Phyllostomus discolor, Wagner, 1843

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Phyllostomidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 444-583 : 506-507

39.

Pale Spear-nosed Bat

Phyllostomus discolor

French: Phyllostome des fleurs / German: Helle Lanzennase / Spanish: Filostoma de nariz pélida

Taxonomy. Phyllostoma discolor Wagner, 1843 ,

“Cuyaba,” Mato Grasso, Brazil.

Researchers disagree on recognition of subspecies of P. discolor , but most recent publications continue to distinguish two geographical forms with unclear limits in north-western South America. Two subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

P.d.discolorWagner,1843—SouthAmerica,EofAndesStoNWParaguay;alsoon MargaritaandTrinidadIs.RecordfromNWArgentinapendingverification,althoughitwouldbewithinthepossibledistribution.

P. d. verrucosus Elliot, 1905 — from S Mexico (Veracruz and Oaxaca) S through Central America and South America, W of the Andes, to NW Peru.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 66-97 mm, tail 12-17 mm, ear 16-24 mm, hindfoot 14-18 mm, forearm 60-68 mm; weight 26-51 g. The Pale Spear-nosed Bat is muscular, medium-sized, and velvety, with upper parts being gray-brown and in some (rare) cases orange. Underparts are usually paler than upper parts that are well frosted with white. The Pale Spear-nosed Bat can resemble ajuvenile Greater Spear-nosed Bat ( P. hastatus ), which has a much broader muzzle and longer calcar. Horseshoe in noseleaf is not fused to upperlip like in the Pale-faced Bat ( Phylloderma stenops ), which is similar in size but has lighter facial skin and whitish wingtips; the Pale Spear-nosed Bat and other species of Phyllostomus have entirely black wings. Tail is short, about one-half the length of tail membrane, and tip comes slightly through upper surface of membrane. Calcar is shorter than foot. The Pale Spear-nosed Bat has pointed ears, large uropatagium, and no facial stripes. Lower lip has V-shaped naked pad, with conspicuous row of papillae. Uropatagium is well developed and can reach ankles when stretched. In some locations, there is very marked sexual dimorphism. Males and females have sebaceous glands. In males, there also is sexually dimorphic, holocrine, sebaceous, gular gland similar to that in the Fringe-lipped Bat ( Trachops cirrhosus ). Sometimes viscous white secretion is exuded that is responsible for the particular odor of the Pale Spear-nosed Bat. These secretions serve in olfactory communication. Skull is massive, with broad low rostrum, rounded braincase, and only weak sagittal crest. Dental formula for all species of Phyllostomusis 1 2/2, C1/1,P2/2,M 3/3 (x2) = 32. Upperincisors completely fill spaces between canines.

Habitat. Wide variety of lowland habitats but always more common in evergreen or riparian forests at elevations up to ¢. 610 m. The Pale Spear-nosed Bat is associated with agriculturally developed areas, forested lowlands, streams and other moist areas, dry sites, fruit orchards, yards, croplands, pastures, evergreens, thorn, deciduous, and cloud and swamp forests.

Food and Feeding. The Pale Spear-nosed Bat was placed in the gleaning nectarivorous guild that forages in highly cluttered space and feed on large flowers of trees, shrubs, or vines in open or forest habitats. Individuals are often covered with pollen because diet is based on nectar, pollen, and flower parts of plants such as Calliandra (Gabaceae) , Ceiba (Malvaceae) , Crescentia (Bignoniaceae) , Ochroma , and Pseudobombax (both Malvaceae ). Diet also includes insects, mainly beetles, and some fruit.

Breeding. The Pale Spear-nosed Bat is considered polygamous (one male-multi female system). Males have elaborate displays and will roost in a given location for extended periods. Both sexes showed olfactory, tactile, motor (wing shaking), and complicated vocal displays to gain entry into groups. Copulations can occur during the day. After young are born, mothers will carry them for the first few days when they forage. Young can distinguish maternal directive calls from all others in the roost.

Activity patterns. The Pale Spear-nosed Bat has peak activity 1-2 hours after dark but can be active all night. It roosts in hollow trees and sometimes caves.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Pale Spear-nosed Bats can have large home ranges; T. H. Fleming and collaborators in 1972 documented a mean recapture distance of 400 m. They form groups with up to 400 individuals composed of small harems with one male and 1-12 females; small all-male clusters also occur.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Pale Spear-nosed Bat is common and widespread; no specific conservation threats are known.

Bibliography. Barquez et al. (2015b), Bradbury (1977b), Brown (1968), Esser (1998), Fleming et al. (1972), Hall (1981), Kalko et al. (1996), Krutzsch (2000), Kwiecinski (2006), Lopez-Gonzélez (2004), Power & Tamsitt (1973), Reid (2009), Simmons (2005), Williams & Genoways (2008).

Figures

24. Long-legged Bat (Macrophyllum macrophyllum), 25. Fringe-lipped Bat (Trachops cirrhosus), 26. Striped Hairy-nosed Bat (Gardnerycteris crenulatum), 27. Keenan's Hairy-nosed Bat (Gardnerycteris keenani), 28. Koepcke’s Hairy-nosed Bat (Gardnerycteris koepckeae), 29. Kalko’s Round-eared Bat (Lophostoma kalkoae), 30. Pygmy Round-eared Bat (Lophostoma brasiliense), 31. Carriker’s Round-eared Bat (Lophostoma carrikeri), 32. Schulz’s Round-eared Bat (Lophostoma schulzi), 33. Western Round-eared Bat (Lophostoma occidentale), 34. Davis's Round-eared Bat (Lophostoma evotis), 35. White-throated Round-eared Bat (Lophostoma silvicola), 36. Greater Round-eared Bat (Tonatia bidens), 37. Stripe-headed Round-eared Bat (Tonatia saurophila), 38. Pale-faced Bat (Phylloderma stenops), 39. Pale Spear-nosed Bat (Phyllostomus discolor), 40. Lesser Spear-nosed Bat (Phyllostomus elongatus), 41. Greater Spear-nosed Bat (Phyllostomus hastatus), 42. Guianan Spear-nosed Bat (Phyllostomus latifolius), 43. Woolly False Vampire Bat (Chrotopterus auritus), 44. Southern Golden Bat (Mimon bennettii), 45. Cozumelan Golden Bat (Mimon cozumelae), 46. Spectral Bat (Vampyrum spectrum)

Subspecies and Distribution. P.d.discolorWagner,1843—SouthAmerica,EofAndesStoNWParaguay;alsoon MargaritaandTrinidadIs.RecordfromNWArgentinapendingverification,althoughitwouldbewithinthepossibledistribution. P. d. verrucosus Elliot, 1905 — from S Mexico (Veracruz and Oaxaca) S through Central America and South America, W of the Andes, to NW Peru .