Rhogeessa genowaysi, R. J. Baker, 1984

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Vespertilionidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 716-981 : 858-859

212.

Genoways’s Yellow Bat

Rhogeessa genowaysi

French: Rhogeessa de Genoways / German: Genoways-Gelbfledermaus / Spanish: Rogesa de Genoways

Taxonomy. Rhogeessa genowaysi R. J. Baker, 1984 ,

“ Mexico; Chiapas; 23.6 mi [= 38 km] byroad ( Mex. Hwy 200) northwest of Huala

One of the first cryptic mammal species discovered, when it was separated from the morphologically similar R. tumida (= R. bickhami ) based on karyological studies. Karyotype of 2n = 42 of R. genowaysi is identical to that observed in R. velilla , but these species are genetically distinct; their ranges do not overlap. R. genowaysi is morphologically very similar to other species within the R. tumida complex and is sympatric with R. bickhami (2n = 34). Monotypic. Distribution. Two nearby localities in Pacific lowlands of S Chiapas, S Mexico.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 37-50 mm, tail 27-33 mm, ear 10-12 mm, hindfoot 5-8 mm, forearm 27-8-30- 5 mm; weight 3-5 g. Females have larger skull than males. General coloration is yellowish; dorsal fur has mummy-brown darker regions and sepia lighter regions; anterior region of ventral fur is Naples yellow with posterior region Saccardo’s umber; fur on head is bicolored, with cream bases and sepia tips. Ears are small and triangular, with rounded tips. Wing membranes are darkish, strong, and relatively thick; uropatagium naked. 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 present above occiput region. Lingual cingulum of C' has two small cusps, differing from congeners, which have smooth canines; I, has smaller cusps than I,, and is about same size or slightly smaller than L; M? has a short hypocone, and is one-third longer and three times wider than M’. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 42 and FN = 50, with a submetacentric X-chromosome and a small and biarmed Y-chromosome.

Habitat. Mature second-growth lowland tropical forest. Has been captured flying only under the forest canopy. Known altitudinal range is 20-50 m.

Food and Feeding. An aerial insectivore.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. Nocturnal; starts foraging right after sunset, and is among first bats to appear in evening.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List. Seems to be a rare species, with an extent of occurrence under 1000 km?, and known only from two nearby localities, located in a highly restricted protected area. The major threat 1s extensive habitat loss caused by conversion to agriculture; moreover, natural forces such as tropical storms and possibly hurricanes can also negatively affect the region.

Bibliography. Alvarez-Castaneda & Gonzalez-Ruiz (2018), Arroyo-Cabrales (2016), Arroyo-Cabrales & Baker (2014c), Baird et al. (2008, 2009), Baker (1984), Baker et al. (1985), Bickham & Baker (1977), Goodwin & Greenhall (1961), LaVal (1973a), Roots & Baker (1998), Simmons (2005).

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)

One of the first cryptic mammal species discovered, when it was separated from the morphologically similar R. tumida (= R. bickhami ) based on karyological studies. Karyotype of 2n = 42 of R. genowaysi is identical to that observed in R. velilla , but these species are genetically distinct; their ranges do not overlap. R. genowaysi is morphologically very similar to other species within the R. tumida complex and is sympatric with R. bickhami (2n = 34). Monotypic. Distribution. Two nearby localities in Pacific lowlands of S Chiapas, S Mexico .