Furipteridae

(vertebrate zoology) The smoky bats, a family of mammals in the order Chiroptera having a vestigial thumb and small ears.

(Furipteridae)

Class: Mammalia

Order: Chiroptera

Suborder: Microchiroptera

Family: Furipteridae

Thumbnail description
Tiny coarse-furred bats with short, broad, dish-like ears, reduced eyes, a short upturned snout, a vestigial thumb, and functionless wing claw

Size
Head and body length 1.4–2.6 in (3.5–5.8 cm); tail 0.9–1.4; in (2.4–3.6 cm); forearm 1.8–1.6 in (3.0–4.0 cm); 0.1 oz (3 g). Females are lightly larger than males

Number of genera, species
2 genera; 2 species

Habitat
Amorphochilus is known from isolated populations in dryland coastal forests; Furipterus prefers moist lowland tropical rainforests below 492 ft (150 m)

Conservation status
Vulnerable: 1 species

Distribution
Central and South America

Evolution and systematics

There are no known fossils of this bat family. Belonging to the superfamily Vespertilionoidea, they are probably most closely related to Central and South American disk-winged bats (Thyropteridae), funnel-eared bats (Natalidae), and the New World sucker-footed bat (Thyropteridae).

Physical characteristics

Among the smallest Neotropical bats, furipterids have a delicate appearance. The broad wings are long for the body, an adaptation for a fluttering flight. This is aided by a well-developed uropatigium, which is stiffened by a long tail that does not reach the tail membrane's trailing edge. The translucent uropatigium bears transverse lines. The skull is distorted into a helmet-like shape to accommodate the enlarged ears. Dish-shaped, the ears enclose the eyes and extend almost to the lower jawline. The pig-like snout is short and upturned at the tip. There is no nose leaf. The tiny eyes are nearly hidden by fur. A thumb is present, but is so small as to be invisible. It is enclosed in the wing membrane and only a small functionless claw protrudes. The legs and feet are short and weak, but the claws are powerful. The two genera are best told apart by the presence of pronounced wart-like outgrowths around the mouth and lips in Amorphochilus. In the field, confusion is unlikely since the ranges of the two genera do not overlap and the physical characteristics of the family are unmistakable. The family name means "winged furies," and comes from hideous avenging deities of Greek mythology. Why this small inoffensive bat should excite such contempt is unknown.

Distribution

Amorphochilus occurs west of the Andes, and is known from a number of scattered and isolated sites from central coastal Ecuador south to northern Chile. Furipterus has a much broader and continuous distribution, occurring from Costa Rica through lowland Brazil and Peru. It is also found in Trinidad.

Habitat

Of the two species, Amorphochilus appears to have the broader habitat tolerances. It has been recorded in a number of different vegetation types, ranging from primary forest to semidesert brush and cultivated land. Furipterus either prefers or requires primary lowland moist forest.

Behavior

The great aerial agility of furipterids means they easily avoid mist nets. With spotty distributions and a small number of museum specimens, these bats have a reputation for being rare and difficult to study. This means little is known about them. Most information comes from studies of their roosts. Both Amorphochilus and Furipterus roost colonially. Up to 300 animals have been found roosting together.

Feeding ecology and diet

Furipterids mostly hunt small moths within the forest undergrowth. Such hunting requires both agility and low flight speeds. This is achieved with wings that are both broad (a low stalling speed) and proportionately long (smaller turning circle). Both are assisted by a well-developed uropatigium that allows for a low stalling speed and slow flight.

Reproductive biology

Little is known. Like other bats, female bears a single young one. Unusual among bats, furipterid nipples are positioned abdominally. As a result, the young position themselves head-up on the head-down roosting mother.

Conservation status

The IUCN considers Amorphochilus to be Vulnerable. Furipterus is not currently thought to be in danger.

Significance to humans

None known, beyond the usual insect-removal services provided by any small insectivorous chiropteran. No known legends or religious significance.

Species accounts

Resources

Eisenberg, J. F., and K. H. Redford. Mammals of the Neotropics. Vol. 3, The Central Tropics: Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1999.

Reid, F. A. A Fieldguide to the Mammals of Central America and Southeast Mexico. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997.

Ibanez, C. "Notes on Amorphochilus schnabelii Peters (Chiroptera, Furipteridae)." Mammalia 49 (1985): 584–87.

Simmons, W., and R. S. Voss. "The Mammals of Paracou, French Guiana: A Neotropical Lowland Rainforest Fauna. Part 1. Bats." Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 237 (1998): 1–297.

Uieda, W., I. Sazima, and A. S. Filho. "Aspectos da Biologia do Morcego Furipterus horrens (Mammalia, Chiroptera, Furipteridae)." Revista Brasiliera do Biologia 40 (1980): 59–66.

Bat Conservation International. P.O. Box 162603, Austin, TX 78716 USA. Phone: (512) 327-9721. Fax: (512) 327-9724. E-mail: batinfo@batcon.org Web site:

[Article by: Adrian A. Barnett, PhD]

Smoky Bats
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Chiroptera
Family:	Furipteridae
Genera
Amorphochilus Furipterus

Furipteridae is one of the families of bats. This family contains only two species, the Smokey Bat and the Thumbless Bat. Both are from Central and South America, and are closely related to the bats in the Natalidae and Thyropteridae families. They can be recognized by their reduced and functionless thumbs, enclosed by the wing membranes, and their broad, funnel-shaped ears. There are only two genera in the group, each with a single species. They are insectivorous and can live in many different kinds of environments. They have greyish fur, and a small nose-leaf. Like many bats, they roost in caves.^[1]

Taxonomy

• Genus Amorphochilus
  • Amorphochilus schnablii, Smokey Bat

• Genus Furipterus
  • Furipterus horrens, Thumbless Bat

References

1. ^ Macdonald, D., ed (1984). The Encyclopedia of Mammals. New York: Facts on File. p. 807. ISBN 0-87196-871-1. 

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