The Egyptian fruit bat Rousettus aegyptiacus (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) in the Palaearctic: Geographical variation and taxonomic status - Benda, P.; Vallo, P.; Hulva, P.; Horáček, I. (Biologia, 2012)
Two metrically defined subspecies have traditionally been recognised within the Palaearctic distribution range of the Egyptian fruit bat Rousettus aegyptiacus; the larger R. a. aegyptiacus in Egypt and the northern part of the Middle East and the smaller R. a. arabicus in the southern Middle East. An extensive material of R. aegyptiacus from all parts of this area, i.e. the Levant (incl. Turkey and Cyprus), Egypt (incl. Sinai), northern Sudan, Yemen, Oman, Iran, and Pakistan, as well as comparative samples from its sub-Saharan range, were tested using both morphological and genetic approaches in order to revise the species’ taxonomic status. The results indicated two possible processes, depending on the method used. Genetic analysis of the mitochondrial genome (nd1 and cytb) indicated low variation (< 2.0% of genetic distance) and lack of geographical structure while morphometric analysis indicated significant metric differences. Two basic size morphotypes were found within the Palaearctic range, with a rather mosaic-like geographical distribution and a lack of clear size distinction between the two categories, though intermediate types were detected. Thus, we suggest that all Palaearctic populations of R. aegyptiacus represent one form, the nominotypical subspecies, which is uniform in genetic traits but plastic in metric traits.
Keywords: Chiroptera; Cyprus; distribution; Egypt; Europe; geographic variation; Iran; Middle East; morphometrics; mtDNA; North Africa; Oman; Pakistan; Palaearctic; Pteropodidae; Rousettus aegyptiacus aegyptiacus; Rousettus aegyptiacus arabicus; Sudan; systematics; taxonomy; Turkey; Yemen

Rousettus aegyptiacus (Pteropodidae) in the Palaearctic: List of records and revision of the distribution range - Benda, P.; Abi-Said, M.; Bartonička, T.; Bilgin, R.; Faizolahi, K.; Lučan, R. K.; Nicolaou, H.; Reiter, A.; Shohdi, W.; Uhrin, M.; Horáček, I. (Vespertilio, 2012)
The populations of Rousettus aegyptiacus inhabiting the Palaearctic part of the species range represent the only offshoot of the family Pteropodidae beyond tropics. In this contribution, we revised distribution status of the species in different parts of its Palaearctic range, re-examined the literature data and supplemented them with an extensive set of original records obtained in the field during the last two decades. Based on that, we compiled a complete list of the records of R. aegyptiacus from the Palaearctic Region, covering the range delineated by 12-38° N and 26-68° E. Two distribution patterns were recognised: (1) a locally continuous range in the thermo-Mediterranean zone of S Turkey, W Syria, Lebanon, N Israel, and NW Jordan, (2a) a clearly discontinuous distribution in sub-tropical deserts of the Saharo-Sindian zone (S Levant, Egypt incl. Sinai, N Sudan, Arabian Peninsula, S Iran and S Pakistan), characterised by more or less isolated patches of distribution in desert oases and smaller areas of relatively humid habitats, and (2b) a supposedly continuous linear distribution along the Nile in Egypt, including its extensions in the El Fayum Oasis and Nile Delta. These patterns differ from the distribution characteristics of R. aegyptiacus in the sub-Saharan African range, where this fruit bat is reported to inhabit continuous belts of rather open habitats stretching over large parts of the continent. Detailed data from the Dakhla Oasis (less than 1,000 km2) in the Western Desert of Egypt illustrate flexibility in roosting and foraging requirements of the species and its considerable capacity for long-term survival in small (2,000-3,000 inds.) and rather isolated populations.
Keywords: Arabia; Chiroptera; colony size; Cyprus; day roosts; distribution; Egypt; Europe; Iran; Israel; Jordan; Lebanon; Mediterranean; Middle East; North Africa; Oman; Pakistan; Palaearctic; Palestine; Pteropodidae; Rousettus aegyptiacus; Saudi Arabia; Sudan; Syria; Turkey; United Arab Emirates; Yemen

Diversidade Morfológica, Biológica e Genética, e Relações Filogenéticas de Tripanossomas de Morcegos do Brasil e Moçambique (áfrica) - Lima, L. (PhD-thesis, 2011)
Although it has been known for more than 100 years that bats harbour a variety of trypanosomes from the subgenera Schizotrypanum, Megatrypanum and Herpetosoma, our knowledge regarding the genetic diversity, host range, vectors, life cycles, geographical distribution and phylogenetic relationships of these trypanosomes is restricted to a few species. Because the majority of bat trypanosomes were classified exclusively based on morphology, their taxonomy remains problematic and have been phylogenetically revised. Comparison of eco-geographical patterns of trypanosomes and bats can be helpful in evaluating scenarios that could account for the diversity, relationships and current distribution of bat trypanosomes.In this study, the genetic diversity and phylogeographical patterns of trypanosomes that infect Brazilian bats were evaluated by examining 1043 bats from 63 species of 7 families captured in Amazonia, the Pantanal, Cerrado and the Atlantic Forest. The prevalence of trypanosome-infected bats as estimated by haemoculture was 12.9%, resulting in 77 cultures. Most cultures were morphologically and molecularly identified as Schizotrypanum spp. Phylogenetic analyses of SSUrRNA, gGAPDH and Cyt b genes revealed three subclades, T. dionisii, T. c. marinkellei and T. cruzi, all clustering together forming the clade Schizotrypanum. T. dionisii (32.4%) infected bats from 4 families captured in all biomes; T. c. marinkellei (49.3%) was restricted to phyllostomids from Amazonia to the Pantanal. T. cruzi (18.2%) was found mainly in vespertilionids and phyllostomids from the Pantanal/Cerrado and the Atlantic Forest, with a few isolates from Amazonia. Therefore, bat trypanosomes were related to theirs vectors, and the evolutionary history, ecology and phylogeography of the hosts.T. cruzi is a complex of genetically heterogeneous isolates distributed in six discrete typing units (DTUs TcI-VI), more phylogenetically related to T. c. marinkellei than to T. dionisii. Phylogenetic relationships positioned all Amazonian bat isolates into TcI while isolates from Central and Southeast regions constituted the new genotype Tcbat, which lacked virulence and yielded low parasitaemias in mice. Tcbat was found only in bats from anthropic environments, confirming bats as important reservoirs and potential source of T. cruzi infections to humans. Our findings corroborated that the complexity of T. cruzi is larger than currently known.Only bat Schizotrypanum spp. from South America and Europe have been characterised, alleged species from Australia and Africa still lack phylogenetic evidence. We characterized 6 isolates from bats (Molossidae) captured in Mozambique. Morphological and behaviour features were all typical of T. cruzi-like. All the isolates constituted a homogenous clade within the Schizotrypanum by phylogenetic analysis of SSUrRNA, gGAPDH, ITS1 rDNA and SL sequences. Comparable distances separated this new species from their closest species, T. c. marinkellei and T. dionisii, while T. cruzi was separated by larger distances. These findings supported these trypanosomes as a new species, T. erneyi, the first molecularly characterised from African bats. Schizotrypanum trypanosomes and bats are tightly united in a striking example of an ancient and intimate host-parasite partnership. The existence of T. erneyi in Africa sheds new light on the diversity and evolutionary history of Schizotrypanum, providing new insights into the understanding of the origin and evolution of T. cruzi, which speculatively could have evolved from a bat-restricted trypanosome or vice versa.T. rangeli is a non-pathogenic parasite of man and domestic and wild animals in Central and South America transmitted by triatomines, which share hosts and overlapped distribution with T. cruzi. This species has never confidently been described in bats. Previous analyses demonstrated that T. rangeli comprised 4 phylogenetic lineages (A-D). Here, we characterized two isolates of T. rangeli from Brazilian bats, one assigned to lineage A and other to the new lineage E. These isolates are the earliest T. rangeli from bats molecularly characterized, and the reference-isolates of the lineage E.We also characterized morphologically, biologically and phylogenetically 12 isolates from African rhinolophid microbats from Mozambique. The isolates showed blood trypomastigotes typical of the subgenus Megatrypanum, which have been questioned phylogenetically. However, culture and biological features separated the new bat isolates from Schizotrypanum, and SSUrRNA and gGAPDH phylogenies revealed that they are distant from all trypanosomes, prompting the description of a new species that could not be positioned within any subgenus.Cathepsin L-like (CATL) enzymes are cysteine proteases that play a vital role in the metabolism, infectivity, cell differentiation, immunity and pathogenicity of trypanosomes, and have been exploited as potential targets for drugs, vaccines and diagnoses. An understanding of CATL evolutionary relationships can assist in clarifying the role of these enzymes in the parasite life cycles and pathogeneses. Phylogenetic analysis of CATL sequences from 17 isolates representative of the genetic diversity and geographical range of T. rangeli supported the lineages previously established, corroborating independent cycles and divergence associated with sympatric species of Rhodnius. In addition, CATL proved to be excellent targets for diagnosis and genotyping of T. rangeli. We also compared cruzipain (major CATL from T. cruzi) encoding genes from T. cruzi isolates representative of the overall biological, genetic and pathological diversity. Conserved genes are found within and among isolates of the same DTU, excepting TcV-VI that showed polymorphic sequences supporting hybridization origin. Analyses of cruzipain from T. cruzi DTUs and homologues from T. cruzi-like disclosed species- and lineage-specific polymorphisms valuable to understand host-parasite interactions and crucial for evaluation of cruzipain as target for diagnostic, drugs and vaccine approaches. Genealogies of cruzipain encoding genes agree with the diversity and phylogenetic relationships of trypanosome species and T. cruzi DTUs.Further analyses aiming better-resolved phylogenies and reliable molecular-clock model to estimate divergence times are required to infer the most likely hypothesis for the evolutionary history of bat trypanosomes.
Keywords: Brazil; Chiroptera; endoparasites; infectious diseases; Megatrypanum; Mozambique; Neotropics; parasitism; phylogeny; Schizotrypanum; South America; Southern Africa; taxonomy; Trypanosoma

Phenotypic diversification and island evolution of pipistrelle bats (Pipistrellus pipistrellus group) in the Mediterranean region inferred from geometric morphometrics and molecular phylogenetics - Evin, A.; Horáček, I.; Hulva, P. (J. Biogeogr., 2011)
Location The Mediterranean Basin, with a special focus on isolated populations from Corsica, the Maghreb, Cyprus, Cyrenaica and Crete.Methods Phenotypic variability was assessed by cranial morphometrics using the coordinates of 41 3D landmarks and associated geometric-morphometric methods. We analysed 125 specimens representing all of the lineages in the species complex. Differences between taxa and between insular and continental populations in cranial size, shape, form and allometries were tested using analyses of variance and visualized using boxplots and canonical variate analysis. Relationships between molecular data from a previous study (cytochrome b sequences) and morphometric data were tested with co-inertia analyses (RV test) and multivariate regressions.Results The three species were relatively well differentiated in cranial size and shape, and each species showed a significant amount of inter-population variability. Comparisons of pairs of insular versus continental populations revealed heterogeneities in cranial patterns among island phenotypes, suggesting no recurrent insular syndrome. Molecular and phenotypic traits were correlated, except for molecular and lateral cranium shape.Main conclusions The Pipistrellus pipistrellus-pygmaeus-hanaki species complex exhibits phenotypic variability as a result of the fragmentation of its distribution (especially on islands), its phylogenetic and phylogeographic history and, most probably, other evolutionary factors that were not investigated in this study. We found no recurrent pattern of evolution on islands, indicating that site-specific factors play a prevailing role on Mediterranean islands. The correlation between molecular and phenotypic data is incomplete, suggesting that factors other than phylogenetic relationships, potentially connected with feeding ecology, have played a role in shaping cranial morphology in this species complex.
Keywords: Chiroptera; cranial morphology; Europe; geometric morphometrics; insular syndrome; island evolution; Libya; Mediterranean Basin; molecular genetics; Morocco; North Africa; phenotypic evolution; phylogeny; Pipistrellus hanaki; Pipistrellus pipistrellus; Pipistrellus pygmaeus; species complex; Vespertilionidae

Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) of the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East. Part 8. Bats of Jordan: Fauna, ecology, echolocation, ectoparasites - Benda, P.; Lučan, R. K.; Obuch, J.; Reiter, A.; Andreas, M.; Bačkor, P.; Bohnenstengel, T.; Eid, E. K.; Ševč{\'ık, M.; Vallo, P.; Amr, Z. S. (Acta Soc. Zool. Bohem., 2010)
A complete list of bat records available from Jordan was compiled from literature and from new records, based on field studies and examination of museum specimens. The record review is complemented by distribution maps, summaries of distributional status of the particular species, files of field observations, and data on feeding ecology. Basic descriptive echolocation parameters for 17 species (782 calls from 134 call sequences analysed) are given and discussed. Arthropod ectoparasites were collected from 14 bat species. In some species sheets, notes concerning variation of the Levantine populations are added. From the territory of the modern Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, 289 records of 26 bat species belonging to nine families are known; viz. Rousettus aegyptiacus (Geoffroy, 1810) (21 record sites), Rhinopoma microphyllum (Brünnich, 1782) (4), R. cystops Thomas, 1903 (21), Taphozous perforatus Geoffroy, 1818 (7), T. nudiventris Cretzschmar, 1830 (6), Nycteris thebaica (Geoffroy, 1803) (3), Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (Schreber, 1774) (12), R. clivosus Cretzschmar, 1828 (10), R. hipposideros (Borkhausen, 1797) (45), R. euryale Blasius, 1853 (5), R. mehelyi Matschie, 1901 (1), R. blasii Peters, 1866 (14), Asellia tridens (Geoffroy, 1813) (3), Myotis blythii (Tomes, 1857) (2), M. nattereri (Kuhl, 1817) (10), M. emarginatus (Geoffroy, 1806) (5), M. capaccinii (Bonaparte, 1837) (1), Eptesicus bottae (Peters, 1869) (21), Hypsugo ariel (Thomas, 1904) (12), Pipistrellus pipistrellus (Schreber, 1774) (1011), P. kuhlii (Kuhl, 1817) (33), Otonycteris hemprichii Peters, 1859 (22), Barbastella leucomelas (Cretzschmar, 1830) (6), Plecotus christii Gray, 1838 (19), Miniopterus pallidus Thomas, 1905 (3), and Tadarida teniotis (Rafinesque, 1814) (33). Myotis blythii, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, and Barbastella leucomelas are here reported from Jordan for the first time. Simple zoogeographical analysis of the bat fauna of Jordan revealed four main groups of particular faunal elements as well as community types. The fauna is composed of (1) the Mediterranean, (2) southern desert, (3) Rift desert, and (4) widespread 186 elements, while the bat communities are represented by (1) Mediterranean arboreal, (2) southern desert, (3) Rift, and (4) transient (combined) types. Seventeen species of bat ectoparasites belonging to seven families were recorded from Jordan; the following eleven species are here reported for the first time from the country: Argas vespertilionis (Latreille, 1802) (collected from Rousettus aegyptiacus, Pipistrellus pipistrellus and P. kuhlii), A. confusus Hoogstraal, 1955 (from Rhinopoma cystops), Spinturnix psi Kolenati, 1856 (from Miniopterus pallidus), S. myoti (Kolenati, 1856) (from Myotis blythii), Steatonyssus periblepharus Kolenati, 1858 (from Pipistrellus pipistrellus and P. kuhlii), Parasteanonyssus hoogstraali Keegan, 1956 (from Tadarida teniotis), Cacodmus vicinus Horvath, 1932 (from Pipistrellus pipistrellus and P. kuhlii), Penicillidia conspicua Speiser, 1901 (from Miniopterus pallidus), P. dufourii Westwood, 1835 (from Myotis blythii), Nycteribia schmidlii Schiner, 1853 (from Miniopterus pallidus), and Basilia daganiae Theodor et Moscona, 1954 (from Pipistrellus pipistrellus).
Keywords: Acari; Africa; Arabian Peninsula; Arachnida; Argas confusus; Argas vespertilionis; Asellia tridens; Aves; Barbastella leucomelas; Basilia daganiae; Cacodmus vicinus; Chiroptera; Cimicidae; Cyprus; Diptera; distribution; echolocation; ecology; ectoparasites; Egypt; Emballonuridae; Eptesicus bottae; Hemiptera; Hipposideridae; Hypsugo ariel; Insecta; Israel; Jordan; Lebanon; Libya; Middle East; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus pallidus; molecular genetics; Molossidae; Myotis blythii; Myotis capaccinii; Myotis emarginatus; Myotis nattereri; Nycteribia schmidlii; Nycteribiidae; Nycteridae; Nycteris thebaica; Otonycteris hemprichii; parasitism; Parasteatonyssus hoogstraali; Penicillidia conspicua; Penicillidia dufourii; phylogeny; Pipistrellus kuhlii; Pipistrellus pipistrellus; Plecotus christii; predation; Pteropodidae; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus blasii; Rhinolophus clivosus; Rhinolophus euryale; Rhinolophus ferrumequinum; Rhinolophus hipposideros; Rhinolophus mehelyi; Rhinopoma cystops; Rhinopoma microphyllum; Rhinopomatidae; Rousettus aegyptiacus; Spinturnix myoti; Spinturnix psi; Steatonyssus periblepharus; Strigiformes; Sudan; Syria; Tadarida teniotis; Taphozous nudiventris; Taphozous perforatus; taxonomy; Turkey; Vespertilionidae

Data on the distribution of mammals from Mauritania, West Africa - Brito, J. C.; Álvares, F.; Mart{\'ınez-Freir{\'ıa, F.; Sierra, P.; Sillero, N.; Tarroso, P. (Mammalia, 2010)
Keywords: Asellia tridens; Chiroptera; distribution; Hipposideridae; Mammalia; Mauritania; Rhinopoma hardwickii; Rhinopomatidae; West Africa

Some new records of bats from Morocco (Chiroptera) - Benda, P.; červený, J.; Konečný, A.; Reiter, A.; Ševč{\'ık, M.; Uhrin, M.; Vallo, P. (Lynx, 2010)
New records of bats resulting from two surveys in 2008 and 2010, focused mainly on southern regions of Morocco, are presented. Altogether 19 bat species were recorded in Morocco s.str. and only one species. Pipistrellus kuhlii s.l., was documented from the Western Sahara. This bat remains the only bat species known from this vast desert area. Some notes on the distribution and echolocation of the recorded taxa are added, including the first data on echolocation characteristics of the recently recognised species Eptesicus isabellinus and Plecotus gaisleri.
Keywords: Asellia tridens; Barbastella barbastellus; Chiroptera; distribution; Eptesicus isabellinus; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros tephrus; Hypsugo savii; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus schreibersii; Molossidae; Morocco; Myotis punicus; North Africa; Nyctalus leisleri; Nycteridae; Nycteris thebaica; Otonycteris hemprichii; Pipistrellus kuhlii; Pipistrellus pipistrellus; Pipistrellus rueppellii; Plecotus gaisleri; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus blasii; Rhinolophus hipposideros; Rhinopoma cystops; Rhinopomatidae; survey; Tadarida teniotis; Vespertilionidae

Reservoirs of antibiotic-resistant Enterobacteriaceae among animals sympatric to humans in Senegal: Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases in bacteria in a black rat (Rattus rattus) - Literak, I.; Dolejska, M.; Cizek, A.; Djigo, C. A. T.; Konečný, A.; Koubek, P. (African Journal of Microbiology Research, 2009)
In Senegal, rectal swabs from cattle, wild rodents and chiropterans were cultured for Enterobacteriaceae. Isolates were tested for susceptibility to antimicrobial agents. Two cefotaxime-resistant isolates were found in a black rat (Rattus rattus): a multiresistant Escherichia coli with bla(CTX-M-15) gene and Enterobacter cloacae resistant to ampicillin and cephalotin with bla(TEM-52b) gene. Sympatric rats in Senegal may represent an important reservoir for antibiotic-resistant. Enterobacteriaceae including extended-spectrum beta-lactamases producing isolates.
Keywords: antibiotic resistance; Chiroptera; Epomophorus gambianus; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros gigas [vittatus]; Mammalia; Micropteropus pusillus; Pteropodidae; Rodentia; Senegal; West Africa

Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) of the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East. Part 6. Bats of Sinai (Egypt) with some taxonomic, ecological and echolocation data on that fauna - Benda, P.; Dietz, C.; Andreas, M.; Hotový, J.; Lučan, R. K.; Maltby, A.; Meakin, K.; Truscott, J.; Vallo, P. (Acta Soc. Zool. Bohem., 2008)
A complete list of bat records from Sinai was compiled, composed mostly of new findings from the field (85%). From the territory of Sinaitic peninsula, 106-111 records of up to 15 bat species are reported; viz. Rousettus aegyptiacus (Geoffroy, 1810) (10 records), Rhinopoma cystops Thomas, 1903 (1), Taphozous perforatus Geoffroy, 1818 (1), Nycteris thebaica Geoffroy, 1813 (2), Rhinolophus clivosus Cretzschmar, 1830 (9), R. hipposideros (Borkhausen, 1797) (8), R. mehelyi Matschie, 1901 (1 [uncertain]), Asellia tridens (Geoffroy, 1813) (4-5), Eptesicus bottae (Peters, 1869) (6), Hypsugo ariel (Thomas, 1904) (24), Pipistrellus kuhlii (Kuhl, 1817) (3-5), Otonycteris hemprichii Peters, 1859 (5), Barbastella leucomelas (Cretzschmar, 1830) (6), Plecotus christii Gray, 1838 (19-20), and Tadarida teniotis (Rafinesque,1814)(8). Six species (R. aegyptiacus, R. cystops, T. perforatus, R. mehelyi, E. bottae, and T. teniotis) are here reported from Sinai for the first time. The taxonomic status of Rousettus aegyptiacus and Tadarida teniotis from Sinai is discussed. According to a profound taxonomic revision, Hypsugo bodenheimeri (Harrison, 1960) has been found to be a junior synonym of Hypsugo ariel (Thomas, 1904). The species status of Barbastella leucomelas from Sinai and southern Israel has been confirmed and hence, a separate species position for Central Asian Barbastella populations suggested. Representatives of Plecotus christii from the Sinaitic and southern Holy Land populations have been found to be significantly larger than the nominotypical ones from Upper Egypt and therefore described as a separate subspecies, P. christii petraeus subsp. nov. Basic descriptive echolocation parameters for 12 Sinaitic bat species are given and discussed. Echolocation calls of Rhinolophus clivosus, Hypsugo ariel, Otonycteris hemprichii, Barbastella leucomelas, and Plecotus christii are described in detail for the first time. Diet composition of six bat species (Rhinolophus clivosus, Hypsugo ariel, Otonycteris hemprichii, Barbastella leucomelas, Plecotus christii, and Tadarida teniotis) from Sinai was studied and their feeding ecology discussed.
Keywords: Arabia; Asellia tridens; Barbastella leucomelas; Chiroptera; diet; distribution; echolocation; ecology; Emballonuridae; Eptesicus bottae; Hipposideridae; Hypsugo ariel; Mammalia; Middle East; Molossidae; North Africa; Nycteridae; Nycteris thebaica; Otonycteris hemprichii; Palaearctic; Pipistrellus kuhlii; Plecotus christii petraeus ssp. nov. Benda; Pteropodidae; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus clivosus; Rhinolophus hipposideros; Rhinolophus mehelyi; Rhinopoma cystops; Rhinopomatidae; Rousettus aegyptiacus; Tadarida teniotis; Taphozous perforatus; taxonomy; Vespertilionidae

Diet of sympatric African grass owl (Tyto capensis) and spotted eagle owl (Bubo africanus) in the Bamenda Highlands, NW Cameroon - Riegert, J.; Sedláček, O.; Hutterer, R. (Afr. J. Ecol., 2008)
Keywords: Aves; Bubo africanus; Cameroon; Central Africa; Chiroptera; diet; Mammalia; predation; prey; Rodentia; Soricidae; Strigiformes; Tyto capensis

Four new bat species from the "territory of the Czech Republic" - červený, J.; Koubek, P. (Vespertilio, 2008)
Twelve individuals of fruit bats belonging to four species, Eidolon helvum, Rousettus aegyptiacus, Epomophorus gambianus, and Micropteropus pusillus, were captured during three nights using ornithological mist nets. The fruit bats were caught when foraging in the garden of the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Dakar (Senegal), where they fed on ripe fruits of the neem trees (Azadirachta indica).
Keywords: Chiroptera; Eidolon helvum; Epomophorus gambianus; Micropteropus pusillus; Pteropodidae; Rousettus aegyptiacus; Senegal; West Africa

Karyotypes of three species of molossid bats (Molossidae, Chiroptera) from India and western Africa - Sreepada, K. S.; Koub{\'ınová, D.; Konečný, A.; Koubek, P.; Ráb, P.; Rábová, M.; Zima J. (Folia Zool., 2008)
Conventional and G-banded karyotypes are reported for three species of molossid bats from India (Chaerephon plicatus) and Senegal (Ch. pumilus, Mops condylurus). The chromosome diploid number 2n = 48 and the number of chromosomal arms FN= 54 were recorded, similarly as in the previous published reports on karyology of molossid bats from Thailand, East Malaysia, and Africa. A synopsis of karyotypes of bats of the family Molossidae is presented with comments on their chromosomal evolution.
Keywords: Asia; Chaerephon plicatus; Chaerephon pumilus; Chiroptera; chromosomes; cytogenetics; India; Molossidae; Mops condylurus; Senegal; West Africa

Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) of the Eastern Mediterranean. Part 5. Bat fauna of Cyprus: Review of records with confirmation of six species new for the island and description of a new subspecies - Benda, P.; Hanák, V.; Horáček, I.; Hulva, P.; Lučan, R. K.; Ruedi, M. (Acta Soc. Zool. Bohem., 2007)
A complete list of bat records available from Cyprus, based on both the literature data and new records gathered during recent field studies. The review of records is added with distribution maps and summaries of the distribution statuses of particular species. From the island of Cyprus, at least 195 confirmed records of 22 bat species are known; viz. Rousettus aegyptiacus (Geoffroy, 1810) (50 record localities), Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (Schreber, 1774) (12), R. hipposideros (Borkhausen, 1797) (18), R. euryale Blasius, 1853 (12), R. mehelyi Matschie, 1901 (1), R. blasii Peters, 1866 (11), Myotis blythii (Tomes, 1857) (4), M. nattereri (Kuhl, 1817) (11), M. emarginatus (Geoffroy, 1806) (2), M. capaccinii (Bonaparte, 1837) (1), Eptesicus serotinus (Schreber, 1774) (6), E. anatolicus Felten, 1971 (1), Hypsugo savii (Bonaparte, 1837) (10), Pipistrellus pipistrellus (Schreber, 1774) (2), P. pygmaeus (Leach, 1825) (3), P. kuhlii (Kuhl, 1817) (36), Nyctalus noctula (Schreber, 1774) (13), N. leisleri (Kuhl, 1817) (2), N. lasiopterus (Schreber, 1780) (1), Plecotus kolombatoviciÐuliæ, 1980 (7), Miniopterus schreibersii (Kuhl, 1817) (7), and Tadarida teniotis (Rafinesque,1814)(8). Four species (Eptesicus anatolicus, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Nyctalus leisleri, N. lasiopterus) are reported here from Cyprus for the first time. Two other species (Plecotus kolombatovici and Tadarida teniotis), which were previously suggested to inhabit Cyprus, are here confirmed to occur the island. Cypriot populations of Pipistrellus pygmaeus have been found to be morphologically and genetically unique and therefore described as a separate subspecies, P. pygmaeus cyprius subsp. nov.
Keywords: Chiroptera; Cyprus; distribution; Europe; Miniopteridae; Molossidae; Pipistrellus pygmaeus cyprius ssp. nov. Benda; Pteropodidae; Rhinolophidae; systematics; taxonomy; Vespertilionidae

