Desert long-eared bat
This article contains close paraphrasing of a non-free copyrighted source, Walker's Bats of the World pg. 214. (September 2017) |
Desert long-eared bat | |
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Otonycteris hemprichii | |
Scientific classification | |
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Genus: | Otonycteris Peters, 1859
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Species: | O. hemprichii
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Binomial name | |
Otonycteris hemprichii Peters, 1859
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The desert long-eared bat (Otonycteris hemprichii) is a species of vesper bat.
Taxonomy
The systematic position of Otonycteris is unclear, but chromosomal analysis suggests close affinity to Barbastella and Plecotus[1]
Description
Head and body length is about 73–81 mm, tail length is about 47–70 mm, and forearm length is 57–67 mm. They weigh 18–20 g (0.63–0.71 oz).[2] The large ears, about 40 mm in length, are directed nearly horizontally and are connected across the forehead by a low band of skin. Five female specimens revealed two pairs of pectoral mammae, a unique condition in mammals. It is not known if both pairs are functional.
The coloration above is pale sandy to dark brown; the underparts are usually whitish. The skull and teeth of Otonycteris resemble those of Eptesicus.
Ecology and behavior
This bat occurs normally inhabiting extremely barren and arid regions.[3] Its habitat are xeric, sparsely vegetated and rocky. In the Negev Desert a pair was found roosting in a rocky crevice on a hill. This bat has also been found in buildings.
Otonycteris hemprichii has a "slow, floppy flight."[4]
Diet
Based on an analysis of its body mass, low aspect ratio, and low relative wing loading, the species is predicted to be carnivorous.[5] Observations in Kyrgyzstan indicate that the bat forages close to the ground, using echolocation to detect large flying or surface-dwelling invertebrates, and feeding mostly on arachnids and orthopterans that are seized directly from the ground.[6][7] A study in Israel found that up to 70% of the bat's dropping contain scorpion fragments, including the highly venomous Palestine yellow scorpion as well as other less venomous species. Laboratory observations indicate that the bats detect the scorpions by the noises they make as they walk. Once caught the bats bite the heads of the scorpion and frequently get stuck in the face by the scorpion's sting. When this occurs, no signs of toxicity have been recorded, suggesting that the bats are immune to the scorpion venom.[8][9] Despite this, they will contort in pain after sustaining repeated successful strikes from the scorpions.
Courtship and breeding
Breeding colonies of 3-15 females have been found, and seven pregnant females, most with two embryos, have been collected in central Asia.[7][10] Three pregnant females, each with two embryos, were found in a deserted hut in Jordan.[11]
Distribution and range
This species occurs in desert habitat. Its range includes Morocco, northern Niger, Egypt, the Arabian peninsula, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, and northwest India.[12][13][14][7][10][15]
References
- ^ Qumsiyeh, M. B., & Bickham, J. W. (1993). Chromosomes and relationships of long-eared bats of the genera Plecotus and Otonycteris. Journal of Mammalogy, 74(2), 376-382.
- ^ Gaisler, J., Madkour, G., & Pelikán, J. (1972). On the bats (Chiroptera) of Egypt. Academia.
- ^ Harrison, D. L. (1964). The Mammals of Arabia: Insectivora. Chiroptera. Primates (Vol. 1). E. Benn.
- ^ Nowak, R. M. (1994). Walker's bats of the world. JHU Press
- ^ Norberg, U. M., & Fenton, M. B. (1988). Carnivorous bats?. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 33(4), 383-394.
- ^ Arlettaz, R., Dändliker, G., Kasybekov, E., Pillet, J. M., Rybin, S., & Zima, J. (1995). Feeding habits of the long-eared desert bat, Otonycteris hemprichi (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae). Journal of Mammalogy, 76(3), 873-876.
- ^ a b c Horacek, I. (1991). Enigma of Otonycteris: ecology, relationship, classification. Myotis, 29, 17-30.
- ^ Holderied, M.; Korine, C.; Moritz, T. (2010). "Hemprich's long-eared bat (Otonycteris hemprichii) as a predator of scorpions: Whispering echolocation, passive gleaning and prey selection". Journal of Comparative Physiology A. 197 (5): 425–433. doi:10.1007/s00359-010-0608-3.
- ^ Michael Marshall (2010-12-01). "The hardest bat in the world". New Scientist. Archived from the original on 2011-06-22. Retrieved 2011-06-22.
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suggested) (help) - ^ a b Roberts, T. J., & Bernhard (principe d'Olanda.). (1977). The mammals of Pakistan. London: E. Benn.
- ^ Atallah, S. I. 1977. Mammals of the eastern Mediterranean region: their ecology, systematics and zoogeographical relationships. Säugetierkundliche Mitteilungen 25:241-320.
- ^ Aulagnier, S., & Mein, P. (1985). Note sur la présence d'Otonycterus hemprichi Peters, 1859 au Maroc. Mammalia, 49(4), 582-584.
- ^ Corbet, G. B. (1978). The mammals of the Palaearctic region: a taxonomic review. British Museum (Natural History), 341.
- ^ Fairon, J. (1980). Deux nouvelles especes de cheiropteres pour la faune du Massif de l'Air (Niger): Otonycteris Hemprichi Peters, 1859 et Pipistrellus Nanus (Peters, 1852). J. Goemaere.
- ^ Shaimardanov, R. (1982). Otonycteris-hemprichi and Barbastella-leucomelas (Chiroptera) in Kazakhstan. Zoologichesky Zhurnal, 61(11), 1765-1765.
Sources
- Chiroptera Specialist Group 1996. Otonycteris hemprichii. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 9 July 2007.
- Walker's Mammals of the World Sixth Edition pg. 453-454
- Articles with close paraphrasing from September 2017
- IUCN Red List least concern species
- Vesper bats
- Bats of Africa
- Bats of Asia
- Bats of India
- Mammals of North Africa
- Mammals of the Middle East
- Mammals of Southwest Asia
- Mammals of Pakistan
- Fauna of Central Asia
- Fauna of West Africa
- Fauna of the Sahara
- Fauna of Egypt
- Vertebrates of Israel
- Negev