List of bats of Madagascar explained

Bats are one of the major components of the indigenous mammalian fauna of Madagascar, in addition to tenrecs, lemurs, euplerid carnivores, and nesomyine rodents. Forty-six bat species have so far been recorded on Madagascar, of which thirty-six occur only on the island. However, new species continue to be discovered, causing the number of species to rise rapidly; for example, Nick Garbutt's Mammals of Madagascar (2007) listed only 36 species.[1] Most Malagasy bats have their origins in nearby mainland Africa, but on at least three occasions—Pipistrellus raceyi, Pteropus rufus, and the species pair Emballonura atrata–E. tiavato—bats have colonized Madagascar from Asia.[2]

Taxonomic classification

The following bat genera and families include species found on Madagascar (all species counts are for Madagascar only):

Key

Scientific nameScientific name of the species
ClassifiedYear when the species was formally described and classified, as well as the binomial authority of the species
DistributionGeographic distribution of the species. Abbreviations used are S, south; N, north; E, east; W, west; C, central; SW, southwest; etcetera.
ForearmRange in forearm length of adult members of the species, in metric and English units
Conservation statusConservation status of the species, per IUCN as of 2008, except as indicated. "Not evaluated" is used to indicate that no IUCN status assessment is available.

Family Pteropodidae

Pteropodidae are a diverse family, with 186 species recognized in 2005,[3] which occurs across the tropical regions of the Old World. They include the largest bats, but also some smaller species, and are mostly diurnal and frugivorous. Three species are known from Madagascar; each is classified in its own genus and is most closely related to species from outside Madagascar.[4]

Scientific nameClassifiedDistributionForearmConservation statusReferences
Eidolon dupreanum1866, PollenMadagascar only115 to 130 mm (4.5 to 5.1 in)Vulnerable[5]
Pteropus rufus1803, E. GeoffroyMadagascar only155 to 175 mm (6.1 to 6.9 in)Vulnerable[6]
Rousettus madagascariensis1928, G. GrandidierMadagascar only; absent in SW65 to 75 mm (2.6 to 3.0 in)Near threatened[7]

Family Hipposideridae

Hipposideridae are a moderately diverse family—81 species were listed in 2005[3] —and occur across the Old World tropics. Insectivorous, cave-roosting, and characterized by an elaborate noseleaf, they have often been united with the horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus; absent from Madagascar) into a single family Rhinolophidae, but are currently classified separately. Six species, all endemic, are known from Madagascar, of which four are extant. Macronycteris commersoni is the largest non-pteropodid bat of Madagascar and the extinct Hipposideros besaoka was even larger. The other species belong to the closely related genera Triaenops and Paratriaenops; the latter was split from Triaenops in 2009 and is restricted to Madagascar and the western Seychelles.[8]

Scientific nameClassifiedDistributionForearmConservation statusReferences
Hipposideros besaoka2007, SamondsAnjohibe, NW Madagascar only–Extinct[9]
Macronycteris commersoni1813, E. GeoffroyMadagascar only83 to 97 mm (3.3 to 3.8 in)Near threatened[10]
Macronycteris cryptovalorona2016, Goodman et al.Madagascar only80 to 81 mm (3.1 to 3.2 in)Not evaluated[11]
Paratriaenops auritus1912, G. GrandidierN and NW Madagascar only44 to 51 mm (1.7 to 2.0 in)Vulnerable[12] [13]
Paratriaenops furcula1906, TrouessartW and SW Madagascar only42 to 49 mm (1.7 to 1.9 in)Least concern[14] [15]
Triaenops goodmani2007, SamondsAnjohibe, NW Madagascar only–Extinct[16]
Triaenops menamena2009, Goodman and RanivoN, W, and S Madagascar only46 to 56 mm (1.8 to 2.2 in)Least concern[17] [18]

Family Emballonuridae

With 51 species (2005),[3] Emballonuridae are a moderately diverse family. Found in tropical and subtropical regions across the world, they are characterized by a tail that extends beyond the uropatagium (tail membrane), but may be retracted into a sheath. Four species are known from Madagascar, of which two are endemic and two others are shared with mainland Africa.[19]

