By Jacki Thompson
Geographic Range
Nyctiellus lepidus is found in Cuba and the Bahamas. (Wilson and Reeder, 1993)
Biogeographic Regions:
neotropical 
(native ).
Other Geographic Terms:
island endemic .
Habitat
Gervais's funnel-eared bats live in forested tropical lowlands and foothills. They typically roost in large colonies in warm, humid mines or deep caves. (Handley, 1976; Vaughan, Ryan, and Czaplewski, 2000; Watkins, Jones, and Genoways, 1972)
These animals are found in the following types of habitat:
tropical ; terrestrial .
Terrestrial Biomes:
forest .
Physical Description
(0.35 to 0.18 oz)
Nyctiellus lepidus individuals are small and delicate with broad wings, long tails, and a large interfemoral membrane. They also have large, forward pointing 'funnel'-shaped ears and a long, plain nose. The inner side of the ear is convex and reaches almost to the eyes. They have dark yellow to brown fur. Funnel-eared bats have inner upper incisors that are pointed inward and small lower incisors. These aid in drawing insects into the mouth. Males have a subcutaneous 'natalid' organ on their forehead. The function of the organ is poorly known but it is rich in sensory cells. It may have a glandular function. They weigh 5 to 10 grams. Members of the family Natalidae range in size from 35 to 55 mm in body length, 27 to 41 mm in forearm length, and 50 to 60 mm in tail length. (Crichton and Krutzsh, 2000; Dobson, 1966; Nowak, 1991)
Some key physical features:
endothermic ; bilateral symmetry .
Sexual dimorphism: sexes alike.
Reproduction
Gervais's funnel-eared bats breed in December and January.
The mating system of N. lepidus is not kown. Populations of some species of natalid segregate by sex during the breeding season, though sex segregation during the breeding season in N. lepidus is incomplete. (Nowak, 1991)
Little is known about the reproduction of N. lepidus. They are thought to be monoestrous, with the breeding season occurring in December and January. They have one large young at a time after an 8 to 10 month gestation period. There seems to be an extended embryonic development and the young are relatively large when born, weighing almost 50% of the mother's weight at birth. (Crichton and Krutzsh, 2000; Hayssen, Van Tienhoven, and Van Tienhoven, 1993)
Key reproductive features:
iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; viviparous .
Parental care in N. lepidus has not been described. Young funnel-eared bats are nursed and cared for by their mother until they reach independence. The growth of young bats is often relatively fast.
Parental investment:
female parental care .
Lifespan/Longevity
The lifespan of N. lepidus is not known.
Behavior
Gervais's funnel-eared bats are nocturnal. They emerge from roosts in the evening to forage for insects. They roost in small to large colonies, which may be sexually segregated while young are developing into maternity roosts and male roosts. Their flight is slow and moth-like. (Nowak, 1991)
Communication and Perception
Communication in N. lepidus has not been described but, like most mammals, funnel-eared bats use their senses of smell, sight, touch, and hearing in communicating with conspecifics. They perceive their environment through vision, chemical cues, touch, and hearing. They use echolocation to locate and capture prey.
Perception channels:
visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; echolocation ; chemical .
Food Habits
Nyctiellus lepidus individuals are insectivores. They show remarkable maneuverability to glean small insects. They are very skillful at flying through small openings of shrubs looking for insects, primarily using echolocation to find their prey. (Altringham, 1996)
Primary Diet:
carnivore (insectivore ).
Animal Foods:
insects.
Predation
- snakes (Serpentes)
- birds of prey (Falconiformes and Strigiformes)
Snakes and birds of prey are the primary predators of N. lepidus. (Nowak, 1991)
Anti-predator adaptations::
cryptic .
Ecosystem Roles
Nyctiellus lepidus impacts populations of insects in the ecosystems in which they live. Large colonies help to create guano communities in roost caves.
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
There are no known adverse affects of N. lepidus on humans.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Nyctiellus lepidus individuals are insectivores, they help to control insect populations. (Hall, 1981)
Ways that people benefit from these animals:
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.
Gervais's funnel-eared bats are listed as lower risk but near threatened according to IUCN, likely due to human exploitation. ("IUCN Redlist", 2003; Nowak, 1991)
Other Comments
The family Natalidae is considered closely related to the families Furipteridae and Thyropteridae. (Altringham, 1996; Vaughan, Ryan, and Czaplewski, 2000)
For More Information
Find Nyctiellus lepidus information at
Contributors
Jacki Thompson (author), Michigan State University.
Dr. Barbara Lundrigan 
(editor), Michigan State University.