Molecules, morphometrics and new fossils provide an integrated view of the evolutionary history of Rhinopomatidae (Mammalia: Chiroptera) - Hulva, P.; Horáček, I.; Benda, P. (BMC Evolutionary Biology, 2007)
Background: The Rhinopomatidae, traditionally considered to be one of the most ancient chiropteran clades, remains one of the least known groups of Rhinolophoidea. No relevant fossil record is available for this family. Whereas there have been extensive radiations in related families Rhinolophidae and Hipposideridae, there are only a few species in the Rhinopomatidae and their phylogenetic relationship and status are not fully understood.Results: Here we present (a) a phylogenetic analysis based on a partial cytochrome b sequence, (b) new fossils from the Upper Miocene site Elaiochoria 2 (Chalkidiki, Greece), which represents the first appearance datum of the family based on the fossil record, and (c) discussion of the phylogeographic patterns in both molecular and morphological traits. We found deep divergences in the Rhinopoma hardwickii lineage, suggesting that the allopatric populations in (i) Iran and (ii) North Africa and the Middle East should have separate species status. The latter species (R. cystops) exhibits a shallow pattern of isolation by distance (separating the Middle East and the African populations) that contrasts with the pattern of geographic variation in the morphometrical traits. A deep genetic gap was also found in Rhinopoma muscatellum (Iran vs. Yemen). We found only minute genetic distance between R. microphyllum from the Levant and India, which fails to support the sub/species distinctness of the Indian form (R. microphyllum kinneari).Conclusion: The mtDNA survey provided phylogenetic tree of the family Rhinopomatidae for the first time and revealed an unexpected diversification of the group both within R. hardwickii and R. muscatellum morphospecies. The paleobiogeographic scenario compiled in respect to molecular clock data suggests that the family originated in the region south of the Eocene Western Tethyan seaway or in India, and extended its range during the Early Miocene. The fossil record suggests a Miocene spread into the Mediterranean region, followed by a post-Miocene retreat. Morphological analysis compared with genetic data indicates considerable phenotypic plasticity in this group.
Keywords: Asia; Chiroptera; Europe; fossils; Middle East; North Africa; palaeontology; phylogeny; phylogeography; Rhinopoma cystops; Rhinopoma hardwickii; Rhinopoma microphyllum; Rhinopoma muscatellum; Rhinopomatidae; systematics; taxonomy

New mitochondrial lineages within the Pipistrellus pipistrellus complex from Mediterranean Europe - Hulva, P.; Benda, P.; Hanák, V.; Evin, A.; Horáček, I. (Folia Zool., 2007)
In this study we are adding further information to phylogeography of Pipistrellus pipistrellus complex by discovery of isolated mitochondrial lineages in Europe, from the island of Crete (Greece) and central Mediterranean (Sicily, Corsica) and by adding new data about geographic distribution of clades within the complex. We performed phylogeographic study with aid of partial sequence of cytochrome b and with focus to the radiation centre of this group in the Mediterranean Basin. Within the clade P. pygmaeus s.l., we have discovered isolated lineage from Crete, which is sister taxon to P. hanaki from Libya. We have detected the occurrence of P. pygmaeus s.str. in northern Iran. In the clade P. pipistrellus s.l. we have discovered isolated cluster represented by populations from Sicily and Corsica, with phylogenetic relation to Moroccan lineage. This is a first evidence of separated phylogroup within the complex from central Mediterranean. We refer the occurrence of P. pipistrellus s.str. from the island of Cyprus. These data represent further arguments for importance of the Mediterranean region in phylogeny of the P. pipistrellus species complex. Proposed allopatric speciation scenario considers the role of environmental fragmentation during the Messinian Salinity Crisis, strengthen by preference of mountain habitats in Mediterranean populations. The species status of Cretan and central Mediterraenan forms is also discussed.
Keywords: biogeography; Chiroptera; Corsica; Crete; Europe; Greece; Iran; Libya; molecular genetics; Morocco; mtDNA; Near East; North Africa; phylogeny; Pipistrellus hanaki; Pipistrellus pipistrellus; Pipistrellus pygmaeus; Sicily; Vespertilionidae

Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) of the Eastern Mediterranean. Part 4. Bat fauna of Syria: Distribution, systematics, ecology - Benda, P.; Andreas, M.; Kock, D.; Lučan, R. K.; Munclinger, P.; Nová, P.; Obuch, J.; Ochman, K.; Reiter, A.; Uhrin, M.; Weinfurtová, D. (Acta Soc. Zool. Bohem., 2006)
A complete list of bat records available from Syria was compiled from literature and from new records, based on field studies and examination of museum specimens. The record review is complemented by distribution maps, summaries of the distributional statuses of particular species, files of field observations, reviews of taxonomy, and data on feeding ecology. To some species sheets, also the echolocation data are added. From the territory of the modern Syrian Arab Republic, 290 records of 27 bat species belonging to eight families are reported; viz. Rousettus aegyptiacus (Geoffroy, 1810) (5 record localities), Rhinopoma microphyllum (Brünnich, 1782) (2), Rhinopoma hardwickii Gray, 1831 (4), Taphozous nudiventris Cretzschmar, 1830 (9), Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (Schreber, 1774) (25), R. hipposideros (Bechstein, 1800) (10), R. euryale Blasius, 1853 (2), R. mehelyi Matschie, 1901 (6), R. blasii Peters, 1866 (3), Asellia tridens (Geoffroy, 1813) (10), Myotis myotis (Borkhausen, 1797) (6), M. blythii (Tomes, 1857) (10), M. nattereri (Kuhl, 1817) (6), M. emarginatus (Geoffroy, 1806) (5), M. aurascens Kusjakin, 1935 (4), M. capaccinii (Bonaparte, 1837) (13), Eptesicus serotinus (Schreber, 1774) (13), E. bottae (Peters, 1869) (10), E. anatolicus Felten, 1971 (4), Hypsugo savii (Bonaparte, 1837) (11), Pipistrellus pipistrellus (Schreber, 1774) (16), P. kuhlii (Kuhl, 1817) (69), Nyctalus noctula (Schreber, 1774) (4), Otonycteris hemprichii Peters, 1859 (13), Plecotus macrobullaris Kuzjakin, 1965 (5), Miniopterus schreibersii (Kuhl, 1817) (9), and Tadarida teniotis (Rafinesque, 1814) (16). The records labelled from Syria in the historical broader sense (which included also the modern Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, and parts of southern Turkey) and thus of indefined origin, were also added and discussed. Eptesicus anatolicus, which is here considered a separate species according to results of profound morphological analysis, is in Syria recorded for the first time. From the territory currently ruled by the Syrian Arab Republic (i.e., without the Golan Heights), R. hipposideros, M. nattereri, H. savii, N. noctula, and T. teniotis are reported for the first time. The reviews of taxonomic opinions concerning particular species, supplemented in some cases by original analyses, present discussions and revisions of taxonomy of Syrian populations, namely in Taphozous nudiventris, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, R. euryale, R. mehelyi, Myotis myotis, M. nattereri, M. emarginatus, Eptesicus serotinus, E. bottae, Hypsugo savii, Otonycteris hemprichii, and Miniopterus schreibersii. The name Rhinolophus (Euryalus) judaicus Andersen et Matschie, 1904 is found to be a synonym of the name R. mehelyi Matschie, 1901 instead of R. euryale Blasius, 1853. New interpretations on the type localities are discussed and/or suggested (Vespertilio Microphyllus Brünnich, 1782, Taphozous kachhensis babylonicus Thomas, 1915, Rhinolophus blasii Peters, 1866, and Myotis Escalerai Cabrera, 1904).
Keywords: Aves; Chiroptera; diet; distribution; echolocation; ecology; ectoparasites; Emballonuridae; Europe; food; Hipposideridae; Miniopteridae; Molossidae; morphology; Near East; North Africa; parasitism; predation; Pteropodidae; Rhinolophidae; Rhinopomatidae; Strigiformes; systematics; taxonomy; Vespertilionidae

Comments on Welwitsch’s mouse-eared bat (Myotis welwitschii) with the first record from Cameroon - Sedláček, O.; Hořák, D.; Riegert, J.; Reif, J.; Horáček, I. (Mammalian Biol., 2006)
Keywords: Asia; Cameroon; Central Africa; Chiroptera; distribution; Myotis formosus; Myotis welwitschii; Vespertilionidae

Generic status of the American pipistrelles (Vespertilionidae) with description of a new genus - Hoofer, S. R.; Van Den Bussche, R. A.; Horáček, I. (J. Mamm., 2006)
Although traditionally placed in the genus Pipistrellus, studies since the mid-1900s have shown that the western pipistrelle (P. hesperus) and eastern pipistrelle (P. subflavus), the only 2 representatives of Pipistrellus-like bats in the Western Hemisphere, do not share a most recent common ancestry with true Pipistrellus or each other. More than 20 years ago, authors recommended taxonomic revision for the American pipistrelles by placing subflavus in a separate genus called Perimyotis, and hesperus in a another separate genus called "Parastrellus." Recently, a comprehensive study of the molecular phylogenetics of vespertilionid bats affirmed these suggested revisions. However, the name "Parastrellus" is currently unavailable according to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature because no formal description of the genus has been provided. In this study, we provide additional morphological and genetic data demonstrating the marked divergence among hesperus, subflavus, Pipistrellus, and other Pipistrellus-like genera, and provide a formal description of a new generic name for the nominal species P. hesperus.
Keywords: [Neoromicia] Eptesicus matroka; [Pipistrellus bellieri] Hypsugo eisentrauti; Arielulus circumdatus; Arielulus cuprosus; Chiroptera; Eptesicus bobrinskoi; Eptesicus brasiliensis; Eptesicus dimissus; Eptesicus floweri; Eptesicus furinalis; Eptesicus fuscus; Eptesicus nasutus; Falsistrellus tasmaniensis; Glauconycteris argentata; Glauconycteris poensis; Glauconycteris variegata; Glischropus tylopus; Hesperoptenus blanfordi; Hesperoptenus tickelli; Hesperoptenus tomesi; Hypsugo affinis; Hypsugo alaschanicus; Hypsugo arabicus; Hypsugo ariel; Hypsugo bodenheimeri; Hypsugo cadornae; Hypsugo imbricatus; Hypsugo joffrei; Hypsugo kitcheneri; Hypsugo macrotis; Hypsugo musciculus; Hypsugo pulveratus; Hypsugo savii; Hypsugo vordermanni; Laephotis angolensis; Laephotis botswanae; Laephotis wintoni; Lasiurus cinereus; Lasiurus ega; Mimetillus moloneyi; morphology; Neoromicia brunneus; Neoromicia capensis; Neoromicia guineensis; Neoromicia nanus; Neoromicia rendalli; Neoromicia somalicus; Neoromicia zuluensis; Nyctalus azoreum; Nycticeinops schlieffenii; Nycticeius humeralis; Parastrellus hesperus; Parastrellus nov. gen.; Perimyotis subflavus; Philetor brachypterus; phylogeny; Pipistrellus abramus; Pipistrellus ceylonicus; Pipistrellus collinus; Pipistrellus coromandra; Pipistrellus inexspectatus; Pipistrellus javanicus; Pipistrellus kuhlii; Pipistrellus maderensis; Pipistrellus mordax; Pipistrellus nanulus; Pipistrellus nathusii; Pipistrellus papuanus; Pipistrellus paterculus; Pipistrellus pipistrellus; Pipistrellus pygmaeus; Pipistrellus rueppellii; Pipistrellus rusticus; Pipistrellus stenopterus; Pipistrellus tenuis (mimus); Pipistrellus tramatus; Scotoecus albigula; Scotoecus hindei [hirundo]; Scotoecus pallidus; Scotozous dormeri; systematics; taxonomy; Tomopeas ravus; Tylonycteris pachypus; Tylonycteris robustula; Vespadelus pumilus

A new genus of vespertilionid bat from Early Miocene of Jebel Zelten, Libya, with comments on Scotophilus and early history of vespertilionid bats (Chiroptera) - Horáček, I.; Fejfar, O.; Hulva, P. (Lynx, 2006)
(A well preserved mandible of a vespertilionid bat is described from the MN45 site Jebel Zelten MS2, Libya. The bat shows a greatly derived state in most of dental characters, but it differs from the Recent genera with corresponding degree of dental reduction (Eptesicus, Scotomanes, Hesperoptenus), in shape of molars and symphyseal region. In certain respects it reminds the Recent Scotophilus and the Late Paleogene African genus Philisis. A possibility that Philisis and the Jebel Zelten bat, described here as Scotophilisis libycus gen. nov et sp. nov, form a stem line of Scotophilus is discussed in context with recent molecular data on position of the genus.
Keywords: Chiroptera; evolution; fossils; Libya; morphology; North Africa; palaeontology; Scotophilisis libycus gen. & sp. nov.; Vespertilionidae

