Review of the Tonatia bidens Complex (Mammalia: Chiroptera), with Descriptions of Two New Subspecies

Abstract

Tonatia bidens has a broad distribution in Central and South America; the only extant form is monotypic. Our analysis reveals two species are involved: T. bidens (von Spix) from eastern Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina; T. saurophila Koopman and Williams from Central America, northern and western South America, and Jamaica. These taxa are sympatric in northeastern Brazil. Both qualitative and quantitative assessments of morphological characters distinguish the species. Dental differences, previously noted between fossil material from Jamaica and mainland specimens representing T. saurophila as well as size differences between Central and South American T. saurophila warrant recognition of two subspecies representing extant mainland populations.