Anoura geoffroyi Gray, 1838

Taxonomic Identity

Geoffroy's tailless bat, Anoura geoffroyi Gray, 1838, is a medium-sized bat, with a total length of around 7 cm (2.8 in) and a body weight of 10 to 15 g (0.35 to 0.53 oz).

Body Fur Coloration

Most of its body is covered in dark to dull brown fur, with greyish-brown fur on the underparts and silvery-grey fur on the neck and shoulders.

Wing and Tail Characteristics

Its wings are black or very dark brown, and the membrane between its legs is relatively small and covered in hair. As its common name indicates, this species has no tail.

Head and Oral Structure

It has a long muzzle, a projecting lower jaw, and short, rounded ears. Its tongue is long and narrow, with a pointed tip covered in fine papillae that help it draw up nectar while feeding.

Sexual Size Dimorphism

Size differences between males and females vary by location: males and females do not differ much in size within Brazil, while in Trinidad, where the species also lives, females have been reported to have slightly longer forearms than males.

Geographic Distribution

Geoffroy's tailless bat is distributed from northern Mexico, through much of Central America, across northern South America, and through Peru to parts of Bolivia and Brazil located immediately south of the Amazon Basin. It has also been recorded on Trinidad and Grenada.

Habitat and Elevation Range

It inhabits wooded environments at elevations between 400 and 2,500 m (1,310 and 8,200 ft), including pine and oak forests, cloud forest, cerrado, and agricultural land.

Subspecies Classification

Three subspecies are currently recognized: A. g. geoffroyi found in Bolivia, Brazil, eastern Colombia, Venezuela, and The Guianas; A. g. lasiopyga found in Mexico, Central America, western Colombia, and Ecuador; and A. g. peruana found in Peru, which has since been elevated to full species status as Anoura peruana.