OCCASIONAL PAPERS

THE MUSEUM

TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY

NUMBER 94

30 NOVEMBER 1984

FIELD KEY TO ANTILLEAN BATS

Robert J. Baker, Jane A. Groen, and Robert D. Owen

The following field key was prepared for use with live or
freshly killed specimens of bats from the Greater and Lesser
Antilles (not including Trinidad and Tobago). Also, one of our
goals was to construct a key that would be usable by the novice.
Materials that will be valuable in using the key are a millimeter
rule and a hand lens. All measurements are in millimeters.

A diagramatic drawing of a bat is shown in Fig. L This and
the several figures following it demonstrate critical features used
in this key. We also have provided a photograph of the face of
a specimen from each genus that is recorded from the Antilles in
order that the general characters can be noted. Mormopterus is
not shown, but is similar in appearance to Tadarida. These
pictures are arranged systematically following Baker and Geno-
ways (1978), and an alphabetical list of the genera also is
provided (page 9). Unless otherwise acknowledged, photographs
are by RJB.

We have followed the systematic arrangement of Baker and
Genoways (1978), with the following exceptions. Natalus micro¬
pus includes N. macer (Ottenwalder and Genoways, 1982). The
correct name for Pieronotus fuliginosus is P. quadridens (Hall,
1981; Silva Taboada, 1979). Brachyphylla nana includes B.
pumila (Honacki et aL, 1982; Swanepoel and Genoways, 1978);
and Erophylla sezekorni includes E. bombifrons (Buden, 1976;
Honacki et aL, 1982). Distributions reported here also agree with
Baker and Genoways (1978), with two exceptions. The earlier
record of Glossophaga longirostris from Dominica is almost

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OCCASIONAL PAPERS MUSEUM TEXAS LECH UNIVERSITY

certainly erroneous (W. D. Webster, personal communication) and
has been disregarded. Also, the distribution of Eptesicus fuscus
now is known to include Dominica (J. E. Hill, personal
communication).

We thank the following people for critically reviewing earlier
drafts of the manuscript: Dilford C. Carter, Hugh H. Genoways,
J. Knox Jones, Jr., Timothy J. McCarthy, Suzanne B. McLaren,
W. David Webster, Steven L. Williams, and Michael L. Willig.
Photographs of the bats were taken during several trips to the
Caribbean. These trips were sponsored in part by the following
sources: The John Archbold Family Trust; the M. Graham
Netting Research Fund, Carnegie Museum of Natural History,
through a grant from the Cordelia Scaife May Charitable Trust;
National Science Foundation Grants GB-41105 (to Baker and
Genoways) and DFB-76-20580 (to Baker and Ira F Greenbaum);
and the Institute of Museum Research.

Key to Species

1. Tail vertebrae visible, extending into uropatagium (Figs. 2, 3,

4, and 5).13

Tail vertebrae not visible (Figs. 6 and 7).2

2. Lower incisors absent; tail membrane like Fig. 6 except that
calcar length greater than 2 (known only from Grenada, FA

40-44). Anoura geoffroyi

Lower incisors present; tail membrane like Fig. 7 or, if like
Fig. 6, calcar absent or merely a bump on side of foot.3

3. Tail membrane like Fig. 6; calcar absent or merely a bump on
side of foot; width of tail membrane less than 5 at knee;

yellow shoulder patch sometimes present.4

Tail membrane like Fig. 7; calcar distinct, longer than 3;
width of tail membrane at knee greater than 5; no yellow
shoulder patch.5

4. Forearm greater than 45 (known only from Guadeloupe, FA

45-49). Sturnira thomasi

Forearm less than 45 (known from Lesser Antillean islands

south of Guadeloupe to the Grenadines, FA 38-45 .

