Sundevall's roundleaf bat

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Sundevall's roundleaf bat
Hipposideros caffer, b, Usakos.jpg
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Hipposideridae
Genus: Hipposideros
Species:
H. caffer
Binomial name
Hipposideros caffer
(Sundevall, 1846)
Sundevall's Roundleaf Bat area.png
Sundevall's roundleaf bat range

Sundevall's roundleaf bat (Hipposideros caffer), also called Sundevall's leaf-nosed bat, [2] is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae.

Contents

These bats are very similar in appearance to the closely related Noack's roundleaf bat, and the two have in the past been considered to be the same species. Although more recent research suggests that they are distinct, taken together, they possibly represent a species group containing a number of cryptic species or subspecies that have yet to be distinguished. [2] [3]

Description

Sundevall's roundleaf bat is a medium-sized bat, with a head-body length of 8 to 9 cm (3.1 to 3.5 in), and a wingspan of 20 to 29 cm (7.9 to 11.4 in). Adults have a body weight of 8 to 10 g (0.28 to 0.35 oz). They have long fur, which may be either grey or a bright golden-orange in colour, and brown wings. The fur is generally paler on the underside of the body. [4]

The bats have large, rounded, ears with a well-developed antitragus, and a horseshoe-shaped nose-leaf, with a distinctive small projection on either side. There is also an additional serrated ridge of skin behind the main nose-leaf. Both females and males have an extra pair of teats in the pubic region. Although these are vestigial in the males, they can be as long as 4 cm (1.6 in) in some females (almost half the body length), yet are never functional. These false teats may be only present to allow the young something to hold on to while clinging to their mothers. [4]

Distribution and habitat

Sundevall's roundleaf bat is a relatively common species, and is found in almost every African country south of the Sahara, as well as in Morocco, Yemen, and parts of Saudi Arabia. Four subspecies are currently recognised, although the precise geographic range of each is not yet clear: [2]

The bat is most commonly found in savannah habitats, and avoids the dense rainforests of central Africa. It is, however, very wide-ranging, and has also been reported in Acacia shrubland, bushveld, and in coastal and mopane forests. [1] [5]

Behaviour

Sundevall's roundleaf bat feeds primarily on moths, which may form up to 92% of its diet. They are apparently selective in their choice of moths, and have been observed to avoid certain species of arctiid moths that advertise their unpleasant taste by emitting ultrasonic clicks. [6] They have also been found to eat small amounts of beetles, flies, and other insects. Known predators on this species include bat hawks.

The bats are relatively slow-flying, but highly manoeuvrable in the air, even being able to hover in place for brief periods. They mostly catch moths or other prey in midair, but are able to snatch fluttering insects on the ground, using their echolocation calls to distinguish the rapid movement of insect wings from other nearby clutter. The calls consist of a constant frequency component lasting about 6 ms, followed by a short frequency-modulated downward sweep. The frequency of the calls varies with geographic locality, but is typically about 140 kHz. [7]

During the day, Sundevall's roundleaf bats roost in caves, tree hollows, or manmade structures such as mines or attics. Some cave roosts may host exceptionally large colonies, with as many as 500,000 individuals having been reported from one cave in Gabon. [1] The colonies seem to have a "harem" structure, with dominant males monopolising access to a number of females. [5] Although they do not truly hibernate, they do sometimes enter torpor during cold weather. [4]

Reproduction

Breeding occurs during the winter in populations in the northern and southern parts of the range. In equatorial regions, although only a single breeding season occurs each year for any given population, this may be aligned with either the Northern or Southern Hemisphere winter, so some populations geographically close to one another may, nonetheless, be reproductively isolated. Gestation lasts about three to four months, but in some populations, delayed implantation of the embryo causes birth of the young until five to seven months after mating. [4]

The female gives birth to a single young, which is initially blind and partially hairless. Although the pups develop deciduous teeth while still in the womb, these have already disappeared by the time they are born. [4] They begin to fly at about one month of age, [8] and are fully weaned at about three months, when they are close to the adult size. They reach sexual maturity at one or two years of age. [4]

Related Research Articles

<i>Hipposideros</i> Genus of bats

Hipposideros is one of the most diverse genera of bats, with more than 70 species. They are collectively called roundleaf bats after the shape of their nasal ornament. It is the type genus of the family Hipposideridae. It is divided into species groups based on morphology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian roundleaf bat</span> Species of bat

The Indian roundleaf bat, also known as the large Ceylon leaf-nosed bat or Kelaart's leaf‐nosed bat is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae. It is endemic to the Indian subcontinent, with marginal populations also detected in Southeast Asia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and caves. The bat has three subspecies that occur in India, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar. The Indian subspecies, H. l. indus, is smaller than the ones found in Sri Lanka and Myanmar, although there are no other characteristics that differentiate the subspecies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great roundleaf bat</span> Species of bat

The great roundleaf bat, also known as the great Himalayan leaf-nosed bat is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae found in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and China. It gives birth to two young a year. It has been assessed as least concern by the IUCN.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bicolored roundleaf bat</span> Species of bat

The bicolored roundleaf bat is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae found in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Timor-Leste. This bat inhabits caves, rock crevices and tunnels among lowland forests. They roost in large numbers and consume mostly small winged insects. Their navigation and hunting skills come from the use of echolocation. Its leafnose is used to release ultrasonic shouts to distinguish its surroundings. Echolocation is also used to distinguish other species based on their wingbeat and size. The habitat of this bat decides the color of its fur. Bleaching fumes of a cave environment will cause an orange colored fur. Those who inhabit a well-ventilated roost will be a light brown color.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fawn leaf-nosed bat</span> Species of bat

