Detection of mucormycosis caused by Apophysomyces elegans in a Lesser Long-nosed Bat (Leptonycteris yerbabuenae) in Central Mexico

We describe a case of mucormycosis in a Lesser Long-nosed Bat (Leptonycteris yerbabuenae) caused by Apophysomyces elegans in Puebla, Central Mexico. The diagnosis was supported by laboratory analysis and necropsy. We present the first report of the fungus in a wild host; therefore, we indicate that further studies are necessary to understand its infection cycle since this pathogen may indicate a risk of zoonotic, and anthropozoonotic diseases.

Discordance in maternal and paternal genetic markers in lesser long-nosed bat Leptonycteris yerbabuenae, a migratory bat: recent expansion to the North and male phylopatry

Leptonycteris yerbabuenae, the lesser long-nosed bat is an abundant migratory nectar-feeding bat found in most of Mexico, and in some areas of northern Central America and small sections of southwestern USA. We analyzed the distribution of the maternal and paternal lineages of this species with phylogeographic methods based on two mitochondrial markers, Cyt-b and D-loop, and a marker located in the Y chromosome, DBY. We obtained tissue samples from 220 individuals from 23 localities. Levels of genetic diversity (haplotype diversity, Hd) were high (Cyt-b = 0.757; D-loop = 0.8082; DBY = 0.9137). No clear patterns of population genetic structure were found for mitochondrial markers, while male genetic differentiation suggested the presence of two lineages: one from Mexican Pacific coast states and another from central-southern Mexico; in accordance to strong male philopatry and higher female migration. We used genealogical reconstructions based on Bayesian tools to calculate divergence times, and to test coalescent models to explain changes in L. yerbabuenae historical demography. Our results show that recent demographic changes were consistent with global climatic changes (∼130,000 kyr ago for Cyt-b and ∼160,000 kyr for D-loop) and divergence times dated from molecular genealogies exhibited older divergence times, Cyt-b (4.03 mya), D-loop (10.26 mya) and DBY (12.23 mya). Accordingly, the female lineage underwent demographic expansion associated to Pleistocene climate change, whereas the male lineage remained constant.

Mammal species richness and new records in protected natural areas of the northern part of the metropolitan area of the Valley of México

Sierra de Guadalupe is the only mountain range in the northern part of the Valley of Mexico metropolitan area. The accelerated urban expansion over the past decades has turned Sierra de Guadalupe into an isolated natural area immersed within the urban matrix. This study aimed to gather a documented inventory of the mammals of Sierra de Guadalupe as such information is useful to improve the management, restoration, and conservation of this important natural area of the basin of Mexico. Mammal collection records were extensively surveyed in the literature, collection databases, web pages, and scientific collections; field surveys were also conducted. A taxonomic list of the mammal species and their conservation status in the four Protected Natural Areas of Sierra de Guadalupe was compiled. A species-accumulation curve was constructed using the Chao 1 model and a map showing the distribution of collection records was produced. This work reveals that the mammals of Sierra de Guadalupe include 29 species, 23 genera, 15 families, and six orders. Six species are endemic to Mexico; two of them, Choeronycteris mexicana and Cratogeomys fumosus, are listed as threatened and one, Leptonycteris yerbabuenae, as under special protection. Collection records were gathered from 62 different localities. The largest number of species records and collections were made between 2009 and 2020. The species-accumulation curve projects a total of 36 mammal species. This is the first documented inventory ever compiled of the wild mammals of Sierra de Guadalupe. The species richness observed in this area is remarkable, considering its extension and environmental stressors; in addition, it harbors species endemic to Mexico, some of which are threatened. This is the first time that the species Sorex saussurei, Choeronycteris mexicana, Leptonycteris yerbabuenae, Cratogeomys merriami, Neotomodon alstoni, and Peromyscus melanophryshave been recorded in this area. The species-accumulation curve indicates that our inventory provides a good representation of the local species assemblage. This information can support the formulation of action plans for the conservation and restoration of the biological diversity of these important Protected Natural Areas and the last significant natural area remaining in the northern part of the Valley of Mexico Metropolitan Area.

Noteworthy records of abnormal coloration in Mexican bats

La coloración atípica permanente en mamíferos puede ocurrir por una condición congénita o por causas ambientales, pero se expresa por defectos en el número o función de los melanocitos (células productoras de melanina). Alrededor del mundo, se han reportado murciélagos con coloración anormal en la piel, pero en México se conocen pocos casos. Aquí, presentamos registros de trastornos cromáticos en varias especies capturadas en diferentes lugares de México. Los murciélagos fueron capturados con redes de niebla afuera de los sitios de percha o en senderos con vegetación. Todos los individuos fueron liberados en el sitio de captura. Registramos 9 individuos de la familia Phyllostomidae y 3 de Molossidae con trastornos cromáticos: 11 individuos con manchas blancas y 1 con albinismo. El fenotipo de manchas blancas se reporta por primera vez en Mimon cozumelae y el primer registro para Leptonycteris yerbabuenae y Nyctinomops laticaudatus en México. Los registros de individuos con trastornos pigmentarios son raros en la naturaleza, e informar la ocurrencia de estos eventos en murciélagos aumenta el conocimiento de la historia natural de las especies.

