Little pied bat
| Little pied bat | |
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| Little pied bat - white V shape of ventral side | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Vespertilionidae |
| Genus: | Chalinolobus |
| Species: | C. picatus |
| Binomial name | |
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Chalinolobus picatus Gould, 1852 |
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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.
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. There is no significant difference in appearance between the sexes of the species.
There is little known about the specifics in regards to the Anatomy and Physiology of Chalinolobus 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 around is 11.7 mm. Little Pied Bats have 7 cervical vertebrae, 11 thoracic vertebrae, 4 lumbar vertebrae and are thought to have 3 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. The lower hind limb is composed mainly of the tibia, the fibia 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 weigh tof 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. 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. The forearm commonly between 31–33 mm in length. 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.
Bats have a 4 chambered heart, similar to that of other mammals. It can be 0.6 – 1.3% of the bats body weight. For more information refer to Circulatory System.
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Wikipedia