Neotropical Bats from Western México

This concise volume presents a detailed survey of fruit‑eating bats inhabiting the lowlands along Mexico’s western coast. By compiling recent field collections, the author clarifies how the genus Artibeus splits into smaller and larger size groups, and maps the northernmost records for several species. The work also notes surprising range extensions for related genera such as Sturnira and Chiroderma.

Field teams funded by the National Science Foundation and other sponsors collected skins, skulls, and skeletons across sites from Sonora to Sinaloa, recording precise latitude and longitude for each locale. Detailed morphological data—including forearm length, cranial dimensions, and pelage coloration—reveal subtle sexual and age‑related variations that challenge earlier assumptions about dichromatism. By comparing these new specimens with those from Guerrero, the author demonstrates consistent size and dental patterns for Artibeus lituratus, while also documenting the presence of Artibeus hirsutus farther north than previously known. The accompanying tables and maps provide a practical reference for researchers tracking bat distribution and ecology in the region.