By Jordan Zylstra
Geographic Range
Columbia, Venezuala, to the Amazonian region of Peru and Brazil (Nowak, 1997; Murcielagos, 1982).
Biogeographic Regions
neotropical 
(Native )
Habitat
2240 (high) m
(7349.08 (high) ft)
Venezualan specimens were collected in many different habitats, but mostly in moist, open areas of the forest (Nowak, 1997). One specimen was found in cavity in the ground (Murcielagos, 1982). Venezuelan samples were taken at up to 2240 m (Eisenberg, 1989).
Habitat Regions
tropical
Terrestrial Biomes
forest ; rainforest
Physical Description
17 g
(0.60 oz)
56 to 58 mm
(2.20 to 2.28 in)
Sphaeronycteris toxophyllum has a total length of approximately 56-58 mm and a forearm length of about 40 mm. There is no external tail and the dorsum is cinnamon brown. The underparts are brownish white with individual hairs on the back whitish. The side of the face has fleshy outgrowths. A hornlike growth on the nose is larger on males than on females. Under the chin is a fold of skin that can be rolled over the face. The bat is similar in appearance to Centurio but with less extreme facial outgrowths and a third lower molar (Nowak, 1997).
Other Physical Features
endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Behavior
There is no literature regarding the behavior of this species.
Food Habits
Unknown food habits, but the stomach contents of an examined specimen resembled yellowish fruit pulp (Murcielagos, 1982).
Primary Diet
herbivore (Frugivore )
Ecosystem Roles
Not much is known, but because they are frugivores it might be assumed that they disperse some fruit seeds.
Ecosystem Impact
disperses seeds
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
None known
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
None known
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species [Link]
Data Deficient
More Information
US Federal List [Link]
No special status
CITES [Link]
No special status
S. toxophyllum is not listed on either the IUCN or U.S. ESA sites.
Other Comments
This species has not been widely seen nor studied so there is very little literature on it.
For More Information
Find Sphaeronycteris toxophyllum information at
Contributors
Jordan Zylstra (author), University of Michigan, Ondrej Podlaha (editor), University of Michigan.
