Rhogeessa aenea Goodwin, 1958

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

The Yucatan yellow bat, with the scientific name Rhogeessa aenea Goodwin, 1958, is a species of bat that occurs in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico, and may also be present in Belize and Guatemala.

Feeding Habits

These small insectivorous bats forage for flying insects, most likely mosquitoes, during dawn and dusk.

Documented Population in Belize

A small population of this bat species has been observed on Spanish Lookout Caye, Belize, since at least 1998.

Spanish Lookout Caye Characteristics

This mangrove caye sits east of Belize City in the Drowned Cayes Range, and the bats have been found on both its east and west sides.

Roosting Behavior

Local workers on the caye believe the bats roost in coconut trees during the day.

Sympatric Rhogeessa Species in Belize

Most Rhogeessa bats found on the keys and in southern Belize are Rhogeessa tumida rather than Rhogeessa aenea, and surveys conducted on the Yucatan Peninsula portion of Belize at Ambergris Key also indicate that the local species present is R. tumida.