Documentation of a road-killed spectral bat (Vampyrum spectrum) and first report of the species in Tabasco, México

Abstract

Roads are human infrastructures with adverse effects on wildlife; in the case of mammals, bats are rarely mentioned as road-killed animals.  This work describes the record of a road-killed spectral bat (Vampyrum spectrum) on the El Bellote–Santa Cruz section of the 180 highway in Paraiso, Tabasco, México, the first report of the species in the state.  The spectral bat is the largest bat species in the Americas, considered locally rare.  The finding was recorded in 2015 during a wildlife mortality sampling tour.  The specimen was collected and deposited in the National Mammals Collection of Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.  The corpse of a bird (Tyrannidae) was also found during the sampling trip.  This is the first documented record of a road-killed spectral bat.  The unique flight characteristics of the spectral bat, such as flying near obstacles and at ground level, make it vulnerable to vehicles and collisions.  Mitigation measures should be applied to reduce the risk of collision for this species in particular and all bats in general.