Scientists from a Brazilian research institution have documented the first South American bat specimen in a century at the Palmas Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary. The species was first described by the British zoologist Oldfield Thomas in 1916, and this news was reported by PhysOrg.
Histiotus alienus is a brown bat measuring roughly 10 to 12 centimeters in length. A distinctive feature is its large oval ears, joined by a ventral membrane that creates a small, continuous profile along the base.
For more than a hundred years, researchers have struggled to locate living representatives of this South American bat. The lone historical specimen dating back to 1916 resides in the Natural History Museum. During a field survey at Palmas Meadows Wildlife Refuge, scientists observed Histiotus alienus and employed mist nets to capture the bat. Mist nets are fine mesh structures suspended between poles; when positioned correctly, they are nearly invisible to flying animals such as bats and birds, allowing careful capture for study, as explained by field researchers.
After analyzing the captured bat against hundreds of other species, scientists confirmed its identification as Histiotus alienus. The animal was released for continued study at a national collection, and researchers have since expanded knowledge about its distribution. The species has now been found in a range of habitats, from dense tropical forests to open grasslands, and at various elevations including mountains. While this broader habitat use signals ecological adaptability, it does not imply an improved conservation status for the bat. The International Union for Conservation of Nature currently lists the species as data deficient, indicating that more information is needed to accurately assess its risk of extinction.
Earlier research questions linger about how bats cope with diseases and environmental stress, including cancer risk, and how species like this one thrive across different ecosystems. Studies and ongoing surveys continue to illuminate these topics, offering insights into bat biology, movement, and resilience in changing landscapes. (Note: All observations are part of continuing scientific efforts to understand regional bat diversity and its conservation implications.)