Sturnira hondurensis, G. G. Goodwin, 1940

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Phyllostomidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 444-583 : 544

122.

Honduran Yellow-shouldered Bat

Sturnira hondurensis

French: Sturnire du Honduras / German: Honduras-Gelbschulterfledermaus / Spanish: Sturniro de Honduras

Taxonomy. Sturnira hondurensis G. G. Goodwin, 1940 ,

“La Cruze Grande, near San Jose; elevation about 3000 feet [= 914 m]; Department La Paz, Honduras.”

Sturnira hondurensis was previously considered a synonym or subspecies of S. ludovic, but itis now recognized as a distinct species based on phylogenetic analyses of molecular data. Reports from Costa Rica and Panama are probably misidentifications of the newly described S. burtonlima.

Monotypic.

Distribution. From N Mexico (S Sinaloa and S Tamaulipas) through Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras to N Nicaragua.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 66-70 mm (tailless), ear 12-19 mm, hindfoot 13-16 mm, forearm 41-45 mm; weight 17-23 g. The Honduran Yellow-shouldered Bat is medium-sized and robust. Upperparts are gray-brown, rarely orange-brown. Fur is long (6-8 mm) and thick. Dorsal hairs have three bands, with middle one being paler and buffy. Males have orange or ocherous tawny to dark gray shoulder patches. Underparts are pale gray-brown, tinged with pinkish or light buffy. Short is snout, and forehead rounded. Noseleafis small and simple. Tail membrane is very short and well furred. Base of forearm, femur, adjoining part of wings, and feet are hairy. Cutting edges of lower incisors are deeply bilobed.

Habitat. Evergreen forests and forest edges, cloudy forests, and secondary forests usually above elevations of 800 m. The Honduran Yellow-shouldered Bat has been captured in agricultural areas such as coffee plantations and livestock paddocks.

Food and Feeding. In El Salvador, 14 plant species are reportedly consumed by frugivorous Honduran Yellow-shouldered Bats; Hedyosmum mexicanum (Chloranthaceae) is the most consumed. In Mexico, it has been observed feeding preferably of Piper (Piperaceae) and Solanum (Solanaceae) . It occasionally eats insects, most commonly by pregnant and lactating females.

Breeding. In Mexico, pregnant Honduran Yellow-shouldered Bats have been found in November, with one embryo. In El Salvador, pregnant females have been caught in March—September, suggesting continuous polygamic breeding.

Activity patterns. Honduran Yellow-shouldered Bats are nocturnal. Activity peaks in the first two hours after dusk, with smaller peaks throughout the night.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List.

Bibliography. Cortés-Delgado & Sosa (2014), Goodwin (1940), Morales (2016), Solari (2017b), Velazco & Patterson (2013).

Figures

119. Bidentate Yellow-shouldered Bat (Sturnira bidens), 120. Lesser Yellow-shouldered Bat (Sturnira nana), 121. Arata-Thomas Yellow-shouldered Bat (Sturnira aratathomasi), 122. Honduran Yellow-shouldered Bat (Sturnira hondurensis), 123. Burton's Yellow-shouldered Bat (Stwrnira burtonlimi), 124. Highland Yellow-shouldered Bat (Sturnira ludovici), 125. Adriana’s Yellow-shouldered Bat (Sturnira adrianae), 126. Tschudi’s Yellow-shouldered Bat (Sturnira oporaphilum), 127. Mistratoan Yellow-shouldered Bat (Sturnira mistratensis), 128. Soriano’s Yellow-shouldered Bat (Sturnira sorianoi), 129. Choco Yellow-shouldered Bat (Sturnira koopmanhilli), 130. Talamancan Yellow-shouldered Bat (Sturnira mordax), 131. Perla Yellow-shouldered Bat (Sturnira perla), 132. Tilda’s Yellow-shouldered Bat (Sturnira tildae), 133. Hairy Yellow-shouldered Bat (Sturnira erythromos), 134. Bogota Yellow-shouldered Bat (Sturnira bogotensis), 135. Greater Yellow-shouldered Bat (Sturnira magna), 136. Northern Yellow-shouldered Bat (Sturnira parvidens), 137. Baker's Yellow-shouldered Bat (Sturnira bakeri), 138. Little Yellow-shouldered Bat (Sturnira Lilium), 139. Gianna’s Yellow-shouldered Bat (Sturnira giannae), 140. Dominica Yellow-shouldered Bat (Sturnira angeli), 141. Paulson’s Yellow-shouldered Bat (Sturnira paulsoni), 142. Luis’s Yellow-shouldered Bat (Sturnira luisi)

Distribution. From N Mexico (S Sinaloa and S Tamaulipas) through Guatemala , El Salvador , and Honduras to N Nicaragua .