Abstract
Abstract: The frugivorous bats of the genus Vampyressa include five neotropical species, and some of them are considered relatively rare and uncommonly encountered. The northernmost distribution of this genus is in Mexico where only one species, the monotypic Vampyressa thyone, is found. Here, we report the Northwesternmost record for this species, extending its distribution range to the state of Guerrero, Mexico. This record extends the limit of the species distribution by more than 153 km. We also compared this specimens with other V. thyone, and using mitochondrial cytochrome-b sequences we detected three geographic clades within the species. The new Mexican specimen represent the most divergent cytochrome-b sequence within V. thyone. We recommend a taxonomic revision to validate the taxonomic status of the three groups detected within V. thyone, particularly the differentiated Mexican clade. Additionally, we report a case of hypopigmentation in another V. thyone collected in a mature tropical rainforest in Chiapas, Mexico.
Highlights
The yellow-eared bats of the genus Vampyressa Wagner, 1843 consist of five different species, two of them recently described (Burgin et al 2018)
Vampyressa thyone is a small bat with a tragus, entire base of the ear, and upper edges of the ears yellow; and tail membrane short (6 -7 mm), edge lightly fringed at center (Reid 2009)
It is for the foregoing that our goal was to update the knowledge about the distribution of V. thyone based on a new northwestern record and the available data of this species
Summary
The yellow-eared bats of the genus Vampyressa Wagner, 1843 consist of five different species, two of them recently described (Burgin et al 2018) These bats are considered primarily or exclusively frugivorous, though little is known of their feeding habitats or ecology (Tavares et al 2014). Vampyressa thyone is a small bat with a tragus, entire base of the ear, and upper edges of the ears yellow; and tail membrane short (6 -7 mm), edge lightly fringed at center (Reid 2009). This species roosts in leaves of trees and shrubs, and these bats are found in very wet habitats, such as streams in gallery forest (Téllez-Girón 2014). It is not currently recognized in any threat category by Mexican authorities or the IUCN (SEMARNAT 2010, Tavares et al 2015)
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