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Platyrrhinus lineatus
white-lined broad-nosed bat


By Deborah Ciszek

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Phyllostomidae
Genus: Platyrrhinus
Species: Platyrrhinus lineatus

Geographic Range

P. lineatus occurs through the central portion of South America, extending south along the Andes from Colombia through Equador and Peru, east to northeastern Brazil, and further south to northern Argentina.

Biogeographic Regions
neotropical (Native )

Habitat

These bats prefer damp forests. They roost mainly in the tops of trees, under the leaves, but have also been found on lower branches (particularly during stormy weather) and in caves.

Terrestrial Biomes
forest ; rainforest

Physical Description

Average mass
22 g
(0.78 oz)
[External Source: AnAge]

Average basal metabolic rate
0.25 W
[External Source: AnAge]

White-lined bats have a stout muzzle, fairly large ears, and a well-developed noseleaf and tragus. The calcar is short. The fur is yellowish brown to dark brown on the back, and lighter on the ventral surface. True to their name, they have several white stripes. There are two on each side of the face, one running from the base of the noseleaf to the ear and the other across the cheek below the eye. There is also a white stripe on the animal's back.

Reproduction

Average number of offspring
1
[External Source: AnAge]

Average gestation period
106 days
[External Source: AnAge]

In general, these bats can reproduce throughout the year and sometimes become pregnant again while still nursing the offspring from the previous pregnancy. In northeastern Brazil, however, there has been found to be a more restricted pattern of reproductive events. Pregnancies occur only from the early dry season in July through the end of the rainy season in early March, and there is a bimodal distribution of breeding and lactation during this period. Females normally give birth to a single offspring, although twinning is also possible. Gestation lasts approximately 3.5 months.

Lifespan/Longevity

Average lifespan
Status: captivity

13 years
[External Source: AnAge]

Behavior

White-lined bats are social, and can usually be found roosting in small groups. Mothers roost with their pups, and females without young are found with a male and sometimes also with several other females. Males are thought to defend their access to groups of 1 to 15 females from other males. Groups often remain together while foraging as well. Like most other bats, this species is active mainly at night.

Food Habits

White-lined bats eat mainly fruit, but will also consume some insects (especially moths), and nectar from flowers.

Economic Importance for Humans: Positive

White-lined bats disperse the seeds of fruit trees, pollinate some plants, and help control insect pests.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List [Link]
Lower Risk - Least Concern

Other Comments

This species was formerly known as Vampyrops lineatus.

For More Information

Find Platyrrhinus lineatus information at

Contributors

Deborah Ciszek (author), University of Michigan.

References

Nowak, R.M. 1994. Walker's Bats of the World. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.

Willig, M.R., and R.R. Hollander. 1987. Vampyrops lineatus. Mammalian Species, No. 275, pp. 1-4. Published by The American Society of Mammalogists.

To cite this page: Ciszek, D. 1999. "Platyrrhinus lineatus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed February 12, 2012 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Platyrrhinus_lineatus.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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