Belize Biodiversity Information System

Taxonomy

Species ID	050260
Name	Greater Fishing Bat
Other Common Names	Greater Bulldog Bat, Mexican Bulldog Bat
Category	05 Mammals
Phylum
Subphylum
Class	Mammalia
Subclass	Theria
Suborder	Microchiroptera
Family	Noctilionidae
Genus	Noctilio
Species	leporinus
Subspecies	mastivus
References	1, 2, 3, 14

Comments

14* N. l. mastivus range includes C.A. from Sinaloa, Veracruz, and extreme western Ecuador and Venezuela. N. l. lepornis (Guianas and eastern Ecuador to eastern Brazil); N. l. rufescens (Bolivia and southern Brazil to northern Argentina).

Status

Status Code	Status Translation	References
271	Common: high density, likely to be seen in many places	4

Distribution

DISTRICT	References
Belize	11
Cayo	12
Corozal	16
Orange Walk	2
Stann Creek	11
Toledo	11

Administrative Unit	Occurrence	Abundance	Temporal	References
Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary	Collected as voucher.	Unknown, insuffient data	Dry season (Jan-May)	11
BFREE - Private Reserve	Recorded vocalization, tape or Anabat.	Unknown, insuffient data	November	11
Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary	Recorded vocalization, tape or Anabat.	Fairly common	June	18
Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve	Captured or Mist netted and released	Unknown, insuffient data	February	17
Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve	Collected as voucher.	Unknown, insuffient data	August	12
Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary	Collected as voucher.	Unknown, insuffient data	May	12
Bladen Nature Reserve		Unknown, insuffient data	May	11
Columbia River Forest Reserve				12
Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve	Captured or Mist netted and released		Dry season (Jan-May)	10
Mussel Creek Drainage (Proposed)			Dry season (Jan-May)	9
Chiquibul Forest Reserve				8
Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary				6
Bladen Nature Reserve	Captured or Mist netted and released	Unknown, insuffient data	May	5
Chiquibul National Park	Sighting		Dry season (Jan-May)	11
Private land, see comments	Sighting		Dry season (Jan-May)	13

Hydrologic Unit Distribution	References
Bladen Branch	11
Sibun River	11
North Stann Creek	18
Macal River	17
Macal River	13
Macal River	10
Cox's Lagoon	9
Raspaculo River	8
Mussel Creek	7
Belize River	12

ELEVATION Association	References
401-600 m	23
0-100 m	16
201-400 m	12
1-200 m	11, 18
101-200 m	11

QUAD Distribution	References
16 30' to 16 45'; 88 30' to 88 45'	11
16 45' to 17 00'; 88 45' to 89 00'	23
18 15' to 18 30'; 88 15' to 88 30'	16
16 45' to 17 00'; 88 30' to 88 45'	12
16 30' to 16 45'; 88 45' to 89 00'	11,5
17 15' to 17 30'; 88 45' to 89 00'	9
17 15' to 17 30'; 88 30' to 88 45'	11,11
17 00' to 17 15'; 89 00' to 89 15'	12
17 00' to 17 15'; 88 45' to 89 00'	12,12
16 45' to 17 00'; 88 45' to 89 00'	12
16 45' to 17 00'; 88 15' to 88 30'	11,18,12
16 30' to 16 45'; 89 00' to 89 15'	12
16 15' to 16 30'; 89 00' to 89 15'	12,12
16 15' to 16 30'; 88 45' to 89 00'	12,10
16 00' to 16 15'; 89 00' to 89 15'	13,6

Holdridge Life Zone Distribution	References
Subtropical moist	17
Subtropical moist	16
Tropical wet-transition to Subtropical	13
Tropical moist-transition to Subtropical	11,11,18
Subtropical wet	11,5

Comments on Distribution

13* Chaa Creek Cottages, along Macal River
12* Banana Bank; Barton Creek at West Hwy; Aguacate River.
11* Natural Arch & Rio Ceiba Grande
10* Francelia Camp, Macal River
5*  Quebrado de Oro

Graphics

Map of known distribution
Vocal signature
Vocal signature with call paramters shown

