Leptonycteris – Saussure’s long-nosed bats
Also called Mexican long-nosed bats, reside in deserts and pollinate cactuses
This genus belongs to the most diverse family of bats (Phyllostomidae) within the order Chiroptera that has vast ecological importance. These bats act as the main pollinators of numerous night-blooming species of cactus. There are a total of three species in this genus which are: Southern long-nosed bat, Greater long-nosed bat, and Lesser long-nosed bat.
All these species are also migratory that move from place to place in search of new feeding grounds over the span of a whole year. This genus is of vital importance when it comes to conservation status, as they all have been declared Vulnerable or Endangered.
Species in this genus
Lesser long-nosed bat
The fact that they are critical pollinating agents for the blue agave plant (used to make tequila) saved them from the brink of being endangered