The

genus Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...

''Corynorhinus'' consists of the big-eared bats, or American long-eared bats. Only four species occur in the

, all occurring in North America. Members of this group were previously in the genus ''

Plecotus ''Plecotus'' is a genus of vesper bat, commonly called long-eared bats. They are found throughout Eurasia and northern Africa. Many species in the genus Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family ...

'', the long-eared bats, and were also then called lump-nosed bats. Populations of these species are generally uncommon and declining. Two subspecies, the Virginia big-eared bat (''C. t. virginianus'') and the Ozark big-eared bat (''C. t. ingens'') are federally endangered.

Species

''Corynorhinus'' species are: *''Corynorhinus rafinesquii''

Rafinesque's big-eared bat Rafinesque's big-eared bat (''Corynorhinus rafinesquii''), sometimes known as the southeastern big-eared bat, is a species of vesper bat native to the southeastern United States. Description As its name implies, this species has ears over an in ...

*''Corynorhinus mexicanus''

Mexican big-eared bat The Mexican big-eared bat (''Corynorhinus mexicanus'') is a species of vesper bat endemic to Mexico. They are nocturnal and insectivorous. Their very large ears are located across their foreheads, and when captured, the bats are observed to curl ...

*''Corynorhinus leonpaniaguae''

Leon Paniagua's big-eared bat Leon Paniagua's big-eared bat (''Corynorhinus leonpaniaguae'') is a species of vesper bat endemic to northeastern Mexico. Taxonomy This species belongs to the family Vespertilionidae in the genus '' Corynorhinus'' and the species was previous ...

*''Corynorhinus townsendii''

Townsend's big-eared bat Townsend's big-eared bat (''Corynorhinus townsendii'') is a species of vesper bat. Description Townsend's big-eared bat is a medium-sized bat (7–12 g)

**''C. t. ingens'' Ozark big-eared bat (endangered) **''C. t. pallescens'' western big-eared bat **''C. t. townsendii''

Townsend's big-eared bat Townsend's big-eared bat (''Corynorhinus townsendii'') is a species of vesper bat. Description Townsend's big-eared bat is a medium-sized bat (7–12 g)

**''C. t. virginianus''

Virginia big-eared bat The Virginia big-eared bat (''Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus'') is one of two endangered subspecies of the Townsend's big-eared bat. It is found in Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Kentucky. In 1979, the US Fish and Wildlife Ser ...

(endangered)

Popular culture

''Corynorhinus'' is one of the track listing names in the Batman Begins soundtrack by

James Newton Howard James Newton Howard (born June 9, 1951) is an American film composer, orchestrator and music producer. He has scored over 100 films and is the recipient of a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, and nine nominations for Academy Awards. His film scores ...

and

Hans Zimmer Hans Florian Zimmer (; born 12 September 1957) is a German film score composer and music producer. He has won two Academy Awards, a BAFTA Award, five Grammy Awards, and has been nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards, Emmy Awards and a Tony ...

References

* Nowak, R. M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th edition. The Johns Hopkins University Press. Baltimore, Maryland. * Harvey, M.J., J.S. Altenbach, and T.L. Best. 1999. Bats of the United States. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. ---- Bat genera Taxa named by Harrison Allen {{Vespertilionidae-stub