LA SELVA-BRAULIO CARRILLO MAMMALS 



51 



Tonatia silvicola 

 D'Orbigny's Round-eared Bat 



D'Orbigny's round-eared bats are known from Honduras to northern Argen- 

 tina (Fig. 36). The single subspecies in Costa Rica, Tonatia silvicola centralis, 

 also is known from Nicaragua and Honduras (Davis and Carter 1978). 



This species has been collected in a variety of habitats ranging from primary 

 forest to agricultural clearings (Hill 1964). Termite nests and tree holes are used 

 as roosting sites (McCarthy et al. 1983; Graham 1988). Insects and fruit are eaten 

 (Fleming et al. 1972). Wilson (1979) reported evidence of only one young per 

 year for this species. 



Although several individuals were captured in Guanacaste by various OTS 

 participants in the early 1970's, apparently no specimens were preserved. LaVal 

 (1977) captured one at La Selva, but also did not preserve it. It is possible that 

 there are no preserved specimens of this species available from Costa Rica. 



Fig. 36. D'Orbigny's round-eared bat, Tonatia silvicola. Photo by D. E. Wilson. 



