Ultraviolet light reveals cryptic markings in greater Antillean Long-tongued bats (Monophyllus redmani) from Puerto Rico

Authors

• Allen Kurta, Eastern Michigan University
• Cara Rogers*, Eastern Michigan University
• Haley J. Gmutza, The Ohio State University
• Ashley K. Wilson*, Eastern Michigan University
• Brian A. Schaetz*, Eastern Michigan University
• Olivia M. Münzer*, Eastern Michigan University
• Robin M. Kurta, Beatty Early Learning Center, Ypsilanit, Michigan
• Mark Kurta*, Eastern Michigan University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2023

Department/School

Biology

Publication Title

Journal of North American Bat Research

Abstract

Many Monophyllus redmani (Greater Antillean Long-tongued Bat) from Puerto Rico pos- sessed small patches of white hairs that were difficult to discern in normal light, but they were easily differentiated under ultraviolet. Using photos taken with ultraviolet light, we showed that 53% of 91 adults possessed piebald spots; these marks were more common in females (67%) than males (29%), and spotting was more extensive in females than males. Individual bats could be identified, based on their markings. Similar spots occurred on museum specimens of M. redmani, from Hispaniola and Jamaica, and on M. plethodon (Insular Single-leaf Bat), from the Lesser Antilles. Determining the frequency, extent, and pattern of spotting may be another tool for examining gene flow among the islands of the West Indies.

Comments

A. Kurta is a faculty member in EMU's Department of Biology.

*C. Rogers, A. K. Wilson, B. A. Schaetz, O. M. Münzer, and M. Kurta are EMU students.

Recommended Citation

Kurta, A., Rogers, C., Gmutza, H. J., Wilson, A. K., Schaetz, B. A., Munzer, O. M., Kurta, R. M., & Kurta, M. (2023). Ultraviolet light reveals cryptic markings in greater Antillean Long-tongued bats (Monophyllus redmani) from Puerto Rico. Journal of North American Bat Research, 1(1), 1–14.