Lonchophylla mordax, Thomas, 1903

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Phyllostomidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 444-583 : 528-529

88.

Brazilian Nectar Bat

Lonchophylla mordax

French: Lonchophylle du Brésil / German: Brasilien-Nektarfledermaus / Spanish: Loncéfilo de Brasil

Other common names: Goldman's Nectar Bat

Taxonomy. Lonchophylla mordax Thomas, 1903 ,

“Lamarao, NW. of Bahia [ Brazil]. Alt. 300 m.” Molecular and morphological analyses have recovered Lonchophylla (sensu lato) as a paraphyletic assemblage. Combining data from nuclear and mitochondrial genes, karyotypes, and skull morphology, J. A. Parlos and collaborators in 2014 also retrieved the genus as paraphyletic and described Hsunycteris to include L. thomasi , L. cadenai , L. pattoni , and an unnamed species. As a result, Lonchophylla (sensu stricto) now comprises 13 Central American and South American species. Nevertheless, L. mordax , which is the type species of Lonchophylla , was not included in those assessments. Based on morphological similarity, C. O. Handley, Jr. in 1966 included L. concava as a subspecies with a disjunct population; it is now considered a distinct species. The current definition and therefore distribution ofthe Brazilian Nectar Bat have been affected by misidentifications with congeners L. dekeyseri and the recently described L. inexpectata . Monotypic.

Distribution. NE Brazil, at E border of semiarid Caatinga ecoregion (“sertao”) and Caatinga—Atlantic Forest ecotone (“agreste”) of Alagoas, Sergipe, and Bahia states. Previous records outside this area could be misidentifications.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 50-56 mm, tail 8-12 mm, ear 13-16 mm, hindfoot 8-10 mm, forearm 33-7-37-4 mm; weight 7-5-11 g. The Brazilian Nectar Bat is a medium-sized species of Lonchophylla . Dorsal fur is cinnamon-brown, with bases of hairs (c.80% of length) whitish; venter is pale to light brown, thus contrasting with dorsum. This distinction is useful to differentiate the Brazilian Nectar Bat from other species of Lonchophylla from eastern Brazil. Lower lip is marked by deep medial groove;its sides are bordered by small rounded papillae. Noseleaf is triangular, slightly higher than wide, more sharply toward its point. Forearms are almost naked. Wing membranes are light brown, and uropatagium is wide, completely enclosing short tail in its proximal one-third. Skull is long and narrow, slightly inflated at interorbital region. Lingual cusp is reduced or moderate in P°, and well-developed metastyles are distinct on upper molars. Dental formula for species of Lonchophyllais12/2,C1/1,PM 2/3, M 3/3 (x2) = 34.

Habitat. Eastern border ofsemiarid caatinga and agreste biomes in eastern Brazil at elevations up to 500 m.

Food and Feeding. The Brazilian Nectar Bat feeds on nectar, insects, and probably succulent fruits and pollen. Skull and tooth morphology indicate that it is primarily nectarivorous, with similar habits to other species of Lonchophylla .

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. Brazilian Nectar Bats probably roost in hollow trees and small caves.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Brazilian Nectar Bats probably roost in small groups.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Near Threatened on The IUCN Red List. The Brazilian Nectar Bat is restricted to very specific habitats in eastern Brazil, but it can be locally common at some locations.

Bibliography. Albuja & Gardner (2005), Griffiths & Gardner (2008b), Handley (1966b), Moratelli & Dias (2015), Nogueira, Dias & Peracchi (2007), Parlos et al. (2014), Taddei et al. (1983), Thomas (1903c), Woodman & Timm (2006).

Figures

83. Cadena’s Nectar Bat (Hsunycteris cadenai), 84. Dashe’s Nectar Bat (Hsunycteris dashe), 85. Patton’s Nectar Bat (Hsunycteris pationi), 86. Thomas's Nectar Bat (Hsunycteris thomasi), 87. Chestnut Long-tongued Bat (Lionycteris spurrelli), 88. Brazilian Nectar Bat (Lonchophylla mordax), 89. Chocoan Nectar Bat (Lonchophylla chocoana), 90. Goldman's Nectar Bat (Lonchophylla concava), 91. Pacific Forest Long-tongued Bat (Lonchophylla fornicata), 92. Orces’s Long-tongued Bat (Lonchophylla orcesi), 93. Western Nectar Bat (Lonchophylla hesperia), 94. Eastern Cordilleran Nectar Bat (Lonchophylla orienticollina), 95. Handley’s Nectar Bat (Lonchophylla handleyi), 96. Orange Nectar Bat (Lonchophylla robusta), 97. Dekeyser’s Nectar Bat (Lonchophylla dekeyseri), 98. Pale-bellied Nectar Bat (Lonchophylla inexpectata), 99. Bokermann’s Nectar Bat (Lonchophylla bokermanni), 100. Peracchi’s Nectar Bat (Lonchophylla peracchii), 101. Long-snouted Bat (Platalina genovensium), 102. Vieira’s Long-tongued Bat (Xeronycleris vierrai)

Distribution. NE Brazil , at E border of semiarid Caatinga ecoregion (“sertao”) and Caatinga—Atlantic Forest ecotone (“agreste”) of Alagoas, Sergipe, and Bahia states. Previous records outside this area could be misidentifications.