First record of Platyrrhinus guianensis Velazco and Lim, 2014 (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae) for Brazil

Abstract

Platyrrhinus guianensis is bat with a distribution restricted to the Guiana Region of South America in Guyana and Suriname. Herein, we report the southernmost record of this species, extending its distribution to Brazil in Brazilian Amazon. Our record indicates that the species have a larger geographical range that previously thought. Platyrrhinus guianensis occurs in sympatry with Platyrrhinus brachycephalus, Platyrrhinus incarum, and Platyrrhinus fusciventris in the Brazilian Amazon, and can be confused with these species, raising the possibility that there might be other specimens of Platyrrhinus guianensis misidentified as other species in scientific collections.

Some bats are here: Reducing the Wallacean shortfall of bats in the amazon

“…This argument can be supported by the expanded distribution of Platyrrhinus guianensis Velazco and Lim, 2014 (Lopes et al., 2023 ), Artibeus amplus Handley, 1987 (Zortéa et al., 2023 ), and Choeroniscus godmani (Thomas, 1903) (Garbino et al., 2022 ). All these species are considered new occurrences for Brazil, with P. guianensis and A. amplus having a single occurrence point for Brazil, located in the Amazon region near our study area in Pará (Lopes et al., 2023 ; Zortéa et al., 2023 ). Additionally, the species P. guianensis was described in 2014, reinforcing the idea that the region sampled in our study is potentially a diverse area and a potential source of new species unknown to science (Linnaean shortfall).…”

“…Currently, there are 1474 species of bats recognized worldwide (Simmons & Cirranello, 2023 ), with 184 species occurring in Brazil (Garbino et al., 2022 ; Lopes et al., 2023 ; Zortéa et al., 2023 ), making them the second most diverse order of mammals (Simmons & Cirranello, 2023 ). This great taxonomic diversity is accompanied by a diversity of feeding habits, including insect consumption, nectar, fruits, seeds, amphibians, fish, small mammals, and even blood (Kunz et al., 2011 ; Schnitzler & Kalko, 2001 ).…”