Scientific nameClassifiedDistributionForearmConservation statusReferences
Coleura afra1852, PetersAnkarana, N Madagascar; Sub-Saharan Africa; Yemen45 to 55 mm (1.8 to 2.2 in)Least concern[20]
Emballonura atrata1836, Eydoux and GervaisE Madagascar onlyc. 37 to 40 mm (1.5 to 1.6 in)Least concern[21]
Emballonura tiavato2006, Goodman et al.N and W Madagascar only35 to 41 mm (1.4 to 1.6 in)Least concern[22]
Taphozous mauritianus1818, E. GeoffroyMadagascar and other W Indian Ocean islands; Sub-Saharan Africa58 to 64 mm (2.3 to 2.5 in)Least concern[23]

Family Nycteridae

Nycteridae is a small family of 16 species (2005)[3] in a single genus found in Africa and east to the Sunda Islands. They are characterized by a groove on their face and are insectivorous. A single, poorly known species has been recorded from Madagascar.[24]

Family Myzopodidae

This family, characterized by suction disks on the hand and feet, is unique to Madagascar. (It does, however, have a fossil record in Africa extending from the late Eocene to the Pleistocene.[26]) A single species has historically been recognized, but eastern and western populations were classified as separate species in 2007.[27]

Scientific nameClassifiedDistributionForearmConservation statusReferences
Myzopoda aurita1878, Milne-Edwards and GrandidierE Madagascar only46 to 49 mm (1.8 to 1.9 in)Least concern[28]
Myzopoda schliemanni2007, Goodman et al.W Madagascar only45 to 49 mm (1.8 to 1.9 in)Least concern[29]

Family Molossidae

This diverse family of 100 species (2005)[3] occurs across the world in tropical regions. The tail conspicuously projects from the uropatagium and the wings are long. Eight species are known from Madagascar, four of which are endemic.[30]

Scientific nameClassifiedDistributionForearmConservation statusReferences
Chaerephon atsinanana2010, Goodman et al.E Madagascar37 to 42 mm (1.5 to 1.7 in)[31]
Chaerephon jobimena2004, Goodman and CardiffMadagascar only45 to 48 mm (1.8 to 1.9 in)Least concern[32]
Chaerephon leucogaster1870, A. GrandidierW Madagascar; Sub-Saharan Africa; Mayotte33 to 38 mm (1.3 to 1.5 in)Not evaluated[33]
Mops leucostigma1918, G.M. AllenMadagascar only42 to 45 mm (1.7 to 1.8 in)Least concern[34] [35]
Mops midas1843, SundevallMadagascar; Sub-Saharan Africa; Saudi Arabia62 to 63 mm (2.4 to 2.5 in)Least concern[36] [37]
Mormopterus jugularis1865, PetersMadagascar only37 to 40 mm (1.5 to 1.6 in)Least concern[38]
Otomops madagascariensis1953, DorstMadagascar only59 to 65 mm (2.3 to 2.6 in)Least concern[39]
Tadarida fulminans1903, ThomasMadagascar; Sub-Saharan Africa north to Kenya57 to 60 mm (2.2 to 2.4 in)Least concern[40]

Family Miniopteridae

This family contains a single genus, Miniopterus, with 19 species recognized in 2005,[41] which was classified in Vespertilionidae until recently.[42] Insectivorous and characterized by long fingers, the species are all quite similar, leading to a confused classification. On Madagascar, four species were recognized as recently as 2007, but systematic research has led the number to increase to eleven, of which nine are restricted to Madagascar and two shared with the Comoros.[43]

