Belize Biodiversity Information System

Taxonomy

Species ID	050940
Name	Central American yellow bat
Other Common Names
Category	05 Mammals
Phylum
Subphylum
Class	Mammalia
Subclass	Theria
Suborder	Microchiroptera
Family	Vespertilionidae
Genus	Rhogeessa
Species	tumida
Subspecies
References	10, 1, 2, 3, 6, 9
Scientific Synonyms	Rhogeessa io Thomas 1903, Rhogeessa velilla Thomas 1903, Rhogeessa bombyx Thomas 1913, Rhogeessa parvula aeneus Goodwin 1958

Comments

10* LaVal provides synonyms for R. tumida. 3* listed as subsp. of parvula by Hall and Kelson(1959:196) 6* See Rhogeessa aneus file for validity of species distinct from R. tumida. 9* Koopman only lists R. tumida no recognition of R. aneus.

Distribution

DISTRICT	References
Orange Walk	15
Corozal	13
Belize	15
Cayo	16
Orange Walk	19
Stann Creek	2
Toledo	18

Administrative Unit	Occurrence	Abundance	Temporal	References
Chiquibul Forest Reserve	Captured or Mist netted and released	Unknown, insuffient data	June	16
Gallon Jug	Captured or Mist netted and released	Unknown, insuffient data	December	15
Gallon Jug	Captured or Mist netted and released	Unknown, insuffient data	July	15
Gallon Jug	Captured or Mist netted and released	Unknown, insuffient data	October	15
Gallon Jug	Captured or Mist netted and released	Unknown, insuffient data	February	15
Gallon Jug	Captured or Mist netted and released	Unknown, insuffient data	March	15
Gallon Jug	Captured or Mist netted and released	Unknown, insuffient data	August	15
Gallon Jug	Captured or Mist netted and released	Unknown, insuffient data	APRIL	15
Gallon Jug	Captured or Mist netted and released	Unknown, insuffient data	June	15
Gallon Jug	Captured or Mist netted and released	Unknown, insuffient data	November	15
Town or Village, see comments.	Recorded vocalization, tape or Anabat.	Unknown, insuffient data	October	15
Town or Village, see comments.	Recorded vocalization, tape or Anabat.	Unknown, insuffient data	June	15
El Pilar	Recorded vocalization, tape or Anabat.	Unknown, insuffient data	March	15
BFREE - Private Reserve	Captured or Mist netted and released	Unknown, insuffient data	November	15
Blue Hole National Park	Recorded vocalization, tape or Anabat.	Fairly common	November	14
Shipstern Nature Reserve	Collected as voucher.	Unknown, insuffient data	APRIL	13
Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve	Collected as voucher.	Unknown, insuffient data	August	18
Honey Camp (Proposed)	Collected as voucher.	Unknown, insuffient data	November	18
Ambergris Cay	Collected as voucher.	Unknown, insuffient data	January	18
Swasey-Bladen Forest Reserve	Collected as voucher.	Unknown, insuffient data	APRIL	19
Ambergris Cay	Collected as voucher.	Unknown, insuffient data	July	18
Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve	Collected as voucher.	Unknown, insuffient data	July	18
Ambergris Cay	Collected as voucher.	Unknown, insuffient data	February	18
Turneffe Reef	Collected as voucher.	Unknown, insuffient data	APRIL	7
Honey Camp (Proposed)	Collected as voucher.	Unknown, insuffient data	August	18
Honey Camp (Proposed)	Collected as voucher.	Unknown, insuffient data	May	18
Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve	Collected as voucher.	Unknown, insuffient data	APRIL	19
Ambergris Cay	Collected as voucher.	Unknown, insuffient data	November	18
Bladen Nature Reserve		Unknown, insuffient data	May	15
Government land	Recorded vocalization, tape or Anabat.	Unknown, insuffient data	January	12
Ambergris Cay	Sighting	Unknown, insuffient data	Permanent Resident (Year-round)	11
Bladen Nature Reserve	Captured or Mist netted and released	Unknown, insuffient data	Permanent Resident (Year-round)	4
Ambergris Cay	Captured or Mist netted and released		Dry season (Jan-May)	5
Turneffe Reef	Collected as voucher.		APRIL	7
Rio Bravo Conservation Area	Captured or Mist netted and released		Dry season (Jan-May)	8

