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Phenotypic variability is ubiquitous. This is especially true in bats where families such as Phyllostomidae encompass as much phenotypic variability as some entire orders of mammals. Typically, phenotypic variability is characterized based on cranial morphology with studies of other functionally important aspects of the phenotype such as legs, feet and wings less frequent. We examined patterns of secondary-sexual dimorphism and allometry of wing elements of the fringed fruit-eating bat (Artibeus fimbriatus) as well as examined for the first time modularity of bat wings. Patterns were based on 13 wing measurements taken from 21 female and 15 males from eastern Paraguay. From a multivariate perspective A. fimbriatus exhibited significant secondary-sexual dimorphism. Females were larger than males for all 13 wing characteristics with significant differences involving the last phalanx of the 4th and 5th digits. Female wings were also relatively larger than male wings from a multivariate perspective as well as the last phalanx of the 4th and 5th digit, after adjusting for wing size based on forearm length. Wing elements were highly variable regarding allometric relationships with some exhibiting no allometric patterns, and others exhibiting isometry or hyperallometry depending on the element. Wings exhibited significant modularity with metacarpals, proximal phalanges and distal phalanges each representing a discrete module. Wings of A. fimbriatus exhibit substantive patterns of dimorphism, allometry and modularity. While the Big Mother Hypothesis is a strong theoretical construct to explain wing dimorphism, there is yet no sound theoretical basis to patterns of allometry and modularity of the wing. Indeed, trying to understand the determinants of variation in wing morphology is ripe for future investigation.
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A morphologically atypical great fruit-eating bat Artibeus lituratus from Paraguay
Introduction: Morphological abnormalities and their underlying causes are well documented and understood in humans and some domesticated animals but are less often reported within wild populations. This is likely because many abnormalities lead to the early death of individuals and typically are only encountered within large samples of specimens. Here, we report an adult female great fruit-eating bat Artibeus lituratus (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae) collected from Paraguay with notable skull and post-cranial abnormalities. Methods: Specimens, including the atypical A. lituratus, were collected from eastern Paraguay and prepared as skin and skull museum voucher specimens and deposited in the Natural Science Research Laboratory of the Museum of Texas Tech University. Sequences of Cytochrome b (Cyt b) were generated and uploaded to BLAST to confirm species identification. We then quantitatively compared the atypical individual with 15 typical females collected from the same locality using 13 wing measurements and 13 skull measurements. Results: The Cyt b sequence of the atypical specimen was a 100 % match to A. lituratus. The atypical specimen was much smaller from the perspective of overall body size and wing morphology. The skull was also qualitatively different, much smaller and less robust than other female A. lituratus from this site. Mastoids and the sagittal crest were greatly reduced, and the frontal shield was absent in the atypical individual. Discussion and conclusions: We encourage reports of morphological abnormalities to be made as determining rates of abnormalities within populations may indicate their overall health. Key words: Morphological deformity; morphometrics; New World bats; skeletal deformity; skull morphology; wing morphology.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2101909
- PAR ID:
- 10470636
- Publisher / Repository:
- Asociación Mexicana de Mastozoología
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Therya notes
- ISSN:
- 2954-3614
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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