Benkeith's short-tailed bat

Benkeith's short-tailed bat (Carollia benkeithi) is a leaf-nosed bat species found in Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil.[2] It very closely resembles the chestnut short-tailed bat, and the two species are likely often confused.[2]

Benkeith's short-tailed bat
Holotype of Carollia benkeithi in the Natural Science Research Laboratory's collection at the Museum of Texas Tech University
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Phyllostomidae
Genus: Carollia
Species:
C. benkeithi
Binomial name
Carollia benkeithi
Solari & Baker, 2006

Taxonomy and etymology

Benkeith's short-tailed bat was described as a new species in 2006. The holotype had been collected in 1983, 2 km (1.2 mi) to the south of Tingo María, Peru.[3] The eponym for the species name "benkeithi" was Ben E. Keith, who donated $5 million to Texas Tech University.[4]

Description

Benkeith's short-tailed bat is a relatively small species of short-tailed fruit bat. It has a forearm length of 33.7–37.2 mm (1.33–1.46 in) and a head and body length of 52–68 mm (2.0–2.7 in). The fur on its back is chestnut brown, while its belly fur is a dull, grayish-brown.[3]

Biology and ecology

Based on stable isotope analysis, it likely consumes a considerable amount of insects in addition to plant material such as fruit.[5]

Range and habitat

Benkeith's short-tailed bat is found in northeastern Bolivia, eastern Peru, and western Brazil. In Brazil, it is uncommon within the central Amazon basin.[2]

References
  1. Solari, S. (2019). "Carollia benkeithi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T88110352A88110355. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T88110352A88110355.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. Gardner, Alfred L. (2007). Mammals of South America: Marsupials, Xenarthrans, Shrews, and Bats. p. 211.
  3. Solari, S.; Baker, J. R. (2006). "Mitochondrial DNA sequence, karyotypic, and morphological variation in the Carollia castena species complex (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) with description of a new species" (PDF). Occasional Papers, Museum of Texas Tech University (254). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-02-17. Retrieved 2018-09-08.
  4. "Newly Discovered Bat Named for Donor". Archived from the original on 2012-10-11. Retrieved 2012-10-01.
  5. York, Heather A; Billings, Sharon A (2009). "Stable-isotope Analysis of Diets of Short-tailed Fruit Bats (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae: Carollia)". Journal of Mammalogy. 90 (6): 1469–1477. doi:10.1644/08-MAMM-A-382R.1.
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