North American Yellow Bats, 'Dasypterus,' and a List of the Named Kinds of the Genus Lasiurus Gray

This scholarly treatise surveys the small group of yellow‑colored bats found throughout the New World, concentrating on the two species traditionally placed in the genus Dasypterus and their closest relatives in Lasiurus. The authors trace the tangled history of scientific names—from early 19th‑century descriptions to modern revisions—highlighting how regional specimens from Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and the United States have been variously labeled. Accompanied by four clear figures, the work offers a concise checklist of all recognized taxa, noting subtle morphological differences and the habitats where each occurs.

In addition to the taxonomy itself, the authors explain the broader rules that govern zoological naming, such as the Law of Priority and the compromises that followed its early controversy. By weaving historical anecdotes with current classifications, the book provides a useful reference for students, naturalists, and anyone curious about how bat species are identified and named. Its focused scope makes it an accessible entry point into the complex world of North American chiropteran diversity.