210.

Ecuadorian Little Yellow Bat

Rhogeessa velilla

French: Rhogeessa d'Equateur / German: Ecuador-Gelbfledermaus / Spanish: Rogesa de Ecuador

Other common names: Ecuadorian Yellow Bat

Taxonomy. Rhogeessa velilla Thomas, 1903,

“Puna, Puna Island, Gulf of Guayaquil, Ecuador.”

Previously considered a race of R. parvula, based on external and skull morphology; it was later included in R. tumida, based on bacular, external and skull morphology;it was then placed in R. io, based on bacular and karyological evidence. Subsequently, karyological and mtDNA studies led to its elevation to species level, and this was later supported by nDNA results. Monotypic.

Distribution. Scattered localities in W Ecuador (including Puna I) and NW Peru.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 39-43 mm,tail 22-31 mm, ear 13- 5-17 mm, hindfoot 5—6 mm, forearm 27-31 mm; weight 2:8- 4-6 g. Dorsal fur is bicolored, with whitish to yellowish bases and darker brown tips; venter yellowish brown. Ears short, triangular, narrow, and blackish. Wing membranes uniformly brown, without posterior white edges; uropatagium is furred only at base, and fur does not reach knee. Skull small and delicate; braincase low and narrow; zygomatic arches not very expanded; helmet absent. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 42, differing from all species to which it has been previously been assigned.

Habitat. Tropical dry forest west of the Andes, occurring from sea level up to 550 m.

Food and Feeding. Insectivorous.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. Apparently an early flier, usually being netted at dusk.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List. Apparently rare, and restricted to tropical dry forest. There are a few protected areas within its restricted range.

Bibliography. Baird et al. (2008, 2009), Carrera et al. (2010), Genoways & Baker (1996b), Goodwin (1958b), LaVal (1973a), Pacheco, Cadenillas, Salas et al. (2009), Pacheco, Cadenillas, Velazco et al. (2007), Solari (20171).