Bourret's horseshoe bat: Difference between revisions
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The [[animal echolocation|echolocation]] calls of Bourret's horseshoe bat last 40 to 50 milliseconds. They are unusually low in frequency, with the main component at 43 kHz, followed by a final drop to 37 kHz.<ref name=Eger2003/> The need to produce such low calls explains the unusual shape of the noseleaf.<ref name=Zhang2009/> They roost in limestone caves, and, at least in China, enter [[torpor]] during the winter. They give birth to a single young, with pregnant females being reported from Vietnam in May.<ref name=Eger2003/> |
The [[animal echolocation|echolocation]] calls of Bourret's horseshoe bat last 40 to 50 milliseconds. They are unusually low in frequency, with the main component at 43 kHz, followed by a final drop to 37 kHz.<ref name=Eger2003/> The need to produce such low calls explains the unusual shape of the noseleaf.<ref name=Zhang2009/> They roost in limestone caves, and, at least in China, enter [[torpor]] during the winter. They give birth to a single young, with pregnant females being reported from Vietnam in May.<ref name=Eger2003/> |
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==Identity of the species== |
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There is |
There is disagreement about whether ''R. paradoxolophus'' should be considered a separate species. In a 2009 study it was proposed that there are insufficient morphological differences between Bourret's horseshoe bat and the king horseshoe bat to justify them being considered separate species. When measuring the forearm length of the two species, the study claims there is only a {{convert|6|mm|abbr=on}} difference, and that the calling frequencies are very similar. The only substantial difference is the noseleaf morphology, which has little to no effect on call frequency. The two species may therefore be best recognized as [[subspecies]] of ''Rhinolophus rex''.<ref name=ZhangL2009>{{cite journal | author = Zhang, L. ''et al.'' | year = 2009 | title = Recent Surveys of Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) from China. I. Rhinolophidae and Hipposideridae | journal = Acta Chiropterologica | volume = 11 | issue = 1 | pages = 71-88 | doi = 10.3161/150811009X465703}}</ref> |
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<ref>Zhang, Libiao, et al. 2009 pg. 8</ref> |
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==Notes== |
==Notes== |
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Revision as of 18:15, 2 November 2013
| Bourret's Horseshoe Bat | |
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| Scientific classification | |
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| Species: | R. paradoxolophus
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| Binomial name | |
| Rhinolophus paradoxolophus (Bourret, 1951)
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| Bourret's Horseshoe Bat range | |
Bourret's Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus paradoxolophus) is a species of bat in the Rhinolophidae family. The name pradoxolophus is derived from the Greek words paradoxos, meaning contrary to all expectation, and lophos, meaning crest. This name refers to difference in nose leaf morphology compared to other Rhinolophus species. It is found in Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam.[1]
Description
Bourret's horseshoe bat is of similar size to many other horseshoe bats, being on average 8.5 cm (3.3 in) in total length, and weighing about 11 g (0.39 oz). The fur is brown in colour, varying from almost black to a lighter, cinnamon, shade, and is paler on the animal's underside. Distinguishing features of the bat include a long, narrow, skull, unusually large ears, and a uniquely shaped noseleaf. Apart from the noseleaf, they most closely resemble the king horseshoe bat, but are smaller, with a longer, narrower antitragus.[2]
Bourret’s horseshoe bat is a unique example of extreme noseleaf morphology among the Rhinolophidae. The noseleaf consists of a very wide anterior part divided into two long forward-facing lobes, and a relatively low, rounded, posterior part. The region between the nostrils is greatly expanded, forming a large cup-like structure covering small pockets behind each nostril, and with a large tongue-shaped protrusion.[2]
Their sensory ecology differs from that of most other horseshoe bats in a way that demands a lower frequency yet focused beam. Studies of their unique noseleaf morphology support the idea that physical constraints on sensing can be enough to predict evolutionary outcome.[3]
Distribution and habitat
Bourret’s horseshoe bat is native to northern Vietnam, southwest China, central Vietnam, central Thailand, and northern and central Laos. They inhabit lowland forests, ranging from rainforests to dry pine forest, but always in close association with limestone caves.[2]
Biology
The echolocation calls of Bourret's horseshoe bat last 40 to 50 milliseconds. They are unusually low in frequency, with the main component at 43 kHz, followed by a final drop to 37 kHz.[2] The need to produce such low calls explains the unusual shape of the noseleaf.[3] They roost in limestone caves, and, at least in China, enter torpor during the winter. They give birth to a single young, with pregnant females being reported from Vietnam in May.[2]
Identity of the species
There is disagreement about whether R. paradoxolophus should be considered a separate species. In a 2009 study it was proposed that there are insufficient morphological differences between Bourret's horseshoe bat and the king horseshoe bat to justify them being considered separate species. When measuring the forearm length of the two species, the study claims there is only a 6 mm (0.24 in) difference, and that the calling frequencies are very similar. The only substantial difference is the noseleaf morphology, which has little to no effect on call frequency. The two species may therefore be best recognized as subspecies of Rhinolophus rex.[4]
Notes
- ^ Eger, J. L., and M. B. Fenton 2003 pg. 3
- ^ a b c d e Eger, J.L. & Fenton, M.B. (2003). "Rhinolophus paradoxolophus". Mammalian Species: Number 731: pp. 1–4. doi:10.1644/731.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b Zhang, Z.; et al. (2009). "Acoustic effects accurately predict an extreme case of biological morphology". Physical Review Letters. 103 (3): 038701. doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.103.038701.
{{cite journal}}: Check|url=value (help); Explicit use of et al. in:|author=(help) - ^ Zhang, L.; et al. (2009). "Recent Surveys of Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) from China. I. Rhinolophidae and Hipposideridae". Acta Chiropterologica. 11 (1): 71–88. doi:10.3161/150811009X465703.
{{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in:|author=(help)
References
- Eger, J. L., and M. B. Fenton "Rhinolophus paradoxolophus" Mammalian species (2003): 1-4.
- Zhang, Zhiwei, Son Nguyen Truong, and Rolf Müller. "Acoustic effects accurately predict an extreme case of biological morphology." Physical review letters 103.3 (2009): 038701.
- Zhang, Libiao, et al. "Recent surveys of bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) from China. I. Rhinolophidae and Hipposideridae." Acta Chiropterologica 11.1 (2009): 71-88.
- Bates, P., Bumrungsri, S. & Csorba, G. 2008. Rhinolophus paradoxolophus. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 22 April 2013.
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