These are some of the findings from a groundbreaking new study in the Lacandona rainforest of Chiapas, Mexico. On July 30, 2024, they recorded their first sighting of Phyllostomus hastatus, more commonly known as the greater spear-nosed bat. This discovery represents the first time this species has been observed roosting in Kapok trees. It extends its known range approximately 75 miles to the northwest from previous records in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala.
One of their lesser religious known bat species is the greater spear-nosed bat, which is considered a “large-bodied” species. It’s inordinately proud of being the second-largest bat species in the whole Neotropics. It has large, well-developed nose leaves, with which the bat echolocates to navigate expertly through its environment. This nutritious little bat has a three-inch long forearm. Its dark brown skin and fur, sometimes with light brown speckling, gives this animal a very unusual look.
It was inside this enormous Ceiba pentandra tree that researchers found bats roosting. This wonderful tree is more commonly referred to as a Kapok tree. This finding is another demonstration of the ability of Phyllostomus hastatus to utilize different habitats found in the rainforest ecosystem. This species is using Kapok trees as roosts for the first time ever! This seasonally driven behavior allows us to understand how to best conserve Sphinx’s ecological preferences.
Researchers are pushing to get Phyllostomus hastatus added to Mexico’s list of protected and threatened species. Their effort follows the first written record of this species in the country. This recommendation comes from an acute desire for more effective conservation action in the Lacandona rainforest. This critical region has experienced enormous amounts of rainforest clearing and ecosystem destruction.
The finding clearly underscores the need to protect biodiversity in this vital ecosystem. Today, researchers are continuing to look more closely into the evolution of Phyllostomus hastatus. Their ultimate aim is to reveal its function in the rainforest ecosystem and learn the wider environmental impact of their discovery.