Abstract

ZALAPA, Silvia S.; GUERRERO, Sergio; ROMERO-ALMARAZ, María de Lourdes  and  SANCHEZ-HERNANDEZ, Cornelio. Atypical coloration in bats: frequency and phenotypes in North and Central America, and the Caribbean islands, and new cases from Mexico and Costa Rica. Rev. Mex. Biodiv. [online]. 2016, vol.87, n.2, pp.474-482. ISSN 2007-8706.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmb.2016.04.007.

The recording of bats with atypical coloration has been increased in the last years, and the terminology to recognize the phenotypes is confusing. The objectives of this work were: to compile, classify, and catalogue the cases of atypical phenotypes in North and Central America and the Caribbean islands between 1930 and 2014, and to report 9 additional cases in Mexico and Costa Rica. We obtained 317 cases, representing 25 species, 17 genera, and 4 families from 6 countries. The specimens were classified in 4 phenotypic categories; the most common was white spotting with 274 records, followed by albino with 23, non agouti with 11, and colorless with 4; 5 specimens had a combined phenotype. The additional cases for Mexico were 5 Artibeus lituratus, one Glossophaga soricina, and the first records for Sturnira parvidens and Nyctinomops femorosaccus. We documented the second record from Costa Rica, Molossus sinaloae. The causes and consequences of this phenomenon in bats remain unknown. Genetic and molecular studies are necessaries to understand its origin and possible impacts in bat populations.

Keywords : Albinism; Leucism; Melanism.