Cuban fig-eating bat  (Phyllops falcatus)

The Cuban fig-eating bat is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List (1).

The only surviving member of the genus Phyllops, the Cuban fig-eating bat (Phyllops falcatus) is a little-known, foliage-roosting bat of the northern Caribbean. This medium-sized bat has a broad noseleaf that ends in a pointed tip, short rounded ears and a thick, pinkish tragus, but lacks a tail. The fur is dense, silky and greyish-brown on the underparts, but darker on the upperparts. Each individual hair is mostly tricolored, with dark grey or brown tips, dark bases and a pale middle band. The facial skin is brown, there is a small white patch of fur on each shoulder and there is another small patch of white just behind the ears. The female Cuban fig-eating bat is larger than the male. 

The Cuban fig-eating bat is similar to the Jamaican fruit-eating bat (Artibeus jamaicensis), but may be distinguished by the lack of stripes on its face and by its smaller size (2) (3).

The Cuban fig-eating bat is native to Cuba, Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic) and the Cayman Islands, where it is known from Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac. An individual was also recently captured in the southern keys of Florida, but it is likely that this individual was an accidental visitor there (1) (2) (3).

Generally inhabiting lowlands up to elevations of around 700 metres, the Cuban fig-eating bat has been recorded in a variety of forested environments including evergreen, sub-montane, pine, and semi-deciduous forest. It has also been found in plantations and gardens around urban areas (1) (2) (3).

An enigmatic mammal, almost nothing is known about the biology and behaviour of the Cuban fig-eating bat. It is thought to be a fairly sociable species, roosting in the shadowy parts of foliage in small groups of three to five. It is possible that the males and females roost separately and that during the breeding season the males gather a harem of females, as indicated by a sex ratio skewed towards females. Mating may occur several times throughout the year (2) (4). 

The Cuban fig-eating bat feeds on the fruit of wild native fig trees (1).

While the Cuban fig-eating bat has been tentatively assessed as not being threatened with extinction, the exact status of this species is unclear and much debated. Some scientists have described this species as having a wide distribution across Cuba with a tolerance to human disturbance, but others have suggested that it is uncommon compared to other bats in the region and that it is scarcely found away from natural habitat. The Cuban fig-eating bat is also only found on islands that are under severe threat from deforestation, meaning populations of this species should be carefully monitored (2).

Although the Cuban fig-eating bat has not been the target of any known conservation measures, it is found in a number of protected areas (1).

ARKive is supported by OTEP, a joint programme of funding from the UK FCO and DFID which provides support to address priority environmental issues in the Overseas Territories, and Defra

For more information on bat conservation:

• Bat Conservation International:
  http://batcon.org/
• The Bat Conservation Trust:
  http://www.bats.org.uk/
• The IUCN/SSC Bat Specialist Group:
  http://www.batconservancy.org/chiroptera-specialist-group-bat-conservation.php