Finlayson's cave bat

Finlayson's cave bat (Vespadelus finlaysoni) is a species of vespertilionid bat found only in Australia.

Finlayson's cave bat
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Vespertilionidae
Genus: Vespadelus
Species:
V. finlaysoni
Binomial name
Vespadelus finlaysoni
(Kitchener, Jones & Caputi, 1987)[2]
Synonyms

Eptesicus finlaysoni

Taxonomy

The description of Vespadelus finlaysoni was first published in 1987, separated as a new species in a revision of the genus Eptesicus.[2] The population had been included with Vespadelus pumilus, then placed as Pipistrellus (Vespadelus) pumilis in 1993 and 1994 revisions, but reëlevated to species status in 1997.[3] The publication in conservation listings had used the name Eptesicus finlaysoni, synonymous with the later combination. The holotype was collected at Cossack, Western Australia.[4] This specimen, an adult male, was obtained from the roof of the Customs House (altitude 5 metres asl) by N.L. McKenzie on 7 August 1984 and deposited at the Western Australian Museum (WAM M22407).[2]

Common names have included the inland—or Finlayson's—cave bat,[5] or little cave eptesicus and little brown bat. The epithet and appellation is given for the South Australian field researcher and mammalogist H. H. Finlayson, noted for his research in the regions inhabited by the species.[2]

Description

A small microbat, weighing 3 to 7 grams with a forearm length of 30 to 37 millimetres. The fur at the back is dark brown, the ventral side is a lighter shade.[6] The brown of the dorsal side becomes blackish in parts and is tinged with red, the colour of the skin is also very dark.[5] The bare parts of the face and the wing membranes are dark in colour. The face is typically unadorned, lacking distinguishing features, and they superficially resemble many of the species of the genus. The glans penis is pointed toward the end and rod-shaped.[6]

The measurements of V. finlaysoni for the head and body combined are 34 to 46 mm, forearm precisely 29.8 to 36.7 mm, tail 31 to 42 mm long, and the ear from the notch to tip is 9 to 13 mm; the average weight is 4.3 g for a measured range of 2.8 to 6.3 grams.[5]

The penis morphology and reddish colour of the fur distinguish Vespadelus finlaysoni from similar species. Resembling the northern species Vespadelus caurinus, this species is however larger and their range does not intersect.[5]

The flight of the species is fluttery and rapid, sharply turning as it forages over water.[7]

Biology

Vespadelus finlaysoni form colonies that occupy caves or cavities with rocky terrain, and will take residence in abandoned mining operations. They forage for prey near water.[5] They may be observed cohabiting with other bats, species of Saccolaimus (sheathtail bats), or with the ghost bat Macroderma gigas which also known to prey on this bat.[7]

Reproduction

The species reproduces with single or twin births. The maternal season is most of the year in the north of the range, becoming restricted in the south to November to December.[5]

Diet

Insectivorous.

Range and habitat

Vespadelus finlaysoni is the widely distributed species of the genus.[7] The distribution range is the west and central regions of the Australian continent.[4] The species is closely associated to rocky outcrops and ranges. They occur inland from the coast in the west, across the arid interior to tropical grasslands at Cape York Peninsula.[5]

They occur throughout the arid interior of Australia and the tropical northern regions; the species is widespread, more so than others Vespadelus in the range. These bats roost in caves, cliffs, or other suitable crevice.[1]

Conservation

The species is listed as least concern in Queensland and Northern Territory state conservation listings.[8]

References
  1. McKenzie, N. & Reardon, T. (2008). "Vespadelus finlaysoni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008: e.T7924A12870937. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T7924A12870937.en.
  2. Kitchener, D.J.; Jones, B.; Caputi, N. (1987). "Revision of Australian Eptesicus (Microchiroptera: Vespertilionidae)". Records of the Western Australian Museum. 13: 427–500. ISSN 0312-3162.
  3. Jackson, S.M.; Groves, C. (2015). Taxonomy of Australian Mammals. Csiro Publishing. p. 279. ISBN 9781486300136.
  4. Simmons, N.B. (2005). "Order Chiroptera". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 312–529. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
  5. Menkhorst, P.W.; Knight, F. (2011). A field guide to the mammals of Australia (3rd ed.). Melbourne: Oxford University Press. p. 146. ISBN 9780195573954.
  6. Richards, G.C.; Hall, L.S.; Parish, S. (photography) (2012). A natural history of Australian bats : working the night shift. CSIRO Pub. p. 170. ISBN 9780643103740.
  7. Andrew, D. (2015). Complete Guide to Finding the Mammals of Australia. CSIRO Publishing. p. 336. ISBN 9780643098145.
  8. "Vespadelus finlaysoni (Kitchener, Jones & Caputi, 1987): Finlayson's Cave Bat". Atlas of Living Australia. bie.ala.org.au. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
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