| Little pied bat | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Vespertilionidae |
| Genus: | Chalinolobus |
| Species: | C. picatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Chalinolobus picatus Gould, 1852 | |
The little pied bat (Chalinolobus picatus) is a species of vesper bat in the family Vespertilionidae. It is found only in semi-arid woodlands in eastern Australia. [2] [3]
The little pied bat is the smallest bat of the genus. The coat is a glossy black with a slight grey wash ventrally. Along the sides is a pure white stripe that meets at the pubic area to form a ‘V’. Weighing between 4-8 g. [4] There is no significant difference in appearance between the sexes of the species.
Little is known about the specifics of the anatomy and physiology of C. picatus.
Its bone structure is similar to many other bats, with minor differences that define the species. Its skull is only small, with a braincase breadth of only 7 mm. The supraorbital swellings are not pronounced and there is no median crest on the brain case. The total skull length is about 12 mm. [4] Little pied bats have seven cervical vertebrae, eleven thoracic vertebrae, four lumbar vertebrae and are thought to have three caudal vertebrae that make up the small tail structure. The pelvic girdle bones (ilium, ischium and pubis) are strongly fused, more so than in other mammals. [5] The lower hind limb is composed mainly of the tibia, the fibula being vestigial and fused to the tibia. The hind limb is rotated through 180°, so when walking knees point ventrally. The entire hindlimb is capable of a wide angle rotation, allowing a complete 360° turn when hanging. The toes of this hind limb have claws that are extremely strong and laterally compressed. A tendon that runs through cartilaginous rings attached to the phalange allow an automatic locking system. The weight of the bat keeps the tendon taught, and hence the toes gripping when hanging, so the bat may sleep without falling from its roost. The uropatagium, the flap of skin that extends between the back legs and tail is supported by the calcaneum bone, which is located near the ankle. [5] The forelimb bones are all elongated, with the degree of elongation increasing the farther the bones are from the body. The ulna is vestigial and fused to the radius. [5] The forearm commonly between 31 and 33 mm in length. [4] The thumb is not overly enlarged but is capable of free movement. The wrist is highly flexible. The fusing of the radius and ulna allow for strength to hold up the wing. The bones of the wing are controlled by a single muscle for each action. At the elbow, there is a small bone called the ulna sesamoid, it is similar to the patella. [5]
Bats have a four-chambered heart, similar to that of other mammals. It can be 0.6–1.3% of the bats' body weight. [5] For more information refer to Circulatory System.
It is known to range from north-western and south-western New South Wales, [4] [6] central and southern Queensland, eastern South Australia and north-western Victoria. [7] However, they are only in a few large remnants of habitat that remain in these areas. [3] [8] Some specific places the little pied bat can be found include Willandra lakes NSW, [9] Idalia National Park QLD, [6] Sturt National Park NSW, Gluepot Reserve SA and Yarrara Flora and Fauna Reserve VIC. [7] It often roosts in tree hollows of the various bushland trees of NSW and QLD such as semi-arid tall shrublands and vine forests, [3] however, are often found in Eucalypt [10] and Acacia open woodlands. The little pied bat is also found in abandoned buildings around these types of habitats. [3] The colonies of little pied bats can range from a few individuals to 50 bats. Each bat generation is between 3–5 years. The population is decreasing. [3]
It eats insects such as moths, beetles, wingless ants, cockroaches, stoneflies, katydids, crickets, cicadas, spiders, flies, termites and grasshoppers. They hunt mainly in the low and midrange areas of the canopy. [11]
There is little known about its behaviour, especially roosting behaviour and mating tactics. Further research is required in this area. It is presumed they are similar to most bats, having breeding seasons and nocturnal, thought they have been spotted during daylight.
It is a part of the genus Chalinolobus of the family Vespertilionidae. [3] It shares this genus with six other bat species: C. dwyeri , C. gouldii , C. morio , C. gouldii , C. nigrogriseus and C. tuberculatus .
It is thought that the genus Glauconycteris , commonly known as African butterfly bats, are closely related to the genus Chalinolobus in Australia. [4] If you refer to the ‘Classification and evolution’ section of Bats, the relationship of the order is shown.