QUAD Distribution	References
17 30' to 17 45'; 89 00' to 89 15'	15
17 15' to 17 30'; 88 30' to 88 45'	15
17 00' to 17 15'; 88 30' to 88 45'	14
18 15' to 18 30'; 88 00' to 88 15'	13
17 45'-18 00';87 45'-88 00'	18
16 15' to 16 30'; 88 30' to 88 45'	15
18 00' to 18 15'; 88 30' to 88 45'	15
17 00' to 17 15'; 88 45' to 89 00'	20
17 45' to 18 00'; 88 30' to 88 45'	18
17 00' to 17 15'; 89 00' to 89 15'	15
17 15' to 17 30'; 88 15' to 88 30'	19
18 15' to 18 30'; 88 15' to 88 30'	18
18 00' to 18 15'; 88 15' to 88 30'	18
17 30' to 17 45'; 88 15' to 88 30'	7
17 30' to 17 45'; 88 00' to 88 15'	7
16 45' to 17 00'; 88 45' to 89 00'	7
17 15' to 17 30'; 88 00' to 88 15'	18
16 00' to 16 15'; 89 00' to 89 15'	17
16 30' to 16 45'; 88 45' to 89 00'	16, 4
16 30' to 16 45'; 88 30' to 88 45'	15,12
18 00'-18 15';87 45-88 00'	18,11
16 15' to 16 30'; 88 45' to 89 00'	4
17 15' to 17 30'; 87 45' to 88 00'	7,5
17 52'35" to 18 11'30"; 87 49' to 88 03'	7
17 45' to 18 00'; 88 45' to 89 00'	8

Holdridge Life Zone Distribution	References
Subtropical moist	15,13
Subtropical Lower Montane moist	16
Tropical moist-transition to Subtropical	15,14
Subtropical wet	15, 4
Subtropical wet	35
Marine	7

Comments on Distribution

12* Las Sierritas, Toledo District.
8* La Milpa
7* LSU Calabash Caye
2* specimens from Turneffe Id., Calabash Cay
4* Quebrado de Oro

Graphics

Distribution map
Vocal signature
Vocal signature
Vocal signature with call parameters

Habitat Associations

Forest Type Associations	Seral Stage	Canopy Closure	References
Broadleaf Forest Rich in Lime-loving Species; Chiquebul-Bullhoof Forest	all stages	71-100%	16
Broadleaf hill forests over limestone in rolling or flat terrain.	all stages	71-100%	16
Agriculture, no native vegetation.	all stages	71-100%	15
This serves to update Wright et al. for urban or agricultural areas devoid of native vegetation.	all stages	71-100%	15
Broadleaf Forest Rich in Lime-loving Species: Sapote-ramon-spice forest.	all stages	71-100%	15
Lowland broadleaf moist evergreen seasonal forests over poor soils.	all stages	71-100%	15
Marsh and Swamp Communities	all stages	71-100%	15
Lowland broadleaf moist evergreen seasonal forest over limestone, northwestern variant.	all stages	71-100%	15
Broadleaf Forest Rich in Lime-loving Species: Sapote-Silion forest.	all stages	71-100%	15
Riverine mangrove forests.	all stages	71-100%	15
Coastal Formations	all stages	71-100%	15
Broadleaf Forest Rich in Lime-loving Species: Sapote-ramon-spice forest.	all stages	71-100%	15
This serves to update Wright et al. for urban or agricultural areas devoid of native vegetation.	all stages	71-100%	15
Lowland broadleaf moist evergreen seasonal forests over limestone, northeastern variant.	Canopy unknown	Canopy unknown	13
Lowland broadleaf moist semi-evergreen scrub forest.	Canopy unknown	Canopy unknown	13
Broadleaf Forest Rich in Lime-loving Species; Sapote-Mahogany Forest	Canopy unknown	Canopy unknown	13
Dwarf mangrove scrub.	all stages	71-100%	13
Seasonally waterlogged fire-induced shrubland of the plains.	all stages	71-100%	15
Cohune Palm Forest	all stages	71-100%	15
Inland well-drained shrubland over poor soils.	Canopy unknown	Canopy unknown	20
Pine Forest and Orchard Savanna	Canopy unknown	Canopy unknown	20
Pine Forest and Orchard Savanna	Canopy unknown	Canopy unknown	7
Riparian seasonal swamp forests	Canopy unknown	Canopy unknown	7
Marsh and Swamp Communities	all stages	71-100%	15
Needle-leaf hill forests over poor soils (Mountain Pine Ridge).	Canopy unknown	Canopy unknown	18
Broadleaf Forest Rich in Lime-loving Species; Chiquebul-Bullhoof Forest	Disturbed	41-70%	14
Coastal fringe Rhizophora mangle-dominated forests.	Canopy unknown	Canopy unknown	7
Mixed hill forests over poor soils (Mountain Pine Ridge).	Canopy unknown	Canopy unknown	18
Broadleaf Forest w/Occasional Lime-loving Species; Cohune-Banak forest.	all stages	71-100%	15
Agriculture, no native vegetation.	all stages	71-100%	15
Marsh and Swamp Communities	Canopy unknown	Canopy unknown	18
Seasonal swamp forests (marsh forests) of Northern Belize, variant 1.	all stages	71-100%	15
Broadleaf Forest Rich in Lime-loving Species; Sapote-Mahogany	Canopy unknown	Canopy unknown	7
Lowland needle-leaf moist open forests over poor soils.	Canopy unknown	Canopy unknown	7
Pine Forest and Orchard Savanna	all stages	71-100%	15
Pine Forest and Orchard Savanna	Canopy unknown	Canopy unknown	7
Off shore habitats, includes islands		Canopy unknown	7
URBAN, human settlement.	all stages	71-100%	15,13
Coastal Formations	Canopy unknown	Canopy unknown	13
Broadleaf hill forests over limestone in steep terrain.	Disturbed	41-70%	14
Broadleaf Forest Rich in Lime-loving Species	all stages	71-100%	15
Transitional Broadleaf Forest Poor in Lime-loving Species	all stages	71-100%	15
Lowland broadleaf rain forests over moderately lime-rich alluvium.	all stages	71-100%	15
Lowland broadleaf rain forests over moderately lime-rich alluvium.	stage unknown	Canopy unknown	4
Transitional Broadleaf Forest Poor in Lime-loving Species	stage unknown	Canopy unknown	4

