Pictures of New Bats

Arnulfo and Carol with Pale-faced bat (Phylloderma stenops)

The other new species were Godman’s whiskered bat (Choeroniscus godmani; pictured bottom right), a small dark bat with a long slender nose and lots of long whiskers. The next new species was Heller’s broad-nosed bat (Platyrrhinus helleri; bottom left, nice stripes). This was followed by the Phylloderma stenops (upper right) and ended with hairy big-eyed bat (Chiroderma villosum; top left). 

Another capture of a Fringe-lipped (frog eating) bat (Trachops cirrhosus )

New Species on project

News from Carol in Nicaragua.  This is their last week on the project.  They are now at 44 species and 1421 captures for the project. On Jan 27 they captured a new species for Nicaragua. This species has only been captured 5 times in Costa Rica. All captures have been on the Caribbean side; none in dry tropical forest. Ours was on the Pacific side of the country in the dry tropical forest (possibly a lake effect from Lake Nicaragua?).


The new species is the pale-faced bat (Phylloderma stenops; pictures on separate post)

The other new species were Godman’s whiskered bat (Choeroniscus godmani, a small dark bat with a long slender nose and lots of long whiskers. The next new species was Heller’s broad-nosed bat (Platyrrhinus helleri). This was followed by the Phylloderma stenops  and ended with hairy big-eyed bat (Chiroderma villosum). Nicaragua now has 100 species (counting Artibeus intermedius and Artibeus literatus as same species per Simmons 2005).

Having a new species record for Nicaragua is really, really exciting!


Pictures on the next post!

Final Nicaraguan species lists:

Bats (murciélagos)
1. Artibeus jamaicensis, Jamaican fruit-eating bat
2. Carollia perspicilla, Seba's short-tailed bat
3. Lophostona brasiliensis, Pygmy round-eared bat
4. Artibeus lituratus, great fruit-eating bat
5. Carollia suburbia, Gray short-tailed bat
6. Glossophaga commissarisi, brown long-tongued bat
7. Glossophaga sorcina, Common long-tongued bat
8. Myotis nigricans, black myotis
9. Rhogeessa tumuda, Central American yellow bat
10. Artibeus watsonii, Thomas' fruit-eating bat
11. Eptesicus furinalus, Argentine brown bat
12. Desmodus rotundus, Common vampire
13. Sturnia lilium Little yellow-shouldered Bat
14. Artibius literates Great fruit-eating bat
1 5. Pteronotus personas Lesser mustached bat
16. Molossus pretiosus Miller's mastiff bat
17. Centurion seneca Wrinkle-face bat
18. Artibius phaeotis Pygmy fruit eating bat
19. Artibius intermedius Medium fruit-eating bat
20. Molossops greenhalli
21. Pteronotus parnellii Common mustached bat
22. Pteronotus gymnonotus Big naked-backed bat
23. Saccoptery bilineata Greater white-lined bat
24. Noctilio leporinus Greater fishing bat

