Phyllops falcatus (J.E. Gray, 1839)

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

217.

Cuban Fig-eating Bat

Phyllops falcatus

French: Phyllops de Cuba / German: Kuba-Feigenfledermaus / Spanish: Phyllops de Cuba

Other common names: Cuban White-shouldered Bat

Taxonomy. Arctibeus falcatus J. E. Gray, 1839 ,

“ Cuba.” Restricted by G. Silva-Taboada in 1976 to Ciudad de Guanabacoa, Provincia de la Habana, Cuba .

Phyllostoma albomaculatum J. Gundlach, 1861 is a synonym from La Habana, Cuba, and the type species of Phyllops . Species names have been combined with genera Stenoderma and Ardops . Some authors have used P. haitiensis as a different species, but in current use,it is a subspecies. Two subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

P.f.falcatus].E.Gray,1839—CubaandCaymanIs(GrandCaymanandCaymanBrac).

P. f. haitiensisJ. A. Allen, 1908 — Dominican Republic and Haiti (Hispaniola I).

A record from S Florida Keys may be an accidental occurrence.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 55-65 mm (tailless), ear 11-13 mm, hindfoot 9-12 mm, forearm 40-48 mm; weight 16-23 g. The Cuban Fig-eating Bat is sexually dimorphic in cranial and body dimensions, with females being larger than males. It is medium-sized, with dense, silky, grayish brown or tan fur that is lighter on head and underparts. Dorsal hairs are 7-10 mm long, and ventral hairs are 5-8 mm. Each hair is mostly tricolored, with dark tips and bases and pale medial band. Very notable white spots of entirely white fur occur below each ear and on shoulders, and thick pink or yellow tragus makes it easy to differentiate the Cuban Fig-eating Bat from other sympatric phyllostomids. These white spots characterize Stenodermatini bats. Snout is wide and short, and noseleaf is broad, with broad ovate-shaped spear ending in pointed tip. Ears are relatively short, with rounded tips. Uropatagium is narrow, tail is absent, and calcar is 3-5 mm. Molars do not have W-pattern. Dental formulais12/2,C1/1,P 2/2, M 3/3 (x2) = 32. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 31 (males) or 30 (females) and FN = 56.:

Habitat. Wide variety of habitats from xeric to mesic forests always at elevations below 700 m. The Cuban Fig-eating Bat has been captured in remnantforests in the city of Habana.

Food and Feeding. There is evidence of the Cuban Fig-eating Bat feeding on fruits of Cecropia schreberiana ( Urticaceae ), Muntingia calabura ( Muntingiaceae ), Syzygium jambos ( Myrtaceae ), Piper (Piperaceae) , and Ficus (Moraceae) .

Breeding. The Cuban Fig-eating Bat appears to be polyestrous and monotocous. Pregnant, lactating, or simultaneously lactating and pregnant females have been reported in February—June and September-December.

Activity patterns. At least some Cuban Fig-eating Bats begin activity early in the evening and are active throughout the night. Nevertheless, peak activity is reached late in the night. Roosts are among leaves in forest canopies.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Cuban Fig-eating Bat forms groups of 3-5 individuals. It might form harems, and it seems that males and females sometimes forage in pairs. Given its roosting behavior and social organization,it is expected to be similar to the Red Fruit Bat ( Stenoderma rufum ).

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Cuban Fig-eating Bat is considered common throughoutits limited distribution and occurs in protected areas. Nevertheless,it is always found in low densities, and its population could be sensitive to devastating effects of hurricanes.

Bibliography. Mancina & Garcia (2011), Mancina, Davalos & Inchdustegui (2008), Mancina, Echenique-Diaz et al. (2007), Mancina, Garcia-Rivera & Capote (2007), Rodriguez-Duran & Christenson (2012), Silva-Taboada (1976b, 1979), Simmons (2005), Tavares & Mancina (2008), Tavares et al. (2018), Timm & Genoways (2003).

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)

Subspecies and Distribution. P.f.falcatus].E.Gray,1839—CubaandCaymanIs(GrandCaymanandCaymanBrac). P. f. haitiensisJ. A. Allen, 1908 — Dominican Republic and Haiti (Hispaniola I). A record from S Florida Keys may be an accidental occurrence.