Diclidurus albus Wied-Neuwied, 1819 (Mammalia, Chiroptera): Geographic Distribution in Honduras, with New Records Inferred from Acoustic Evidence and Morphology

Abstract

Information on the distribution of the Northern Ghost Bat, Diclidurus albus, in its natural distribution range, is scarce. In Honduras, four previous records are known. Here we add seven new locations, corresponding to five departments: Atlántida, Choluteca, Copán, Cortés, and Valle. We document the first records in the insular zone of the Gulf of Fonseca. We confirm the presence of D.albus on the northern coast, through records in San Pedro Sula and Jardín Botánico Lancetilla. We expand the distribution range towards the west zone of Honduras, in Copán Ruinas, approximately 63 km from the closest previous record from the year 1937. We update the distribution and perform ecological niche modelling that suggest, a wider presence, mainly in ecosystems associated with aquatic environments and dry forest below 1500 m.a.s.l. We provide the values of the different acoustic parameters, which can serve as a reference for the identification of D. albus at the local level. In addition, morphological, and ecological information is contributed thereby advancing the natural history knowledge of this species.