Barn owl pellets: A useful tool for monitoring small mammal communities? - Avenant, N. L. (Belgian Journal of Zoology, 2005)
Monthly fluctuations in the diet of barn owl Tyto alba were compared to prey availability in a typical South African dry sandy highveld grassland over a 12 month period. Mice, shrews, bats, birds and insects were all major prey items, and their contribution in pellets fluctuated significantly over months. Barn owl proved to be very efficient samplers of the small mammal prey group: not only was the owl more successful than museum personnel in sampling the variety of species present during a specific time of year, but peaks in prey utilization were also more characteristic of actual fluctuations than that found by traps. Owl pellet analysis is a valuable asset during small mammal monitoring studies, and is especially useful for sampling small mammal indicator species during environmental impact assessments. However, owl pellet analysis should never be seen as an alternative for small mammal trapping when small mammal community structure is the focus of study.
Keywords: Aves; Chiroptera; diet; Insecta; Mammalia; predation; prey; Rodentia; Soricidae; South Africa; Strigiformes; Tyto alba

Bat survey in the Cederberg Wilderness Area, Western Cape, South Africa (28 January - 3 February 1999) - Seamark, E. C. J.; Brand, M. (African Bat Conservation News, 2005)
Keywords: Chiroptera; Cistugidae; Cistugo lesueuri; Eptesicus hottentotus; Laephotis namibensis; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus schreibersii; Molossidae; Myotis tricolor; Neoromicia capensis; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus capensis; Sauromys petrophilus; South Africa; survey; Tadarida aegyptiaca; Vespertilionidae

Bats and Bat Flowers in a West African Rainforest Community - Pettersson, S. (Ph.D. Thesis, 2005)
Little information exists on what plants Africa’s only nectar specialized bat, Megaloglossus woermanni feeds on, and to what extent other forest dwelling bats utilize nectar. Accordingly, little is known of how the resources are distributed in time and space, and how the plants display the rewards, factors presumably affecting the foraging strategies of the visitors. The aim of this thesis was to fill some of this gap and explore the interactions between bats and bat flowers in a West African rain forest community, in Ta{\"ı national park (Ivory Coast).Bats were caught in five permanent plots and presence of pollen in the fur and feces were scored. Before release the bats were marked using a ball chain with an individual number. Flowering phenology for five bat-pollinated tree species in the area was recorded and their density estimated by line transect and square samplings. In order to characterize the floral scent, the floral odour of eight West African bat pollinated plants species was characterized by in situ head space collection and GC-MS analyses.Of seven regularly occurring pteropodid species, nectar and pollen was important to only the nectar specialist Megaloglossus woermanni and the opportunistic fruit and nectar feeding Myonycteris torquata. Six plant species accounted for 98% of all pollen findings and Parkia bicolor, Maranthes aubrevillei and M. glabra were equally visited by M. torquata and M. woermanni. Flowers of three other species were mainly or only visited by M. woermanni. The plant species flowered sequentially and most species were mass flowering. Anthocleista nobilis was the only tree flowering through out the year, and is suggested to be a keystone species in this area for M. woermanni during periods of low food availability.The floral scent of the eight investigated species neither shared any specific compounds nor any other discernible pattern in their floral scent composition. Most of the identified compounds are common in the floral scent of species pollinated by a variety of animals. Adansonia digitata (Bombacaceae) was the only African species found to have a substantial amount of sulphur compounds in its floral scent. This feature contrasts with the New Worlds bat-pollinated plants, which frequently contain these compounds. Flowers of Ceiba pentandra (Bombacaceae), native to both South America and Africa, did not contain any sulphur substances in the floral scent, unlike a previous study in the New World, in which the major floral scent constituents were sulphur compounds. We suggest that the differences in the floral scent of C. pentandra, including the absence of sulphur compounds in the African variety, result from the different selective regimes exerted by the flower visiting Pteropodidae bats in Africa and Phyllostomidae bats in the New World, respectively.The two smallest resident bat species in the area, the nectarivorous M. woermanni and the frugivorous Scotonycteris zenkeri, showed the highest site fidelity over extended periods, indicating residency in rather small areas. M. torquata appears to have low site fidelity, but stays in the local area. The two migrating species, and the largest resident species were never recaptured.
unpaginated
Keywords: animal-plant interactions; Anthocleista nobilis; Ceiba pentandra; Chiroptera; Côte d’Ivoire; Eidolon helvum; Epomops buettikoferi; floral scent; flowers; Hypsignathus monstrosus; Ivory Coast; Maranthes spp.; mark-recapture; Megaloglossus woermanni; Myonycteris torquata; Nanonycteris veldkampii; Parkia bicolor; Pentadesma butyracea; phenology; pollen; pollination; Pteropodidae; resource availability; Scotonycteris ophiodon; Scotonycteris zenkeri; site fidelity; Ta{\"ı National Park; West Africa

Between Cancer and Capricorn: Phylogeny, evolution and ecology of the primarily tropical Zingiberales - Kress, W. J.; Specht, C. D. (Biologiske Skrifter, 2005)
The Zingiberales are a group of primarily tropical monocots that includes eight families, ca. 96 genera, and about 2,000 species. Phylogenetic results based on sequence data and morphology show that the four "banana-families" (Musaceae, Lowiaceae, Strelitziaceae, and Heliconiaceae) share the plesiomorphic state of five or six fertile stamens and comprise a basal paraphyletic assemblage. The four "ginger-families," with the synapomorphy of a single fertile anther and four or five highly modified staminodia, form a terminal clade of two lineages with the Zingiberaceae + Costaceae and Cannaceae + Marantaceae as sister groups. The Zingiberales are found on all major continents with tropical climates. While Marantaceae, Zingiberaceae, and Costaceae are pantropically distributed, Musaceae is found only in Southeast Asia and Africa, Strelitziaceae only in Africa and the Americas, and Heliconiaceae only in the Americas and Melanesia. The two families most restricted in distribution, Lowiaceae and Cannaceae, are found only in Southeast Asia or the Americas, respectively. The historical biogeography of the family was reconstructed using dispersal-vicariance analysis in combination with dating of nodes based on evidence from the fossil record and local molecular clocks rising atpB sequence data. The common ancestor of the Zingiberales is estimated to have originated 158 Ma with six of the eight families established by the end of the Cretaceous. Dispersal-vicariance analyses suggest that the ancestral Zingiberales were distributed in tropical Gondwanaland encompassing the present day Americas, Africa, and Southeast Asia with subsequent dispersals between Africa and the Americas. The current distribution of the Zingiberales is a product of numerous secondary and tertiary dispersal events between the major tropical regions of the world. The phylogenetic diversification and biogeographic dispersal of the Zingiberales was in part driven by the evolutionary radiation and diversification of their associated animal pollinators, which include bats, birds, non-flying mammals, and insects. Six of the eight families of the Zingiberales contain taxa specialized for pollination by vertebrates, which appears to be the plesiomorphic state in the order. Of these six families two are exclusively vertebrate-pollinated (Strelitziaceae, Heliconiaceae). Pollination by insects also occurs in six families with one (Marantaceae) or possibly two (Lowiaceae) families predominantly specialized for insect visitors. Current models of the genetic regulation of floral development coupled with phylogenetic data and ecological observations provide new insights into the evolutionary pathways that have resulted in the wonderful diversity of this widespread order of tropical angiosperms.

Charles Immanuel Forsyth Major’s expedition to Madagascar, 1894 to 1896: Beginnings of modern systematic study of the island’s mammalian fauna - Jenkins, P. D.; Carleton, M. D. (J. nat. Hist., 2005)
Charles Immanuel Forsyth Major (1843-1923) made the first synoptic systematic collection of mammals from Madagascar in the last decade of the 19th century. To reconstruct Major’s obscurely known itinerary, we located 994 specimens that originated from his 1894-1896 expedition and determined their identification, dates and locality of collection, and current institutional repository. Fifty species were recovered from 26 localities centred in the Central Highlands and Eastern Humid Forest of east-central Madagascar. The geographic position of several type localities is refined and their coordinates estimated, and the type locality of one taxon (Microgale pusilla Major, 1896) is accordingly amended. Biographical details of the man, the biodiversity significance of his collections and the historical context of his discoveries are discussed.
Keywords: [Neoromicia] Eptesicus matroka; Africa; Afrosoricida; Artiodactyla; Carnivora; Chiroptera; Eidolon dupreanum; Lipotyphla; Madagascar; Mammalia; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus fraterculus; Miniopterus majori; Miniopterus manavi; Molossidae; Mormopterus acetabulosus; Mormopterus jugularis; Myotis goudoti; Primates; Pteropodidae; Pteropus rufus rufus; Rodentia; Scotophilus borbonicus; Vespertilionidae

Continued existence of Martienssen’s mastiff bat, Otomops martiensseni (Matschie 1897) (Molossidae) on Mt. Suswa, Kenya - Kock, D.; Reinhardt, K.; Naylor, R. A.; Siva-Jothy, M. T. (African Bat Conservation News, 2005)
Keywords: Aves; Chiroptera; day roosts; East Africa; Kenya; Molossidae; Otomops martiensseni; predation; Strigiformes; Tyto alba

Contribution à l’étude du Comportement Alimentaire de la Chauve-souris à Nez Feuillu: Hipposideros commersoni commersoni (Hill et Bull, 1963) (Chiroptères; Hipposideridae) dans le Parc National Ankarafantsika - Ralisata, M. (DEA-thesis, 2005)
This study examines the foraging behaviour of Hipposideros commersoni commersoni, Commerson’s nose-leaf bat, in the Ankarafantsika National Park. This species of insectivorous bat is endemic, and has a large distribution in Madagascar except in centre. The foraging behaviour was observed from February 25th to April 10th 2004. The aim was to determine feeding activity, and to identify insect prey. Faecal analysis of droppings collected after the capture was use. Hunting was characterised by brief and direct flights to catch the insects using echolocation and from perches. The maximum activity was at dusk and at dawn. This activity was highest in the primary forest with open areas. The diet animal was composed of insects from 11 orders. Food was usually arthropods with hard exoskeletons, especially beetles of the families Scarabaeidae, Carabidae, Elateridae, Chrysomelidae and Hemiptera of the sub-orders Heteroptera and Fulgoromorphes. Given that H. c. commersoni is dependent on the forest, habitat loss by bush fire and the hunting are the main threats to this species.
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; diet; faecal samples; food; foraging; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros commersonii; Insecta; Madagascar; perch-hunting

Correction and update of distribution data for Cloeotis percivali Thomas, 1901 (Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae: Hipposidernae) in Southern Africa - Seamark, E. C. J. (African Bat Conservation News, 2005)
Keywords: Chiroptera; Cloeotis percivali; distribution; Hipposideridae; Southern Africa

The diet of Malagasy Microchiroptera based on stomach contents - Razakarivony, V.; Rajemison, B.; Goodman, S. M. (Mammalian Biol., 2005)
Keywords: Africa; Arthropoda; Chiroptera; diet; Emballonura sp. nov. [tiavato]; Emballonuridae; food; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros commersoni; Insecta; Madagascar; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus manavi; Myotis goudoti; Triaenops rufus; Vespertilionidae

The distribution and conservation of bats in the dry regions of Madagascar - Goodman, S. M.; Andriafidison, D.; Andrianaivoarivelo, R. A.; Cardiff, S. G.; Ifticene, E.; Jenkins, R. K. B.; Kofoky, A. F.; Mbohoahy, T.; Rakotondravony, D.; Ranivo, J.; Ratrimomanarivo, F. H.; Razafimanahaka, H. J.; et al. (Animal Conservation, 2005)
We carried out extensive field surveys in the dry forest portions of Madagascar to document the species of bats occurring in these regions. These data combined with information in the literature and museum specimen records indicate that 28 species of Chiroptera occur in this region of the island, of which we documented 27 during our inventories. The community composition at sites occurring in areas of water-eroded sedimentary rock is notably different from sites on alluvial substrates. In contrast to the majority of native land mammal species on Madagascar,much of the microchiropteran fauna is not dependent on large tracts of intact forest and anthropogenic perturbations of forests may have less direct impact on their long-term survival. Conservation strategies for Chiroptera in the dry regions of the island should focus on reducing various types of human disturbance of cave environments.
Keywords: Africa; Chaerephon jobimena; Chaerephon leucogaster; Chiroptera; Coleura sp.; Eidolon dupreanum; Emballonura sp. nov. [tiavato]; Emballonuridae; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros commersoni; Madagascar; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus gleni; Miniopterus manavi; Molossidae; Mops leucostigma; Mops midas miarensis; Mormopterus jugularis; Myotis goudoti; Myzopoda aurita; Myzopodidae; Neoromicia malagasyensis; Otomops madagascariensis; Pipistrellus cf. kuhlii; Pipistrellus sp.; Pteropodidae; Pteropus rufus; Rousettus madagascariensis; Scotophilus cf. borbonicus; Scotophilus robustus; Scotophilus sp. nov.; Tadarida fulminans; Taphozous mauritianus; Triaenops auritus; Triaenops furculus; Triaenops rufus; Vespertilionidae

Early twentieth-century mammal collecting in Africa: The Smithsonian-Roosevelt East African Expedition of 1909-1910 - Sterling, K. B. (Archives of Natural History, 2005)
This paper deals with the scientific contributions made by Colonel Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) and the three mammalogists attached to the Smithsonian-Roosevelt East African Expedition of 1909-1910. These individuals included Lieutenant-Colonel (retired) Edgar Alexander Mearns (1856-1916), an old friend of Roosevelt’s and a retired Army surgeon-naturalist; Edmund Heller (1875-1947), long-time field naturalist with previous experience in Africa, and J. Alden Loring (1871-1947), a veteran field collector in the United States. They joined Roosevelt and his son Kermit (1889-1943), in the senior Roosevelt’s efforts to collect large game mammal specimens for the United States National Museum. Washington, DC. The group also observed and collected more than 160 species of carnivores, ungulates, rodents, insectivores, and bats. Departing New York shortly after Roosevelt’s tenure as President of the United States ended in March 1909, the party debarked at Mombasa in April, and spent most of the next year in Kenya and Uganda. They also visited Sudan before the expedition ended at Khartoum in March 1910. Other subjects discussed include the expedition’s objectives and financing, the information gathered by expedition members and the publications which resulted.
Keywords: East Africa; Kenya; Mammalia; Smithsonian Institution; Uganda; United States National Museum; USNM