Birds (aves) (those that I figured out, usually with the help of José)
1. Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura)
2. Black vulture (Coragyps atratua)
3. Great egret (Casmerodius albus egretta)
4. Snowy egret (Egretta thula thula)
5. Cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis ibis)
6. Neotropican cormorant (Phalacrocorox olivaceous olivaceous)
7. Great-tailed grackle (Cassidix mexicanus)
8. Nicarauguan grackle (Cassidix nicaraguensis)
9. White-throated magpie jay (Calocitta formosa)
10. Wood Storks (Mycteria americana)
11. Smooth-billed Ani (Crotophaga ani)
12. Ferruginous Pygmy owl (Glaucidium brasilianum)
13. Bat Falcon (Falco rufigularis)
14. Brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
15. Magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificens)
16. White-tailed hawk (Buteo albicaudatus )
17. Ruddy ground dove (Columbina talpacotti)
18. Great kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus)
19. Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria solitaria)
20. Maroon chested ground dove (Claravis mondetoura mondetoura)
21. American kestrel (Falco sparverius sparverius)
22. Great potoo (Nyctibius grandis)
23. Short-tailed hawk (Buteo brachyurus)
24. Pacific screech Owl (Otis cooperii)
25. Orange-fronted parakeet (Ataringa canicularis)
26. Common paurague (Nyctidromus albicollis)
27. Double-striped Thick knee (Burhinus bistriatus)
-28. Scissor-tailed flycatcher (Muscivora forficata )
29. Bare-throated Tiger heron (tigrisoma mexicanos)
30. Dusky ant bird (Cercomacra tyrannina rufiventris)
31. Riverside Wren (Thryothorus semibadius)
32. Elegant trogon (Trogon elegans)
33. Black throated trogon (Trogon rufus)
34. Black kingbird (Tyrannus dominicensis?)
35. White-winged dove (Zenaida asiatica panamensis)
36. Roadside hawk (Buteo magninosis)
37. Green kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana)
38. Common Black hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus anthracinus)
39. Crested (Polyborus plancus audubonii)
40. Ringed kingfisher (Ceryle torquata torquata)
41. Tropical parula (Parula pitiayumi)
42. Great curassow (Crax rubra)

Other Animals (otra animales) (usually found by Christian)
1. Central American wooly opossum (Caluromys Serbian)
2. Vine snake (serpiente de vid)
3. Scorpion (escorpión)
4. Tarantula (tarántula)
5. Mantled howler monkeys & babies (mono Congo) (Alouatta palliata)
6. Olive Ridley's sea turtle (tortugas) (Lepidochelys olivacea)
7. Hoffman's two-toed sloth (kukala) (Choloepus hoffmanni)
8. Mountain lion? (scat & track) (lión de montaña) (Puma councilor)
9. Gray four-eyed opossum (Philander opossum)
10. Crabs (freshwater and ocean) (cangrejo)
11. Frogs (rana)... Many kinds
12. Spider monkeys (mono de araña) (Ateles geoffroyi geoffroyi maybe also Ateles geoffroyi ornatus)
13. Spider eyes sparkle in the grass (araña)
14. Giant toad (zapos grandes)
15. Fireflies (kieva plata)
16. Kinkajou (kinkaju) (Potos flavus)
17. Variegated squirrel (ardilla)(Sciurus rariegatoides dorsalis)
18. Eastern cottontail rabbit (consejo) (Sylvilagus floridanus)

Jan 13 Last Thoughts

As I am about to head out on the last leg of my adventure, some last thoughts.
Carol is so very lucky with all the great people helping her on this project. The Lopez family is so caring and helpful... And they don't have to be. The tears and hugs from them as I left are precious! Her project helpers Christian, José and Marlon are wonderful people and contribute greatly to Carol getting this project work done. It's great how much they have gotten done so far! Two more weeks for Carol, then José and Marlon will continue with the Anabat data collection part.
This trip has been great for me. Even though I feel tired from keeping the bat schedule, the numerous bug bites and just plain travel, I feel rejuvenated and ready for the next adventure... What ever that may be.

I'll post final species list when I get home... And more photos!

Jan 12 Managua to Houston

Plane loaded about 12:30pm and took off very full at 1:30pm. Flight went back over the Yucatan peninsula. Got to watch "Real Steel" and read my book. Long three and a half hours. It took about an hour to get through customs and get my bag. I started the day feeling is was too warm for boots and long pants. Had to pull out my long sleeve shirt, sweater and windbreaker while waiting for the hotel shuttle and I was cold. I hope David brings me a warm jacket at the airport tomorrow!