The little pied bat hunts and perceives its surrounding by emitting short pulses of high frequency sounds and interpreting the returning echoes. This technique is a unique adaptation called echolocation in 1944. A call sequence consists of a train of pulses, with the gaps between each pulse controlled by the bat. The call can vary due to behaviour, age, sex or hunting strategy. Different bat species will emit different calls, and this is thought to be a reflection of their morphology and habitat use. [12] The little pied bat uses pulses with an sR shape pulse, refer to image on the left 'Echolocation Shapes of bats'. [12]
There are many diseases bats can contract in the QLD and NSW regions. These diseases can also be transferred to Humans (zoonoses). There are two main diseases in bats that can transfer to humans and thought to be carried by the little pied bat.
Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) was identified in 1996. It has been found in many fruit bats and only one insect-eating microbat. The chances of the little pied bat contracting the disease is slim, however still possible and after blood test of many bats, evidence shows any bat in Australia can carry the virus. Since the virus was discovered, three people have dies from contracting ABLV. ABVL is closely, but not identical, to the rabies virus. The virus is transmitted via bites, scratches or any other body fluids, for example mucous membrane exposure in the eyes. ABLV infection in humans causes a serious illness which results in paralysis, delirium, convulsions and death. Death is usually due to respiratory paralysis. There is no specific treatment for ABLV. Cleansing properly of the wound will reduce the risk of infection. [13]
The natural hosts for Hendra virus are fruit bats. However Hendra virus has been found in dogs, so there is a possibility of other bats carrying the disease. It is most commonly transmitted to horses by ingesting the faecal matter of bats. Hendra was discovered in 1994 after a large racing stable had an outbreak of sick horses. Since this time, over 60 horses have been infected and either died or were euthanised. Whilst many humans have been exposed to Hendra virus infected horses and not contracted the virus, several have, most of them veterinarians, four of whom died. features may include difficulty breathing and/or weakness and neurological signs such as uncoordinated gait and muscle twitching, quickly leading to death in most cases. Whilst there is no specific treatment for Hendra, the making of a vaccination is now underway (2013) and will be released within the next few years. [14]
The little pied bat is facing population decline and threatened by habitat loss. Clearing for cotton in NSW over the last 50 years has reduced the range of its habitat by 10% and the clearance is ongoing. There is similar habitat loss in QLD however, the effects on the habitat for the little pied bat at this stage in unclear. Roost disturbance, timber harvesting in state forest lands and changing fire regimes are all potential threats to the Little Pied bat. [3] The little pied bat is listed as Near Threatened due to its significant decline, probably due to substantial habitat conversion and range contraction. However, the rates of decline are less than 30% over 3 generations, so they do not qualify for Vulnerable. [3]
Vespertilionidae is a family of microbats, of the order Chiroptera, flying, insect-eating mammals variously described as the common, vesper, or simple nosed bats. The vespertilionid family is the most diverse and widely distributed of bat families, specialised in many forms to occupy a range of habitats and ecological circumstances, and it is frequently observed or the subject of research. The facial features of the species are often simple, as they mainly rely on vocally emitted echolocation. The tails of the species are enclosed by the lower flight membranes between the legs. Over 300 species are distributed all over the world, on every continent except Antarctica. It owes its name to the genus Vespertilio, which takes its name from a word for bat, vespertilio, derived from the Latin term vesper meaning 'evening'; they are termed "evening bats" and were once referred to as "evening birds".
The Culgoa National Park is a protected national park that is located in the north-west region of New South Wales, in eastern Australia. The 35,239-hectare (87,080-acre) national park is located approximately 660 kilometres (410 mi) northwest of Sydney. The nearest town is Brewarrina, 120 kilometres (75 mi) away. The park's northern boundary is defined by part of the state border between New South Wales and Queensland.
Hendra virus (HeV), scientific name Hendra henipavirus, is a bat-borne virus that is associated with a highly fatal infection in horses and humans. Numerous disease outbreaks in Australia among horses have been caused by Hendra virus. The Hendra virus belongs to the genus Henipavirus, which also contains the Nipah virus, which has also caused disease outbreaks.
The greater noctule bat is a rare carnivorous bat found in Europe, West Asia, and North Africa. It is the largest and least studied bat in Europe with a wingspan of up to 46 centimetres (18 in) and is one of the few bat species to feed on passerine birds. Greater noctule bats are the only bat species to hunt birds on the wing rather than when roosting. The greater noctule bat has wings adapted for open-air hunting and uses echolocation frequencies above the hearing range of birds.
