It was described as a new species in 2006, the fourth species to be described in the disc-winged bat genus and family. The holotype used to describe the species was collected in 2000 near Serra Geral do Tocantins Ecological Station in Brazil.[2] It is possible that the currently-described species is a species complex that may face further taxonomic revision; it could undergo a taxonomic split with the description of a second species.[1] The eponym for the species name "devivoi" is Mario de Vivo; the authors of the 2006 paper chose to honor him with the species name because he "has been responsible for a considerable increase in the understanding of both mammal diversity and systematics in Brazil."[2]
The bat's head and body length is 38.4–46.0 mm (1.51–1.81 in). It has a forearm length of 36–38 mm (1.4–1.5 in) and a tail 24.6–29.0 mm (0.97–1.14 in) long. Its fur is cinnamon brown, with the ventral fur appearing frosted.[2]
It is known from two countries in South America: Guyana and Brazil. It is known from the Cerrado of Brazil and other savanna ecosystems.[1] In 2015, the species was recorded in Colombia for the first time.[3]
It is currently evaluated as data deficient by the IUCN. It is a recently described species, and little is known about its range, population size and trend, ecology, or threats. As of 2015, it was only known from four specimens.[1]
