Future research of Ametrida centurio may give us a better understanding of their habits and behavior. Until then, little is known about this species of bats.
Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical
Ametrida centurio is a poorly understood bat species. This lack of information, in addition to its rarity throughout its known range, suggests that this bat species should be studied more thoroughly to understand the risks it may face.
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
There is no information regarding the negative impacts of these bats on the human population.
Frugivorous bats are sometimes beneficial because they incidentally pollinate flowers that are close to the fruit that they are consuming. Insectivorous bats benefit humans by reducing insect pest populations.
Little is known about the food habits of Ametrida centurio. They are probably primarily frugivorous, based on skull and dental structure, but may consume insects as well.
(Nowak, 1994; Reid, 1997)
White-shouldered bats, Ametrida centurio are found in Central America and parts of South America, including Venezuela, Guyana, Brazil, Trinidad, and Bonaire Island. They are rare throughout their range.
(Nowak, 1994)
Biogeographic Regions: neotropical (Native )
White-shouldered bats are found in moist tropical forests, especially near streams. They have been most commonly found in multistratal, tropical evergreen forests.
(Eisenburg, 1989; Emmons, 1990; Nowak, 1994; Reid, 1997)
Terrestrial Biomes: rainforest
White-shouldered bats exhibit sexual dimorphism in size. The genus Ametrida once included two species, A. centurio and A. minor, due to the size difference between sexes. Ametrida centurio were the larger females, averaging 12g and having a head and body length of 35-47mm, while Ametrida minor were the smaller males who weigh on average 8g with a head and body length smaller than that of the females. Forearm length ranges between 25 and 33 mm.
White-shouldered bats resemble other frugivorous leaf-nosed bats. They have the shortened face typical of frugivorous phyllostomids. These bats have about 32 teeth, and the small 3rd lower molar is present. They have no banding or striping on the face or back. White-shouldered bats gets their name from the light, almost white-colored, patches found on each shoulder. The color of the body ranges from sooty brown to a dark brown, almost gray color. Males tend to be more dusky with grayer tints than females.
The eyes of white-shouldered bats are relatively large. Ametrida centurio tend to have a yellow colored iris and males possess a swollen pad beneath each eye. They have no external tail but the long tail membrane is well haired and u-shaped with fringes along the edge.
(Eisenburg, 1989; Emmons, 1990)
Range mass: 7.8 to 12.6 g.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Reproduction in A. centurio is not well understood. Females have been captured carrying a single embryo, suggesting that typically only one young is born.
(Emmons and Feer, 1990)
Key Reproductive Features: gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual
The little white-shouldered bat (Ametrida centurio) is a species of bat from South and Central America. It is the only species within its genus, the name of which translates as "reaper" or "destroyer".[2]
The little white-shouldered bat is a small phyllostomid bat, with males measuring 35 to 46 mm (1.4 to 1.8 in) and females 40 to 53 mm (1.6 to 2.1 in) in total length. The fur is generally brown, being paler underneath, and on the forequarters. As the common name suggests, both sexes have a spot of pure white fur on the shoulders near the base of the neck. The wings are also brown, and the uropatagium is hairy; the bats do not possess an external tail. The head has a relatively short, broad snout, with a wide mouth, and a simple, spear-like nose-leaf. The ears are small and triangular, and the eyes large and bulging, with a yellow iris.[2]
Little white-shouldered bats are found throughout Venezuela, the Guyanas, on the island of Trinidad, and in eastern Colombia, north and central Brazil, and southern Panama. They have also been reported from Bonaire Island in the Netherlands Antilles.[1] Within this region, it is found in lowland evergreen and deciduous forest and swamps.[2] It is typically found below 1,500 m (4,900 ft), but some individuals have been caught as high as 2,100 m (6,900 ft).[1]
Little white-shouldered bats eat fruit, and forage from the forest floor to the canopy.[2] They have an unusually small brain, compared with their close relatives, and the cerebrum has virtually no sulci.[3] Little else is currently known of their biology, although pregnant females have been caught in July and August.[4] There are no recognised subspecies.[2]
The little white-shouldered bat (Ametrida centurio) is a species of bat from South and Central America. It is the only species within its genus, the name of which translates as "reaper" or "destroyer".
