By Gabriel Gam
Geographic Range
Pteronotus parnellii is found from southern Mexico to northern Brazil (Herd 1983).
Biogeographic Regions:
nearctic 
(native ); neotropical (native ).
Habitat
(9840 ft)
P. parnellii lives in edge habitats (Estrada 2001). These habitats range from humid to arid (Herd 1983). They also live in moist areas in forest (Gray 1843). They range in elevation from coastal lowland areas to 3000 m.
These animals are found in the following types of habitat:
tropical ; terrestrial .
Terrestrial Biomes:
forest ; rainforest ; scrub forest .
Physical Description
(0.35 to 0.7 oz; avg. 0.53 oz)
(2.87 to 4.02 in; avg. 3.44 in)
Pteronotus parnellii have tufts of hair sticking out of the sides of their muzzles, hence the name "Parnell's Mustached Bat". Members of this species have long and narrow wings, and their wing aspect ratio is greater than most bats. Both their ears and tragus are narrow and pointed, and they have a furless chin. Their dental formula is i2/2 c1/1 p2/3 m3/3. During their annual molt, which takes place from May to July, their coat turns from a dark brown/blackish color to a brilliant orange/fulvous. The male is usually slightly larger than the female (Estrada 2001).
Some key physical features:
endothermic ; bilateral symmetry .
Reproduction
The females are monestrous. The timing of pregnancy varies from region to region, but pregnancies generally take place from January to July (Gray, 1843). Males and females roost together only around the time of mating (Gray, 1843; Herd, 1983).
Key reproductive features:
gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization (internal ); viviparous .
Behavior
They leave their roost shortly after sunset and remain in flight for about 5-7 hours (Herd 1983). They usually roost individually within large caves or similar chambers (Gray 1843). They usually fly near the ground, often following natural depressions.
Food Habits
P. parnellii eats moths, butterflies, and beetles (Herd 1983).
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
P. parnellii may carry rabies, Histoplasma, Scopulariopsis, mites, or bat flies, which are hazardous to humans (Herd 1983).
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
This species feeds on insects that are sometimes injurious to humans. It has also served as a model in the study of echolocation.
Ways that people benefit from these animals:
research and education; controls pest population.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: [link]:
Lower Risk - Least Concern.
US Federal List: [link]:
No special status.
CITES: [link]:
No special status.
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Other Comments
Their echolocation pulse is emitted from the mouth (Herd 1983).
For More Information
Find Pteronotus parnellii information at
Contributors
Gabriel Gam (author), University of Michigan.
Ondrej Podlaha (editor), University of Michigan.
