Monophyllus plethodon, G. S. Miller, 1900

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Phyllostomidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 444-583 : 511

47.

Insular Single-leat Bat

Monophyllus plethodon

French: Monophylle des Petites Antilles / German: Kleine-Antillen-Blattnase / Spanish: Mondfilo de las Pequenas Antillas

Other common names: Insular Long-tongued Bat, Lesser Antillean Long-tongued Bat

Taxonomy. Monophyllus plethodon G. S. Miller, 1900 ,

St. Michael Parish, Barbados, Lesser Antilles.

Puerto Rican subspecies frater by H. E. Anthony in 1917 is known only from fossil material. Two subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

M.p.plethodonG.S.Miller,1900—Barbados.

M. p. luciae G. S. Miller, 1902 — Lesser Antilles, from Anguilla to Saint Vincent Is.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 67-84 mm, tail 8-16 mm, ear 14-15 mm, hindfoot 12-13 mm, forearm 38-8-45-7 mm; weight 12-5-17-2 g. The Insular Single-leaf Batis is easily distinguished from other Antillean bat species based on long narrow snout, ending in small but clearly defined noseleaf. Tongue is exceedingly long. Ears appear proportional to head and are well separated over it. Fur is brownish to pale buffy tan. Dental formula of all species of Monophyllusis12/2, C1/1,P 2/3, M 3/3 (x2) = 34. Teeth are very small, with distorted W-pattern. Upper premolars are relatively crowded and separated by diastemaless than one-half the length of P°. Testes are 2-9-5 mm.

Habitat. Xeric areas as well as dense rainforests. Most often captured in or near fruit plantations, especially in banana groves. In Barbados, an individual was caught in a mist net stretched between buttresses under a bridge near a sugarcane field. The Insular Single-leaf Bat is not equally abundant throughout its distribution, perhaps because smaller populations occur on islands with more recent impact from hurricanes.

Food and Feeding. No information, but probably similar to Leach’s Single-leaf Bat ( M. redmani ), which feeds on nectar.

Breeding. Pregnant Insular Single-leaf Bats have been captured in March-April, lactating females in April-May and July, and post-lactating females in June-July. Females give birth to one young at a time.

Activity patterns. Based on its diet and close relationship to Leach’s Single-leaf Bat, the Insular Single-leaf Bat is expected to be nocturnal, beginning its activity well after sunset. It roosts in caves.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Most colonies of Insular Single-leaf Bats appear to be rather small, numbering hundreds of individuals. Small size of colonies and islands where it is found suggest that it disperses over short distances.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCNRed List. The Insular Single-leaf Bat is presumably common throughoutits restricted distribution. Its habitat is not considered to be as declining.

Bibliography. Anthony (1917), Genoways, Larsen, PA. et al. (2007), Genoways, Larsen, R.J. et al. (2011), Genoways, Pedersen et al. (2007), Grindal (2004), Homan & Jones (1975b), Larsen et al. (2006), Masson et al. (1990), Pedersen, Genoways, Morton, Johnson & Courts (2003), Pedersen, Genoways, Morton, Kwiecinski & Courts (2005), Pedersen, Larsen et al. (2018), Rodriguez-Duran & Davalos (2018), Timm & Genoways (2003).

Figures

47. Insular Single-leat Bat (Monophyllus plethodon), 48. Leach’s Single-leat Bat (Monophyllus redmani), 49. Commissaris’s L. ong-tongued Bat (Glossophaga commissaris), 50. Western Long-tongued Bat (Glossophaga morenoi), 51. Gray's Long-tongued Bat (Glossophaga leachii), 52. Miller's Long-tongued Bat (Glossophaga longirostris), 53. Pallas’s Long-tongued Bat (Glossophaga soricina), 54. Southern LLong-nosed Bat (Leptonyctenis curasoae), 55. Greater Long-nosed Bat (Leptonycteris nivalis), 56. Lesser Long-nosed Bat (Leptonycteris yerbabuenae), 57. Antillean Fruit-eating Bat (Brachyphylla cavernarum), 58. Cuban Fruit-eating Bat (Brachyphylla nana), 59. Jamaican Flower Bat (Phyllonycteris aphylla), 60. Cuban Flower Bat (Phyllonycteris poeyi), 61. Brown Flower Bat (Erophylla bombifrons), 62. Buffy Flower Bat (Erophylla sezekorni)

Subspecies and Distribution. M.p.plethodonG.S.Miller,1900—Barbados. M. p. luciae G. S. Miller, 1902 — Lesser Antilles, from Anguilla to Saint Vincent Is.