Eumops dabbenei
big bonneted bat

Individuals of E. dabbenei have been found in Columbia (Magdalena River Valley), northern Venezuela, central Paraguay, and northern Argentina (Chaco Province).

These bats tend to be rare throughout their range, and they are poorly known relative to most other Eumops species. (Nowak 1999; Harrison et al. 1979)

E. dabbenei tends to roost in the holes of trees and in buildings in neotropic areas. The areas of Columbia, Venezuela, Paraguay, and Argentina where they are found tend to be forested, but the full range of habitats available to E. dabbenei is poorly understood.

(Barquez et al. 1993; Novak 1999; Fioramonti 2001)

Large ears connected across the head at their base. Ears are smaller than in the related species, and members of this species have a pointed tragus. The skull is massive, with shallower basisphenoid pits than E. perotis. A large gular (throat) sac is present in males, which swells during mating season. The lamboid crests are strongly developed, while the sagittal crest is less developed. The thumb pad is triangular. The lips are smooth and the tail is quite thick. The dental formula is 1/2, 1/1, 2/2, 3/3 = 30. The dorsal coloration is chestnut, with a paler ventral coloration.

This species is large compared to most members of Eumops, a fact which causes it to become confused with E. perotis. The pointed ears mentioned above are an important distinguising feature.

(Barquez et al. 1993; Novak 1999)

The reproductive and social behavior of this species has not been examined.

Like some other members of the Eumops genus, E. dabbenei males have a throat sac that swells with a phermone-laden musk during the breeding season. Females tend to have one litter per year, although it is possible for them to have two. (Novak 1999; Hill & Smith 1984)

These bats feed by catching insects in flight; this behavior is known as "aerial insectivory". There is evidence that fat metabolism is of primary importance to this species, as opposed to protein or carbohydrate metabolism.

(Findley 1993)

This species is a secondary or tertiary consumer, meaning that it eats either herbivores or carnivores that prey on herbivores; these prey item are primarily airborne insects. (Findley 1993)

The abundance of this species is poorly understood, but is believed to be rare throughout its range. It does not have specially protected status at this time (Barquez et al. 1993).