. Sturnira lilium

BAKKR ETAL. — FIELD KEY TO A NTH.LEAN BATS

3

5. White spot on shoulder (where antebrachial membrane joins
body) and/or conspicuous fringe of hair along entire edge of

uropatagium.6

Neither white spot on shoulder nor conspicuous fringe of hair
along uropatagium edge.10

6. Forearm greater than 45.7

Forearm less than 45.8

7. Width of uropatagium at knee greater than 8. White spot

present on fur ventral to posterior edge of ear (this spot is in
addition to the white spot at the junction of antebrachial
membrane) (known from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands,

FA 45-52). Stenoderma rufum

Width of uropatagium at knee less than 8. White spot on fur
ventral to posterior edge of ear absent or much smaller than
shown in Fig. 28 (known from St. Eustatius, Montserrat,

Guadeloupe and all islands south through St. Vincent, FA 45-
52). Ardops nichollsi

8. Hair extending beyond posterior edge of uropatagium longer

than calcar (known only from Jamaica, FA 36-44).

. Ariteus jlavescens

Hair extending beyond posterior edge of uropatagium shorter
than calcar (known only from Cuba and Hispaniola, FA 39-

44).9

9. Known only from Cuba (FA 42-44). Phyllops falcatus

Known only from Hispaniola (FA 39-44) . . .Phyllops haitiensis

10. Forearm less than 45 (known only from Grenada, FA 37-

43). Artibeus cinereus

Forearm greater than 45.11

11. Medial upper incisor spikelike; white line down center of
back (known from Guadeloupe and Montserrat, FA 57-

58). Chiroderma improvisum

Medial upper incisor bilobed.12

12. Distinct while lines above and below eye; slight fringe of hair
at medial posterior edge of uropatagium (known from St.
Vincent and Grenada, FA 65-76). Artibeus lituratus

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OCCASIONAL PAPERS MUSEUM TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY

White lines above and below eye indistinct; no fringe of hair
at edge of uropatagium (known throughout the Antilles, FA

55-66).». Artibeus jamaicensis

13. Foot greater than 20 (known throughout the Antilles, FA 85-

93). Noctiho leponnus

Foot less than 20.14

14. Tail vertebrae approximately as long as, or longer than, hind

limb (Figs. 3 and 4).15

Tail vertebrae shorter than hind limb (Figs. 2 and 5).38

15. Tail vertebrae extending more than 10 beyond posterior

border of uropatagium (Fig. 3).16

Tail vertebrae terminating at, or within 7 of, posterior border
of uropatagium (Fig. 4).23

16. Upper lip wrinkled (Fig. 38).17

Upper lip smooth (Fig. 40).20

17. Forearm greater than 50 (known from Cuba, Jamaica, and

Hispaniola, FA 56-63).... Tadanda rnacrotis

Forearm less than 50.18

18. Three lower incisors on each side (total six) (known

throughout the Antilles, FA 36-46). Tadarida brasihensis

Two lower incisors on each side (total four) .19

19. Circular pad at base of thumb; ears distinctly separate (known

only from Cuba, FA ca. 29). Mormopterus minutus

No circular pad at base of thumb; ears large and joined at
base (known only from Cuba, FA 42-45) . . Tadarida laticaudata

20. Forearm greater than 75 (known only from Cuba, FA 76-

83). Eumops perotis

Forearm less than 75.21

21. Forearm less than 50 (known throughout the Antilles, FA 37-

41). Molossus molossus

Forearm greater than 50.22

BAKER ET AL .—FIELD KEY TO ANTILLEAN BATS

5

22. Ventral pelage grayish brown; ears extending to edge of, or
beyond, nose when viewed from above (Fig. 8, left); tragus
blunt and wide (known from Cuba and Jamaica, FA 56-62)....

. Eumops glaucinus

Ventral pelage blackish brown; ears not extending to nose
when viewed from above (Fig. 8, right); tragus pointed and
long (known only from Jamaica, FA 55-66).

. Eumops auripendulus

23. Long nose leaf present (questionably found in the Bahamas,

FA 45-55). Lonchorhina aurita

No nose leaf present.24

24. Length of tail greater than that of body; usually six tail
vertebrae; fringe of hair on posterior border of uropatagium .. .

