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Mormoops megalophylla
ghost-faced bat


By Matthew Steinway

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Mormoopidae
Genus: Mormoops
Species: Mormoops megalophylla

Geographic Range

Mormoops megalophylla, the ghost-faced bat, is found as far north as southern Arizona and Texas. It is present throughout most of Mexico and populations continue south to northwestern Peru and northern Venezuela (Rezsutek & Cameron, 1993).

Biogeographic Regions
nearctic (Native ); neotropical (Native )

Habitat

Ghost-faced bats are typically found near desert shrub in caves, tunnels, mine shafts, and occasionally old buildings, especially where temperature and humidity are high (Schober & Grimmberger, 1997).

Terrestrial Biomes
desert or dune

Physical Description

Range mass
13 to 19 g
(0.46 to 0.67 oz)

Mormoops megalophylla is a medium sized, reddish-brown to dark brown bat. They have large, rounded ears which join across the

forehead. Leaf-like appendages protrude from the chin. The tail projects dorsally from the uropatagium. No sexual dimorphism is noted; however, the basal metabolic rate is lower for females (Schmidly, 1991; The Mammals of Texas - Online Edition, 1994).

Reproduction

There is a limited amount of data on the reproductive habits of ghost-faced bats. It is believed that mating begins in late December. One offspring is produced per year and is born between late May and early June. Lactating females have been found from

mid June until mid August (Schmidly, 1991).

Behavior

Ghost-faced bats roost during daylight in large colonies (up to 500,000), however, they do not form compact clusters typical of other species. An individual tends to roost about 15 centimeters away from other members of the colony.

Mormoops megalophylla emerge from caves in the evening to hunt above the ground for large moths and insects. They are strong, fast fliers and frequently hunt over standing water.

It is believed that ghost-faced bats participate in a seasonal migration. They have been found to completely abandon one cave in Texas from April until August (Rezsutek & Cameron, 1993; Schober & Grimmberger, 1997; The Mammals of Texas - Online Edition, 1994).

Food Habits

Not much is known about the food habits of the ghost-faced bat.

Large-bodied moths and other large insects have been found in the stomachs and intestines of individuals (Rezsutek & Cameron, 1993; Schmidly, 1991).

Economic Importance for Humans: Positive

Large amounts of guano (feces) are produced by the large populations in Mexico. Guano is commonly used by locals as a fertilizer (/Mormoops megalophylla/ webpage).

Ghost-faced bats also reduce the number of insect pests present in the areas in which they forage.

Economic Importance for Humans: Negative

None known.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species [Link]
Least Concern
More Information

US Federal List [Link]
No special status

CITES [Link]
No special status

Temperate North American bats are now threatened by a fungal disease called “white-nose syndrome.” This disease has devastated eastern North American bat populations at hibernation sites since 2007. The fungus, Geomyces destructans, grows best in cold, humid conditions that are typical of many bat hibernacula. The fungus grows on, and in some cases invades, the bodies of hibernating bats and seems to result in disturbance from hibernation, causing a debilitating loss of important metabolic resources and mass deaths. Mortality rates at some hibernation sites have been as high as 90%. While there are currently no reports of Mormoops megalophylla mortalities as a result of white-nose syndrome, the disease continues to expand its range in North America. (Cryan, 2010; National Park Service, Wildlife Health Center, 2010)

Other Comments

Mormoops megalophylla have been found to roost in old buildings. Four specimen were discovered at Edinburg Junior High School in Edinburg, Texas. They were seen hanging from the rough plaster ceiling in a hallway. They supposedly entered the building at night through an open window (The Mammals of Texas - Online Edition).

For More Information

Find Mormoops megalophylla information at

Contributors

Matthew Steinway (author), University of Michigan, Phil Myers (editor), Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan.

References

"Mormoops megalophylla" (On-line). Accessed November 9, 1999 at http://biology001.unm.edu/~batcall/accounts/accountsbase/mome.html.

1994. "The Mammals of Texas - Online Edition" (On-line). Accessed November 9, 1999 at http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/tmot1/mormmega.htm.

Cryan, P. 2010. "White-nose syndrome threatens the survival of hibernating bats in North America" (On-line). U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center. Accessed September 16, 2010 at http://www.fort.usgs.gov/WNS/.

National Park Service, Wildlife Health Center, 2010. "White-nose syndrome" (On-line). National Park Service, Wildlife Health. Accessed September 16, 2010 at http://www.nature.nps.gov/biology/wildlifehealth/White_Nose_Syndrome.cfm.

Rezsutek, M., G. Cameron. 15 November 1993. Mormoops megalophylla. Mammalian Species, 448: 1-5.

Schmidly, D. 1991. The Bats of Texas. College Station, Texas: Texas A&M University Press.

Schober, W., E. Grimmberger. 1997. The Bats of Europe & North America. USA: T.F.H. Publications, Inc..

To cite this page: Steinway, M. 2000. "Mormoops megalophylla" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed May 22, 2012 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Mormoops_megalophylla.html

Disclaimer: The Animal Diversity Web is an educational resource written largely by and for college students. ADW doesn't cover all species in the world, nor does it include all the latest scientific information about organisms we describe. Though we edit our accounts for accuracy, we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts. While ADW staff and contributors provide references to books and websites that we believe are reputable, we cannot necessarily endorse the contents of references beyond our control.

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