Jan 12 Managua Hills

Got a good nights sleep, but woke up a little lost. There was quite the chorus of white-winged doves. Somehow I was at my parent's house in Roswell NM....Nope, Managua. I'd gotten very used to the morning chorus at Escamaquita: rooster, howler monkeys, magpie-jays, parrots, the dogs and of course the Estella crescendo. So the doves threw me off. Rolled over and got a little more sleep before the big hop to Houston.
Got up about 8am... A warm shower to settle down all the new bug bites I got during dinner on the patio (I guess). I won't miss the mosquitoes and gnats! Went down to the patio for breakfast: ham and vegi omelet, pinto gallo, toast, mango jelly, coffee and juice.
Mayor picked me us at the hotel exactly at 10am. It's across town to the north to the airport, so had another experience of zigging and zagging through the narrow streets, then on to the "2-lane" roads. They don't have lines designating lanes and the drivers use them as anywhere from one to three lanes depending on the size and kind of vehicle. Lots of honking to communicate who's passing who. Made it to the airport; checked one bag taking some items home for Carol; through security and did a little trinket shopping with the last of my $Cordobas. Also picked up a bag of Zambos for David and Aaron to try.

January 11

Carol, José and Marlon went to visit with a land owner to get permission to work on their land. Bill, Dan and I hung around the house. I got all my stuff packed. Victor got sad, but made me a special echasketch. Virginia made a lunch about 2pm of pork, gallo pinto (rice and beans), salad, Papua and watermelon. Mayor from Paso Pacifico arrived about 3:30 for me, but had to go south to Ostinal to drop off some project stuff for the turtle project. I decided to go with, and had teary goodbyes from the Lopez family and wonderful big hugs from Carol and Bill.
On the way to Ostinal, I saw a crested caracara (twice: out and back), smooth-billed ani, black hawk, road-side hawk, and bat falcon along the road. Along with lots of howler monkeys. At Ostinal, I got to stand on the beach and see Costa Rica. They showed me the community boat that they use to protect the turtles... La Torita (sea turtle). I think ot was the leader of the project, tried out my limited Spanish, then switched to English and told me about the project. On the beach I saw brown pelicans and frigate birds. As we were leaving Ostinal, Mayor drove by a Paso Paifico mural on the side of a school. I think he went that way just to show me. Very nice. It had turtles, monkeys, sloth, birds and an anteater. It was behind a red chain-link fence, so no picture.
After several stops, we got back to Escamaquito about 5:45 pm and headed for Managua. When we got to the edge of San Juan del Sur, Mayor got a text message... There was some rapid-fire comment to our other passenger, something to do with having to got back to Rancho Terre (almost back to the house) to pick up a document for Paso Pacifico. At 7:00pm we're back on the road to Managua. Arrived at Managua Hills Hotel at 9:25. The person who runs the hotel speaks English, so easier to get food, beer and WIFI password!

Jan 11

Today I get pack up and wait for a ride. Took some pictures around the house. Tieki, porch, Zolita, Flaquita, Victor, house

Pictures from Jan 10

Dan with the fishing bat ... very long wing!

Walking the beach near midnight

Look at those teeth!

Releasing the fishing bat for Anabat data collection

Missy and the fishing bat

Greater Fishing  Bat!!!!!

Orange-fronted parakeet

Carol with a Mayan panther head that Marlon found

Mayan eagle head

Jan 10 Escameca Grande closer to ocean

N 11.17411 W85.80196
Tonight was my last night of netting. We went to Escameca Grande, but closer to the coast. We were searching for a place where Carol had permission and José suggested this spot. We had to stop and get permission from "Freddy" was National Director of Parks and is now managing this Reserve Area. He escorted is personally to get the key to the gate and got us to the area we were going to net, then walked back to his house. Very nice.

On the way there we saw:
Short-tailed hawk (Buteo brachyurus)
Pacific screech Owl (Otis cooperii)
Orange-fronted parakeet (Ataringa canicularis)
Thick kneed heron?

We set up the triple-high with 12 m nets, plus an 18 and 12 m nets. Just as the sun was setting we caught three solitary sandpipers in the triple. Shortly after that we started catching bats... Including three Greater fishing bats. I got the first one... Way beyond cool!

32 bats, 9 species with the new species of the Great fishing bat (Noctilio leporinus). So my total for species handles during my stay is 24 species.

