Gray sac-winged bat
Balantiopteryx plicata is a species of bat in the family of Myotis bats free- tails ( Emballonuridae ), which is native to Central America.
Description
Balantiopteryx plicata is one of the Myotis bats free - tails, which have a sac-like structure in the wing membrane. This is located at this kind in the middle between the upper and lower arm. Balantiopteryx plicata with a forearm length of 38 mm and a head -body length of an average of 66.6 mm, the largest representative of the genus Balantiopteryx. The fur color varies from light gray to a rich brown, but it is never dark brown. The wing membrane has a white border between the calcar and the fourth finger. The color of the wing sac of the males varies seasonally and may change with age. In adult animals, the bag is filled with light and a liquid, which probably serve for females advertising. In females, the bag is only rudimentary wings. Males are on average lighter ( 6.1 g ) than females (7.1 g ).
Way of life
Balantiopteryx plicata lives during the day in colonies of up to 2,000 animals ( average of 25 individuals ) in bright caves, mines, tree holes, buildings, under bridges and cliffs. The colonies consist of both males and females from, the relative proportion greatly between colonies and probably can vary between seasons. Unlike most bats, the animals keep a distance of about 20 cm to each other. The hillside location must have at least one humidity of 25%. Balantiopteryx plicata is a strict insectivore that opportunistically feed on mosquitoes, flies and small moths. While foraging, the animals travel a distance of up to 11 km. As predators of Balantiopteryx plicata barn owls, coatis, dwarf spotted skunks and domestic cats were observed.
Reproduction
The mating season of Balantiopteryx plicata takes place between January and February and females give birth to a single pup each end of June to mid-July. The gestation period of 4.5 months thus falls in the dry season. The boys are already relatively well developed at birth, can already fly from the age of two weeks, but are nursed for nine weeks. In the first week after birth, they are carried around by the mother while they spend the subsequent time in the hanging place while the mother is at night in search of food. At the age of 2-3 months, the pups leave the colony.
Distribution and habitat
Balantiopteryx plicata is to Costa Rica spread from western Mexico along the Pacific coast, where they. Up to an altitude of 1500 m above sea M occurs. Your stock is classified by the IUCN due to the wide distribution and their occurrence in protected areas as safely. However, it should be mentioned that in this way the destruction of habitat, especially the caves by vandalism is of central importance.