A roosting colony (Costa Rica)

The Honduran white bat (Ectophylla alba), also called the Caribbean white tent-making bat, is a species of bat in the family Phyllostomatidae. It is the only member of the genus Ectophylla. The genus and the species were both scientifically described for the first time in 1892. It has distinctive, entirely white fur, which is only found in six of the roughly 1,300 known species of bat. It constructs "tents" out of understory plant leaves by strategically cutting the leaf ribs with its teeth; it roosts in these tents during the day. It is a specialist frugivore, consuming almost exclusively the fruits of one species of fig. Females can likely become pregnant twice per year, giving birth to one offspring at a time.

It is found in Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and western Panama at elevations from sea level to 700 m (2,300 ft). Due to habitat loss, it is evaluated as near-threatened by the IUCN. Its bright yellow ears, nose-leaf, and lips are a result of carotenoid deposition; the mechanism of this deposition is being researched as a way to understand and combat macular degeneration in humans. (Full article...)

• ... that Marcos G. McGrath, the Catholic archbishop of Panama, was allowed to enter Manuel Noriega's "witch house" and other residences, and found evidence of torture, devil worship, and voodoo?
• ... that Panama cross-banded tree frog males synchronize their mating calls to confuse predators that locate them by sound?
• ... that the Nicaraguan nun Dorotea Wilson joined a guerrilla group, renounced her vows, and became a women's rights activist and politician?
• ... that El Salvador was the first country to recognize Manchukuo, apart from Japan?
• ... that the 7th Macho de Monte Infantry Company of the Panama Defense Forces was named after a tapir?
• ... that in August 2021 Sheika Scott became the youngest player to score in the Costa Rican Women's Premier Division, at just 14 years old?
• ... that the government of El Salvador, the Catholic Church, and street gangs negotiated a truce to reduce homicides from 2012 to 2014?
• ... that the Electriquette was an electric wicker vehicle that could be rented at the 1915 Panama–California Exposition?

For editor resources and to collaborate with other editors on improving Wikipedia's Central America-related articles, see WikiProject Central America.

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10 February 2025 – 2025 Guatemala City bus crash

A bus veers off a bridge and falls into a ravine in Guatemala City, Guatemala, killing 56 people and seriously wounding others. The government declares three days of national mourning. (CBS News) (Prensa Libre)

3 February 2025 – El Salvador–United States relations

Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele offers U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio the option to send convicted "dangerous American criminals" to be incarcerated at the Terrorism Confinement Center in Tecoluca, El Salvador, in exchange for a fee. (The Washington Post)

2 February 2025 – Panama–United States relations

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio travels to Panama in his first foreign trip in the position and urges Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino to reduce Chinese influence in the Panama Canal. In response, Mulino said that his country won't renew its contracts with China's Belt and Road Initiative when they expire. (Latin Times)

30 January 2025 –

The Nicaraguan National Assembly votes unanimously to pass several constitutional reforms that grants the government influence over the media, extend the presidential term to 6 years, and makes President Daniel Ortega's wife Rosario Murillo co-President. (Al Jazeera)

20 January 2025 – Second presidency of Donald Trump

Anti-Trump protests are held in cities across the United States, as well as in other countries, such as Mexico, Panama, and the United Kingdom. (The Guardian)

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