By Jacki Thompson
Geographic Range
Underwood's long-tongued bats range from western Panama to Nayarit and Vera Cruz, Mexico. Hyloncyteris underwoodi is endemic to Central America. (Jones and Homan, 1974; Nowak, 1991; Wilson and Reeder, 1993)
Biogeographic Regions:
nearctic 
; neotropical .
Habitat
(164 to 8659.2 ft)
Underwood's long-tongued bats seem to be limited to forested, tropical regions between 50 and 2640 meters elevation. They prefer dense vegetation consisting of deciduous trees forming a full canopy. Roosts have been recorded in hollow logs, under bridges, in caves, and in tunnels. (Nowak, 1991; Phillips and Birney, 1971)
These animals are found in the following types of habitat:
tropical ; terrestrial .
Terrestrial Biomes:
forest .
Physical Description
(0.32 to 0.21 oz)
(2.56 to 2.76 in; avg. 2.64 in)
Hylonycteris underwoodi individuals have long, narrow muzzles and long, extendable tongues. They are small-bodied with short tails and well-developed interfemoral membranes. Body mass ranges from 6 to 9 grams, head and body length ranges from 65 to 70 millimeters, and forearm length from 31 to 35 mm. The fur is uniformly dark gray, with the lower surfaces being slightly paler. The lower lip has a wide groove above it, surrounded by small warts. This bat also has distinctive zalambdodont teeth with the inner upper incisors larger than the outer ones. They lack lower incisors . The skull has an incomplete zygomatic arch. The small size of Hyloncyteris underwoodi may aid in maneuverability in flight. (Altringham, 1996; Dobson, 1966; Nowak, 1991)
Some key physical features:
endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry .
Reproduction
Underwood's long-tongued bats reproduce once a year.
The breeding season in these bats is unknown.
The mating system of H. underwoodi is not known.
Although very little is known about reproduction in H. underwoodi, they are thought to be monoestrus. Females have a yearly cycle of oestrus, pregnancy, and lactation and usually have one offspring. This is commonly found in phyllostomid bats. (LaVal and Fitch, 1977)
Key reproductive features:
iteroparous ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; viviparous .
Parental care in H. underwoodi has not yet been described. Females care for and nurse their young in maternity roosts until they reach independence.
Parental investment:
female parental care .
Lifespan/Longevity
The lifespan of H. underwoodi is unknown.
Behavior
These bats are thought to roost in caves or tunnels in small colonies. They emerge from roosts at dusk to forage for nectar. There is otherwise very little known about behavior in these bats.
Communication and Perception
Communication in H. underwoodi has not been described. Like most mammals, these bats communicate among themselves using sounds, chemical cues, touch, and behaviors. These microchiropterans use those same cues to perceive their environment. They use echolocation as well to navigate and locate food.
Perception channels:
visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; ultrasound ; chemical .
Food Habits
Hyloncyteris underwoodi individuals eat primarily nectar and pollen. They also sometimes eat fruit . (Vaughan, Ryan, and Czaplewski, 2000; Wilson, 1997)
Primary Diet:
herbivore (nectarivore ).
Plant Foods:
fruit.
Predation
There is no information regarding predation on H. underwoodi. The most likely predators on these bats are birds of prey, such as falcons and owls, snakes, and other small, arboreal predators.
Ecosystem Roles
In general, frugivorous bats are able to spread seeds for long distances and are notorious for aiding in pollination of certain plants. However, little is known about specific roles of H. underwoodi. (Wilson, 1997)
Key ways these animals impact their ecosystem:
disperses seeds; pollinates.
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
There are no known adverse effects of H. underwoodi on humans.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Hylonycteris underwoodi probably disperses seeds and aids in the pollination of plants that are important to humans. (Wilson, 1997)
Ways that people benefit from these animals:
pollinates crops; controls pest population.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: [link]:
Lower Risk - Near Threatened.
US Federal List: [link]:
No special status.
CITES: [link]:
No special status.
Hyloncyteris underwoodi is currently listed as 'Lower Risk / Near Threatened' by the IUCN . ("IUCN Redlist", 2003; Kuntz and Racey, 1998)
Other Comments
H. underwoodi is the only species in the genus Hylonycteris. The name literally means 'forest bat'. (Jones and Homan, 1974; Kuntz and Racey, 1998)
For More Information
Find Hylonycteris underwoodi information at
Contributors
Jacki Thompson (author), Michigan State University.
Dr. Barbara Lundrigan 
(editor), Michigan State University.