Scientific nameClassifiedDistributionForearmConservation statusReferences
Miniopterus aelleni2009, Goodman et al.N and W Madagascar; Anjouan, Comoros35 to 41 mm (1.4 to 1.6 in)Not evaluated[44]
Miniopterus brachytragos2009, Goodman et al.N and W Madagascar only35 to 38 mm (1.4 to 1.5 in)Not evaluated[45]
Miniopterus egeri2011, Goodman et al.E Madagascar only37 to 40 mm (1.5 to 1.6 in)Not evaluated[46]
Miniopterus gleni1995, Peterson et al.Madagascar only, except S47 to 50 mm (1.9 to 2.0 in)Least concern[47]
Miniopterus griffithsi2009, Goodman et al.S Madagascar only48 to 50 mm (1.9 to 2.0 in)Not evaluated[48]
Miniopterus griveaudi1959, HarrisonN and W Madagascar; Comoros35 to 38 mm (1.4 to 1.5 in)Data deficient[49]
Miniopterus mahafaliensis2009, Goodman et al.S Madagascar only35 to 40 mm (1.4 to 1.6 in)Not evaluated
Miniopterus majori1906, ThomasMadagascar only43 to 47 mm (1.7 to 1.9 in)Least concern[50]
Miniopterus manavi1906, ThomasCentral Highlands, Madagascar only38 to 39 mm (1.5 to 1.5 in)Least concern[51]
Miniopterus petersoni2008, Goodman et al.SE Madagascar only38 to 43 mm (1.5 to 1.7 in)Data deficient[52]
Miniopterus sororculus2007, Goodman et al.Central Highlands, Madagascar only42 to 45 mm (1.7 to 1.8 in)Least concern[53]

Family Vespertilionidae

With 407 species (2005; including Miniopterus, which is now classified in its own family), Vespertilionidae is the largest bat family.[3] Characterized by a tail contained in the uropatagium, they occur around the world in many habitats and are insectivorous.[54] Madagascar hosts an endemic species of the extremely widespread genus Myotis, four species (three endemic) of the house bat Scotophilus, and at least six (four endemic) of small vespertilionids ("pipistrelles") in the genera Hypsugo, Eptesicus, Neoromicia, and Pipistrellus.[55] The classification of the "pipistrelles" is confused, leading to many changing identifications.[56] In addition to the six "pipistrelles" listed here, the African Neoromicia nanus has also been recorded from Madagascar, but the identification of the Madagascar records needs to be confirmed.[57]

Scientific nameClassifiedDistributionForearmConservation statusReferences
Hypsugo anchietae[58] 1900, SeabraSW Madagascar; southern Africa28 to 31 mm (1.1 to 1.2 in)Least concern[59] [60]
Myotis goudoti1834, A. SmithMadagascar only32 to 41 mm (1.3 to 1.6 in)Least concern[61]
Neoromicia malagasyensis[62] 1995, Peterson et al.Isalo, SC Madagascar only30 to 32 mm (1.2 to 1.3 in)Endangered[63] [64]
Neoromicia matroka[65] 1905, Thomas and SchwannE Madagascar only31 to 33 mm (1.2 to 1.3 in)Least concern[66] [67]
Neoromicia robertsi[68] 2012, Goodman et al.E Madagascar only34 to 38 mm (1.3 to 1.5 in)Not evaluated[69]
Pipistrellus hesperidus[70] 1840, TemminckW Madagascar; Sub-Saharan Africa29 to 31 mm (1.1 to 1.2 in)Least concern[71]
Pipistrellus raceyi2006, Bates et al.W and E Madagascar only28 to 31 mm (1.1 to 1.2 in)Least concern[72]
Scotophilus cf. borbonicus[73] 1803, E. GeoffroySarodrano, SW Madagascar; Réunion51 to 52 mm (about 2.0 in)Data deficient[74]
Scotophilus marovaza2006, Goodman et al.W Madagascar only41 to 45 mm (1.6 to 1.8 in)Least concern[75]
Scotophilus robustus1881, Milne-EdwardsMadagascar only62 to 65 mm (2.4 to 2.6 in)Least concern[76]
Scotophilus tandrefana2005, Goodman et al.W Madagascar only44 to 47 mm (1.7 to 1.9 in)Data deficient[77]

