Thyropteridae

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

iDisc-winged Bats
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Thyropteridae


Disc-winged bats are a small group of bats of the family Thyropteridae. They are found in Central and South America, usually in moist tropical rain forests. It's a very small family, consisting of a single genus with four species.

The name comes from the suction cups found at the base of the thumb and under the heel of these animals, similar to those found in Myzopodidae bats. These structures help them to cling smooth surfaces, and to remain, for example, inside of young coiled banana and heliconia leaves, where they roost.

They can be recognized by their reduced thumb, enclosed by the wing membranes. There are only two genera in the group, each with a single species. They are insectivorous and can live in many different kinds of environments.


[edit] Taxonomy