Rhogeessa alleni Thomas 1892

Allen's yellow bat (Rhogeessa alleni) is a species of vesper bat. There is some taxonomic debate surrounding this species, with some authors considering Baeodon a genus rather than a subgenus. It is endemic to Mexico.

Taxonomy and etymology

It was described as a new species in 1892 by British zoologist Oldfield Thomas. Thomas noted that the eponym for the species name "alleni" was Harrison Allen, calling him "the chief authority on North-American bats."^[2] In 1906, Gerrit Smith Miller Jr. placed Allen's yellow bat into a newly-coined genus, Baeodon.^[3] At present, some authors keep Allen's yellow bat as part of Rhogeessa within the subgenus Baeodon,^[4] while others believe that it is distinct enough that Baeodon should be considered a monotypic genus rather than a subgenus.^[5]

Description

It is a small species of bat, weighing only 5.8–8 g (0.20–0.28 oz).^[6] It has large ears, with long tragi. The tragi are rounded at the tips, with a straight or slightly concave inner margin and a slightly convex outer margin. The posterior edges of its wings are white. It has a small and narrow calcar. The head and body is 47 mm (1.9 in), while the tail is 41 mm (1.6 in) long. Its forearm length is 35 mm (1.4 in).^[2] Its dental formula is 1.1.1.33.1.2.3 for a total of 30 teeth.^[6]

Range and habitat

It is endemic to Mexico, with its range encompassing several states in southwest Mexico.^[6] It has been documented at a range of elevations, from 125–1,990 m (410–6,529 ft) above sea level.^[1] However, most records of this species are at elevations greater than 1,000 m (3,300 ft) above sea level. Its habitat consists of tropical deciduous forests, thorny forests, deciduous forests, and xeric shrublands.^[6]

Conservation

It is currently evaluated as least concern by the IUCN—its lowest conservation priority.^[1] However, it is infrequently encountered and is considered rare or locally uncommon.^[6]

References