.25

Length of tail less than that of body; usually nine tail

vertebrae; no fringe of hair on posterior border of

uropatagium unless entire dorsal surface of uropatagium is
hairy.29

25. Forearm greater than 40; wing membrane attached to leg at
ankle (known from Cuba, Jamaica, and Hispaniola, FA 43-

46). Natalus major

Forearm less than 40; wing membrane attached to leg well
above ankle.26

26. Forearm greater than 36 (known from Anguilla, Saba,

Antigua, Montserrat, and Dominica, FA 36-40).

. Natalus stramineus

Forearm less than 36.27

27. Forearm less than 31 (known from Cuba and the Bahamas,

FA 27-31). Natalus lepidus

Forearm greater than 31.28

28. Known from Cuba, Jamaica, and Hispaniola (FA 31-

36). Natalus micropus

Known only from the Bahamas (FA 33-35) Natalus tumidifrons

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<>

29. Ear greater than 22 (known only from Cuba, FA 49-

62). Antrozous koopmam

Ear less than 22.60

60. TragUS sharply pointed (Fig. 86); two upper premolars on

each side (total four).81

Tragus not sharply pointed; less than two upper premolars on
each side (total two or none).88

31. Forearm greater than 35 (known from Martinique and

Barbados, FA 35-39). Myotis rnartiniquensis

Forearm less than 35.32

32. Known only from Dominica, but possibly also from St.

Martin (FA 33-35). Myotis dominicensis

Known only from Grenada (FA 29-32). Myotis nigricans

33. Two upper incisors on each side (total four).34

One upper incisor on each side (total two).36

34. Length of tibia greater than 24 (known only from

Guadeloupe, FA 48-53). Eptesicus guadeloupensis

Length of tibia less than 23.35

35. Forearm greater than 46 (known from Cuba, Hispaniola,
Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Dominica, and possibly Barbados,

FA 46-53). Eptesicus fuscus

Forearm less than 46 (known only from Jamaica, FA 42-
46). Eptesicus lynni

36. Anterior one-third or all of uropatagium covered with hair . .37

Less than one-third of uropatagium covered with
hair. Nycticeius humeralis

37. Forearm greater than 45; dorsal hair yellowish (known only

from Cuba, FA 48-52). Lasiurus intermedins

Forearm less than 44; dorsal hair reddish; white spot on
shoulder where antebrachial membrane joins body (known
from the Greater Antilles, FA 36-43). Lasiurus borealis

38. Wing sac present on antebrachial membrane (Fig. 9); lower
lip without flaps or folds; nose leaf absent; only one bone

BAKKR ET —Fil l I) KF.Y TO AN I ILLFAN BATS 7

(metacarpal) present in second finger (known only from

Grenada, FA 43-48). Peropteryx macrotis

No wing sac; lower lip with flaps and folds, or nose leaf
present; second finger with metacarpal and one phalanx
(phalanx minute in Monophyllus) .39

39. Nose leaf absent; lower lip with horizontal flaps and folds

(Figs. 13 and 14).40

Nose leaf present [much reduced in Brachyphylla (Fig. 29)
and Phyllonycteris (Fig. 30)]; lower lip may have bumps and
ridges but no horizontal flaps and folds.44

40. Wing membrane continuous across back (known from Maria
Galante, Dominica, Martinique, and Grenada, FA 40-

50). Pteronotus davyi

Wing membrane not continuous across back, attached to side
of body.41

41. Ears short, broad and rounded, joined across cranium; nose
and chin as in Fig. 14 (known from the Greater Antilles, FA

43-48). Mormoops blainvillii

Ears pointed and separated; nose simple.42

42. Forearm greater than 50 (known from the Greater Antilles, FA

51 -55). Pteronotus parnelhi

Forearm less than 50.43

43. Forearm less than 41 (known from the Greater Antilles, FA

38-40). Pteronotus quadndens

Forearm greater than 41 (known from Cuba and Jamaica, FA
42-46). Pteronotus macleayii

44. Far greater than 24 (known from the Greater Antilles. FA 52-

56). Macrotus waterhousii

Far less than 24.45

45. Fail vertebrae not extending beyond edge of uropalagium

(Fig. 5).46

Tail vertebrae extending beyond edge of uropatagium (Fig.

