New records and morphological variation in <i>Sturnira perla</i> (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae)

Abstract Sturnira perla is a rare, endemic, and endangered species restricted to the Chocó Biogeographic Region of Ecuador. Previously, it was known from only six localities. Intensive fieldwork in 2021 at Chontaloma Reserve (Pichincha Province) along with a systematic review of specimens deposited in Ecuadorian natural history collections, was conducted. We found seven new geographic records of S. perla , based on ten voucher specimens and a released individual. This study provides important updates on the distribution and morphology of S. perla and recommends the implementation of conservation measures for this rare and threatened species in Ecuador’s Chocó region.