Habitat Associations

Forest Type Associations	Seral Stage	Canopy Closure	References
Transitional Broadleaf Forest Poor in Lime-loving Species	all stages	71-100%	11
Lowland broadleaf moist evergreen seasonal forests over poor soils.	all stages	71-100%	11
Broadleaf Forest w/Occasional Lime-loving Species; Cohune-Banak forest.	all stages	71-100%	11
Broadleaf Forest Moderately Rich in Lime-loving Species; Cohune-Quamwood Forest	all stages	71-100%	18
Broadleaf Forest with Few Lime-loving Species	all stages	71-100%	17
Lowland broadleaf moist evergreen seasonal forests over lime-poor alluvium.	all stages	71-100%	17
Lowland broadleaf moist evergreen seasonal forests over limestone, northeastern variant.	all stages	71-100%	16
Broadleaf Forest Rich in Lime-loving Species; Sapote-Mahogany Forest	all stages	71-100%	16
Broadleaf hill forests over limestone in steep terrain.	all stages	71-100%	12
Broadleaf Forest Rich in Lime-loving Species; Chiquebul-Bullhoof Forest	all stages	71-100%	12
Broadleaf hill forests over non-calcareous rocks, Santa Maria variant.	all stages	71-100%	12
Broadleaf Forest with Occasional Lime-loving Species; Negrito-Cohune Palm Forest.	all stages	71-100%	18
Disturbed scrub	Canopy unknown	Canopy unknown	11
Broadleaf Forest with Few Lime-loving Species	Canopy unknown	Canopy unknown	11
Broadleaf Forest Moderately Rich in Lime-loving Species; Quamwood-Bastard Mahogany Forest.	Canopy unknown	Canopy unknown	12
Broadleaf Forest Rich in Lime-loving Species	Canopy unknown	Canopy unknown	12
Agriculture, no native vegetation.	Canopy unknown	Canopy unknown	13
Transitional Broadleaf Forest Poor in Lime-loving Species	Canopy unknown	Canopy unknown	12
Transitional Broadleaf Forest Poor in Lime-loving Species	all stages	71-100%	11
Lowland broadleaf rain forests over moderately lime-rich alluvium.	all stages	71-100%	11
Lowland broadleaf rain forests over moderately lime-rich alluvium.	stage unknown	Canopy unknown	5
Transitional Broadleaf Forest Poor in Lime-loving Species	stage unknown	Canopy unknown	5

Food Habits

Trophic

PISCIVORE

References on Trophic Level

15

Lifestage	Food Item Consumed	Part of Food Item
Adult	Fish	Adult stage
Adult	Orthoptera	Adult stage
Adult	Coleoptera	Adult stage
Adult	Dictyoptera	Adult stage
Adult	Coleoptera	Adult stage

Comments on General Food Habits

15* Noctilio leporinus is one of a few bats to have evolved a fish eating habit. This feeding strategy was investigated by numerous workers and generated considerable debate regarding whether or not these bats were capable of catching fish (Bloedel, 1955; Goodwin, 1928; Gudger, 1945). Analyses of stomach content provide evidence that fish are not taken exclusively. Although remains of fish were found in the stomachs of most bats examined, large amounts of insect material also were reported (Goodwin, 1928; Gudger, 1945). Insect prey include winged ants (Solenopsis sp.), molecrickets (Gryllotalpa sp.), beetles (Scarabaeidae), cerambycids (Lagochirus araneiformis), elaterids (Pyrophorus sp.), cockroaches (Blattidae), and stink bugs (Thyanta sp.) (Fleming et al., 1972; Goodwin, 1928, 1946; Goodwin and Greenhall, 1961; Hooper and Brown, 1968). Silva Taboada (1979) reported a diversity of beetles (Carabidae, Clivina sp.; Dytiscidae, Thermonetus circumscripta; Hydrophilidae, Hydrophilus intermedius), and Orthoptera (Gryllidae) from stomach contents of these bats from Cuba. Observations on hunting behavior document that they skim the surface of ponds and quiet streams (Bloedel, 1955; Goodwin and Greenhall, 1961), and waters of protected estuarine areas and salt-water bays.

Life History

Life History Narrative

8* The species found most commonly in tropical lowland habitats (Bloedel, 1955; Carter et al., 1966; Davis et al., 1964; Goodwin, 1946; J.K. Jones et al., 1971, 1972; Watkins et al., 1972). These bats were observed and captured most frequently over ponds and quiet streams, but also were found associated with estuaries of major rivers and in bays and lagoons along coastlines (Baker et al., 1987; Benedict, 1926; Goodwin, 1928; Goodwin and Greenhall, 1961; Gudger, 1945; Jones and Baker, 1979; Klingener et al, 1978; Smith and Genoways, 1974). Koopman (1968) noted that although collections of bats from the Lesser Antilles contained relatively few specimens of N. leporinus, the species likely was to be found anywhere throughout the region where fresh or salt water was calm enough to allow it to fish (Baker and Genoways, 1978). Bats roost in colonies that may number up to several hundred individuals. Males and females, as well as juveniles and adults, were found together in hollow tree roosts in Mexico (Jones et al., 1973), on Hispanola (Armstrong and Johnson, 1969), and on Cuba (Silva Taboada, 1979). Reproductive data for bats generally supports the contention that there is a primary reproductive pattern, with breeding in autumn and winter.

