Muscat mouse-tailed bat (Rhinopoma muscatellum)

Description

Muscat mouse-tailed bat fact file

• Description
• Biology
• Range
• Habitat
• Status
• Threats
• Conservation
• Find out more
• Glossary
• References
• Print factsheet

Muscat mouse-tailed bat description

A relatively small bat, the Muscat mouse-tailed bat’s distinguishing feature is its long, slender, mouse-like tail, which can comprise up to half of its total length and gives the species its common name ^{(2) (3)}. The Muscat mouse-tailed bat has a hairless face with a small noseleaf on the end of the snout ⁽²⁾, and large ears, which are connected across the forehead ^{(2) (3)}. Much of the bat’s body is covered with soft fur, which is grey-brown or dark brown on its back and paler on the belly, but the rump and lower abdomen are hairless ⁽³⁾.

In flight, the Muscat mouse-tailed bat is easily recognisable due to its distinctive and unusual flying pattern in which it performs a series of glides punctuated with occasional fluttering. This technique makes it rise and fall in flight, resembling many species of small bird ⁽²⁾.

Also known as

small mouse-tailed bat.

Synonyms

Rhinopoma hardwickii muscatellum, Rhinopoma hardwickii seianum.

Size

Total length: 11 – 13 cm ⁽²⁾

Tail length: 5 – 7 cm ⁽²⁾

Weight

6 – 14 g ⁽³⁾

Muscat mouse-tailed bat biology

Little is known about the ecology of the Muscat mouse-tailed bat, as it has been the subject of relatively few studies ^{(4) (5)}. However, this species is known to roost in caves, holes and undisturbed buildings, in colonies comprising thousands of individuals ^{(3) (5)}. It feeds on insects and, like most bats, hunts using echolocation ⁽⁵⁾.

While details on the breeding biology of the Muscat mouse-tailed bat are sparse, pregnant females have been found in June and July in Oman, and lactating females were found in August and September. Like other Rhinopoma species, female Muscat mouse-tailed bats probably give birth to a single young at a time ⁽⁶⁾.

Muscat mouse-tailed bat range

The Muscat mouse-tailed bat ranges from the south-eastern Arabian Peninsula to Southwest Asia ⁽⁴⁾ occurring in Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India ⁽¹⁾. Rhinopoma muscatellum seianum is a subspecies found only in a small region on the Afghan-Iran border ⁽²⁾.

Muscat mouse-tailed bat habitat

The Muscat mouse-tailed bat inhabits arid, treeless regions ⁽³⁾ and shows a preference for rocky areas, where suitable roosting sites, such as caves, may be found ⁽²⁾.

Muscat mouse-tailed bat status

Classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List ⁽¹⁾.

Muscat mouse-tailed bat threats

The Muscat mouse-tailed bat is not currently considered to be at risk of extinction due to its relatively wide distribution and tolerance of a broad range of habitats ⁽¹⁾. It appears to be a very common bat in certain areas ^{(5) (7)}, such as in the United Arab Emirates, where it is the most common insect-eating bat ⁽⁴⁾.

However, there is some concern that in certain areas this bat may be affected when old buildings are demolished and holes in cliffs are sealed for safety reasons, destroying suitable roosting sites ^{(5) (8)}. Furthermore, rapid growth in human populations and ongoing urban development is causing widespread degradation of the natural environment in many parts of the Muscat mouse-tailed bat’s range ⁽⁹⁾. Consequently, in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, this species is considered to be vulnerable to extinction ⁽⁸⁾.

Muscat mouse-tailed bat conservation

There are apparently no specific conservation measures currently in place for the Muscat mouse-tailed bat ⁽¹⁾.

Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi is a principal sponsor of ARKive. EAD is working to protect and conserve the environment as well as promoting sustainable development in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

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

Find out more

To learn about efforts to conserve bats around the world see:

• Organization for Bat Conservation:
  http://www.batconservation.org
• Bat Conservation International:
  http://www.batcon.org

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

This species information was authored as part of the ARKive and Universities Scheme.

Glossary

Echolocation

Detecting objects by reflected sound. Used by bats and odontocete cetaceans (toothed whales, dolphins and porpoises) for orientation and to detect and locate prey.

Noseleaf

A fleshy structure surrounding the nose. Its function is thought to be focusing echolocation calls, which are emitted through the nose.

Subspecies

A population usually restricted to a geographical area that differs from other populations of the same species, but not to the extent of being classified as a separate species.

References

1. IUCN Red List (June, 2010)
   http://www.iucnredlist.org
2. Qumsiyeh, M.B. and Knox Jones Jr, J. (1986) Rhinopoma harwickii and Rhinopoma muscatellum. Mammalian Species, 263: 1-5.
3. Davis, L. (2007) An Introduction to the Bats of the United Arab Emirates. Echoes Ecology Ltd, Polmont, Scotland. Available at:
   http://www.echoesecology.co.uk/documents/BatsoftheUAE_000.pdf
4. Hellyer, P. and Aspinall, S. (2009) The Emirates: A Natural History. Trident Press Limited, London.
5. Dubai Natural History Group (2010) Field clips and reports. Gazelle, 25(2): 4-7.
6. Nowak, R.M. (1999) Walker's Mammals of the World. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, Maryland.
7. Drew, C.R., Al Dhaheri, S.S., Barcelo, I. and Tourenq, C. (2005) The Terrestrial Mammals, Reptiles and Amphibians of the UAE – Species List and Status Report. Terrestrial Environment Research Centre, Environmental Research and Wildlife Development Agency, Abu Dhabi.  Available at:
   http://www.uaebirding.com/Resources/Mammals,reptiles_and_amphib.pdf
8. Drew, C.R. and Tourenq, C. (2005b) The Red List of Terrestrial Mammalian Species of the Abu Dhabi Emirate. Terrestrial Environment Research Centre, Environmental Research and Wildlife Development Agency, Abu Dhabi.  Available at:
   http://www.ead.ae/TacSoft/FileManager/Publications/reports/TERC/AD_mammals_RedDataList.0.5.pdf
9. Tourenq, C. and Launay, F. (2008) Challenges facing biodiversity in the United Arab Emirates. Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, 19(3): 283-304.