Studies of Gastric Morphology in North American Chiroptera (Emballonuridae, Noctilionidae, and Phyllostomatidae)

Stomachs of 12 species of Neotropical bats were examined grossly and histologically. Those of stenodermines (family Phyllostomatidae) were highly variable in configuration between species, and even congeneric kinds were distinguishable. The stomachs of stenodermines varied in elongation of the caecum or elongation of the pyloric region, both of which provided for accommodation of large quantities of food. Structural peculiarities, especially in the stenodermines, were considered with respect to their possible relationship to diet.