New Bat Species Discovery in Arizona Highlights Conservation Efforts
In a remarkable discovery, Arizona has identified its 29th bat species, the Mexican long-nosed bat, marking a significant achievement in local conservation efforts. This addition underscores the fruitful collaboration between conservation groups and citizen scientists.
Announced by the Arizona Department of Game and Fish, this identification elevates the state to having the second-highest number of bat species in the U.S., only surpassed by Texas.
The Mexican long-nosed bat was initially observed foraging in southeastern Arizona last autumn. It is one of the trio of nectar-feeding bats in the region. Citizen scientists played a crucial role in its identification, working alongside the Species from Feces lab at Northern Arizona University.
According to Angela McIntire, a specialist from the Department of Game and Fish, the partnership between the scientific community and interested locals has been pivotal. “It’s just great that people are interested in these kinds of things and it really helps scientists because it just gives us more people helping to solve different questions,” McIntire stated.
Notably, this bat species is the only one in Arizona currently listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. These bats make an annual migration from south-central Mexico to the southwestern United States.
While the reasons for their arrival in Arizona remain unclear, McIntire notes the ambiguity of this development: “Whether it’s a good thing like, ‘Wow, they’re expanding their range,’ or whether it’s a bad thing like, ‘Wow, they have to fly so far to find food,’ you know that’s a harder thing to say.”
Residents in the Tucson area are encouraged to contribute to ongoing studies by reporting sightings of nectar bats at their bird feeders to the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
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