Rhogeessa tumida, H. Allen, 1866

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Vespertilionidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 716-981 : 857

206.

Black-winged Little Yellow Bat

Rhogeessa tumida

French: Rhogeessa a ailes noires / German: Schwarzfligel-Gelbfledermaus / Spanish: Rogesa de alas negras

Other common names: Central American Yellow Bat

Taxonomy. Rhogeessa tumida H. Allen, 1866 ,

“Mirador [Veracruz], Mexico.”

Previously listed as a race of R. parvula . Until recently included R. bickhami and R. menchuae , which were split based on mitochondrial and nuclear genetic distances; the distances between R. tumida , R. aenea , and R. menchuae were low, and suggest that the first two might be treated as synonyms, although karyological and morphological data do not support this; R. aenea appears to be the most recently evolved of the three. Monotypic.

Distribution. Atlantic coast of Mexico, from Tamaulipas S to C Tabasco and N Chiapas.

Descriptive notes. Head-body ¢. 36—44 mm, tail 27-35 mm, ear 11-14- 2 mm, hindfoot 6- 4-8 mm, forearm 27-5-31- 6 mm; weight 3-5 g. Dorsal fur bicolored, with buff-gray to buff-yellow bases and fuscous-black to pinkish-cinnamon tips (bases and tips not always contrasted); ventral fur unicolored or with buff-brown to light ocherous-buff tips and slightly paler bases; hairs are 3-4 mm long (sometimes up to 5 mm). Ears short and triangular, with rounded tips; tragus long with rounded tip. In male, prominent odoriferous glands are present on dorsal side of lower pinna. Uropatagium is almost naked, furred only at base; wing membranes also naked and relatively thick; calcar well developed, extending a little over free margin of uropatagium, with developed keel. Skull inclined vertically from anterior border of nasal to occiput, without horizontal portions; sagittal crest present or absent; braincase low; helmet formed by sagittal (if present) and occipital crests is found above occiput region. Lingual cingulum of C' has two small cusps, differing from other congeners, which have smooth canines; I, has smaller cusps than I,, and is about same size or slightly smaller than I. Dental formula for all species of Rhogeessais11/3,C1/1,P 1/2, M 3/3 (x2) = 30. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 34 and FN = 50, with a subtelocentric X-chromosome and a metacentric Y-chromosome.

Habitat. All major tropical vegetation associations in North America, notably evergreen forests, subdeciduous forests, deciduous forests, open areas, and villages; commonest in slightly disturbed deciduous forests. Sometimes associated with small streams, along trails in ravines, and around trees in anthropic areas. Occurs from sea level to 1800 m, typically below 500 m.

Food and Feeding. Insectivorous;flies low along streams.

Breeding. Pregnant females have been captured in May in Tabasco. Lactating females April to June in Oaxaca, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, and Veracruz. Juveniles were captured from May to August.

Activity patterns. Nocturnal; shows two peaks of activity, one in first hour after sunset and second an hour before dawn. It seems to use torporas a response to acute thermal stress, but data are lacking on limits of torpor depth and duration. Roostsites include tree branches, hollow trees, and buildings. Echolocation calls are short, broadband, and with maximum energy at frequencies of 50-60 kHz and lowest energy at frequencies of 40-50 kHz.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. May form large colonies.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Widespread but not abundant and generally considered rare. It occurs in protected areas and appears to be tolerant to some degree of habitat modification.

Bibliography. Allen (1866), Alvarez-Castafieda & Gonzalez-Ruiz (2018), Arroyo-Cabrales & Baker (2014g), Baird, Hillis et al. (2008, 2009), Baird, Marchan-Rivadeneira et al. (2012), Bickham & Baker (1977), Emmons & Feer 1997), Genoways & Baker (1996b), Hall (1981), Hall & Dalquest (1963), Hall & Kelson (1959), Jones, Smith & Turner (1971), LaVal (1973a), Miller et al. (2016b), Reid (2009), Simmons (2005), Vonhof (2000).

Figures

202. Canyon Bat (Parastrellus hesperus), 203. Tricolored Bat (Perimyotis subflavus), 204. Van Gelder’s Bat (Bauerus dubiaquercus), 205. Pallid Bat (Antrozous pallidus), 206. Black-winged Little Yellow Bat (Rhogeessa tumida), 207. Yucatan Yellow Bat (Rhogeessa aenea), 208. Bickham’s Yellow Bat (Rhogeessa bickhami), 209. Menchu’s Yellow Bat (Rhogeessa menchuae), 210. Ecuadorian Little Yellow Bat (Rhogeessa velilla), 211. Tiny Yellow Bat (Rhogeessa minutilla), 212. Genoways’s Yellow Bat (Rhogeessa genowaysi), 213. Thomas's Yellow Bat (Rhogeessa io), 214. Northern Little Yellow Bat (Rhogeessa parvula), 215. Least Yellow Bat (Rhogeessa mira), 216. Allen’s Yellow Bat (Rhogeessa alleni), 217. Slender Yellow Bat (Rhogeessa gracilis), 218. Husson’s Yellow Bat (Rhogeessa hussoni), 219. Western Barbastelle (Barbastella barbastellus), 220. Caspian Barbastelle (Barbastella caspica), 221. Arabian Barbastelle (Barbastella leucomelas), 222. Eastern Barbastelle (Barbastella darjelingensis), 223. Japanese Barbastelle (Barbastella pacifica), 224. Beijing Barbastelle (Barbastella beijingensis)

Distribution. Atlantic coast of Mexico , from Tamaulipas S to C Tabasco and N Chiapas.