2 ).. 51

46. Forearm greater than 55
Forearm less than 55

47

48

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OCCASIONAL PAPERS MUSEUM TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY

47. Forearm greater than 61 (known from Puerto Rico southward,

FA 61-70). Brachyphylla cavernarum

Forearm less than 61 (known from Cuba and Hispaniola, FA
56-60). Brachyphylla nana

48. Calcar longer than foot; ears attached by fold of skin (known

only from Grenada, FA 31-36). Micronycteris megalotis

Calcar shorter than foot; ears not attached.49

49. Forearm greater than 40 (known only from Grenada, FA 41-

45). Carollia perspicillata

Forearm less than 40.50

50. Medial upper incisors broadened into long cutting edge (Fig.

10, left); calcar does not extend to base of toes (known only
from Jamaica, FA 32-39) .

. Glossophaga soncina

Medial upper incisors not broadened into long cutting edge
(Fig. 10, right); calcar extends to base of toes (known from St.

Vincent, the Grenadines, and Grenada, FA 35-40).

. Glossophaga longirostris

51. Calcar present.54

Calcar absent.52

52. Known only from Jamaica (FA 44-49). . .Phyllonyctens aphylla

Known from Cuba or Hispaniola (FA 46-50).53

53. Known only from Cuba (FA 46-48). Phyllonyctens poeyi

Known only from Hispaniola (FA 46-50) ,,*>**» * * * * * *, * * * *

. Phyllonycteris ohtusa

54. Ventral fur pale tan or pale brown; nose leaf short (Fig. 31)

(known from the Greater Antilles, FA 45-50).

. Erophylla sezekorni

Ventral fur dark gray; nose leaf attenuated (Fig. 19).55

55. Known from Anguilla, Barbuda, Antigua, Guadeloupe,
Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and Barbados (FA 40-

43). Monophyllus plethodon

Known from Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, and
the Bahamas (FA 39-42). Monophyllus redmani

BAKER l.T AL. — FIELD KEY TO ANTILLEAN BATS

9

Literature Cited

Baker, R. J., and H. H. Oenoways. 1978. Zoogeography oi Antillean
bats. Pp. 53-97, in Zoogeography in the Caribbean (I\ B. Gill, ed.),
Spee. Publ.» Aead. Nat. Sri. Philadelphia, 1.3:1-128.

Budfn, D, VV. 1976. A review of the bars of the endemir West Indian genus
Erophylla. Proe. Biol. Sue. Washington, 89:1-16.

Ham., E. R. 1981. The mammals of North America. John Wiley and Sons,
New York 2nd ed, l.xviii + 1-600 + 90.

Honacki, J. H., K. E. Kinman, and J. W. Kof.pim.. 1982. Mammal species of
the world. Allen Press and the Assoc, of Syst. Collections, Lawrence,
Kansas, ix + 694 pp.

Ottf.n w ai.df.r , J. A., and H. H. Gf.noways. 1982. Systematic review of the
Antillean baLs of the Natalus mzcro/no-complex (Chiroptera:
Natalidae). Ann. Carnegie Mus., 51:17-38.

Silva Taboada, G. 1979. Los murcielagos dr Cuba. Cien. Cuba, La Hahana,
xiii + 423 pp.

Sw an f.poei. , P., and H. H. Gf.noways. 1978. Revision of the Antillean bats ol
the genus Brachyphylla (Mammalia: Phyllosfomalidar). Bull. Carnegie
Mus. Nat. Hist., 12:1-53.

