Pygoderma bilabiatum
Ipanema bat

Pygodermabilabiatum is found in the neotropical regions of South America, specifically in northern Argentina, Bolivia, southeastern Brazil, eastern Paraguay, and Suriname (Webster and Owen, 1984; Nowak, 1997).

In Paraguay, -P. bilabiatum- were netted in mature tropical forests and secondary growth that borders forests above trails and streams (Myers, 1981; Webster and Owen, 1984). In Brazil, -Pygoderma bilabiatum- were netted around fruit trees, and in Argentina -P. bilabiatum- were found in many subtropical forest habitats (Nowak, 1997).

-Pygoderma bilabiatum- has dark brown pelage on the dorsal surface and is a gray-brown color on its ventral side. The hairs on the dorsal side of -P. bilabiatum- are tri-colored because the middle of a hair is paler in color than the ends (Webster and Owen, 1983, 1984). These bats also have a white patch on each shoulder (Webster and Owen, 1984; Nowak, 1997). The uropatagium is furred on both sides (Webster and Owen, 1984), extends to the knees, and there is no tail. The tragus of -P. bilabiatum- is only 4-5mm long, the noseleaf is 12.5mm long and 8.5mm wide (Webster and Owen, 1984). The lower lip has a central tubercle bordered by smaller protuberances (Nowak, 1997). The species is highly sexually dimorphic, with the largest variation associated with wing and dental characters (Myers, 1981). Females are generally larger than males, and the glandular tissue around the eye of males tends to be more developed than in females (Myers, 1981)

The rostrum of -P. bilabiatum- is inflated and cuboid compared to other members in its family, the basisphenoid pits are deep (Webster and Owen, 1984) and the palate is short and rounded (Nowak, 1997). The dental formula is 2/2, 1/1, 2/2, 2/2 in males, however females can have third molars. A distinguishing characteristic is that the upper incisors are unequal in size, with the inner pair larger than the outer (Webster and Owen, 1984; Nowak,1997).

Head and body length are either 61mm or 84mm (Nowak, 1997). Differences in physical size are due either to sexual dimorphism or a potential subspecies, -Pygoderma bilabiatum magna-. Forearm length is either 38mm or 43mm, and the larger form weighs approximately 27.5 grams (Nowak, 1997).

Like most bats, Pygoderma bilabiatum are nocturnal, however little else is known about their social behavior or roost behavior (Webster and Owen, 1984).

In one investigation of the contents of the stomachs and intestines of -P. bilabiatum-, only an amorphous green and white material was found (Myers, 1981). It is believed that this lack of seeds and fibers indicates that -P. bilabiatum- feeds on rapidly digestible fruits that are pulpy or overripe (Myers, 1981; Nowak, 1997, Webster and Owen, 1984). There have been other reports of pulp, seed, and pollen in the digestive system of -P. bilabiatum- supporting a frugivorous diet with possible intake of nectar (Faria, 1997).

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Pygoderma bilabiatum is listed on neither the IUCN nor the CITES reports, however the tropical forest habitat of Pygoderma bilabiatum is being destroyed by humans, and that is undoubtedly their greatest threat.

Bolivian specimens of P. bilabiatum tend to be larger than specimens collected in other areas. They have been described as a different subspecies, P. bilabiatum magna (Webster and Owen, 1983).

Patchy distribution of P. bilabiatum may be due to patchy distribution of its food resources (Faria, 1997).

In general phyllostomids have a life span of around 20 years. Their major enemies are birds of prey and humans. Humans destroy habitats of phyllostomids by developing the land as well as by tearing down homes due to public health interests. (Kulzer, 1990).