Echolocation signals and pinnae movement in the fruitbat Rousettus aegyptiacus - Holland, R. A.; Waters, D. A. (Acta Chiropterologica, 2005)
The fruit bat Rousettus aegyptiacus has highly mobile pinnae. Little is known about the role that such movements play in sound localisation however and whether they interact with the process of echolocation in this species. Here we report the correspondence of echolocation signals in free flight with the downward wingbeat and forward movement of the pinnae, and demonstrate that the ears have a greater sensitivity to click stimuli in front of the animal when directed forwards than when back and to the side. The potential significance of the production of echolocation signals whilst the ears are moving from their least sensitive to their most sensitive position is discussed.
Keywords: Chiroptera; echolocation; Pteropodidae; Rousettus aegyptiacus

Effect of location and season on the arthropod prey of Nycteris grandis (Chiroptera: Nycteridae) - Bayefsky-Anand, S. (African Zoology, 2005)
Analysis of culled arthropod prey parts collected from beneath four feeding perches was used to assess prey taken by Nycteris grandis from November 1987 to May 1988. The perches were located along the Zambezi River in Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe. With the exception of an occasional solifugid, N. grandis ate mainly insects in addition to frogs and other small vertebrates. Three species of katydids and many species of moths were the most common prey. While bats using one feeding perch fed heavily on two species of cicadas at times, those at the other perches rarely did. There also were differences in the incidences of antlions, mantids and beetles in the diets of bats using different perches. Extensive samples from two feeding roosts about 2 km apart showed significant differences in prey composition. Smaller samples from two sites closer to one another showed similar patterns of the incidence of different prey.
Keywords: Arthropoda; Chiroptera; diet; food; Insecta; Lepidoptera; night roosts; Nycteridae; Nycteris grandis; Orthoptera; seasonality; Southern Africa; Tettigoniidae; Zimbabwe

Environmental education as a component of multidisciplinary conservation programs: Lessons from conservation initiatives for critically endangered fruit bats in the western Indian Ocean - Trewhella, W. J.; Rodriguez-Clark, K. M.; Corp, N.; Entwistle, A. C.; Garrett, S. R. T.; Granek, E. F.; Lengel, K. L.; Raboude, M. J.; Reason, P. F.; Sewall, B. J. (Conserv. Biol., 2005)
Pteropus livingstonii, P. voeltzkowi, and P. rodricensis are three critically endangered fruit bats from western Indian Ocean islands for which multidisciplinary conservation programs have been established that include environmental education programs (EEPs). We describe these EEPs in terms of the strategies used to achieve them and evaluate the educational and conservation outcomes and impacts of the programs. Educational outputs (including posters, stickers, videos, lesson plans, and workshops), primarily linking human needs to the ecosystem services provided by bats, were delivered to schools and community groups, and local environmental educators were trained to further develop the EEPs. Outcomes included increased local awareness about the bats and their conservation, training of environmental educators, inclusion of bat conservation and environmental issues in the school curricula, and establishment of community-based environmental nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Extensive prior planning, presentations in local languages, distribution of outputs through existing networks of educators, training of local educators, establishment of local environmental NGOs, and local capacity-building were all associated with these EEPs achieving their goals in the under-resourced island locations where these bats are found. The EEPs were also important in the development of other components of their respective conservation programs, such as population monitoring programs. Although long-term conservation impacts, particularly tackling habitat loss, are slow to materialize and social and economic issues need to be addressed, these EEPs have already had important outcomes and have established the foundation for future conservation actions.
Keywords: Chiroptera; conservation; East Africa; education; environmental awareness; Indian Ocean; Pteropodidae; Pteropus livingstonii; Pteropus rodricensis; Pteropus voeltzkowi

Etude de l’écologie du Megachiroptère Eidolon dupreanum (Pollen, 1866) et de son Rôle dans la Dispersion des Graines en Lisière du Corridor Forestier Reliant les Parcs Nationaux de Ranomafana et d’Andringitra - Picot, M. M. (DEA-thesis, 2005)
This study examines seed dispersal in the endemic fruit bat Eidolon dupreanum and its potential role in forest regeneration of Malagasy rainforest. Faecal analysis of dropping collected under roosting bats and feeding was used to determine the diet from April 19th to May 25th 2004. The regenerating vegetation around day roosts was also assessed, to describe characteristics of seed dispersal. E. dupreanum is principally a frugivorous species and 15 species of fruiting tree were found during this study. Flowers and leaves are occasionally eaten. A selectivity index revealed that E. dupreanum preferentially eats fruit from the rainforest (e.g. Polyscias spp.) even though cultivated fruits were available in abundance during the study. E. dupreanum may thus be a specialist species as opposed to a generalist species, as it eats only 20.4% of the species whose fruits are available. By regularly feeding inside the forest and returning to roost sites situated outside of the corridor, E. dupreanum is a potentially important long-distance seed disperser. Its use of anthropizised zones may facilitate the regeneration of small areas of natural forest outside of the main forest corridor. Given the importance of E. dupreanum to ecosystem function and the high-levels of roost disturbance from hunters, conservation planning should include the roost sites of fruit bats when they fall outside of protected areas.
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; diet; Eidolon dupreanum; food; frugivory; Madagascar; Pteropodidae; seed dispersal; tropical forests

The first records of the synanthropic occurrence of Scotophilus spp. on Madagascar - Ratrimomanarivo, F. H.; Goodman, S. M. (African Bat Conservation News, 2005)
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Madagascar; Scotophilus marovaza; Scotophilus robustus; Vespertilionidae

The flora and mammals of the moist semi-deciduous forest zone in the Sefwi-Wiawso District of the Western Region, Ghana - Vordzogbe, V. V.; Attuquayefio, D. K.; Gbogbo, F. (West African Journal of Applied Ecology, 2005)
The study presents results of a floristic and mammal survey undertaken in the Sefwi-Wiawso District within moist semi-deciduous vegetation zone of the Western Region of Ghana. The floral survey involved estimating the floral distribution, abundance and diversity using the standard indices, Shannon-Wiener, Simpson’s, evenness, species richness, similarity, and â-diversity, while the mammal survey was conducted using direct opportunistic observation, live-trapping (small mammals), animal spoors/trophies, and interviews. There were 271 plant species recorded, out of which 174 species comprising 172 species and 67 families of angiosperms (Angiospermae) and two species of ferns (Pteridophyta) were scientifically-named. Forty species of mammals representing eight orders were recorded, with the dominant orders being Rodentia and Artiodactyla. The greatest faunal diversity occurred in the forest reserves, where suitable habitat niches still occur. There were 48 individuals of seven species of rodents and one individual of one insectivore species captured during live-trapping, with the commonest species being common mice (Mus spp.) and brush-furred mice (Lophuromys flavopunctatus). The greatest threat to the survival of the fauna is habitat destruction. Generally, the Sefwi-Wiawso District is very rich in forest tree species, the commonest being the Celtis-Triplochiton associations, but bad agricultural practices, bush burning, intense logging, fuelwood harvesting and pollution have resulted in poor soil quality and land degradation in certain areas. Hunting of animals for meat, and destruction of habitats were the greatest threats to faunal diversity and abundance in the Sefwi-Wiawso District.
Keywords: Chiroptera; Eidolon helvum; Ghana; Mammalia; plants; Pteropodidae; Rodentia; Rousettus aegyptiacus; Vegetation; West Africa

Foraging and roosting ecology of a rare insectivorous bat species, Laephotis wintoni (Thomas, 1901), Vespertilionidae - Jacobs, D. S.; Barclay, R. M. R.; Schoeman, M. C. (Acta Chiropterologica, 2005)
{Laephotis wintoni is a rare bat and little is known about its biology. We studied this species at Algeria Forestry Station in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. A female caught in November 2002 was pregnant and three females caught in November 2004 were all lactating. The three lactating females were radio tagged and roosted in crevices or narrow fissures in a cliff face above the valley where they foraged. Laephotis wintoni is a small insectivorous bat (body mass, (x) over bar ± SD = 9.6 ± 0.5 g
Keywords: Chiroptera; Laephotis wintoni; South Africa; Vespertilionidae

Fossil evidence and the origin of bats - Gunnell, G. F.; Simmons, N. B. (Journal of Mammalian Evolution, 2005)
The phylogenetic and geographic origins of bats (Chiroptera) remain unknown. The earliest confirmed records of bats date from the early Eocene (approximately 51 Ma) in North America with other early Eocene bat taxa also being represented from Europe, Africa, and Australia. Where known, skeletons of these early taxa indicate that many of the anatomical specializations characteristic of bats had already been achieved by the early Eocene, including forelimb and manus elongation in conjunction with structural changes in the pectoral skeleton, hind limb reorientation, and the presence of rudimentary echolocating abilities. By the middle Eocene, the diversification of bats was well underway with many modern families being represented among fossil forms. A new phylogenetic analysis indicates that several early fossil bats are consecutive sister taxa to the extant crown group (including megabats), and suggests a single origin for the order, at least by the late Paleocene. Although morphological studies have long placed bats in the Grandorder Archonta, (along with primates dermopterans, and tree shrews), recent molecular studies have refuted this hypothesis, instead strongly supporting placement of bats in Laurasiatheria. Primitively, proto-bats were likely insectivorous, under-branch hangers and elementary gliders that exploited terminal branch habitats. Recent work has indicated that a number of other mammalian groups began to exploit similar arboreal, terminal branch habitats in the Paleocene, including multituberculates, eulipotyphlans, dermopterans, and plesiadapiforms. This may offer an ecological explanation for morphological convergences that led to the erroneous inclusion of bats within Archonta: ancestral archontan groups as well as proto-bats apparently were exploiting similar arboreal habitats, which may have led to concurrent development of homoplasic morphological attributes.
Keywords: anatomy; Chiroptera; evolution; flying; fossils; morphology; palaeontology; phylogeny

Fruit bats as reservoirs of Ebola virus - Leroy, E. M.; Kumulungui, B.; Pourrut, X.; Rouquet, P.; Hassanin, A.; Yaba, P.; Délicat, A.; Paweska, J. T.; Gonzalez, J.-P.; Swanepoel, R. (Nature, 2005)
The first recorded human outbreak of Ebola virus was in 1976, but the wild reservoir of this virus is still unknown. Here we test for Ebola in more than a thousand small vertebrates that were collected during Ebola outbreaks in humans and great apes between 2001 and 2003 in Gabon and the Republic of the Congo. We find evidence of asymptomatic infection by Ebola virus in three species of fruit bat, indicating that these animals may be acting as a reservoir for this deadly virus.
See Bradbury 2006; Letters: Fenton et al. 2006; Biek et al. 2006
Keywords: Central Africa; Chiroptera; Congo (Brazzaville); Ebola; Epomops franqueti; Filoviridae; Gabon; Hypsignathus monstrosus; infectious diseases; Myonycteris torquata; Pteropodidae; virology

Genetic and phenotypic differences between South African long-fingered bats, with a global miniopterine phylogeny - Miller-Butterworth, C. M.; Eick, G. N.; Jacobs, D. S.; Schoeman, M. C.; Harley, E. H. (J. Mamm., 2005)
The Natal long-fingered bat (Miniopterus natalensis) and lesser long-fingered bat (M. fraterculus) are morphologically almost indistinguishable and occur sympatrically over much of their southern African range. This raises the possibility that they are sister taxa. We employed a multidisciplinary approach to examine their taxonomic relationship to one another and to other Miniopterus species, whose global phylogeny requires review. We examined echolocation, morphological, and dietary differences between M. natalensis and M. fraterculus, as well as both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA variation between them in the context of a phylogeny incorporating 13 Miniopterus species and subspecies. Despite similarities in their morphology and distribution, M. natalensis and M. fraterculus echolocate at peak frequencies separated by 12 kHz, and both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA markers confirm they are distinct species. Analysis of cytochrome-b (Cytb) sequences further indicates that M. fraterculus and M. natalensis are not sister taxa; M. fraterculus appears to be more closely related to the greater long-fingered bat (M. inflatus). Examination of the global taxonomy of Miniopterus confirms that Schreibers’s long-fingered bat (M. schreibersii) forms a paraphyletic species complex. Furthermore, the miniopterine bats are divided into 2 geographically isolated monophyletic groups, one containing African and European species, and the other taxa from Australasia and Asia. Cytb sequence divergence also suggests that M. natalensis is distinct from the European M. schreibersii. These results support the elevation of M. natalensis to full species rank.
Keywords: Australia; China; Chiroptera; Cistugidae; Cistugo lesueuri; Cynomops paranus; Guyana; Israel; Japan; Madagascar; Malawi; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus australis; Miniopterus fraterculus; Miniopterus inflatus; Miniopterus macrocneme; Miniopterus manavi; Miniopterus natalensis; Miniopterus schreibersii; Miniopterus schreibersii bassanii; Miniopterus schreibersii fuliginosus; Miniopterus schreibersii orianae; Miniopterus schreibersii pallidus; Miniopterus sp.; Molossidae; New Guinea; South Africa; Spain; Vanatu; Vespertilionidae; Zambia