Addresses of authors: R. J. Bakfr, Department of Biological Sciences and The
Museum, Texas Tech University , Lubbock, Texas 79409, j. A. Grof.n , The
Museum, Texas Tech University, present address of Groen, Section of Mammals,
Carnegie Museum of Natural History, 5800 Baum Blvd., Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania
1520(1', R. D. Owen, The Museum, Texas Tech University. Received 15 June,
accepted 6 October 1983.

Alphabetical list of bats figured , generic name followed by
figure number.

Anoura, 20

Micronycteris, 15

Antrozous, 37

Molossus, 39

Ardops, 25

Monophyllus, 19

Ariteus, 27

Mormoops, 14

Artibeus, 24

Myotis, 33

Brachyphylla, 29

Natalus, 32

Carollia, 21

Noctiho, 12

Chiroderma, 23

Nycticeius, 36

Eptesicus, 34

Peropteryx, 11

Erophylla, 31

Phyllonycteris 30

Eumops, 40

Phyllops, 26

Glossophaga, 18

Pteronotus , 13

Easiurus, 35

Stenoderma, 28

Lonckorhina, 17

Sturmra, 22

Macro tus r 16

Tadarida, 38

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OCCASIONAL PAPERS MUSEUM TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY

Eh;. E—Diagramalic drawing of bat, illustrating terms used in this key.
Drawing by E. M. Jones.

BAKER ET./L.-EIEI,1) KKY TO ANTILLEAN BAT S

Figs. 2-7. —Generalized drawings showing different forms of uropatagia and
tails. Drawings by J. D. Davidson.

OCCASIONAL PAPKRS Ml'SKLM TKXASTKCH UNIVKR.SITV

\2

Fig. 8. — Photograph illustrating pelage and ear differences between Eumops
glaucinus (left) and E. auripendulus (right).

Fig. 9.—Photograph of antebrachial sac on Peropteryx. This sac is less
developed in females.

HAKF.R b'.T A!.. —FIKI.D KKY TO ANTII I.KAN BATS

IS

Fir,. 10.—Photographs illustrating differences in media! upper incisors of
G lossophaga soricina (left) and G. longirostris. Photos by W. D. Webster.

Fir.. 11 .—Peropteryx macrotis.

Fir;. 12. —A ’octilio leporinus.

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OCCASIONAL PAI'KRS Ml’Sl.l’M TK.XAS ITCH LNIVKRSH Y

F*g. 17. —/.one horhina aunta.

Fig. 20 .—Anoura geoffroyi.

Fi c. 19. —Mon ophy 11us redmam.

Fk;. 16 .—Macrotus waterhou.su.

Fig. 15. —Mu ronycteri.s rnegalotis.

BAKKR I I /IL. — FIFTH Kl V TO AN ! II.I.KAN BATS

Fig. 23 .—Chiroderma improvisum.

Fig. 21 .—Caro Ilia perspicillata.

■

Fig. 24.—Artibeus jamaicensis.

Fig. 26 .—Phyllops hai liens is. Photo
by Charles A. Woods

Fig. 22 .—Sturnna lilium.

Fig. 25 .—Ardaps nichollsi.

Fig. 31 .—Erophylla sezekorni.

Fig. 32 .—Natalus major.

Hi OCCASIONAI. PAPERS MUSEUM TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY

Fig. 28 .—Sienoderma rufum.

Fig. 29 .—Brachyphylla cavernarum.

Fig. 27 .—Ariteus flavescens.

11AKKR ET AL.— FIKI.I) KKY TO ANTII.Il'.AN BATS

17

Frc. 33. —Myotis dominicensis.

Fig. 34.— Eptesicus lynni.

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iV. I,

Fig. 36. —Nycticeius hurneralis.

Fig. 35. —Lasiurus borealis.

Fig. 37. —Antrozous pallidus.

Fig. 38. — Tadarida brasiliensis.

OCCASIONAL PAPF.RS MLSI,CM I I XAS TFCH LNIVFRSH Y

Fig. 39. — Molussus molossus.

Fig. 40 .—Eumops auripendulus.

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