
Thursday 15 February
The World's Favourite Unloved Species 2018 - the Galapagos Racer
Kingdom | Animalia |
Phylum | Chordata |
Class | Mammalia |
Order | Chiroptera |
Family | Phyllostomidae |
Genus | Lonchophylla (1) |
With only ten individuals having ever been studied, the western nectar bat (Lonchophylla hesperia) is a little-known, enigmatic species (1). The western nectar bat has pale brown fur on the upperparts and pale brown to grey fur on the underparts (3). Its tail is short and the noseleaf is high and narrow (2).
As its name suggests, the western nectar bat feeds predominantly on nectar, and possesses a number of adaptations to this diet (4), including an elongated muzzle and a very long tongue. The tongue is covered with grooves bordered by small, hair-like protrusions (2) (5), and wave-like muscle contractions move the nectar along the grooves, enabling the western nectar bat to feed without lapping (6).
Bats of the Lonchophylla genusare specialised for feeding on nectar and pollen and, as a result, play an important role in pollinating the plants they feed upon (3). Although other Lonchophylla batsalso consume insects and fruit (3), the little information available on the western nectar bat suggests that it does not eat fruit (1).
Currently nothing is known about the breeding biology of this elusive bat.
The western nectar bat occurs in north-western Peru and south-western Ecuador (1).
The western nectar bat has been found in dry habitats (7).
The western nectar bat is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List (1).
The greatest threat to the western nectar bat is the destruction of suitable habitat, primarily due to conversion to agriculture (1).
Find out about bat conservation:
This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
arkive@wildscreen.org.uk
Image credit
© Richard Cadenillas
Richard Cadenillas
Dp. Mastozoología, Museo de Historia Natural,
Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos,
Av. Arenales 1256 Jesus Maria
Lima
Perú
cadenillasordinola@yahoo.com
Link to this photo
Embed this Arkive thumbnail link ("portlet") by copying and pasting the code below.
Terms of Use - The displayed portlet may be used as a link from your website to Arkive's online content for private, scientific, conservation or educational purposes only. It may NOT be used within Apps.
Read more about
MyARKive
MyARKive offers the scrapbook feature to signed-up members, allowing you to organize your favourite Arkive images and videos and share them with friends.
Play the Team WILD game:
Team WILD, an elite squadron of science superheroes, needs your help! Your mission: protect and conserve the planet’s species and habitats from destruction.
Thursday 15 February
The World's Favourite Unloved Species 2018 - the Galapagos Racer
Thursday 01 February
Thursday 01 February