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Range extension and natural history observations for the smoky bat (Amorphochilus schnablii)

Abstract:

The narrow Pacific coastal region west of the Andes Mountains in South America is a hotspot of endemism, including at least seven bat species. One of the least known species from this region is Amorphochilus schnablii, a small, thumbless bat in the family Furipteridae (Order Chiroptera). There are few capture records and museum specimens for this species, leaving an incomplete picture of its geographic range and life history traits. Here we present a revised distribution map and demographic data based on captures of A. schnablii from a colony in southwestern Ecuador. This colony is located 30km farther north than any other known colony and contains twice as many individuals as previously reported colonies. A total of 55 bats were captured in February and September of 2010-2011. Standard measurements were taken from all individuals and adult females were assessed for reproductive condition. By combining these new demographic data with previous records, we examined annual reproductive trends, which suggests a pattern of seasonal monoestry. Parturition appears to be timed to occur just before the onset of the rainy season in December or January, a pattern observed in many other Neotropical insectivorous bats. More captures are needed to better understand the distribution, ecology, and life history of A. schnablii, but given their rareness, survey data are difficult to obtain.