Geometric morphometrics and cladistics: Testing evolutionary relationships in mega- and microbats - Bogdanowicz, W.; Juste B., J.; Owen, R. D.; Sztencel, A. (Acta Chiropterologica, 2005)
Traditionally, morphometric data have consisted of distances, angles, or ratios, and have been considered inappropriate for cladistic analyses. Recently, geometric morphometrics, based on homologous landmark point-coordinates, has provided a number of advantages over traditional morphometric data and methods, including the possibility that phylogenetically informative characters and character-states may be extracted and used in cladistic analyses. Using two data sets of 3-dimensional point coordinates collected from skulls of bats, we empirically evaluate this possibility. Partial warps were extracted from the point-coordinate matrix, and these were then re-coded by gap-coding, for use in the cladistic analyses. In the case of samples from Eidolon helvum populations (two mainland localities and four islands in the Gulf of Guinea), analyzing males and females separately, our analyses based on these data were unable to detect consistent phylogeographic patterns among the populations. In the case of samples from plecotine bat species, these analyses produced a consensus cladogram showing considerable concordance with an earlier cladistic analysis by us of this group. In both cases, our results reflect those of earlier studies (based on both morphologic and genetic data), suggesting that the data and analytic techniques described herein may have interesting utility in cladistic analyses.
Keywords: Africa; Annobón; Bioko; Chiroptera; Eidolon helvum; Gulf of Guinea; Myonycteris brachycephala; Myonycteris torquata; Plecotini; Pr{\'ıncipe; Pteropodidae; Rousettus aegyptiacus; São Tomé; Vespertilionidae

The herpetofauna of Upper Niger National Park, Guinea, West Africa - Greenbaum, E.; Carr, J. L. (Scientific Papers Natural History Museum, University of Kansas, 2005)
We conducted a preliminary survey of the herpetofauna in Upper Niger National Park at the end of the dry season in 2002. Museum holdings and literature records from localities within the park were combined with our data to obtain an overall picture of the herpetofauna. The park contains a mosaic of forest and savanna that straddles the Niger River. Twenty-two species of amphibians and 34 species of reptiles were recorded from the park; four species of amphibians and two of reptiles are the first records from Guinea. Seven species of reptiles are listed as threatened by the IUCN Red List or CITES, but according to the Global Amphibian Assessment, none of the amphibians is threatened. Stomach contents of an arboreal colubrid snake included a species of bat (Mops condylurus), which represents the first confirmed record from Guinea. Conservation of the park is paramount because: 1) it is the only protected area containing dry forest in Guinea; 2) gallery forest provides suitable habitat for amphibian, reptile, and mammal species otherwise restricted to tropical rainforest elsewhere in West Africa; and 3) several species of threatened reptiles endemic to West Africa are in the park.
See Ziegler et al. 2002, Nikolaus 2000, Brugiere & Magassouba 2003
Keywords: Chiroptera; Guinea; Molossidae; Mops condylurus; predation; prey; Serpentes; Toxicodryas blandingii; West Africa

Hipposideros cyclops - Decher, J.; Fahr, J. (Mammalian Species, 2005)
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; genus; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros cyclops; identification key; review

Lamprophis capensis (Dumeril & Bibron, 1854) brown house snake: Diet - Van Wyk, J.; Rautenbach, I. L. (African Herp News, 2005)
Keywords: Chiroptera; Colubridae; Lamprophis capensis; Neoromicia capensis; predation; South Africa; Vespertilionidae

An intersite comparison on fruit characteristics in Madagascar: Evidence for selection pressure through abiotic constraints rather than through co-evolution - Bollen, A.; Donati, G.; Fietz, J.; Schwab, D.; Ramanamanjato, J.-B.; Randrihasipara, L.; Van Elsacker, L.; Ganzhorn, J. U. (Tropical Fruits and Frugivores: The Search for Strong Interactors, 2005)
Fruit and seed characteristics are compared between a dry deciduous forest in the west and a humid littoral forest in the south-east of Madagascar to discriminate between the role of abiotic factors (humidity, climate, soil characteristics) and frugivorous vertebrates for the evolution of morphological and biochemical fruit characteristics. The sites differed in abiotic conditions but contain very similar communities of frugivorous vertebrates. Fruit selection by two lemur species (Eulemur fulvus and Cheirogaleus medius) that are important for seed dispersal and that are present at both study sites, was compared between sites to examine fixed selection criteria that could give rise to possible co-evolution between frugivores and their fruit species on the one hand or to dietary flexibility of the frugivores on the other hand. Our results show that most fruit characteristics differ significantly between study sites. Food selection by both lemur genera in relation to morphological and biochemical fruit characteristics co-varies closely with their representation at a given site. These results indicate that morphological and biochemical characteristics are more likely the result of abiotic conditions rather than of interactions between frugivorous lemurs and their food.
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; frugivory; fruit selection; lemurs; Madagascar; Mammalia; Primates; Pteropodidae; Pteropus rufus; seed dispersal

Intraspecific variation in the calls of some African bats (Order Chiroptera) - Taylor, P. J.; Geiselman, C.; Kabochi, P.; Agwanda, B.; Turner, S. (Durban Mus. Novit., 2005)
This study reports on new field (21 species) and acoustic (20 species) data resulting from surveys of bats in the Maasai Mara and Taita Hills areas of Kenya in May 2001. To test for significance and causes of intra-individual and interindividual call variation, spectral (peak frequency) and temporal (duration) call parameters of some of the species recorded in this study were compared statistically and non-statistically with equivalent data from other regions of Africa. In eight species from five families tested statistically, individual call sequences varied significantly within species, in either peak frequency and/or call duration. Inter-individual differences could be explained by individual signatures, habitat variation, geographical variation, sexual dimorphism and cryptic speciation. Rhinolophoid bat calls were distinguished from other bats investigated in having very low intra-sequence variation in peak frequency.
Keywords: Cardioderma cor; Chaerephon pumilus; Chiroptera; Coleura afra; distribution; echolocation; Emballonuridae; Epomophorus wahlbergi; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros caffer; Lavia frons; Malawi; Megadermatidae; Molossidae; Neoromicia cf. capensis; Neoromicia nanus; Nycteridae; Nycteris hispida; Nycteris thebaica; Nycticeinops schlieffenii; Otomops martiensseni; Pipistrellus rueppellii; Pteropodidae; reproduction; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus hildebrandtii; Rhinolophus landeri; Scotoecus cf. albigula; Scotoecus cf. hindei; Scotophilus dinganii; South Africa; Tadarida ventralis; Triaenops persicus [afer]; Vespertilionidae; Zimbabwe

An investigation into the role of the Mauritian flying fox, Pteropus niger, in forest regeneration - Nyhagen, D. F.; Turnbull, S. D.; Olesen, J. M.; Jones, C. G. (Biol. Conservation, 2005)
This study was conducted over a 7-month period in the south-west of Mauritius and investigates the diet of the endemic flying fox Pteropus niger and its potential role as pollinator and seed disperser. The identification of food plants and seed dispersal events were made by direct observations of bats or indirectly by the analysis of ejecta found on the ground. P. niger was observed to visit 22 plant species for food of which 20 were visited for fruit, two for floral resources, and one for foliage (one species was visited for both fruit and floral resources). Two thousand thirty-two P. niger fruit ejecta from 16 species were collected containing 2460 seeds. Ejecta from eight of these species (including five endemic to Mauritius) contained seeds, all of which were mature and intact (with one possible exception) and some were germinating. Forty-seven observations were made of the dispersal of seeds in fruit, ejecta and faeces, including seeds from three endemic and one native plant species. All seeds in dispersed ejecta were found to be mature and undamaged by bats. Pollen smears from the lips of six dead and 12 captured bats showed that these animals carried a minimum of 18 pollen species. Each smear had an average of 2.2 pollen species and a pollen load of 17.7 grains. Our results suggest that P. niger plays an important role in maintaining plant diversity in the heavily fragmented landscape of Mauritius.
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Indian Ocean; Mauritius; plants; pollination; Pteropodidae; Pteropus niger; seed dispersal

Pipistrellus nanus - Lausen, C. L.; Barclay, R. M. R. (Mammalian Species, 2005)
Keywords: Chiroptera; Neoromicia nanus; review; Vespertilionidae

Vespertilio nanus Peters, 1852 (currently Pipistrellus nanus; Mammalia, Chiroptera): Specific name given precedence over Vespertilio pipistrellus africanus Rüppell, 1842 (Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature, 2005)
The Commission has ruled that the specific name of Pipistrellus nanus (Peters, 1852) for the African Banana bat (family Vespertilionidae) is conserved by giving it precedence over the senior subjective synonym Pipistrellus africanus (Rüppell, 1842).
ICZN Opinion 2010
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Neoromicia nana; nomenclature; Pipistrellus africanus; Pipistrellus nanus; taxonomy; Vespertilionidae

Le baobab africain (Adansonia digitata L.): Principales caractéristiques et utilisations - Diop, A. G.; Sakho, M.; Dornier, M.; Cisse, M.; Reynes, M. (Fruits, 2005)
Introduction. Very characteristic of Sahelian areas, Adansonia digitata L. belongs to the Bombacaceae family. Essentially exploited in a spontaneous state for its fruits or its leaves, the baobab plays an important role in the local traditional cultures.The plant. This very big tree is clearly distinguishable from the other Adansonia species endemic in Madagascar and Australia, mainly by its very large trunk (up to 10 m in diameter), its pendular flowers and its rounded crown. It produces (150 to 300) g dry berries with a woody epicarp, most of the time ovoid, called "monkey bread". These fruits contain many seeds in a whitish and floury pulp. The compounded leaves consist of five to seven digitate leaflets. The baobab distribution area is very large. Very rustic, it is found in most of South Sahara’s semi-arid and sub-humid regions as well as in the west side of Madagascar. The plant phenology depends on the rains profile, flowering and foliation occurring during the rainy season. Pollination is done by bats. The tree can be propagated by seeding or vegetative multiplication.The fruit. It consists of (14 to 28)% of pulp with a low moisture content, acidic, starchy, rich in vitamin C, in calcium and magnesium. After separating of the seeds, the pulp is traditionally used as an ingredient in various preparations or to make beverages. In spite of some deficiency in lysine and the presence of some anti-nutritional factors, the seeds are an interesting protein source. They contain about 15% of lipids. After cooking or grilling, they are either directly consumed or used like thickeners in powder form.The leaves. They are rich in vitamins (especially C and A) and in iron, and contain mucilage (10% dm). The youngest can be consumed as vegetables, but they are often dried and then reduced into powder.Conclusion. Among the food products obtained from the baobab, the fruit pulp seems to have the strongest economic potential. Nevertheless, the local markets have to be evaluated. The development of the production of baobab fruits needs more investigation into the agronomy of the tree.
Keywords: Adansonia digitata; Africa; Bombacaceae

Micromammalian distribution and abundance in the Western Cape Province, South Africa, as evidenced by barn owls Tyto alba (Scopoli) - Avery, D. M.; Avery, G.; Palmer, N. G. (J. nat. Hist., 2005)
The history of Western Cape mammalogy began almost 200 years ago with Thunberg (1811) and has been augmented periodically ever since. The present paper follows Vernon (1972) and Grindley et al. (1973) in eliciting information from material in barn owl Tyto alba (Scopoli) pellets. Analyses are based on identified and counted mandibles and maxillae. The Laminate vlei rat, Otomys laminatus Thomas and Schwann, and Krebs’s fat mouse, Steatomys krebsii Peters, are shown to have wider distributions than were previously recorded. The Southern multimammate mouse, Mastomys coucha (A. Smith), is apparently expanding its range westwards, a move probably enabled by changes in vegetation due to farming practices. There appears to be some correspondence between proportional representation of some species and rainfall, either its amount per annum or its seasonality. Variation in alveolar length in Cape gerbils, Tatera afra (Gray), taken as a proxy for mean individual mass, suggests that mean size in this species may be influenced by rainfall seasonality. Although the Vlei rat, Otomys irroratus (Brants), is known to breed throughout the year, the present evidence indicates that in the West Coast National Park births peak in late spring and early summer, some two months after maximum rainfall. The Western Cape data support the concept that T. alba is a selective opportunist. Sample structure and co-occurrence of species in individual pellets both show that in some cases the owls are more nearly opportunistic while in others they appear to be considerably more selective.
Keywords: Aves; body size; Chiroptera; Eptesicus hottentotus; Mammalia; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus schreibersii; Molossidae; Myotis tricolor; Neoromicia capensis; Nycteridae; Nycteris thebaica; precipitation; predation; predation pressure; predators; rainfall; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus capensis; Rhinolophus clivosus; Rodentia; seasonality; South Africa; Strigiformes; Tadarida aegyptiaca; Tyto alba; Tytonidae; Vespertilionidae

Morphometric analysis of cranial and external characters of Laephotis Thomas, 1901 (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from southern Africa - Kearney, T. C.; Seamark, E. C. J. (Ann. Transv. Mus., 2005)
Morphometric analyses, which included palatal and post-palatal measurements, allow the distinction of Laephotis botswanae and L. cf. angolensis from other Laephotis species, and suggest the assignment of specimens from KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa previously identified as L. cf. wintoni to L. botswanae. The distinction between L. wintoni and L. namibensis, however, was not confirmed and still remains to be clarified. It is suggested that until the species distinction is further clarified by additional characters or other systematic techniques, the current species assignments be retained. Morphometric analyses based on cranial characters, which excluded palatal and post-palatal measurements, show some separation of the Laephotis species in the principal component analysis, but not in the cluster analysis. Analyses based on external characters only were not useful for the separation of the Laephotis species
Keywords: Chiroptera; distribution maps; Laephotis angolensis; Laephotis botswanae; Laephotis namibensis; Laephotis wintoni; morphometrics; Southern Africa; systematics; taxonomy; Vespertilionidae

