
It is found in South America, where its range includes Argentina, Chile, and Paraguay. One study published that the species was found in Peru, though the image of the specimen did not appear to show the big-eared brown bat. It has been documented at a range of elevations from 240–3,600 m (790–11,810 ft) above sea level.[1]
Conservation
As of 2016, it is evaluated as a least-concern species by the IUCN. It meets the criteria for this classification because it is adaptable to a variety of habitats; its population is presumably large; and it is unlikely to be experiencing rapid population decline.[1]
References
- Barquez, R. & Diaz, M. (2016). "Histiotus macrotus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T10201A22098780. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T10201A22098780.en.
- Poeppig, E. (1835). Reise in Chile, Peru und auf dem Amazonenstrome, wahrend der Jahre 1827-1832. Leipzig. F. Fleischer. p. 451.
- Peters, W. (1875). "Hr. W. Peters las über die mit Histiotus velatus verwandten Flederthiere aus Chile" [Mr. W. Peters read about the Histiotus velatus related bats from Chile]. Monatsberichte der Königlichen Preussische Akademie des Wissenschaften zu Berlin (in German): 788–790.
- Gardner, A. L. (2008). Mammals of South America, Volume 1: Marsupials, Xenarthrans, Shrews, and Bats. 1. University of Chicago Press. pp. 450–452. ISBN 978-0226282428.
- Giménez, A. L.; Giannini, N. P.; Schiaffini, M. I.; Martin, G. M. (2015). "Geographic and potential distribution of a poorly known South American bat, Histiotus macrotus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)". Acta Chiropterologica. 17 (1): 143–158. doi:10.3161/15081109ACC2015.17.1.012.