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Glite Dictionary
Phyllostomus hastatus

Phyllostomus hastatus

9.9
A large bat with a leaf-shaped nose from Central and South America that lives in groups
  • noun
  • Specialized
: Phyllostomus hastatus
  • The Phyllostomus hastatus is noted for its unusually sophisticated social structure among bats.

Examples

  • Researchers observed a group of Phyllostomus hastatus roosting in a hollow tree in Panama.

  • Conservationists are concerned about habitat loss affecting populations of Phyllostomus hastatus in the Amazon rainforest.

  • The Phyllostomus hastatus can be found in tropical forests.

  • Have you ever seen a Phyllostomus hastatus in the wild?

  • Conservationists are concerned about habitat loss affecting populations of Phyllostomus hastatus in the Amazon rainforest.

  • Researchers observed a group of Phyllostomus hastatus roosting in a hollow tree in Panama.

  • The Phyllostomus hastatus is noted for its unusually sophisticated social structure among bats.

Surface Forms

Phyllostomus hastatus singular

Morphology

Phyllostomus + hastatus

This is a Latin scientific binomial (a proper name) rather than a compositional English phrase; an average B1 learner knowing the listed constituents would not be able to derive the full meaning from them because 'hastatus' is not a common English word and the pair functions as a taxonomic label. Although 'Phyllostomus' signals a type of leaf-nosed bat, the overall expression is a species name and its referent is not transparently predictable from everyday word meanings.

Etymology

Phyllostomus hastatus comes from words that mean 'leaf mouth' (Phyllostomus) and 'spear-like' (hastatus). This name creates a clear picture of the bat's leaf-shaped nose and pointed face, so it helps you remember this large leaf-nosed bat.