Life History References

8

References

1  McCarthy, T. J. 1993. Checklist: Mammals of Belize. BAS Newsletter
   25 (2-3).

2  Hall, E. R. 1981. Mammals of North America. Second ed. John Wiley &
   Sons. New York. 1:86-87

3  Koopman, Karl F. 1993. Chiroptera. in  Wilson, D. E., and D. M. Reeder,
   eds, Mammalian species of the world, 2nd ed, Smithsonian Institution
   Press, Washington, D.C., pp. 137-241.

4  Emmons, L. H. 1990.  Neotropical Rainforest Mammals, a field guide.
   University of Chicago Press.  Chicago and London. p.50-51

5  McCarthy, T. J., M. Blake. 1987.  Noteworthy bat records from the Maya
   Mountains Forest Reserve, Belize.  Mammalia v. 51, No. 1, pp.161-164

6  Rabinowitz, A.; B. G. Nottingham, Jr. 1989. Mammal species richness and
   relative abundance of small mammals in a subtropical wet forest of
   Central America.  Mammalia V. 53, No. 2, pp.217-226

7  Weyer, D. 1994. Proposal to Establish the Mussel Creek Drainage as a
   Wildlife Sanctuary. p.18

8  Rodgers, A.D.F.; D. A. Sutton, eds. 1991.  Report of the Joint Services
   Scientific Expedition to the Upper Raspaculo. Unpub. report.  pp. E-1-1 and
   E-1-2

9  Hunt, H. R., J. Tamarack. 1992. Cox Lagoon Crocodile Preserve. Unpub.
   report. pp.3-4

10 Clark, W. C. 1992. Mammal Surveys Along the Macal River in Areas to be
   Affected by the Belize Electricity Board's Proposed Hydroelectric
   Project. pp.3-16. Draft report in Macal River Hydroelectric Development
   Environmental Impact Assessment Rubber Camp and Chalillo Schemes
   Pre-feasibility Study - Draft Environmental Appendix.  Volume II of III.

11 Matola, S., ed. 1992. The Maya Divide Expedition 1-15 May. Unpub.
   report.

12 McCarthy, T. J. 1987. Distributional records of bats from the Caribbean
   lowlands of Belize and adjacent Guatemala and Mexico. In: Studies in
   Neotropical Mammalogy: Essays in Honor of Philip Hershkovitz (B.D.
   Patterson and R.M. Timm, eds.). Fieldiana:n.s. No. 39:137-162.

13 Merriman, T. 1993. List of bats caught and observed with Dr. Merlin D.
   Tuttle, BCI Founder's Circle Trip, May 8-17, 1993.  In lit.

14 Koopman, Karl F. 1994. Chiroptera: Systematics (in) Handbook of Zoology.
   W. de Gruyter. Berlin-NY. p.46.

15 Hood, Craig S., J. Knox Jones Jr. 1984. Noctilio leporinus.  Mammalian
   Species No. 216:1-7. The American Society of Mammalogists.

16 Bartschi, D. 1998. Chiropteres de al Reserva Naturelle de Shipstern et
   de ses environs (Nord du Belize): Inventaire et biologie. Masters Thesis
   University of Neuchatel, Switzerland. 101 pp.

17 Miller, B.W. 2000.  Miscellaneous unpublished data records from surveys
   conducted in Belize for which no specific report was written. Data
   includes results of mist-netting, harp trapping and acoustic surveys.
   Wildlife Conservation Society, Tropical Forest and Reserve Planning
   Project, Belize.

18 Miller, B.W. and C.M. Miller. 1999. Results of a survey of bats of the
   Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. Wildlife Conservation Society,
   Tropical Forest and Reserve Planning Project, Belize. Technical Report
   for Belize Audubon Society. 16 pp.

11 Miller, B.W. 2001. Community Ecology of the Non-phyllostomid bats of
   Northwestern Belize, with a landscape level assessment of the bats of
   Belize.  PhD. Dissertation. University of Kent, Durrell Institute of
   Conservation and Ecology.

12 FMNH. 1997. Mammal holdings in the Field Musuem of Natural History,
   unpublished listing.

13 CM. 1997. Carnegie Musuem, Division of mammals. Data imported on
   date: 06/13/00.