A multidimensional approach for detecting species patterns in Malagasy vertebrates - Yoder, A. D.; Olson, L. E.; Hanley, C.; Heckman, K. L.; Rasoloarison, R. M.; Russell, A. L.; Ranivo, J.; Soarimalala, V.; Karanth, K. P.; Raselimanana, A. P.; Goodman, S. M. (Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA, 2005)
The biodiversity of Madagascar is extraordinarily distinctive, diverse, and endangered. It is therefore urgent that steps be taken to document, describe, interpret, and protect this exceptional biota. As a collaborative group of field and laboratory biologists, we employ a suite of methodological and analytical tools to investigate the vertebrate portion of Madagascar’s fauna. Given that species are the fundamental unit of evolution, where micro- and macroevolutionary forces converge to generate biological diversity, a thorough understanding of species distribution and abundance is critical for understanding the evolutionary, ecological, and biogeographic forces that have shaped Malagasy vertebrate diversity. We illustrate the means by which we apply Mayr’s "three basic tasks" of the systematist [Mayr, E. (1942) Systematics and the Origin of Species from the Viewpoint of a Zoologist (Harvard Univ. Press, Cambridge, MA)] to identify, classify, and study the organisms that together constitute Madagascar’s vertebrate community. Using field inventory methods, specimen-based studies, and morphological and molecular analyses, we formulate hypotheses of species identity that then serve as the foundation for subsequent studies of biology and history. Our experience, as well as that of other investigators, has shown that much of the vertebrate species diversity in Madagascar is "cryptic" for both biological and practical reasons. Beyond issues of cryptic biological diversity, the resolution of species identity in Madagascar has been hampered because of a lack of vouchered comparative material at the population level. Through our activities, we are attempting to remedy these limitations while simultaneously enhancing research capacity in Madagascar.
Colloquium of the National Academy of Sciences: "Systematics and the Origin of Species: On Ernst Mayr’s 100th Anniversary"
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Hipposideridae; lemurs; Madagascar; Primates; prosimians; Triaenops

The natural history of Ebola virus in Africa - Pourrut, X.; Kumulungui, B.; Wittmann, T.; Moussavou, G.; Délicat, A.; Yaba, P.; Nkoghe, D.; Gonzalez, J.-P.; Leroy, E. M. (Microbes and Infection, 2005)
Several countries spanning the equatorial forest regions of Africa have had outbreaks of Ebola hemorrhagic fever over the last three decades. This article is an overview of the many published investigations of how Ebola virus circulates in its natural environment, focusing on the viral reservoir, susceptible animal species, environmental conditions favoring inter-species transmission, and how the infection is transmitted to humans. Major breakthroughs have been made in recent years but many outstanding questions must be dealt with if we are to prevent human outbreaks by interfering with the viral life cycle.
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Ebola; Filoviridae; infectious diseases; virology

New records and comments for the Mauritanian mammal fauna - Padial, J. M.; Ibáñez, C. (Mammalia, 2005)
Keywords: checklist; Chiroptera; Eptesicus floweri; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros caffer; Mammalia; Mauritania; Pipistrellus rueppellii; Vespertilionidae; West Africa

A new species of Myotis (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from central Africa - Happold, M. (Acta Chiropterologica, 2005)
A specimen of Myotis, collected by Jean-Paul Adam and later identified as Myotis megalopus, was compared with the holotype of megalopus and also with Myotis longipes from India and Afghanistan (which currently includes megalopus as a synonym). It was also compared with M. bocagii (which is sympatric and similar in size), M. daubentonii from Europe (which several authors reported as being very similar), and M. scotti (another sub-Saharan African species of similar size). Based on cranial and external morphology and morphometric data, Adam’s specimen was found to be a new species. It differs in having the combination of a very weakly concave forehead region of the skull, relatively long feet, wing membranes attached to the bases of the tibiae, and no backwardly-curved hairs on the margin of the interfemoral membrane. It was collected in a limestone cave at Loudima in the Republic of Congo, in degraded rainforest near a river.
see Aellen & Brosset 1968, Adam & Le Pont 1974
Keywords: Central Africa; Chiroptera; Congo (Brazzaville); Myotis dieteri sp. nov.; Nycteridae; Nycteris macrotis; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus landeri; systematics; taxonomy; Vespertilionidae

A nuclear DNA phylogenetic perspective on the evolution of echolocation and historical biogeography of extant bats (Chiroptera) - Eick, G. N.; Jacobs, D. S.; Matthee, C. A. (Mol. Biol. Evol., 2005)
Bats (Order Chiroptera), the only mammals capable of powered flight and sophisticated laryngeal echolocation, represent one of the most species-rich and ubiquitous orders of mammals. However, phylogenetic relationships within this group are poorly resolved. A robust evolutionary tree of Chiroptera is essential for evaluating the phylogeny of echolocation within Chiroptera, as well as for understanding their biogeographical history. We generated 4 kb of sequence data from portions of four novel nuclear intron markers for multiple representatives of 17 of the 18 recognized extant bat families, as well as the putative bat family Miniopteridae. Three echolocation-call characters were examined by mapping them onto the combined topology: (1) high-duty cycle versus low-duty cycle, (2) high-intensity versus low-intensity call emission, and (3) oral versus nasal emission. Echolocation seems to be highly convergent, and the mapping of echolocation-call design onto our phylogeny does not appear to resolve the question of whether echolocation had a single or two origins. Fossil taxa may also provide insight into the evolution of bats; we therefore evaluate 195 morphological characters in light of our nuclear DNA phylogeny. All but 24 of the morphological characters were found to be homoplasious when mapped onto the supermatrix topology, while the remaining characters provided insufficient information to reconstruct the placement of the fossil bat taxa with respect to extant families. However, a morphological synapomorphy characterizing the Rhinolophoidea was identified and is suggestive of a separate origin of echolocation in this clade. Dispersal-Vicariance analysis together with a relaxed Bayesian clock were used to evaluate possible biogeographic scenarios that could account for the current distribution pattern of extant bat families. Africa was reconstructed as the center of origin of modern-day bat families.
Keywords: Africa; biogeography; Chiroptera; echolocation; evolution; molecular genetics; morphology; phylogeny

Ovarian activity and early embryonic development in the rusty bat, Pipistrellus rusticus - van der Merwe, M.; Mostert, T. (African Zoology, 2005)
The reproductive pattern of the female rusty bat, Pipistrellus rusticus, was investigated by means of a histological examination of the ovarian follicles as well as early embryonic development. Bats were collected from two localities in Limpopo Province. Female rusty bats are seasonal monestrous breeders, initiating copulation in mid-autumn (April), storing sperm until the time of ovulation in late winter (August), and giving birth to twins in late spring (November). The period April until mid-August was characterized by sperm storage and increased follicular development. During mid-August the females ovulated and excess sperm were discarded. Females released between three and five ova, while a maximum of two embryos implanted successfully. Only a single embryo implanted per uterine horn. Embryo movement through the Fallopian tubes appeared to be a rapid process. Redundant embryos were resorbed before implantation. The period from the end of August until mid-November was marked by pregnancy. Females invariably carried twins (one foetus in each uterine horn). Large-scale follicle atresion, and very low levels of follicle development, characterized the period end of August until March. High incidences of polyovular follicles were recorded for all months of the year. No obvious form of reproductive asymmetry was recorded in the rusty bat.
Keywords: anatomy; Chiroptera; litter size; Pipistrellus rusticus; reproduction; seasonality; South Africa; Vespertilionidae

The palaeoecology of the micromammals from the late middle Pleistocene site of Hoedjiespunt 1 (Cape Province, South Africa) - Matthews, T.; Denys, C.; Parkington, J. E. (Journal of Human Evolution, 2005)
The palaeontological site of Hoedjiespunt I (HDPI) represents a fossilized hyaena lair. A rich mammalian fauna, including four hominid teeth, has been recovered from the site. Micromammals were recovered from the same sediments as the larger fauna. Taphonomic analysis suggests that the micromammal assemblages from HDPI were accumulated by a barn owl. The barn owl produces micromammal assemblages that provide a broad sample of micromammals, within a certain size range, living in the hunting area of the owl. There are size-related and other biases inherent in the prey selection of this predator, and owls may roost in one area and hunt in another however, the barn owl has frequently been found to provide a better indication of micromammals living within an area than trapping. The micromammals from HDPI were used to reconstruct the microhabitats in the vicinity of the site. Two taxonomic habitat indexes were used to assess the environment and dominant habitat types at Hoedjiespunt 1. The variability and adaptability of many of the southern African micromammals complicates interpretation of the results, however, it appears that the micromammals from the HDPI fossil assemblages utilized habitats of open, scrub vegetation, and rocky and sandy areas. It is suggested that the environment was not markedly different from today, but it may have been relatively more arid. A comparison between HDPI and other fossil sites in the area dating from the terminal Pleistocene to the Holocene indicates that HDPI is lacking certain species that are common to all the other west coast fossil sites. There is some discrepancy in the environment indicated by the large mammals as compared that indicated by to the micromammals at the site. It is suggested that this discrepancy may reflect the fact that an owl is likely to have hunted in the vicinity of the hyaena den, probably in the more open areas around the roost site, whereas the macrofauna, accumulated by the further-ranging brown hyaena (Hyaena brunnea), represents environments from further afield.
Keywords: Aves; Chiroptera; fossils; palaeontology; Pleistocene; predation; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus clivosus; South Africa; Strigiformes; Tyto alba

Phylogenetics of the Genus Scotophilus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae): Perspectives from Paternally and Maternally Inherited Genomes with Emphasis on African Species - Trujillo, R. G. (Ph.D. Thesis, 2005)
Bats of the genus Scotophilus are distributed throughout sub-Saharan Africa, parts of southern and Southeast Asia, a majority of the Indomalayan Islands, Reunion Island, and Madagascar. The genus is composed of 14 recognized species with seven distributed throughout sub-Saharan Africa including: (S. dinganii (A. Smith, 1833), S. leucogaster (Cretzschmar, 1830), S. nigritellus de Winton, 1899, S. nigrita (Schreber, 1774), S. nucella Robbins, 1983, S. nux Thomas, 1904, and S. viridis (Peters, 1852). The remaining species include four from southern and southeast Asia (S. celebensis Sody, 1928; S. collinus Sody 1936; S. heathi (Horsfield, 1831); S. kuhlii Leach, 1821), two on Madagascar (S. sp. nov. Goodman et al., in press; and S. robustus Milne-Edwards, 1881), and one endemic to Reunion Island (S. borbonicus (E. Geoffroy, 1803)).The systematics and taxonomy of this genus have been controversial and continue to be confusing. The genus is plagued with problems in species definition and the systematic relationships among members of the genus are poorly understood. The major goal of this study was to use a molecular phylogenetic approach to clarify some of the controversy and confusion surrounding the members of this genus.Nucleotide differences from mtDNA and the Y chromosome were used to examine phylogenetic patterns within Scotophilus. Based on these data two new species of Scotophilus were identified. Phylogenetically, African Scotophilus were found to comprise a monophyletic group with S. nux as the most basal African taxon. Overall, the Asian S. kuhlii was the most basal taxon. A distant relationship was identified between S. kuhlii and S. heathi, the other Asian species examined. The multiple origins of Malagasy Scotophilus are apparent as the two Malagasy taxa in the study do not share a sister-group relationship. The large bodied S. nigrita is closely related to S. dinganii and the S. dinganii-like species all share a close relationship. S. nigrita has a S. dinganii-like mtDNA haplotype and a very distinct zfy haplotype, suggesting a possible hybridization event with a S. dinganii-like ancestor.
Keywords: Africa; Asia; Chiroptera; genetics; phylogeny; Scotophilus; Vespertilionidae

