First Record of Cyclopia in a Newborn Eastern Red Bat (Lasiurus borealis)
Abigail J. Furlow1,* and Leslie Sturges1
1Bat Conservation and Rescue of Virginia, Mount Solon, VA 22843. *Corresponding author.
Journal of North American Bat Research Notes, Volume 3 (2025):N1–N6
Abstract
In a litter of 4 premature Lasiurus borealis (Eastern Red Bats), 3 of the pups had obvious deformities. The upper jaw in each appeared shortened relative to the length of the mandible, possibly the result of a compressed premaxilla. In 1 affected individual, the eyes were fused into a single midline structure, external nostrils were absent, and a cylindrical appendage protruded from its forehead. These deformities are consistent with a developmental malformation termed cyclopia, which is a severe form of holoprosencephaly.
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Journal of North American Bat Research is valued by the academic, agency, NGO, and private-sector research community as a respected and trusted source for science related to all aspects of the biology, ecology, and conservation of bats, Order Chiroptera, and their habitats in North America, from Canada to Panama, and the West Indies (Bahamas, Greater Antilles, and Lesser Antilles). Manuscripts based on studies outside this region that provide information on species within the region may be considered at the Editor’s discretion.