After we packed up all the gear about 11pm, we drove the short distance to the beach. We walked along the beautiful beach by the light of an almost full moon as the tide was coming in. Very nice end to my Nicaragua bat netting experience.

I said farewell to Christian, with the help of Dan and Jose. I got to thank him for his patience and wonderful conversations.

Home 1am

Jan 10 San Juan del Sur

Thus morning was my last trip into Dan Juan del Sur. We did grocery shopping and I did some last minute shopping. Got two small paintings from a famous Nicaraguan artist to remind me of this beautiful place and the great people.

Attached are pictures around town, and a picture of Martín, Victor and Pinto ready to go work in the bean fields today.

Pictures from Jan 9

Dan releasing a common vampire, Marlon and Jose collecting Anabat data.

Missy, Carol and Dan processing a bat

Dan Taylor with Pteranotis

Male Anole

Marlon and Jose collecting Anabat data

Missy and Carol skyping with Chris Corbin for Anabat troubles.

Jan 9 2012 Escameca Grande

N11.19467 W-85.75893
It was very nice to get a nice long night of sleep last night. The morning I spent helping Carol work with Chris Corbin to trouble shoot the Anabat detectors. We've had 5 units out and no data collected. It's amazing to be able to Skype with people from here. We think we know what the issues are and hope things work tonight.

A couple of days ago I got bitten up by I think gnats, and man do they itch! Much worse than "no-see-ums" in Colorado! Reminds me of chiggers.. I hope they aren't. Thank goodness for benedril and hydrocortisone at "bed time"!

Tonight we drove back up the Escameca Grande drainage; swapped out Anabat units so we can check those and continue collecting data; installed one new Anabat station; then set up netting about half way between Jan 7 and Jan 6 sites. We put up the triple-high with 6m nets, then two 12m, and one 9m nets across the pools in the river. We were missing Stu and Christian tonight. Not quite the same without them.
On the way in we saw:
Scissor-tailed flycatcher (Muscivora forficata )
Bare-throated Tiger heron (tigrisoma mexicanos)
Dusky ant bird (Cercomacra tyrannina rufiventris)
At the site we found:
Anole lizard
Giant toad
Turtle

Tonight's haul: 14 bats (plus 2 escapees) and 8 species. Nothing new for me but Dan Taylor got to handle/release his first common vampire. I got to get the VERY tangled vampire out of the net. Moon was full, so we took the net down about 10:30pm. Home by about 11:45pm. Downloaded Anabat cards: one worked (yea!), one did not. This one may be the problem Anabat... More trouble shooting tomorrow.

Jan 8 Granada

N 11.92762 W 85.94218
Today we went to the Cuidad de Granada to drop Stu off with a Paso Pacifico employee to go to Managua for the evening and fly home tomorrow. The "fair well" that Stu received from the Lopez family was so touching. Carol said that especially Martín and Victor have gotten very attached to many of her volunteers. What a nice, loving, caring family!

While waiting for Stu's ride in Granada, we did a little wandering around the town square. We visited some of the craft stalls. One was a Women's Cooperative from Isla Zapatera (www.zapatera.org) that had some great woven items and jewelry made from native seeds. I got a nice seed neckless. We also stopped in an ice cream shop... I had passion fruit frozen yogurt. Yum! We found Stu's ride from Paso Paifico, said good bye, then headed back to San Juan del Sur. In Rivas we came across a great drum band. They were awesome. The two bass drum players were throwing and dancing with their drums. Aaron and his marching band friends need to see the video! It's even more impressive than the CSU marching band "trombone suicide!"We watched them for about 20 min and they were going strong with no sign of slowing down!
We made it back to San Juan del Sur by about 6pm. Too late to go to the grocery store, but we went to dinner in town. The pace is slower, so dinner took about 2 1/2 hours. We got home about 9pm. Early bed time tonight. We'll try going back into town for groceries in the morning, before the Nicaraguan members of the team get in from the weekend.