PORTAL, Ariz. – The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Bat Conservation International (BCI), has confirmed the presence of the endangered Mexican long-nosed bat (Leptonycteris nivalis) in southeastern Arizona. This discovery raises Arizona’s total bat species count to 29 and highlights the innovative use of environmental DNA (eDNA) in species identification.
“Knowing for sure is exciting,” said Angie McIntire, AZGFD’s statewide bat specialist. “We suspected this species was here, but the scientific advances that confirmed its presence are the real breakthrough.”
Revolutionary Scientific Techniques
Traditional bat identification required physically capturing the animals, a process that can be time-consuming and uncertain. For this study, researchers employed citizen science and eDNA techniques. Residents in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico swabbed hummingbird feeders for saliva left by visiting bats. The samples were analyzed at Northern Arizona University’s “Species from Feces” lab, which specializes in non-invasive methods for species identification.
“eDNA sampling gives us a powerful new tool,” McIntire explained. “Instead of hours trying to catch these elusive bats, researchers can now confirm their presence from environmental traces.”
Distinguishing the Mexican Long-Nosed Bat
This bat species is nearly identical to the recently delisted lesser long-nosed bat (Leptonycteris yerbabuenae), with subtle differences such as size and habitat preference. The Mexican long-nosed bat is slightly larger and favors higher elevations in pine-oak habitats. eDNA technology has made differentiating the two species significantly easier.
A Vital Pollinator
The Mexican long-nosed bat plays a critical role in pollinating at least 49 species of flowering plants, including many species of Agave. Its presence near hummingbird feeders in southeastern Arizona suggests the possibility of undiscovered roosts nearby, emphasizing the species’ impressive ability to travel great distances at night to find food.
This confirmation underscores the importance of conservation efforts and the power of modern science in uncovering Arizona’s rich biodiversity.
