Matapalo broad-nosed bat facts for kids
The Matapalo broad-nosed bat (Platyrrhinus matapalensis) is a small, fascinating bat found in South America. It's a type of leaf-nosed bat, which means it has a special leaf-shaped growth on its nose. Scientists officially described this bat in 2005.
Quick facts for kids Matapalo broad-nosed bat |
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| Genus: |
Platyrrhinus
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| Species: |
matapalensis
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Contents
Discovering the Matapalo Bat
Before 2005, scientists knew about 10 different types of bats in the Platyrrhinus group. But then, they discovered the Matapalo broad-nosed bat! This discovery, along with others, means there are now at least 20 species in this bat family.
Scientists realized that what they thought was one species, Heller's broad-nosed bat, was actually two different ones. The bats living in the eastern areas kept the name P. helleri. The bats from the western areas were given a new name: P. matapalensis. This is called a taxonomic split.
Where Does Its Name Come From?
The very first Matapalo broad-nosed bat studied by scientists was collected in July 1954. It was found in Zarumilla, Peru by a Peruvian bird expert named Celestino Kalinowski. This first bat is called the holotype for the species.
The bat's species name, matapalensis, comes from the Matapalo District in Peru. This is the area where the first bat was found.
What Does This Bat Look Like?
The Matapalo broad-nosed bat is a small bat for its group. Its forearm, which is like its wing bone, is about 37 to 39 millimeters (1.4 to 1.5 inches) long.
Its fur on its back is light brown. Each hair has three different colors! These hairs are about 6.3 to 7.5 millimeters (0.25 to 0.3 inches) long. The bat also has stripes on its face.
The fur on its belly is brownish. These belly hairs can have two colors or just one, depending on the individual bat. A narrow stripe runs down its back, along its spine. This stripe is the same color as the stripes on its face.
The bat has a special nose-leaf that is longer than it is wide. This helps it to direct the sounds it makes for echolocation. The edge of its tail membrane, called the uropatagium, is covered with a thick fringe of hairs.
Where Do Matapalo Bats Live?
The Matapalo broad-nosed bat lives on the western side of the Andes mountains. You can find them in countries like Ecuador and Peru. Scientists think they might also live in northwest Colombia, but they haven't found any proof yet.
These bats like to live in lowland forests that haven't been disturbed by people. They have been found living at elevations from about 50 to 680 meters (164 to 2,230 feet) above sea level.
Why Are Matapalo Bats Near-Threatened?
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) currently lists the Matapalo broad-nosed bat as "near-threatened." This means they are not in immediate danger, but their numbers are getting lower.
The biggest problem for these bats is habitat loss. Their forest homes are disappearing very quickly. Because of this, the species is close to being listed as "vulnerable," which means they would be at a higher risk of extinction. Protecting their forest homes is very important for their survival.
