Marovaza yellow bat explained

The Marovaza yellow bat or Marovaza house bat (Scotophilus marovaza) is a species of bat found in Madagascar.

Taxonomy and etymology

It was described as a new species in 2006.^[1] The holotype was collected in Marovaza, Madagascar, which inspired its species name.

Description

It is relatively small for its genus.^[1] Its forearm is approximately long.^[2]

Biology and ecology

It has been found roosting in the palm-leave thatching of small huts. It roosts singly or in small colonies of up to five individuals. It navigates and locates prey via echolocation; its calls have a frequency of maximum energy of 43.8 - 48 kHz and a maximum frequency of 58 - 72.6 kHz. Echolocation pulses last 6 - 8 seconds.^[2] Individuals can be infected with Leptospira.^[3]

Range and habitat

The Marovaza house bat is endemic to western Madagascar. It is currently known from lowland areas of above sea level.

Conservation

As of 2017, it is evaluated as a least-concern species by the IUCN.

Notes and References

1. 10.3161/1733-5329(2006)8[21:ANSOSC]2.0.CO;2. 2006. 8. 21–37. A new species of Scotophilus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from western Madagascar. Acta Chiropterologica. Goodman. Steven M. Ratrimomanarivo. Fanja H. Randrianandrianina. Félicien H. 84247988 .
2. 10.3161/150811009X485602. Forest Bats of Madagascar: Results of Acoustic Surveys. Acta Chiropterologica. 11. 2. 375–392. 2009. Kofoky. Amyot F. Randrianandrianina. Felicien. Russ. Jon. Raharinantenaina. Irma. Cardiff. Scott G. Jenkins. Richard K. B. Racey. Paul A. 85333490 .
3. 10.1093/femsec/fiw037. 26902801. Malagasy bats shelter a considerable genetic diversity of pathogenic Leptospirasuggesting notable host-specificity patterns. FEMS Microbiology Ecology. 92. 4. fiw037. 2016. Gomard. Yann. Dietrich. Muriel. Wieseke. Nicolas. Ramasindrazana. Beza. Lagadec. Erwan. Goodman. Steven M. Dellagi. Koussay. Tortosa. Pablo. free. 2263/52554. free.