80 



NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA 75 



Vampyressa nymphaea 

 Big Yellow-eared Bat 



Big yellow-eared bats are found from Nicaragua through Costa Rica and 

 Panama to Amazonian Brazil (Fig. 62). The species is monotypic. 



This species is normally found in primary forest habitats. Although mainly 

 frugivorous, some insect consumption has been reported (Fleming et al. 1972). 

 The reproductive pattern is bimodal polyestry (Wilson 1979). Brooke (1987a), in 

 a study of roosting ecology and social behavior of Vampyressa nymphaea at La 

 Selva, found that these bats roosted exclusively under cut leaves of the understory 

 shrub Pentagonia donnell-smithii (Rubiaceae). The bats severed the basal lateral 

 nerves and the midrib near its midpoint to form a three-sided tent. One to three 

 adult females roosted together with a single adult breeding male, suggesting a harem 

 mating system. Pregnant females were found from early through mid- April. Tents 

 were used for several days in succession, and there was some movement of in- 

 dividuals between tents. One tent was in use for more than 9 months, although 

 not continuously (Brooke 1987a). 



Gardner et al. (1970) reported the first V. nymphaea for Costa Rica from 

 Cariari. Mares and Wilson (1971) reported additional specimens from Guanacaste 

 and Puntarenas Provinces. LaVal and Fitch (1977) reported two from La Selva. 

 Our specimen from Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo was netted over a smaU stream 

 with a closed canopy of riparian vegetation. 



Specimens examined (3)— 2.5 km SE of Puerto Viejo [1 male, CM]; Finca 

 La Selva, 3 km S of Puerto Viejo, 70 m [1 male, FMNH]; 1 km S, 11.5 km E 

 of San Miguel, 580 m [1 male, USNM]. 



Fig. 62. Big yellow-eared bat, Vampyressa nymphaea. Photo by R. K. LaVal. 



