Golden-tipped bat
| Golden-tipped bat | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Vespertilionidae |
| Genus: | Kerivoula |
| Species: | K. papuensis |
| Binomial name | |
|
Kerivoula papuensis Dobson, 1878 |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Kerivoula papuensis (Dobson, 1878) |
|
Kerivoula papuensis (Dobson, 1878)
The golden-tipped bat (Kerivoula papuensis) is a species of Microchiropteran in the family Vespertilionidae. It is commonly found in Papua New Guinea and Australia. Especially, golden-tipped bat is scattered along the eastern part of Australia. The golden-tipped bat is considered as rare and uncommon species. The species is on the list of endangered species in Australia.
The Golden-tipped bat (Kerivoula papuensis) is included in a big genus which has range from small to medium-sized bats. The golden-tipped bat has brown color and broken color patterns on its pelage. Body is covered with woolly fur. Broken color pattern gives an advantage of crypsis ability to the golden-tipped bat. Thick pelage and wooly fur helps golden-tipped bat to have increased insulation. The average weight of adult is 6.7g.
Wing of the golden-tipped bat has a low aspect ratio with low wing loading. Low aspect ratio of wing indicates that the wing is broad. The features of wings can make the golden-tipped bat to fly slowly. Additionally, this species has large tail membrane so broad wing and tail membrane help golden-tipped bat to turn tightly when they are flying. Round wing tips is another feature of wing and it is related with high maneuverability.
The golden-tipped bat also use echolocation for foraging. The sweep of the echolocation by the golden-tipped bats is about 155 kHz to 60 kHz.
Majority of data about the golden tipped bats have been recorded in Australia and Papua New Guinea. Recently, from the distributed areas of western coast of Australia, scientist could capture more species than the past(1980's~90's) by using developed techniques such as sonar detection system. Predominantly, golden-tipped bat has been recorded in a variety of rainforest sites or wet sclerophyll forest. Also a small number of individual records in dry sclerophyll forest. They live at elevation up to 1,000m.
A roost is important resource for the golden-tipped bat. The golden-tipped bat makes diurnal roosts ranging from 0.5 to 9.0m above the ground. They are roosting on the branches of the tree or tree hollows. Females bat uses canopy tree for a maternity site. This site helps female to lactate. The large numbers of diurnal roosts are taken by single males or females and some group roosts are bigger than the single roosts. Roosts and the pelage with broken color patterns make the species possible to camouflage from the predators.
Diet
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