26 



NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA 75 



rock crevices, and hollow trees (Bradbury and Vehrencamp 1976). This species 

 is insectivorous. The breeding cycle is monestrous and highly synchronous 

 (Rasweiler 1982). 



LaVal (1977) frequently found these bats roosting on the undersides of fallen 

 logs, which were supported above ground by buttresses. In several cases they were 

 roosting stacked atop one another, as many as four deep. They are rarely captured 

 in mist nests. We did not encounter this species in Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo. 



Specimen examined (1)— Finca La Selva, 3 km S of Puerto Viejo, 70 m [1 

 male, MSB]. 



Rhynchonycteris naso 

 Brazilian Long-nosed Bat 



Brazilian long-nosed bats are found from Oaxaca and Veracruz, Mexico, 

 through Central America to central Brazil (Fig. 13). The genus contains only this 

 monotypic species. 



This is a lowland species commonly found along watercourses in both wet 

 and dry tropical forests. Individuals roost in open situations, frequently on the under- 

 sides of tree trunks or logs extending out over watercourses. The species is insec- 

 tivorous. Reproduction may be asynchronous or aseasonal and individual females 

 may produce more than one young per year (Bradbury and Vehrencamp 1977). 



Originally reported from Costa Rica on the basis of 10 specimens collected 

 by G. K. Cherrie from an unknown locality (Allen 1897), this species first was 

 reported from La Selva by Starrett and Casebeer (1968). An adult female with 

 a near-term fetus 22 mm long was taken at La Selva on 18 July 1974. During the 

 early 1980' s, a colony of Rhynchonycteris naso was observed on numerous occa- 

 sions roosting under the eaves of the old field station building. A group also roosted 

 under the cement steps leading to the boat dock. In late July and early August of 

 1983, the colony contained 16 individuals; 2 of the females were suckling young. 



Specimens examined (7)— Finca La Selva, 3 km S of Puerto Viejo, 70 m 

 [3 males, 2 females, MSB]; 4 mi W of Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, 92 m [1 male, 

 TCWC]; 7.2 km W of Puerto Viejo, 100 m [1 male, KU]. 



Saccopteryx bilineata 

 Greater White-lined Bat 



The greater white-lined bat is widespread from Colima, Mexico, to Brazil 

 (Fig. 14). The two subspecies recognized by Alvarez (1968) are Saccopteryx 

 bilineata centralis from Nicaragua northward, and the nominate race, S. b. bilineata, 

 throughout Costa Rica and southward. 



This insectivorous species occurs in a variety of habitats, generally limited 

 to lowlands. Bradbury and Vehrencamp (1976) and Bradbury (1983a) provided 

 considerable natural history information on S. bilineata in Costa Rica and at La 

 Selva in particular. Roosting sites include inside hollow trees, between buttresses 

 of large trees, and, occasionally, the sides of manmade structures. Reproduction 

 is seasonally synchronized, and females are monestrous. 



