False serotine bat  (Hesperoptenus doriae)

IUCN Red List species status – Data Deficient
Loading loading

Facts – False serotine bat

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassMammalia
OrderChiroptera
FamilyVespertilionidae
GenusHesperoptenus (1)
SizeForearm length: 38 - 41 mm (2)
Tail length: 40 mm (2)

Status – False serotine bat

Classified as Data Deficient (DD) on the IUCN Red List (1).

Description – False serotine bat

With very dark brown or black curly fur and a blunt nose, the false serotine bat has a sheep-like head and face. The ears are short and rounded, the flap of skin inside them, known as the tragus, has a slightly hatchet shape. The wings are dark and long with pointed tips to improve flight speed and the tail is long (2).

Range – False serotine bat

The false serotine bat is found in Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo (3).

Habitat – False serotine bat

Found in primary forest and caves between 500 and 1,500 metres above sea level (4).

Biology – False serotine bat

Very little is known about this rare and elusive bat species. The female false serotine bat gives birth to a single pup each year which is fed milk until it can fly and forage alone. It feeds on small insects above rivers and in open spaces in the rainforest, such as around tree falls. It uses echolocation to navigate its surroundings and to locate its prey. Repeated ultrasonic shouts are emitted which bounce off nearby objects, returning to the bat’s ears as echoes. These echoes are interpreted by the bat’s brain and a picture is built up of its environment (5).

Threats – False serotine bat

The habitat of this species is being lost as a result of human activities. Deforestation of primary rainforest is ongoing in order to create land for homes, agriculture and, importantly, oil palm. Oil palm plantations cover vast areas of Peninsula Malaysia and Borneo and are highly profitable, since palm oil is a versatile product. Malaysia’s production of palm oil has doubled in the last 20 years, whilst Indonesia’s has tripled. Together they hold a large proportion of the global market, with 88 percent of the world exports coming from these two countries alone (6).

Conservation – False serotine bat

Deforestation of primary forest for oil palm plantations, including within protected areas, is an issue of major concern and one that relies on both governmental action and consumer concern. Some large retailers have agreed, in collaboration with the WWF, to source products containing palm oil from plantations that are not on deforested land (6). Many scientific and charitable groups contribute to bat monitoring and local education programmes that can help to reduce persecution and raise awareness of the natural assets of the land (7).

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

Authentication

This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact: arkive@wildscreen.org.uk

Glossary

  • Echolocation: detecting objects by reflected sound. Used for orientation and detecting and locating prey by bats and cetacea (whales and dolphins).
  • Primary forest: forest that has remained undisturbed for a long time and has reached a mature condition.
  • Ultrasound: sounds that are above the range of human hearing.

References

  1. IUCN Red List (June, 2009)
    http://www.iucnredlist.org
  2. Yasuma, S., Andau, M., Apin, L., Tuh Yit Ya, F. and Kimsui, L. (2003) Identification keys to the mammals of Borneo. Sabah Parks and JICA, Borneo.
  3. Corbet, G.B. and Hill, J.E. (1992) The Mammals of the Indomalayan Region: a systematic review. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
  4. Nor, S. (1996) The Mammalian Fauna on the islands at the Northern Tip of Sabah, Borneo. Fieldiana – Zoology, 83: 17 - 28.
  5. Animal Diversity Web (December, 2005)
    http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu
  6. Europa World (January, 2005)
    http://www.europaworld.org/issue66/swisspalm25102.htm
  7. Maltby, A. (2006) Pers. comm.
More

Related species

More

Related species by status

No related species found
More

Related species by group

Loading...
More

Related species by geography

More

Related species by habitat

What's new?

Boehmantis microtympanum

New images of the Endangered Angel’s Madagascar frog. More

Latest from the ARKive blogsubscribe to posts

Loading...
ARKive.org is the place for films, photos and facts about endangered species. Subscribe to our blog today to keep up to date!

To see the latest posts from ARKive please visit http://blog.arkive.org or enable javascript.

Image credit

False serotine bat
False serotine bat

© Alanna Maltby

Alanna Maltby
alannamaltby@hotmail.com

Link to this photo

ARKive species - False serotine bat (Hesperoptenus doriae) Embed this ARKive thumbnail link by copying and pasting the code below.

Terms of Use - The displayed thumbnail may be used as a link from your website to ARKive's online content for private, scientific, conservation or educational purposes only. Portlets may NOT be used within Apps.

MyARKive

MyARKive offers the scrapbook feature to signed-up members, allowing you to organize your favourite ARKive images and videos and share them with friends.