Ariteus flavescens (J.E. Gray, 1831)

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Phyllostomidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 444-583 : 580

210.

Jamaican Fig-eating Bat

Ariteus flavescens

French: Arite des figuiers / German: Jamaika-Feigenfledermaus / Spanish: Ariteo de Jamaica

Other common names: Naseberry Bat, Pale Pit-nose Bat

Taxonomy. Istiophorus flavescens J. E. Gray, 1831 , no type locality given. Based on neotype selection, restricted by H. H. Genoways in 2001 to “Orange Valley, St. Ann Parish, Jamaica.”

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Endemic to Jamaica, Greater Antilles.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 50-60 mm (males) and 63-67 mm (females), no tail, ear 13-16 mm (males) and 15-16 mm (females), hindfoot 11-13 mm (males) and 12-13 mm (females), forearm 36-5— 39.9 mm (males) and 39-8-43-8 mm (females); weight 9-2-12.9 g (males) and 12-4-13-1 g (females). Greatest lengths of skulls are 17-5-19-5 mm (males) and 20— 21: 3 mm (females). Females are much larger than males. The Jamaican Fig-eating Bat is medium-sized, with reddish dorsal pelage and paler venter. Dorsal hairs grades from dark tips to pale medial and base bands, but there are also unicolored hairs interspersed on dorsum. Ventral fur is paler. Pair of pure white fur patches occurs on shoulders, and another patch on each side of the neck—a condition shared by all Stenodermatini bats. Nevertheless, the Jamaican Fig-eating Bat does not have facial or dorsal stripes. Inferior border of thickened horseshoe is V-shaped. Dactylopatagium minusis broad and translucent and remains permanently opened. Dental formulais12/2,C1/1,P2/2,M 2/3 (x2) = 30. I' is triangular, with crown that is roughly as high as it is wide. Metaconid is present in M,. Nasals are arched and elevated above facial maxilla. Sagittal crest is developed, and there is wide U-shaped posterior border on hard palate,as in the sister genus Ardops . Chromosomal complement has 2n = 30 and FN = 56, with 14 pairs of autosomes encompassing large to medium-sized metacentric and submetacentric chromosomes. X-chromosome is metacentric and medium-sized, and Y-chromosome is metaor acrocentric and small.

Habitat. Primary and secondary forests and more disturbed habitats such as pastures at elevations below 1500 m. An abundant Recent (Pleistocene) fossil record in Jamaican caves suggests that this species might have been common in the past.

Food and Feeding. Little is known about feeding habits of the Jamaican Fig-eating Bat, but it certainly feeds on fruits, such as figs ( Ficus sp., Moraceae ), sapodilla ( Manilkara sapota, Sapotaceae ), and rose apple ( Eugenia jambos, Myrtaceae ). Its diet also probably includes insects.

Breeding. Available data suggest that the Jamaican Fig-eating Bat is a polyestrous, with pregnant females recorded in April and June-July and lactating females in June-July.

Activity patterns. The Jamaican Fig-eating Bat is nocturnal and begins to fly and feed shortly before sunset.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Jamaican Fig-eating Bat is considered a common and widespread forest species, but expansion of urbanization and agriculture in Jamaica might limit its abundance, although it is captured in disturbed areas.

Bibliography. Allen (1942), Baker (1979), Davalos & Eriksson (2003), Genoways (2001), Genowayset al. (2005), Gray (1831, 1838), Greenbaum et al. (1975), Howe (1974), Sherwin & Gannon (2005), Tavares (2008), Tavares et al. (2018), Williams (1952).

Figures

187. Brown Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus concolor), 188. Honduran Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus inopinatus), 189. Fraternal Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus fraterculus), 190. Hairy Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus hirsutus), 192. Ecuadorian Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus aequatorialis), 193. Jamaican Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus jamaicenss), 194. Dark Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus obscurus), 195. Schwartz’s Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus schwartzi), 196. Great Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus lLituratus), 197. Large Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus amplus), 198. Flat-faced Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus planirostris), 199. Rosenberg’s Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus rosenberg), 200. Thomas's Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus watsoni), 201. Toltec Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus toltecus), 202. Pygmy Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus phaeotis), 203. Gervais’s Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus cinereus), 204. Andersen’s Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus anderseni), 205. Little Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus ravus), 206. Aztec Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus aztecus), 207. Bogota Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus bogotensis), 208. Silvery Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus glaucus), 209. Dwarf Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus gnomus), 210. Jamaican Fig-eating Bat (Ariteus flavescens), 211. Tree Bat (Ardops nichollsi), 212. Red Fruit Bat (Stenoderma rufum), 213. Wrinkle-faced Bat (Centurio senex), 214. Ipanema Broad-nosed Bat (Pygoderma bilabiatum), 215. Visored Bat (Sphaeronycteris toxophyllum), 216. Little White-shouldered Bat (Ametrida centurio), 217. Cuban Fig-eating Bat (Phyllops falcatus)

Distribution. Endemic to Jamaica , Greater Antilles.