Sl. Williams et al., REVIEW OF THE TONATIA-BIDENS COMPLEX (MAMMALIA, CHIROPTERA), WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF 2 NEW SUBSPECIES, Journal of mammalogy, 76(2), 1995, pp. 612-626
Tonatia bidens has a broad distribution in Central and South America;
the only extant form is monotypic. Our analysis reveals two species ar
e involved: T. bidens (von Spix) from eastern Brazil, Paraguay, and Ar
gentina; T. saurophila Koopman and Williams from Central America, nort
hern and western South America, and Jamaica. These taxa are sympatric
in northeastern Brazil. Both qualitative and quantitative assessments
of morphological characters distinguish the species. Dental difference
s, previously noted between fossil material from Jamaica and mainland
specimens representing T. saurophila as well as size differences betwe
en Central and South American T. saurophila warrant recognition of two
subspecies representing extant mainland populations.