The fawn leaf-nosed bat is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae found in Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vanuatu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclops roundleaf bat</span> Species of bat

The cyclops roundleaf bat or cyclops leaf-nosed bat is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae found in the forests of equatorial Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diadem leaf-nosed bat</span> Species of bat

The diadem leaf-nosed bat or diadem roundleaf bat is one of the most widespread species of bat in the family Hipposideridae. It is probably most closely related to Hipposideros demissus from Makira and to Hipposideros inornatus from the Northern Territory in Australia. Hipposideros diadema is found in Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khajuria's leaf-nosed bat</span> Species of bat found in India

The Khajuria's leaf-nosed bat, also known as Durga Das's leaf-nosed bat, is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae. It is endemic to India. Its natural habitat is caves. It is threatened by habitat loss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kolar leaf-nosed bat</span> Endanged species of bat found in India

The Kolar leaf-nosed bat, or leafletted leaf-nosed bat is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae. It is endemic to India. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and caves. It is found in only one cave in India, and its population is less than 200 individuals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pomona roundleaf bat</span> Species of bat

The Pomona roundleaf bat, Pomona leaf-nosed bat, or Andersen's leaf-nosed bat is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae that is endemic to India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Noack's roundleaf bat</span> Species of bat

Noack's roundleaf bat is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae. It is found throughout tropical Africa. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, moist savanna, caves, and subterranean habitats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Schneider's leaf-nosed bat</span> Species of bat

Schneider's leaf-nosed bat or Schneider's roundleaf bat is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae. It is endemic to South Asia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, caves, and urban areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">São Tomé leaf-nosed bat</span> Species of bat

The São Tomé leaf-nosed bat is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae. It is endemic to the island of São Tomé, in the Gulf of Guinea off the western coast of Africa. The bat's natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and caves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lamotte's roundleaf bat</span> Species of mammal

Lamotte's roundleaf bat is a species of bat found only at Mount Nimba on the border of Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea and Liberia. It is critically endangered.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hipposideridae</span> Family of bats

The Hipposideridae are a family of bats commonly known as the Old World leaf-nosed bats. While it has often been seen as a subfamily, Hipposiderinae, of the family Rhinolophidae, it is now more generally classified as its own family. Nevertheless, it is most closely related to Rhinolophidae within the suborder Yinpterochiroptera.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grand roundleaf bat</span> Species of bat

The grand roundleaf bat, also known as the grand leaf-nosed bat, is a species of bat in the genus Hipposideros. It can be found in China, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orbiculus leaf-nosed bat</span> Species of bat

The orbiculus leaf-nosed bat, also known as the orbiculus roundleaf bat and small disc roundleaf bat, is a species of bat from the family Hipposideridae. The species has been found on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia and on peninsular Malaysia.

Griffin's leaf-nosed bat is a species of roundleaf bats. First seen in 2008, it was formally described in 2012. It is found only in Vietnam, and only at two places, Cát Bà Island in northern Vietnam, and Chư Mom Ray National Park. It is generally similar to the species complex of the great roundleaf bat, with which it shares the habitat, but has distinguishing characters. It is relatively smaller and its sound navigation, echolocation, is different.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shield-nosed leaf-nosed bat</span> Species of bat

The shield-nosed leaf-nosed bat or shield-nosed roundleaf bat is a bat from Laos and Vietnam.

The Khasian leaf-nosed bat is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae. It is endemic to Meghalaya, India. It is a cave-dwelling bat.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Richards, L.R.; Cooper-Bohannon, R.; Kock, D.; Amr, Z.S.S.; Mickleburgh, S.; Hutson, A.M.; Bergmans, W.; Aulagnier, S. (2020). "Hipposideros caffer". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020: e.T80459007A22094271. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T80459007A22094271.en . Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Simmons, Nancy B. (2005). "Hipposideros caffer". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN   978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC   62265494.
  3. ↑ Vallo, P., A. Guillén-Servent, P. Benda, D. Pires and P. Koubek (2008). "Variation of mitochondrial DNA in the Hipposideros caffer complex (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae) and its taxonomic implications." Acta Chiropterologica 10(2): 193-206.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Wright, G.S. (2009). "Hipposideros caffer (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae)". Mammalian Species. 845: 1–9. doi: 10.1644/845.1 .
  5. 1 2 Bell, G.P. (1987). "Evidence of a harem social system in Hipposideros caffer (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae) in Zimbabwe". Journal of Tropical Ecology. 3 (1): 87–90. doi:10.1017/S0266467400001139. S2CID   84795489.
  6. ↑ Dunning, D.C. & Krüger, M. (1996). "Predation upon moths by free-foraging Hipposideros caffer". Journal of Mammalogy. 77 (3): 708–715. doi: 10.2307/1382675 . JSTOR   1382675.
  7. ↑ Fenton, M.B. (1986). "Hipposideros caffer (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae) in Zimbabwe: morphology and echolocation calls". Journal of Zoology. 210 (3): 347–353. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7998.1986.tb03638.x.
  8. ↑ Menzies, J.I. (1973). "A study of leaf-nosed bats (Hipposideros caffer and Rhinolophus landeri) in a cave in northern Nigeria". Journal of Mammalogy. 54 (4): 930–945. doi:10.2307/1379087. JSTOR   1379087. PMID   4761370.
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