Thyropteridae

Disc-winged Bats
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Chiroptera
Family:	Thyropteridae
Genus:	Thyroptera
Species
T. devivoi T. discifera T. tricolor T.lavali

Disc-winged bats are a small group of bats of the family Thyropteridae.^[1] They are found in Central and South America, usually in moist tropical rain forests. It is a very small family, consisting of a single genus with four species.

The name comes from the suction cups found at the base of the thumb and under the heel of these animals, similar to those found in Sucker-footed Bats. These structures help them to cling smooth surfaces, and to remain, for example, inside young coiled banana and Heliconia leaves, where they roost.

They can also be recognized by their reduced thumb, which is enclosed by the wing membranes, and their funnel-shaped ears. They have brownish to black fur, and roost in small groups, or singly.^[2] They are insectivorous and can live in many different kinds of environments.

Taxonomy

FAMILY THYROPTERIDAE

• Genus Thyroptera
  • Thyroptera devivoi
  • Peter's Disk-winged Bat, Thyroptera discifera
  • LaVal's Disk-winged Bat, Thyroptera lavali
  • Spix's Disk-winged Bat, Thyroptera tricolor

References

1. ^ Simmons, Nancy B. (16 November 2005). "Order Chiroptera (pp. 312-529)". In Wilson, Don E., and Reeder, DeeAnn M., eds. Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2 vols. (2142 pp.). ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494. http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3/browse.asp?id=13801525. 
2. ^ Macdonald, D., ed (1984). The Encyclopedia of Mammals. New York: Facts on File. p. 807. ISBN 0-87196-871-1.