Fijian bulldog bat
| Fijian bulldog bat | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Systematics | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Chaerephon bregullae | ||||||||||||
| ( Felten , 1964) |
The Fijian bulldog bat ( Chaerephon bregullae , synonym : Tadarida jobensis bregullae ) is a bat species of the cantilever bat genus that occurs in Vanuatu and Fiji .
description
The Fijian bulldog bat is a small species of bat with a head-body length of about 65.5–67.5 mm. The tail is 42-45 mm long and protrudes from the tail membrane. The weight is between 16 and 22 g. Outwardly, the Fijian bulldog bat looks very similar to the Solomon Islands bulldog bat and the Yapen bulldog bat : the short fur is dark gray-brown to reddish brown in color. The top is about sheller colored. The lip is wrinkled and the ears are connected by a strip of skin.
Spread & endangerment
Occurrences of the Fijian bulldog bat are currently only known from the islands of Espiritu Santo and Malo in the island state of Vanuatu and from the islands of Vanua Levu and Taveuni , which belong to Fiji . The distribution area was probably larger. Remains have been found in caves on the islands of Viti Levu (Fiji) and ʻEua ( Tonga ), but the species has probably become extinct since the islands were settled. Only three roosts in caves are known of the species. Due to the small distribution area, the small population and the strong anthropogenic influence (clearing of the forests, disturbance of the nurseries in the caves and the interception of individuals) the Fijian bulldog bat is listed by the IUCN as "endangered".
Way of life
The Fijian bulldog bat's nurseries are located in caves. This is where the females gather to raise their young. The young are born in December and suckled into April during the rainy season. The colonies can comprise several thousand animals, and male animals also live in the colony. In the Nakanacagi Cave on Vanua Levu, the colony size is estimated at around 2,000 animals. Fijian bulldog bats have been observed hunting in open air over the ocean, forests and beaches up to an altitude of approximately 850 m. It is located with ultrasonic calls between 35 and 20 kHz.
Systematics, Etymology & Research History
The Fijian bulldog bat was first described by Heinz Felten in 1964 as a subspecies of the Yapen bulldog bat under the name Tadarida jobensis bregullae . In 1995 the Fijian bulldog bat was first introduced as a separate species by Tim Flannery , and in 2003 the species separation was confirmed by genetic studies. The name honors Heinrich Bregulla , who collected the type specimen.
Web links
- Chaerephon bregullae in the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). Retrieved January 12, 2020.
- Chaerephon bregullae inthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019.3. Listed by: DL Scanlon et al., 2018. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d e Fijan Free-tailed Bat In: PJ Taylor: Family Molossidae In: Don E. Wilson, & Russell A. Mittermeier (editor): Handbook of the Mammals of the World: Bats. (HMW, Volume 9) Lynx Edicions, Barcelona 2019, p. 650. ISBN 978-84-16728-19-0 .
- ↑ Chaerephon bregullae in the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). Retrieved January 12, 2020.
- ↑ Chaerephon bregullae in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019.3. Listed by: DL Scanlon et al., 2018. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
- ↑ Bo Beolens, Michael Watkins, Michael Grayson: The Eponym Dictionary of Mammals. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2009, ISBN 978-0-8018-9304-9 , p. 55.