| Hoary bat | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Vespertilionidae |
| Genus: | Lasiurus |
| Species: | L. cinereus |
| Binomial name | |
| Lasiurus cinereus (Beauvois, 1796) | |
 | |
| Distribution of the hoary bat (2008) | |
Thehoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus)[2] is a species ofbat in thevesper bat family, Vespertilionidae. It lives throughout most ofNorth America (and possibly also inHawaii, although this is disputed).
The hoary bat wasdescribed as a new species in 1796 byPalisot de Beauvois. Beauvois noted that theholotype was collected in the US state ofPennsylvania by an individual identified as "Master Pancake".[3] It has many taxonomic synonyms, includingVespertilio pruinosis (Say, 1823) andAtalpha mexicana (Saussure, 1861). MammalogistHarrison Allen was the first to use its current name combination ofLasiurus cinereus, doing so in 1864.[4] In a later publication, Allen placed it in the now-defunct genusAtalapha, with a scientific name ofAtalpha cinerea.[5]
TheSouth American hoary bat (L. villosissimus), which is found throughoutSouth America, and theHawaiian hoary bat (L. semotus), which isendemic toHawaii, were both previously classified under the hoary bat, but phylogenetic evidence supports them being distinct species.[6]
Some have argued to elevate the subgenus (Aeorestes) to a genus level classification forL. cinereus. However, this has not been accepted by taxonomic authorities as it violates the International Code of Zoologigal Nomenclature[7][8]
It ranges throughoutNorth America, from northernCanada south toGuatemala. Although the Hawaiian subspeciesL. semotus was reclassified into a distinct species, studies in 2015 and 2017 found evidence supporting two different colonization events ofHawaii byLasiurus species; one about 1.4 million years ago by the ancestors ofL. semotus, but also a much more recent colonization by trueL. cinereus. This would mean thatL. cinereus also inhabits the Hawaiian islands, incrypticsympatry withL. semotus.[6][9] However, in contrast, a 2020 genetic study found no evidence of multiple bat species on Hawaii, finding the islands to only be inhabited by a single species,L. semotus, and attributed the previous results as a consequence ofincomplete lineage sorting.[10]
The hoary bat averages 13 to 14.5 cm (5.1 to 5.7 in) long with a 40 cm (15.5 in) wingspan and a weight of 26 g (0.92 oz). It is the largest bat normally found inCanada. Itscoat is dense and dark brown, with white tips to the hairs that give the species its 'hoary' appearance for which it is named.[11] The body is covered in fur except for the undersides of the wings. Males and females aredimorphic in body mass, with females 40% heavier than males.[12]
The bat normally roosts alone on trees, hidden in the foliage, but on occasion has been seen in caves with other bats. It prefers woodland, mainlyconiferous forests, but hunts over open areas or lakes. It hunts alone and its main food source ismoths. The bats can cover an impressive 39 km (24 mi) while foraging.[11] Hoary bats are long-distance migrants, spending the winter inCentral America and the southwestern United States and the spring and summer in more northern latitudes in the United States and Canada.[13]
The reproductive cycle of the hoary bat is not yet fully documented, but it is thought that they mate in August with birth occurring in June of the following year. It is thought that thegestation period is only 40 days and thatmammalian embryonic diapause (delayed implantation) may play a role. Females typically bear twins, though litter sizes range from 1–4.[14] Young are typically weaned after 7 weeks.[15]
While not listed as threatened or endangered, hoary bats suffer significant mortality fromwind turbines. Across the United States in 2005, 40% of all bats killed by wind turbines were hoary bats—over 1000 hoary bats were killed in 2005.[16] Most bat deaths occur during migration in the spring and fall.[17] One common theory explaining this is that bats are attracted to the tall structure, possibly believing them to be trees that can be used for rest.[18]
Media related toLasiurus cinereus at Wikimedia Commons
Data related toLasiurus cinereus at Wikispecies