The myobiid mites (Acariformes, Eleutherengona, Myobiidae) from Mexico: hosts, distribution and identification key for the genera and species

The family Myobiidae Mégnin, 1878 includes permanent parasites of the fur of different orders of mammals. Because the information on this family is scarce and scattered, in this work, we compile the available information on Myobiidae in Mexico. In total, we recorded 41 species (one undetermined, one a species inquirenda) belonging to 13 genera and three subfamilies, associated with four orders of mammals: Chiroptera, Didelphimorphia, Rodentia and Soricomorpha. We also reported for the first time in Mexico Eudusbabekia jimenezi (Dusbábek, 1967) and E. saguei (Dusbábek, 1967), parasitizing bats of the family Mormoopidae in the States of Colima, Nayarit and San Luis Potosí, and Acanthophthirius lasiurus (Fain & Whitaker, 1976) associated with the bat Lasiurus cinereus (Palisot de Beauvois) (family Vespertilionidae) in Ciudad de México. We recorded new associations with bat hosts: E. provirilia Morales-Malacara, Guzmán-Cornejo & López-Ortega, 2002 with Leptonycteris yerbabuenae Martínez & Villa (Phyllostomidae); E. saguei with Pteronotus davyi Gray (Mormoopidae), and Ioannela leptonycteris (Fain, 1973) with L. yerbabuenae. In this work, Zacaltepetla hoffmannae Basurto-R., 1973 is treated as a species inquirenda for the first time. We also provide an identification key to the genera and species of Myobiidae found in Mexico.

Anomalías morfológicas y cromáticas en murciélagos de Chiapas, México

RESUMENCon base en ejemplares capturados en la cueva “Los Laguitos”, Chiapas, se da a conocer el primer caso de braquidactilia en un murciélago mexicano, que corresponde a un juvenil de Leptonycteris yerbabuenae. Asimismo, reportamos dos nuevos casos del fenotipo “manchas blancas” en murciélagos mexicanos; uno corresponde a un juvenil de Natalus mexicanus y el otro a una hembra adulta de Mormoops megallophyla. Éstos representan el primer y segundo caso de su especie respectivamente.Palabras clave: Braquidactilia, fenotipo de manchas blancas, hipopigmentación, leucismo, murciélagos tropicales, piebaldismo.ABSTRACTWith specimens captured in the cave “Los Laguitos”, Chiapas, Mexico, here we report the first case of brachydactyly for a Mexican bat, which corresponds to a juvenile of Leptonycteris yerbabuenae. Likewise, we report two new cases of the “white spots” phenotype for Mexican bats, one corresponds to a juvenile of Natalus mexicanus and the other to an adult female of Mormoops megallophyla, which represent the first and second cases of their species, respectively.Key words: Brachidactily, hypopigmentation, leucism, piebald, tropical bats, white spots phenotype.

New records on distribution and habitat of the lesser long-nosed bat (Leptonycteris yerbabuenae) in Honduras

The lesser long-nosed bat (Leptonycteris yerbabuenae Martínez & Villa-R, 1940) is a specialized nectar feeding species found from southern USA to Nicaragua in Central America, mostly in dry forest. We sampled bats using mist nets and Anabat detectors, and also looked for them at refuges and other sites in Honduras from 2011 to 2016. The lesser long-nosed bat is known in Honduras from only two localities in the southern dry forests below 100 m elevation, and there are no recent records of this species in the country. Our objective is to report new records on distribution and habitat of the lesser long-nosed bat in Honduras. We found eight lesser long-nosed bats at Cerro de Hula, Francisco Morazán department in 2012, and 10 at La Anonilla, Choluteca department, southern Honduras in 2015. Based on these 18 individuals of the lesser long-nosed bat, we report two new localities in Honduras, an altitude record, and the use of another habitat other than the dry forest. The highest point registered was at 1710 m a.s.l. in pastureland with forest remnants in an area heavily impacted by human activities. The new localities are found in the Subtropical Moist Forest. Populations of long-nosed bats in Honduras are probably resident and may include altitudinal movements. Although this species has been described widely in North America, its behavior in Honduras is practically unknown. It is a key species for the tequila and mezcal industry, but its range extends beyond the tequila production area, where it maintains a key role as a pollinator and link between habitats. As a result, research and conservation efforts should be an international goal.