Bat (Mammalia: Chiroptera) records, early collectors, and faunal lists for northern Central America

Abstract

Forty-one species of bats from northern Central America are discussed in relation to their known distribution, some because of re-examination of historic or recent records relating to them. These species include new records for Guatemala (2), Belize (1), Honduras (11), and Nicaragua (2); range extensions in the Neotropics for six species are based on specimens from Belize (1), Honduras (4), and Nicaragua (1); and one record is deleted for Nicaragua. Additional noteworthy records are reported for 1 5 taxa. Previous identification, locality record, or status of certain museum specimens representing published records were re-examined, and corrections and additional information are reported for 1 7 species. Brief historical sketches acknowledge a number of resident and visiting naturalists who were important early contributors to our knowledge of the bat fauna of northern Central America. A checklist of 1 1 9 species from this region is documented and discussed.