Honduran white bat

Honduran white bat

Taxobox
name = Honduran white bat



image_caption = Honduran white bat
"Ectophylla alba"
status = LR/nt | status_system = IUCN2.3
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = Chiroptera
familia = Phyllostomatidae
genus = "Ectophylla"
species = "E. alba"
binomial = "Ectophylla alba"
binomial_authority = (Allen, 1892)

The Honduran white bat ("Ectophylla alba") has snow white fur and a yellow nose and ears. It is tiny, only 37-47 mm long. The only member of the genus "Ectophylla", it is found in Central America and the Caribbean.

The Honduran white bat cuts the side veins extending out from the midrib of the large leave of the Heliconia plant causing them to fold down to form a 'tent'. They cling to the roof of this tent in small colonies of up to half a dozen individuals, consisting of one male and a harem of females. The tent protects them from rain and predators. Most tent-making bats take flight at even slight disturbances, but researchers in Costa Rica have reported that Honduran white bats take flight only when the main stem of their tent is disturbed, possibly because they are well camouflaged. Although their tents are typically low to the ground (about six feet), sunlight filters through the leaf which gives their white fur a greenish cast. This almost completely conceals them if they remain still. It has been suggested a colony may have a number of tents scattered within the forest. It is one of 15 species of Latin American bats that roost in tents. In the Old World, 3 species of bat from India and Southeast Asia are known to roost in tents.

References

*Timm, R. M., Mortimer, J. 1976. Selection of Roost Sites by Honduran White Bats, Ectophylla Alba (Chiroptera: Phyllostomatidae). Ecology 57:385–389. [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=00129658%281976%292%3C385%3ASORSBH%3E2.0.CO%3B2-x&origin=ESA pdf]
*Allen, H. 1892. Ectophylla. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 15:441.
*Allen, H. 1892. Ectophylla alba. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 15:442.

External links

* [http://www.batcon.org/batsmag/v12n1-2.html The world of tent-making bats]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/calc/sn/aip.shtml?id=00000416 Video of Honduran white bats]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Honduran ghost bat — baltasis lapanosis statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas taksono rangas rūšis atitikmenys: lot. Ectophylla alba angl. Honduran ghost bat; Honduran ghost white bat rus. белый листонос ryšiai: platesnis terminas – baltieji lapanosiai …   Žinduolių pavadinimų žodynas

  • Honduran ghost white bat — baltasis lapanosis statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas taksono rangas rūšis atitikmenys: lot. Ectophylla alba angl. Honduran ghost bat; Honduran ghost white bat rus. белый листонос ryšiai: platesnis terminas – baltieji lapanosiai …   Žinduolių pavadinimų žodynas

  • White-winged Vampire Bat — Diaemus youngi Conservation status …   Wikipedia

  • White-bellied Big-eared Bat — Conservation status Least Concern (IUCN 3.1) Scientific classification …   Wikipedia

  • Vampire bat — For the 1933 movie, see The Vampire Bat. Vampire bats Common Vampire Bat, Desmodus rotundus Scientific classification Kingdom …   Wikipedia

  • Common Vampire Bat — Conservation status Least Concern (IUCN 3.1) …   Wikipedia

  • Pygmy Fruit-eating Bat — Conservation status Least Concern (IUCN 3.1) Scientific classification …   Wikipedia

  • Cuban Flower Bat — Cuban Flower Bat[1] Conservation status Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[2 …   Wikipedia

  • Saussure's long-nosed bat — Saussure s long nosed bats Mexican long nosed bat (Leptonycteris nivalis) Scientific classification Kingdom …   Wikipedia

  • Hairy-legged Vampire Bat — Conservation status Least Concern ( …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”