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. 1:228-229

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

5  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.

6  Audet, D., M. D. Engstrom and M. B. Fenton. 1993.  Morphology,
   karyology, and echolocation calls of Rhogeessa (Chiroptera:
   Vespertilionidae) from the Yucatan Peninsula.  Journal of Mammalogy.
   74(2):498-502.

7  LSU Museum of Natural Science, Belize collection. August 31, 1995.
   Curator: Mark S. Hafner.

8  Smith, Rosemary L. 1994.  Neotropical Bats as Indicators of
   Environmental Disturbance.  Masters Thesis. Durrell Institute of
   Conservation and Ecology. pp.64.

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

10 LaVal, Richard K. Systematics of the genus Rhogeessa (Chiroptera:
   Vespertilionidae). Occasional Papers of the Museum of Natural History.
   1973(19):1-47.

11 Smith, G. 1995. Survey of reptiles and mammals in the proposed Bacalar
   Chico Marine Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary, in International Tropical
   Conservation Foundation Bacalar Chico, Interim Report, April-December
   1994. M. Dotherow compiler.

12 Miller, B.W. and C.M. Miller. 1998. Las Sierritas, Toledo District,
   Belize. Rapid Environmental Appraisal Report for Mott MacDonald, Ltd.
   6-10 January 1998.

13 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.

14 Miller, B.W. 2000. Survey of the bats of Blue Hole National Park and
   adjacent Jaguar Creek.  Wildlife Conservation Society, Tropical Forest
   and Reserve Planning Project, Belize. Technical Report for Belize
   Audubon Society.

15 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.

16 Miller, B.W. 2001. Preliminary survey of the bats of Las Cuevas BM Field
   Station, and Ek Tun lodge property on Macal River. June 16-20, 2001. WCS 
   Tropcial Forest and Reserve Planning Project Technical Report.

17 AMNH. 1996. Bat holdings provided by Nancy Simmons, unpublished listing
   of catalog.

18 FMNH. 1997. Mammal holdings in the Field Musuem of Natural History,
   unpublished listing. Data imported pn date: 06/13/00.

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

20 USNM. 1995. Collections data from mammal department, United States
   Natioanl Museum. Imported on date: 06/13/00