44 



NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA 75 



Mimon cozumelae 

 Cozumel Spear-nosed Bat 



Cozumel spear-nosed bats are found from Oaxaca and Veracruz, Mexico, to 

 Colombia (Fig. 29). The species is monotypic. Mimon cozumelae is sometimes 

 considered a subspecies of M. bennettii, a species otherwise confined to South 

 America. A systematic review of this relationship would be in order. 



This species normally is found in primary forest. Roosts have been found in 

 caves, mines, culverts (Handley 1966), and hollow logs (LaVal 1977). Gardner 

 (1977) suggested that the diet includes insects and fruit. Wilson (1979) noted that 

 this species produces a single young per year, at the beginning of the rainy season. 



The first specimen from La Selva and from Costa Rica was reported by Gard- 

 ner et al. (1970). We caught another in 1973, and LaVal and Fitch (1977) reported 

 16 from La Selva. All were taken in primary forest. 



Specimens examined (2)— Finca La Selva, 3 km S of Puerto Viejo, 70 m 

 [2 males, MSB]. 



Fig. 29. Cozumel spear- 

 nosed bat, Mimon 

 cozumelae. Photo 

 b\ R. K. LaVal. 