Chalinolobus is a genus of bats, commonly known as pied, wattled, or long-tailed bats. They have fleshy lobes at the bottom edge of their ears and on their lower lips. The bats otherwise classified in the genus Glauconycteris are included in Chalinolobus by some zoologists.
The New Zealand long-tailed bat, also known as the long-tailed wattled bat or pekapeka-tou-roa (Māori), is one of 15 species of bats in the genus Chalinolobus variously known as "pied bats", "wattled bats" or "long-tailed bats". It is one of the two surviving bat species endemic to New Zealand, but is closely related to five other wattled or lobe-lipped bats in Australia and elsewhere. It was named the winner in the 2021 Bird of the Year competition in New Zealand, despite not being a bird.
The large-eared pied bat is a species of vesper bat in the family Vespertilionidae. It can be found in Australia.
The chocolate wattled bat is a bat in the family Vespertilionidae. It is found only in Australia, including the island Tasmania, and widespread in southern regions. It is known to reside from sea level to at least 1,570 metres (5,150 ft) in Victoria.
The variegated butterfly bat is a species of vesper bat. It is sometimes also called the leaf-winged bat, or simply the butterfly bat. It is not currently endangered, but may be threatened by habitat loss in some parts of its range.
The inland broad-nosed bat is a species of vesper bat. They are endemic to Australia and widespread throughout the inland, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. This insectivorous microbat, measuring 12 centimetres (4.7 in) in length, roosts in tree hollows during the day and forages over woodland and water at night.
The Lord Howe long-eared bat was a vespertilionid bat known only by a single specimen, a skull found on Lord Howe Island in 1972. A mammalian insectivorous species resembling the long-eared Nyctophilus, with an elongated head that is comparatively larger, about which almost nothing is known. The bat may have been casually observed in flight during the twentieth century, but is likely to have become extinct since the island's discovery and occupation. The demise of N. howensis is possibly the result of shipwrecked rats and the owls introduced to control them.
The pygmy long-eared bat is a vesper bat, found in the north of the Australian continent. An insectivorous flying hunter, they are one of the tiniest mammals in Australia, weighing only a few grams and one or two inches long.
The golden-tipped bat is a species of Microchiropteran in the family Vespertilionidae. It is found in Papua New Guinea and in Australia, especially scattered along the eastern part of Australia. The species is considered uncommon, and is listed as endangered in Australia.
The southern forest bat is a vesper bat found in Australia.
The little forest bat is a species of vesper bat in the family Vespertilionidae. It is found only in south-eastern Australia, including Tasmania. It is a tiny bat often weighing less than 4 g (0.14 oz). It is sometimes referred to as Australia's smallest mammal, although the Northern or Koopmans Pipistrelle, Pipistrellus westralis, is possibly smaller, weighing on average around 3 g (0.11 oz). It is the smallest bat in Tasmania
The yellow-bellied sheath-tailed bat, also known as the yellow-bellied sheathtail or yellow-bellied pouched bat, is a microbat species of the family Emballonuridae found extensively in Australia and less commonly in parts of Papua New Guinea.
The white-striped free-tailed bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. Its echolocation calls are audible to humans, which is a characteristic found in only a few microbat species. The species was formerly classified as Tadarida australis.
The southern myotis, also known as large-footed myotis, is a species of vesper bat (Vespertilionidae) in genus Myotis. The southern myotis is one of only two Australian "fishing" bats and feeds by trawling its specially adapted feet along the water's surface for aquatic invertebrates and fish.
Setirostris eleryi is a species of small insectivorous bat found in inland eastern Australia. It is the sole species of the molossid genus Setirostris, a name that refers to the coarse bristles on their faces. Earlier common names have referred to this unique feature, and the 'free-tail' that is a common feature of its microchiropteran family, the Molossidae; no single common name emerged during the taxonomic revisions that identified what was referred to as the bristle-faced freetail.
Vespertilionini is a tribe of bats in the family Vespertilionidae. The largest of the tribes in Vespertilioninae, it contains many genera found throughout the Old World and Australasia.
