FLIGHT SPEEDS AND MECHANICAL POWER OUTPUTS OF THE NECTAR-FEEDING BAT,LEPTONYCTERIS-CURASOAE (PHYLLOSTOMIDAE, GLOSSOPHAGINAE)

We measured flight speeds of the nectar-feeding bat, Leptonycteris cur asoae, during their nightly commuting flights of 25-30 km. We estimate d mechanical power outputs for the flights by using an aerodynamic mod el and tested predicted flight speeds generated by the model against a ctual flight speeds observed. Bats flew an average of 27.2 km during o ne-way commutes to their foraging areas at a mean air speed of 8.2 m/s . Flight speeds observed in bats making commuting flights conformed to predictions generated by aerodynamic theory, and were similar to thos e previously reported for birds. We suggest that certain morphological attributes exhibited by L. curasoae, such as a relatively large body size and high wing loading, may be adaptations for flying long distanc es in desert habitats.