Recurrence of Mexican long-tongued bats (Choeronycteris mexicana) at historical sites in Arizona and New Mexico

P.M. Cryan; M.A. Bogan

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Recurrence of Mexican long-tongued bats (Choeronycteris mexicana) at historical sites in Arizona and New Mexico

P.M. Cryan·M.A. Bogan

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Abstract

The Mexican long-tongued bat ( Choeronycteris mexicana ) is a nectar-eating species that seasonally inhabits the southwestern United States. Since 1906, fewer than 1500 individuals of C. mexicana have been documented throughout the range of the species. We conducted a field survey in Arizona and New Mexico during summer 1999 to check historically occupied areas for recurrence of C. mexicana . We observed C. mexicana occupying a majority (75%, n = 18) of visited sites. Multiple individuals were observed at many sites, including young-of-year. Choeronycteris mexicana roosted in lighted areas close to entrances within mine adits, abandoned buildings, wide rock crevices, and caves. All occupied sites were in Madrean evergreen woodlands or semidesert grasslands where species of Agave were present. Most sites were located near a water source and, with the exception of a single site, near areas of riparian vegetation. Sites at which we did not encounter C. mexicana were frequently disturbed, difficult to search, or historically occupied by single individuals. Based on the relatively high rate of bat recurrence, we do not believe that populations of C. mexicana in the region have declined dramatically over the past several decades.

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P.M. Cryan, M.A. Bogan. 2003. Recurrence of Mexican long-tongued bats (Choeronycteris mexicana) at historical sites in Arizona and New Mexico. https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/1015337

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