Bat Mammalia:(Chiroptera) records, early collectors, and faunal lists for Northern Central America

Forty-one species of bats from northern Central America are discussed in relation to their known distribution, some because of re-examition of historic records relating to them. These species include new records for Guatemala 2), Belize 1), Honduras 11), and Nicaragua 2); range extensions in the Neotropics for six species are based on specimens form Belize 1), Honduras 4), and Nicaragua 1): and one records is deleted for Nicaragua. Additional noteworthy records are reported for 15 taxa. Previous identification, locality record, or status of certain museum specimens representing published records were re-examined, and corrections and additional information are reported for 17 species. Brief historical sketches acknowledge a number of resident and visiting naturalists who were important early contributors to our knowledge of the bat faunal of northern Central America. A checklist of 119 species from this region is documented and discussed.