See also

Literature cited

General

Pteropodidae

Hipposideridae

Emballonuridae

Nycteridae

Myzopodidae

Molossidae

Miniopteridae

Vespertilionidae

Notes and References

  1. Garbutt, 2007, p. 59
  2. Bates et al., 2006, p. 321
  3. Wilson and Reeder, 2005, p. xxix
  4. Nowak, 1994, pp. 48–49; Garbutt, 2007, p. 59
  5. Simmons, 2005, p. 321; Garbutt, 2007, p. 62; Andriafidison et al., 2008a
  6. Simmons, 2005, p. 343; Garbutt, 2007, p. 60; Andriafidison et al., 2008b
  7. Simmons, 2005, p. 348; Garbutt, 2007, p. 64; Andriafidison et al., 2008c
  8. Nowak, 1994, p. 110; Garbutt, 2007, pp. 68–69; Samonds, 2007; Benda and Vallo, 2009
  9. Samonds, 2007, pp. 49ff., 62
  10. Simmons, 2005, p. 369; Garbutt, 2007, p. 69; Andriafidison et al., 2008f
  11. Goodman et al., 2016
  12. As Triaenops auritus.
  13. Simmons, 2005, p. 378; Ranivo and Goodman, 2007, p. 964, appendix 2; Benda and Vallo, 2009, p. 34; Andriafidison et al., 2008o
  14. As Triaenops furculus.
  15. Simmons, 2005, p. 378; Ranivo and Goodman, 2007, p. 964, appendix 2; Benda and Vallo, 2009, p. 34; Andriafidison et al., 2008p
  16. Samonds, 2007, pp. 46ff., 62
  17. As Triaenops rufus.
  18. Ranivo and Goodman, 2007, appendix 3; Goodman and Ranivo, 2009, p. 54; Benda and Vallo, 2009, p. 34; Andriafidison et al., 2008q
  19. Walker, 1994, pp. 87–88; Garbutt, 2007, p. 64
  20. Simmons, 2005, p. 386; Garbutt, 2007, p. 66; Goodman et al., 2008a; Mickleburgh et al., 2008c
  21. Goodman et al., 2006a; Garbutt, 2007, p. 65; Jenkins et al., 2008a
  22. Goodman et al., 2006a; Garbutt, 2007, p. 66; Jenkins et al., 2008b
  23. Simmons, 2005, p. 384; Garbutt, 2007, p. 67; Hutson et al., 2008c
  24. Walker, 1994, pp. 101–102; Garbutt, 2007, p. 68
  25. Simmons, 2005, p. 393; Garbutt, 2007, p. 68; Hutson et al., 2008a
  26. Gunnell . G. F. . Simmons . N. B. . Seiffert . E. R. . 2014-02-04 . New Myzopodidae (Chiroptera) from the Late Paleogene of Egypt: Emended Family Diagnosis and Biogeographic Origins of Noctilionoidea . . 9 . 2 . e86712 . 10.1371/journal.pone.0086712 . 24504061 . 3913578. 2014PLoSO...986712G . free .
  27. Garbutt, 2007, p. 72; Goodman et al., 2007
  28. Simmons, 2005, p. 394; Garbutt, 2007, p. 72; Goodman et al., 2007; Jenkins et al., 2008c
  29. Garbutt, 2007, p. 73; Goodman et al., 2007; Jenkins et al., 2008d
  30. Garbutt, 2007, pp. 80–84
  31. Goodman et al., 2010c, pp. 1–2, table 2
  32. Goodman and Cardiff, 2004, table 1; Garbutt, 2007, p. 82; Andriafidison et al., 2014
  33. Goodman and Cardiff, 2004, p. 227; Simmons, 2005, p. 434; Mickleburgh et al., 2008b; Ratrimomanarivo et al., 2009, table 1; Goodman et al., 2010b, p. 128
  34. As Tadarida leucostigma.
  35. Simmons, 2005, p. 442; Garbutt, 2007, p. 83; Andriafidison et al., 2008n
  36. As Tadarida midas.
  37. Simmons, 2005, p. 442; Garbutt, 2007, p. 83; Jenkins et al., 2008e
  38. Simmons, 2005, p. 445; Garbutt, 2007, p. 80; Andriafidison et al., 2008j
  39. Simmons, 2005, p. 447; Garbutt, 2007, p. 84; Andriafidison et al., 2008k
  40. Simmons, 2005, p. 450; Garbutt, 2007, p. 81 Cotterill et al., 2008
