Phyllostominae

Big-eared Bat ( Macrotus californicus )

The lance noses ( Phyllostominae ) are a group of bat that are systematically classified as a subfamily of the sheet tabs. This group includes approximately 35 species in eleven genera that live all on the American continent.

Description

Named giving feature of the lance nose is large, often sword or lance-shaped nose leaf, which is particularly pronounced at the sword noses. The ears are also greatly increased in many species, in addition, they often have lateral grooves and a pointed tragus ( ear covers) on. These features are all sending or receiving ultrasonic sounds with which they orient themselves and find their prey. The tail is usually long and the Uropatagium enlarged ( the flight membrane between the legs). Their fur is usually greyish or brown, the underside is lighter, sometimes whitish. Significant differences exist in the size: The Great skewer leaf nose or the real thing lance nose are among the largest bats worldwide, they reach a body length of up to 14 centimeters and a weight of 150 to 200 grams. Many species, however, are small animals of the Micronycteris or Langbein bat head reached only hull lengths from four to six centimeters and a weight of often only four to ten grams.

Dissemination and lifestyle

Lanz noses live in America. Most species are restricted to Central and South America, only the Big-eared bats are also found in the southern U.S. and in the Greater Antilles. These bats inhabit a variety of habitats, they are found both in dry desert regions, in grasslands as well as in the rainforest. You are like most bats nocturnal, they sleep during the day - some in large groups - in caves, hollow logs and man-made dwellings such as mines, tunnels or buildings.

Lanz noses are omnivores usually. While the smaller species mainly feed on insects and fruit, take large species ( such as the Great spear blade nose or lip Frans bat ), but also vertebrates themselves, including other bats, opossums, rodents, birds, lizards and frogs.

System

The lance noses are classified in the traditional system as a sub- family of the sheet tabs ( Phyllostomidae ), a shape- rich bat group, which includes among others, the vampire bats. This group can be divided into the following classes:

• Chrotopterus auritus
• Big-eared bats ( Macrotus ), two types
• Sword lugs ( Lonchorhina ), four types
• Langbein bat ( Macrophyllum macrophyllum )
• Micronycteris, eight species
• Hair nosed bats ( Mimon ), two types
• Phylloderma stenops
• Actual Lanz noses ( Phyllostomus ), four types
• Tonatia, seven species
• Frans lip bat ( Trachops cirrhosus )
• Large spear blade leading edge ( Vampyrum spectrum)