Glossophaginae

Anoura geoffroyi

The flowers bats ( Glossophaginae ), also referred to as flowers or long tongue bats, bat are a group known as subfamily of the leaf lobes ( Phyllostomidae ) are classified. This group includes about 23 species in 10 genera that live all on the American continent.

Description

Flowers bats are generally small bats, they reach head fuselage lengths 5-9 centimeters and a weight of 5 to 30 grams. Their fur is usually brown in color, some species are also grayish or black. Among the most striking features is the highly elongated snout, at the head of a small nose leaf sits. The tongue is very long (up to 75 mm) and covered with brush-like papillae. These features show similarities with the long tongue bats, with which they are however not closely related. The molars are often prolonged, but lacking in some species the lower incisors.

Dissemination and lifestyle

Flowers Bats are widespread from the southern United States to northern Argentina and also occur in the Antilles. Most species are inhabitants of the rain forests, but some also occur in extremely dry habitats. They are nocturnal, during the day they sleep in caves, mines, hollow trees or in abandoned buildings, some species can form large groups.

These animals are omnivores who take their nectar, pollen and fruit as well as insects to him. Previously it was thought that nectar is their main food and insects are mitgefressen just happen, now you have several animals but also observed in the active hunting insects. Due to their diet, they play an important role in the pollination of many flowering plants.

Reproduction

The females can bring offspring into the world up to twice a year, in cooler regions, there are often certain mating seasons, while the animals throughout the year are able to reproduce in warmer regions. As usual with Fledertieren, usually a single young is born. Life expectancy may be in captivity for over 10 years.

Threat

The main threats to these animals include the loss of habitat, which they are deprived by deforestation of flowering plants and their food. In addition, sometimes living quarters will be smoked out or blown up because they are confused with vampire bats that are feared as disease carriers. The IUCN lists a way Leptonycteris nivalis, are threatened, and four more at risk.

System

The flowers bats are classified as subfamily of sheet tabs. In some classifications in addition the West Indies fruit Vampire ( Brachyphyllinae ), the West Indies - flower bats ( Phyllonycterinae ) and the Lonchophyllinae be counted among the flowers bats. We distinguish ten genera:

• Anoura: The genus Anoura comprises five species (A. caudifer, A. cultrata, A. fistulata, A. geoffroyi and A. latidens ), which are distributed from Mexico to the southeast of Brazil. These animals are characterized by a very short tail, its habitat is mainly rain forests. The peculiarity of A. fistulata is their up to 8.5 centimeters ( 1.5 times their body length ) long tongue with which it sucks the nectar of bluebells crop Centropogon nigricans and its only known pollinators is.
• Choeroniscus: The genus Choeroniscus comprises three species ( C. godmani, C. minor and C. priosus ). With a body length of 50 to 55 millimeters and a weight of 5-9 grams, they are among the smallest species of flower bats. They live mainly in forests of western Mexico to Bolivia and Brazil. C. periosus lives in a small area on the Pacific coast of Colombia and Ecuador, and is considered endangered.
• The long-nosed bat ( Choeronycteris mexicana ) is distributed from the southern United States to Honduras. The species has a remarkably long snout and inhabits rather dry habitats.
• Dryadonycteris: a newly described in 2012, monotypic genus from the Atlantic Forest of Brazil.
• Glossophaga: The genus Glossophaga includes five species, including the well-known representative of the flower bats ( Actual ) blossom bat ( Glossophaga soricina ). The coloration of these animals varies from reddish brown to dark brown, characteristic is the very short tail. Animals of this genus are native from northern Mexico to northern Argentina: G. commissarisi and G. soricina occur in both Central and South America, while the distribution area of G. leachii and G. morenoi on Central America and the longirostris of G. restricted to South America.
• Hylonycteris underwoodi counts with 6-9 grams of weight to the smaller species. These animals live in Central America, from southern Mexico to Panama.
• Leptonycteris: The genus Leptonycteris includes two species, which from the southern USA (Arizona, New Mexico, Texas ) to Colombia and Venezuela are common. With a body length of up to 95 millimeters and up to 30 grams in weight, they are among the largest members of their group. The populations from the southern United States in winter migrate to warmer areas. L. nivalis lives of the southern United States to Guatemala and preferably higher altitude forests as habitat, L. curasoae that is spread from the southern USA to Venezuela, occurs mainly in dry areas. L. nivalis is considered threatened and L. curasoae as endangered.
• Lichonycteris obscura is distributed from Guatemala to Bolivia and southeastern Brazil. The relatively small species occurs mainly in rainforests.
• Monophyllus: The genus comprises two species Monophyllus ( Monophyllus Plethodon and Monophyllus redmani ) that are endemic to the Antilles. Their characteristic feature is the long, from the Uropatagium ( the flight membrane between the legs) outstanding cock.
• The banana bat ( Musonycteris harrisoni ) inhabits a small area in south-western Mexico. She has a very long snout, which makes up more than half the length of the skull. Your name has changed the way because the first specimens were found in banana plants. The banana bat is considered endangered.
• Scleronycteris ega is known only five specimens of southern Venezuela and northwestern Brazil ( Amazonas State ). These animals are brown and reach a length of 57 millimeters. The IUCN lists them as endangered.