  41. Simmons, 2005, pp. 519–522
  42. Miller-Butterworth et al., 2007, p. 1553
  43. Garbutt, 2007, pp. 77–80; subsequent revisions cited below
  44. Goodman et al., 2009, p. 6, table 3
  45. Goodman et al., 2009, fig. 1, table 3
  46. Goodman et al., 2011, p. 1, table 5
  47. Simmons, 2005, p. 519; Andriafidison et al., 2008g; Goodman et al., 2010a, fig. 1, table 1
  48. Goodman et al., 2010a, fig. 1, table 1
  49. Juste, 2008; Goodman et al., 2009, p. 5, table 3
  50. Simmons, 2005, p. 520; Jenkins and Rakotoarivelo, 2008a; Goodman et al., 2010b, p. 132
  51. Goodman et al., 2009, p. 5, table 3; Andriafidison et al., 2008h
  52. Goodman et al., 2008b, fig. 1, table 1; 2009, p. 5; Jenkins and Rakotoarivelo, 2008b
  53. Goodman et al., 2008b, fig. 1, table 1; Jenkins et al., 2008f
  54. Garbutt, 2007, p. 73
  55. Garbutt, 2007, pp. 73–77; Bates et al., 2006, p. 299
  56. Bates et al., 2006, pp. 299–300
  57. Bates et al., 2006, p. 320; Hutson et al., 2008b
  58. Previously placed in the genus Pipistrellus as Pipistrellus anchietae.
  59. As Pipistrellus anchietae.
  60. Simmons, 2005, p. 489; Bates et al., 2006, table 1, fig. 7, p. 319; Jacobs et al., 2008
  61. Simmons, 2005, p. 508; Garbutt, 2007, p. 74; Andriafidison et al., 2008i
  62. Previously included in Eptesicus, as Eptesicus malagasyensis and/or considered a subspecies of Neoromicia somalicus (=Eptesicus somalicus) from mainland Africa.
  63. As Eptesicus malagasyensis.
  64. Simmons, 2005, p. 495; Bates et al., 2006, table 1, pp. 313, 315; Andriafidison et al., 2008d
  65. Previously included in Eptesicus or Pipistrellus and/or considered a subspecies of Neoromicia capensis (=Eptesicus capensis; Pipistrellus capensis).
  66. As Eptesicus matroka.
  67. Simmons, 2005, p. 456; Bates et al., 2006, table 1, fig. 7, pp. 312–313; Andriafidison et al., 2008e
  68. Specimens identified as this species were previously called Neoromicia melckorum, and they have also been included in the genus Eptesicus or Pipistrellus.
  69. Simmons, 2005, p. 494; Bates et al., 2006, table 1, fig. 7, pp. 315–316; Goodman et al., 2012
  70. Previously included in the European species Pipistrellus kuhlii.
  71. Simmons, 2005, p. 474; Bates et al., 2006, table 1, fig. 7, pp. 317–318; Mickleburgh et al., 2008a
  72. Bates et al., 2006, table 1, fig. 7; Jenkins et al., 2008g
  73. It is uncertain whether the single known specimen from Madagascar belongs to this species, otherwise known from Réunion by a single specimen.
  74. Simmons, 2005, p. 465; Goodman et al., 2005, table 1, pp. 871–873; Garbutt, 2007, p. 76; Andriafidison et al., 2008k
  75. Goodman et al., 2006b, p. 21, table 1; Jenkins et al., 2008h
  76. Simmons, 2005, p. 467; Goodman et al., 2005, table 1, pp. 873–875; Garbutt, 2007, p. 76; Andriafidison et al., 2008l
  77. Goodman et al., 2005, table 1, p. 875; Garbutt, 2007, p. 76; Jenkins et al., 2008i

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "List of bats of Madagascar".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.