Diclidurus

The American ghost bats ( Diclidurus ) include in addition to the white bat to the single light gray to white bats. You are in the tropics of Central and South America home.

Description

In contrast to other members of the family of smooth nose free tails ( Emballonuridae ) have bats of the genus Diclidurus no pockets on the wings, but have a gland-like structure in the form of a pocket in the middle of the tail wing membrane. The genus name is derived from the Latin Diclidurus diclid ( " double door ", " two wings " ), which refers to the two-part structure of the pocket in the tail wing membrane. American ghost bats reach a head -body length of 50-80 mm. The eyes are large, and the ears short and round. The short thumb has only a rudimentary claw, which is partially covered by the wing membrane. All kinds of American ghost bats flying relatively high and are therefore to begin with the usual ground-based networks hardly. Therefore, the species with the exception of the widespread Diclidurus albus are poorly understood.

Types and distribution

• Diclidurus albus (Wied - Neuwied, 1820)
• Diclidurus ingens ( Hernandez - Camacho, 1955)
• Diclidurus isabellus (Thomas, 1920)
• Diclidurus scutatus (Peters, 1869)

Distribution area of Diclidurus ingens

Distribution area of Diclidurus isabellus

Distribution area of Diclidurus scutatus

Habitat

All kinds of American ghost bat are found mostly near streams or in other damp areas. While Diclidurus albus is a relatively frequently observed type, only a few individuals of other species have ever been caught. Accordingly, little is known about their way of life and risk is known. While Diclidurus albus is native to Central and South America, you will find Diclidurus ingens, Diclidurus isabellus and Diclidurus scutatus just to the north of South America.