Platyrrhinus ismaeli facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Platyrrhinus ismaeli |
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Platyrrhinus
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ismaeli
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The Platyrrhinus ismaeli is a type of bat found in South America. It is also known as Ismael's broad-nosed bat. This bat is a medium-sized member of its group, known for its dark brown fur and special facial stripes. It lives in high mountain forests.
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About Ismael's Broad-Nosed Bat
This bat was first described as a new species in 2005. A scientist named Paul Velazco discovered it. He found that it was different from another bat called Thomas's broad-nosed bat. The first bat studied to describe this species was found in Peru in 1987.
Platyrrhinus ismaeli is part of a group of bats that live in the Andes mountains. Its closest relative is another bat called P. masu.
The bat was named after Ismael Ceballos Bendezú. He is a Peruvian scientist who studies mammals, especially bats. Velazco named the bat after him to honor his important work.
What Does It Look Like?
Ismael's broad-nosed bat is a medium-sized bat.
- Its forearm length is about 50 to 56 millimeters (2.0 to 2.2 inches).
- It weighs between 30 and 51 grams (1.1 to 1.8 ounces).
Its fur is dark brown on its back and grayish on its belly. It has dark stripes on its face. There is also a lighter stripe that runs down its back, which is not as dark as the ones on its face. This bat has a special nose-leaf, which is a fleshy growth on its nose. For this bat, the nose-leaf is longer than it is wide. Male and female bats look very similar.
Life and Habits
Scientists do not know much about how these bats reproduce.
- One pregnant female bat was seen in late January.
- Another female bat, further along in her pregnancy, was seen in early March.
This bat mainly eats fruit. This means it is a frugivore, which is an animal that mostly eats fruit.
Where It Lives
Ismael's broad-nosed bat lives in several South American countries.
- It has been found in Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia.
- It lives on both sides of the Andes mountains.
These bats prefer to live in high places. They are found at elevations from 1,230 to 2,950 meters (4,035 to 9,678 feet) above sea level. They often live in montane forests, which are forests found in mountainous regions.
Protecting This Bat
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) keeps track of how many of these bats are left.
- Currently, Platyrrhinus ismaeli is listed as near-threatened. This means it could become endangered in the future if its population continues to decline.
- In 2008, it was listed as vulnerable, which is a higher risk category. But in 2016, its status improved to near-threatened. This means scientists think its situation is a bit better now, but it still needs protection.
