42 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA 75 



Fig. 27. Niceforo's large-eared bat, Micronycteris nicefori. Photo by R. K. LaVal. 



Micronycteris nicefori 

 Niceforo's Large-eared Bat 



These large-eared bats are found from Belize and southeastern Nicaragua along 

 the Caribbean coast of Central America to Amazonian Brazil in South America 

 (Fig. 27). The species is monotypic. 



This species has been collected mainly from forested areas, but is also known 

 from agricultural habitats (Williams and Genoways 1980). Roosting sites include 

 hollow trees, mines, and buildings (Handley 1966). These bats feed on insects and 

 fruit according to Goodwin and Greenhall (1961). The reproductive cycle is 

 unknown. 



LaVal (1977) reported capturing six at La Selva in 1973 and 1974; these were 

 the first records from Costa Rica. 



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

 [1 male, KU]. 



