The chestnut sac-winged bat, or Wagner's sac-winged bat (''Cormura brevirostris'') is a species of
sac-winged bat native to South and Central America. It is
the only species within its genus.
Description
The chestnut sac-winged bat is a relatively small member of its family, with adults usually measuring in length, and weighing . Soft, dense fur covers the body, and the inner parts of the wings, reaching as far as the mid-
humerus
The humerus (; ) is a long bone in the arm that runs from the shoulder to the elbow. It connects the scapula and the two bones of the lower arm, the radius and ulna, and consists of three sections. The humeral upper extremity consists of a roun ...
and mid-
femur on both the upper and lower surfaces. The fur is brown-black or red-brown in colour, being darker above, and paler on the underside of the animal. The wings are black, with the membranes extending as far as the ankles.
The tail projects from the middle of the membrane between the legs, but does not extend beyond it, so is not visible in silhouette. The tail measures about in length, although only of the tip is visible above the membrane. Males of the species have sacs in the centre of the membranes on the forward surfaces of the wings, which reach from the edge of the membrane almost to the elbow. This distinguishes it from all other sac-winged bats, in which the sac is usually much closer to the body.
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Distribution and habitat
In the south, chestnut sac-winged bats are found from eastern Ecuador and Peru, through northern Bolivia
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, flag_alt = Horizontal tricolor (red, yellow, and green from top to bottom) with the coat of arms of Bolivia in the center
, flag_alt2 = 7 × 7 square p ...
as far east as central Brazil. Further north, they are found throughout Colombia
Colombia (, ; ), officially the Republic of Colombia, is a country in South America with insular regions in North America—near Nicaragua's Caribbean coast—as well as in the Pacific Ocean. The Colombian mainland is bordered by the Car ...
, Venezuela, and the Guyanas, and through Central America as far as eastern Nicaragua.[ No subspecies have been identified. Their natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.]
Biology and behaviour
Chestnut sac-winged bats forage for insects in openings and gaps just below and around the forest canopy. They are active primarily just after dusk and just before dawn, spending the day resting in cavities in trees or fallen logs. They live in small groups of up to five individuals, each with no more than a single female.[ Breeding has been reported to take place between April and May in Panama,][
]
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q135150
Mammals described in 1843
Emballonuridae
Mammals of Colombia
Bats of Central America
Bats of South America
Taxonomy articles created by Polbot