Malagasy sticky disc bat

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Malagasy sticky disc bat
Systematics
Superordinate : Laurasiatheria
Order : Bats (chiroptera)
Superfamily : Hare's mouths (Noctilionoidea)
Family : Myzopodidae
Genre : Malagasy sticky disc bats ( Myzopoda )
Type : Malagasy sticky disc bat
Scientific name
Myzopoda aurita
Milne Edwards & A. Grandidier , 1878
Myzopoda aurita distribution map , Madagascar

The Madagascan adhesive disc bat ( Myzopoda aurita ) is a species of bat . The only closely related bat species is Myzopoda schliemanni , which also only occurs in Madagascar and was only described in 2007. With the American disc bats , both species have the suction cups in common, but they differ in structure and are probably only due to convergent evolution.

distribution

This bat is found exclusively in Madagascar today , mainly on the east coast, and Myzopoda is the only species of bat endemic to this island . However , it was still widespread in East Africa during the Pleistocene .

description

Malagasy adhesive disc bats are named after the suction cup-like pads on their wrists and ankles. These are used to hold on to smooth surfaces. Numerous glands on these pads secrete a sticky secretion that makes it easier to hold on. These animals reach a head body length of around 57 millimeters; the tail becomes around 48 millimeters long and its tip protrudes from the uropatagium (the skin between the legs). Their fur is colored light or golden brown. Their head is broad and round, the ears are very long and slightly curved back. The lips are very large, with the upper lips hanging over the lower.

Way of life

The habitat of these animals are predominantly palm forests. Their leaves serve as a place to sleep. They hold onto the leaves with their adhesive discs and support them with their long tails. They are fed by insects, mainly small butterflies , which they locate using echolocation. Nothing is known about the behavior or reproduction of the Malagasy sticky disc bats.

threat

Due to the frequency of the species and the use of strongly anthropogenic habitats, the Madagascan disc bat is classified as not endangered by the IUCN .

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Myzopoda aurita in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2013. Posted by: Jenkins, RKB, Rakotoarivelo, AR, Ratrimomanarivo, FH & Cardiff, SG, 2008. Accessed July 12, 2013.

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