Greater Spear-Nosed Bat Discovered In Mexico Rain Forest and It's a First Sighting

A new sighting of "Phyllostomus hastatus" from the bat family has stunned experts. The sighting, described in the journal Check List, is valuable, as this is the first time this creature has been spotted in Mexico. Two specimens were found along the banks of the Lacantún River, in a hollow tree. The discovery has extended the bat's known habitat range by about 75 miles northwest. The study claims that the nearest place, where the bat has been spotted from the Lacantún River, is Alta Verapaz in Guatemala. Researchers who had spotted this bat focused on certain features, which helped them determine that the species was new to the area. 

Sighting of Phyllostomus Hastatus

Phyllostomus hastatus, also known as the "greater spear-nosed bat," is the second-largest bat species spotted in the whole of the Neotropics region, as reported by Phys. Two creatures of this species were discovered roosting in the trunk of a massive Kapok tree, or Ceiba pentandra, very close to a well-preserved tract of rainforest in 2024.

Some noteworthy features of these creatures detected in Chiapas, southern tip of Mexico near Guatemala's border, were their well-developed nose leaves, large forearms measuring around 3 inches, tails, as well as dark brown-colored skin and fur. Not only did these aspects help identify the species of the discovered bats, but they also confirmed the fact that they were new arrivals in the area, as they were distinct from other species of the same genus. 

Dangers to Its Survival

In the study, researchers claimed the only population of Phyllostomus hastatus in the country may be limited to Chiapas. In other regions, this species, known for its massive wings, has been heavily impacted by habitat loss, according to Animal Diversity. These creatures reside in deciduous forests, tropical evergreen forests, and man-made clearings. In Central America, this species has experienced massive habitat loss due to several reasons, such as human development activities.

Though the species remains listed as Least Concern (LC) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, experts believe it must be monitored to ensure its future survival. The same issue could plague these large-bodied bats in Mexico. Hence, researchers are asking for attention, even here. The study cites extensive deforestation in the nearby rainforest, illegal resource extraction, and human encroachment as huge causes of concern regarding the survival of the "great spear-nosed bat."

Further Suggested Actions

Researchers recommended that the species be listed as a protected and threatened species in Mexico's database. Such a move would direct authorities to arrange the required efforts to protect the creatures in the country. Experts are also hoping for more studies on these creatures, so they can understand their arrival, survival, and ways of expanding in their new habitat. The flourishing of the species could, in turn, help improve the ecosystem in the region, as it possibly did in the past for French Guiana. These bats are also known as great pollinators of many plants, and hence could aid in the reproduction process of certain flora present in the area.