Leptonycteris yerbabuenae

Leptonycteris yerbabuenae has been treated as both a subspecies of L. curasoae and as a distinct species. Arita and Humphrey (1988) determined that sanborni is a junior synonym of yerbabuenae and that yerbabuenae is a subspecies of L. curasoae. Prior to 1962 (Davis and Carter 1962), specimens of what was then known as L. sanborni were reported as L. nivalis.

Widespread from the southwestern United States to Central America; large population size but limited number of known major roosts; evidently not declining, but better information on population size and trend is needed; despite current large population size, species faces significant threats from disturbance and vandalism at roost sites and from loss of food resources as a result of habitat conversion.

Range extends from southern Arizona (Picacho Mountains southwest to Agua Dulce Mountains and southeast to Chiricahua Mountains), and New Mexico (Animas and Peloncillo mountains, and Grant County) southward through much of México (including central and southern Baja California) to Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras (Hoffmeister 1986, Sidner and Davis 1988, Simmons, in Wilson and Reeder 2005, Cole and Wilson 2006, Geluso and Geluso 2021). Occasional individuals have been found to the north of the usual range (e.g., in California; Constantine 1998). U.S. populations apparently winter in Mexico, with occasional sightings in the United States in winter (Cole and Wilson 2006).

The number of occurrences or subpopulations has not been determined using standardized/meaningful criteria, but this species is represented by a large number of collection/observation sites (GBIF database; http://www.gbif.org/species/6163662) and locations (as defined by IUCN). Arita (1991) mapped well over 100 collection sites in Mexico. Arita and Humphrey (1988) reported 269 historical and currently occupied localities in Mexico. However, this species is known to occur at only three maternity roosts in the United States, and in approximately 40 total roosts across its range in Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico (USFWS 2007). Seventeen major roosts are known in Arizona (USFWS 2007).

USFWS (1987, 1989) stated that the species was threatened by disturbance of roosts, loss of food sources through land clearing and human exploitation, and direct killing by humans. According to Cole and Wilson (2006): "Threats include harvesting of the lesser long-nosed bats food plants, loss of cave-roosting sites through destruction, recreational caving, sealing abandoned mine entrances, and killing for pest control."

USFWS (2007) noted significant threats from habitat conversion for agriculture, livestock grazing, and urbanization, and disturbance/vandalism of roosts (e.g., in association with illegal U.S-Mexico border activities). These factors reduce the bats' ability to adjust to food shortages caused by long-term drought. ¿Invasive, exotic plant species and catastrophic wildfires are resulting in vegetation community conversion and reducing available (USFWS 2007). USFWS (2013) stated that "threats persist and may actually be increasing in some areas. However, the severity of these threats may be reduced as a result of the increased abundance of the species."

USFWS (2007) recommended downlisting this species from endangered to threatened, and USFWS (2013) determined that this may be warranted and initiated an updated status review.