The Mexican big-eared bat (''Corynorhinus mexicanus'') is a species of

vesper bat Vespertilionidae is a family of microbats, of the order Chiroptera, flying, insect-eating mammals variously described as the common, vesper, or simple nosed bats. The vespertilionid family is the most diverse and widely distributed of bat famili ...

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found else ...

to Mexico. They are nocturnal and insectivorous. Their very large ears are located across their foreheads, and when captured, the bats are observed to curl their ears in a protective manner. The adults are usually brown colored, while the juveniles are usually a smokey brown color. They have small noses.

Habitat and distribution

The Mexican big-eared bat endemic to Mexico and known between Sonora and Coahuila in the north and Michoacan Yucatán in the south; it is rare in the southern end of its range and uncommon elsewhere. They are found in high, humid, mountain habitats and seem to prefer areas with pine-oak forests, although they have been found around other types of vegetation, such as sycamore, cottonwood and agave. Being a nocturnal species, they rest during the day; their day-time roosts are in open caves and mine shafts.

Reproduction

Studies of the males of the species show they have one long reproductive cycle per year. The timing of their cycle is dependent on both physiological (body condition, neurological, and endocrine signals) and environmental (temperature and resource availability) factors. The male reproductive organs are the smallest in February, March, and April, then begin development in May and reach their biggest size, determined by weight, around August (where they are about 40 times bigger than they were in April). The best body conditions of the bats were found from May to June, which suggests this cycle is dependent on body condition. Females give birth to a single offspring.

Status

In 1996, the species was listed as lower risk/least concern, but in 2008, it was moved to near threatened. The population sizes of this bat are declining, and the species may soon be threatened. The major threat to the species is humans, disturbing their roosts and causing habitat loss.Ceballos, G. and Oliva, G. 2005. Los mamíferos silvestres de México. Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad and Fondo de Cultura Económica, México.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q1833151 Corynorhinus Endemic mammals of Mexico Bats of Mexico Bat, Mexican big-eared Near threatened fauna of North America Near threatened biota of Mexico Mammals described in 1916 Taxa named by Glover Morrill Allen Taxonomy articles created by Polbot Fauna of the Sierra Madre Occidental Fauna of the Sierra Madre Oriental Fauna of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt Mexican Plateau

Habitat and distribution

Reproduction

Status

See also

References