The Hispaniolan greater funnel-eared bat (Natalus major ) is a species of funnel-eared bat endemic to the island of Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti) in the Caribbean. First described in 1902, it has a complex taxonomic history, with some authors identifying multiple subspecies, now recognised as the separate species Natalus primus and Natalus jamaicensis, and others considering Natalus major to be itself a subspecies of Natalus stramineus. It lives primarily in caves and feeds on insects.
The Hispaniolan greater funnel-eared bat is similar in appearance to a larger version of the Mexican funnel-eared bat (Natalus stramineus ). The two species have such similar morphology that in his original description of the Hispaniolan greater funnel-eared bat, Miller declined to offer a description of its physical appearance, writing "Except for its greater size, Natalus major so closely resembles specimens of N. stramineus from Dominica as to require no detailed description."
The Hispaniolan greater funnel-eared bat has a forearm length of between 40 and 45 millimetres (1.6 and 1.8 in). The fur covering the body of the species is soft and moderately long, with a wool-like texture at the base. The upperparts are tawny-olive, while the underparts, and the base of the hairs, are pink-buff. The membranes on the wing are umber. The large natalid organ (the structure located on the forehead) is bell-shaped. No sexual dimorphism is apparent.
The species is found widely throughout the island of Hispaniola, in both the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Previous reports of the species from Jamaica and other islands are now recognised as records of separate species. For the most part, the species is found in caves, though a record from a hollow tree is also known. Due to the delicate wing membrane, it is assumed that the species requires relatively humid caves for daytime roosting.
The Hispaniolan greater funnel-eared bat is insectivorous, like all members of its genus. Individuals are assumed to forage in dense vegetation over a limited range near their preferred roost. No information on reproduction is known.
The IUCN has categorised the species as "Near Threatened" as, although reasonably well distributed, the caves upon which it relies are a fragile habitat. Among the threats are tourists damaging cave ecosystems, mining, and guano extraction. The IUCN's recommended conservation action is simply "protect the caves".