Raumnutzung und Fouragierverhalten des afrikanischen Langzungenflughundes Megaloglossus woermanni (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) im Lama-Wald, Benin, Westafrika - Weber, N. (Diploma Thesis, 2005)
In a radio-tracking study, I investigated space use and foraging behaviour of the nectarivorous African long-tongued bat, Megaloglossus woermanni (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae), in the Lama protected forest, southern Benin. Until now, the biology of this single obligate nectarivorous bat in Africa was almost unknown. During the study period from 23rd July to 11th October, I monitored the movement and activity patterns of two male and two female individuals that were fitted with position-sensitive transmitters. The study site contains a central patch of primary forest ("Noyau Central"), but greater parts of this area are characterized by a mosaic of orchards, agroforestry plantations, and degraded forest.The foraging strategy of M. woermanni was characterized by comparatively small home ranges and high site-fidelity during the study period. This behaviour was a consequence of the spatio-temporal availability of food resources, most probably combined with a solitary and flexible selection of day-roosts. Mean home range size, calculated as the minimum convex polygon, was larger in females (142.9 ha) than in males (101.4 ha). This difference is likely to be caused by lower contact times with males than with females. None of the bats’ day-roosts were found, but they were presumably located within bushes or trees of the Noyau Central, which forms the core area of the study site.During the study period, long-tongued bats visited flowers of cultivated bananas along the periphery of Lama Forest. No other flowering food plant was recorded. Three (2 MM, 1 F) out of four radio-tracked individuals showed a highly predictable and consistent foraging behaviour. These animals exploited the same banana patches throughout the observation period. A fourth individual (F) shifted its foraging area through adjacent patches between nights. All individuals were recaptured several times. This resident behaviour is likely to be caused by the high predictability of food resources since bananas showed long flowering periods and were regularly visited by the monitored individuals. The resource density of banana inflorescences in the study area was sufficient to meet the energy demands of the local population of M. woermanni. Nitrogen supply for the bats may have been limited during the study period as cultivated bananas do not produce pollen and samples collected from the fur and faeces contained only negligible amounts of other pollen.Within home ranges, I further investigated areas used for foraging as well as core areas of resource use. The mean foraging area of females, defined as the 95 % density kernel and pooled over the whole study period, was 74.2 ha and distinctly larger than in males (12.3 ha). However, the difference of core areas (calculated as the 50 % density kernel) between the sexes was less marked (FF: 6.8 ha, MM: 2.8 ha). Presumably, foraging and core areas of male bats would have been larger with higher contact time. Core areas constituted only a small part of home ranges (2.6 - 4.9 %). This reflects the patchy as well as clumped spatial distribution of banana patches within the study site. Large segments of home ranges were not used for foraging, but only for commuting flights between discrete resource patches.Flight activity of radio-tracked long-tongued bats varied considerably between individuals and nights. Pooled data revealed a bimodal activity pattern. On average, flight activity reached a maximum (45±7.1 % of contact time) between 19:30 and 20:00 hrs, with little flight activity during subsequent hours. A second but lower activity peak (29±19.6 % of contact time) was found between 5:30 and 6:00 hrs. Between 19:30 and 0:00 hrs and 4:30 and 6:00 hrs, high contact times with both males and females allowed me to compare activity patterns among sexes. During these periods, males spent significantly more time flying than females. In general, high activity levels at the beginning of the night might have been caused on the one hand by inspection flights aimed at the particular food resource situation of a given night and on the other hand to balance energetic deficits accumulated during daytime and commuting flights. The second activity peak can be interpreted as foraging activity to accumulate energy for the following day.Comparison with published studies showed that home range size, space use and activity patterns of M. woermanni are very similar to that of other nectarivorous bats of similar size and diet, i.e. the Australasian species Macroglossus minimus and Syconycteris australis. Previously, these species were thought to be closely related based on morphological similarities. New studies showed, however, that these species belong to different groups, indicating that similar diet and morphology is the result of convergent evolution rather than close phylogenetic relationships. Thus, nectarivory in pteropodids has evolved several times independently. My results on the ecology and behaviour of M. woermanni imply not only the convergent evolution of morphology and diet, but also of similar foraging strategies in these species. When comparing home range studies, it is important to consider the influence of different habitat structures. Habitat disturbances may lead to enlarged home ranges and altered resource availability. Consequences of such changes are largely unknown and need further investigation due to the crucial role of the interdependent relationships between plants and bats as pollinators in tropical ecosystems.
Keywords: activity patterns; behaviour; Benin; Chiroptera; ecology; foraging; habitat preferences; home range; Mammalia; Megaloglossus woermanni; Pteropodidae; radio-tracking; telemetry; Vegetation; West Africa

Rediscovery of the short-eared trident bat (Cloeotis percivali Thomas 1901) in Swaziland - Monadjem, A.; Cohen, L.; De Wet, K. (African Bat Conservation News, 2005)
Keywords: Chiroptera; Cloeotis percivali; Hipposideridae; Southern Africa; Swaziland

Régime alimentaire de Pteropus rufus (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) dans la région sub-aride du sud de Madagascar - Raheriarisena, M. (Rev. écol. (Terre Vie), 2005)
Pteropus rufus, a Megachiroptera species endemic to Madagascar, is currently threatened because of various types of anthropogenic pressures. Few data were previously available on food types eaten by this species. A seven-month study was carried out in the sub-arid zone of southern Madagascar (region of Berenty), to investigate its dietary spectrum. Techniques used included faecal analyses, direct observations near consumed plants, and interviews with local people. This species’ diet is composed of fruits (59.0-65.1%; particularly large ones), flowers (17.3-35.0%), and leaves (6.0- 18.0%). The proportion of these elements in its diet depends on seasonal variations of plant phenology and the species’ activity, particularly reproduction. During the breeding season, P. rufus consumes more leaves. Globally, 21 plants species were documented in its diet, eight of which are native and 13 introduced. Two species (Tamarindus indica“fruits” and Agave rigidana“flowers”) make up to 33.5- 90.4% of the food consumed by this bat within the study area. P. rufus is best considered a dietary vegetarian generalist.
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; diet; folivory; food; frugivory; Madagascar; nectarivory; phenology; Pteropodidae; Pteropus rufus; reproduction; seasonality

Sensory systems and spatial memory in the fruit bat Rousettus aegyptiacus - Holland, R. A.; Winter, P.; Waters, D. A. (Ethology, 2005)
The megachiropteran fruit bat Rousettus aegyptiacus is able to orient and navigate using both vision and echolocation. These two sensory systems have different environmental constraints however, echolocation being relatively short range when compared with vision. Despite this difference, an experiment testing their memory of a perch location demonstrates that once the location of a perch is learned R. aegyptiacus is not influenced by the movement of local landmark cues in the vicinity of the perch under either light or dark conditions. Thus despite the differing constraints of vision and echolocation, this suggests a place is remembered as a location in space and not by associations with landmarks in the vicinity. A decrease in initial performance when the task was repeated in the dark suggested the possibility that a memory of a location learned using vision does not generalize to echolocation.
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; echolocation; Pteropodidae; Rousettus aegyptiacus; spatial memory

On some Mediterranean populations of bats of the Myotis mystacinus morpho-group (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) - Benda, P.; Karataş, A. (Lynx, 2005)
New data on the distribution of bats of the Myotis mystacinus morpho-group in certain parts of the Mediterranean region are given and some morphological characters of these populations are analysed and discussed. Statistic comparison (PCA) suggests the distribution of M. mystacinus s. str. in the Balkans, along with M. alcathoe, M. aurascens and M. brandtii. The records of M. brandtii and M. mystacinus s. str. in central Anatolia, Turkey, are reported for the first time. These records suggest a continuous distribution of these species from the Balkans to the Caucasus, while their insulated occurrence in the Caucasus region seems to be unlikely (contra Benda & Tsytsulina 2000). M. aurascens is reported from whole Anatolia and from Syria according to the revised and/or newly collected material. Second and third records of M. aurascens in Italy are reported as well as a verification of a M. brandtii record in Tuscany (after Lanza 1959). The taxonomic status of the Moroccan populations of M. mystacinus s. str. was evaluated and their affiliation to the Iberian subspecies M. m. occidentalis was not confirmed.
Keywords: Chiroptera; Mediterranean; Near East; North Africa; Vespertilionidae

Systematic Revision of Southern African Species in the Genera Eptesicus, Neoromicia, Hypsugo and Pipistrellus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) - Kearney, T. C. (Ph.D. Thesis, 2005)
Patterns of variation in GTG-banded chromosomes, bacula morphology and cranio-dental characters among ten vespertilionid species from southern Africa were studied to clarify generic and specific relationships among the taxa previously assigned to the genera Eptesicus and Pipistrellus.GTG-banded chromosomes provided characters to support the elevation of Neoromicia to generic rank. Hence, Eptesicus hottentotus is the only true Eptesicus of the six southern African species (capensis, cf. melckorum, rendalli, somalicus and zuluensis) formerly classified as Eptesicus. GTG-banded chromosomes also provided characters to support the transfer of P. (Hypsugo) africanus to the genus Neoromicia.Bacula morphology, although useful for specific identification of males and the distinction of the genus Eptesicus, was less suitable for phylogeny estimation in the genera Hypsugo, Neoromicia, Pipistrellus).The single geometric morphometric intra-population test of N. capensis found no significant sexual dimorphism and tooth wear class variation. Traditional morphometric analyses however, identified significant sexual dimorphism in a single population of six populations of N. capensis tested, and significant tooth wear class variation in a single population of two populations of E. hottentotus tested to merit separate treatments in subsequent intra and inter-specific analysis.Geometric morphometric analysis identified clinal centroid size variation negatively and significant correlated with latitude and longitude in three of six species tested: E. hottentotus, N. capensis, and P. hesperidus. Only N. capensis showed a highly significant correlation between skull centroid size and different biomes and ecoregions. Neoromicia capensis was also the only species tested to show a significant clinal variation in skull shape; dorsal skull shape was negatively correlated with longitude and different biomes and ecoregions, while ventral skull shape was negatively correlated with longitude, latitude and different biomes and ecoregions. Traditional morphometric methods however identified the following patterns of significant intraspecific clinal variation: in N. capensis negatively correlated with latitude and longitude; in N. zuluensis positively correlated with longitude and negatively correlated with latitude; in H. anchietae, P. hesperidus and P. rusticus negatively correlated with latitude.Both geometric morphometric and traditional morphometric techniques used to assess cranio-dental variation indicated inter-specific variation dominated by overall size, which was allometrically constrained and hence there was considerable inter-specific homology.
Keywords: baculum; Chiroptera; chromosomes; cytogenetics; dentition; Eptesicus; Eptesicus hottentotus; geographic variation; geometric morphometrics; Hypsugo; Hypsugo anchietae; karyotypes; morphology; Myotis tricolor; Neoromicia; Neoromicia africanus [nana]; Neoromicia capensis; Neoromicia cf. melckorum; Neoromicia rendalli; Neoromicia somalicus; Neoromicia zuluensis; phylogeny; Pipistrellus; Pipistrellus hesperidus; Pipistrellus rueppellii; Pipistrellus rusticus; sexual dimorphism; Southern Africa; systematics; taxonomy; teeth; Vespertilionidae

Taphonomic implications of roosting behavior and trophic habits in two species of African owl - Reed, D. N. (Journal of Archaeological Science, 2005)
As some of the most common predators of micromammals, owls are implicated in the formation of many fossil assemblages. Actualistic research on owl-accumulated assemblages has tended to focus on owls roosting in caves. Comparatively few data are available on the roosting behavior, and prey preference of owls in open habitats. This paper presents observations on the roosting and prey habits of two sympatric species of owl in the Serengeti region of northern Tanzania, the barn owl, Tyto alba affinis, and the spotted eagle owl, Bubo africanus. The barn owl and spotted eagle owl are found to segregate by roosting habit, with barn owls occupying cavity roosts and eagle owls appearing on the ground or in tree crowns. Previous studies comparing these two species suggested a close similarity in trophic habits. A comparison of large samples (MNI = 1012) at cavity and exposed roosts shows identical taxonomic representation, though differences are found in the relative abundance of some taxa and significant differences in prey body mass.
Keywords: Aves; Bubo africanus; Chiroptera; diet; East Africa; food; Mammalia; predation; prey; Serengeti; Strigiformes; Tanzania; taphonomy; Tarangire; Tyto alba

Taxonomic and phylogenetic distinctiveness in regional conservation assessments: A case study based on extant South African Chiroptera and Carnivora - Keith, M.; Chimimba, C. T.; Reyers, B.; van Jaarsveld, A. S. (Animal Conservation, 2005)
The current study investigates whether a simple measure of taxonomic diversity (Taxonomic Distinctiveness (TD)) can be used as a proxy for different measures of phylogenetic diversity (Phylogenetic Distinctiveness (PD)) in determining species of regional conservation priority, and uses extant South African Chiroptera and Carnivora as a case study. Published phylogenies for the two mammalian Orders allowed the quantification of a node-based measure that was considered to represent phylogenetic diversity (PDNODE), as well as a branch length-based measure that was considered to represent the amount of evolutionary change over time (PDBRANCH). Both the PDNODE and PDBRANCH, together with TD were included in our regional conservation priority assessment. Although no statistically significant differences were detected between the PDNODE, PDBRANCH and the TD for both the Chiroptera and Carnivora, these measures were also shown to be correlated with each other. More importantly, inclusion of either the PDNODE, PDBRANCH, or TD in our analysis did not significantly alter the species that were identified as being of regional conservation priority. Both regional priority scores for the South African Chiroptera and Carnivora and their respective rankings were broadly consistent across the three potential indicators of conservation status utilised. These results suggest that the inclusion of either the PDNODE and/or PDBRANCH in conservation prioritisation exercises may not add value to that currently provided by the TD. Consequently, this implies that in the absence of relevant PD data, the utilisation of the TD in regional conservation priority settings may provide the appropriate information on evolutionary diversity.
Keywords: Carnivora; Chiroptera; conservation priorities; Mammalia; South Africa

Activity patterns and habitat preferences of insectivorous bats in a West African forest-savanna mosaic - Meyer, C. F. J.; Schwarz, C. J.; Fahr, J. (J. Trop. Ecol., 2004)
We studied activity patterns and habitat use by insectivorous bats in Comoé National Park, Ivory Coast. Bat foraging activity was quantified along five transects representing three different habitat types using acoustic monitoring and captures with mist nets and harp traps. Aerial insect abundance was assessed using a light trap; in addition shrub and tree arthropods were sampled. Bat activity was significantly and positively related to insect availability and ambient temperature, whereas increased visibility of the moon had a negative influence on flight activity. Together, these factors best explained both total bat activity and activity of bats hunting in open space and edge habitats. The interaction between temperature and light intensity was the best predictor of activity by species foraging in obstacle-rich forest habitats, however, the regression model had a low predictive value. Overall, a large proportion (c. 50%) of the variation in bat activity appeared to be a consequence of transect- and/or habitat-specific influences. We found a significant non-linear relationship between the activity of QCF (quasi-constant frequency) and FM-QCF (frequency modulated - quasi-constant frequency) bats and the phase of the moon, with lowest levels of activity occurring near full moon. We interpret this lunar-phobic behaviour as a reflection of a higher predation risk during moonlit periods. For FM (steep frequency modulated) and CF (constant frequency) bats, no significant correlation was found, although there was a trend suggesting that these bats at least were not negatively affected by bright moonlight. Foraging activity of bats was positively correlated with the abundance of atympanate moths; however, no such correlation was found for tympanate moths.
Keywords: abiotic factors; acoustic monitoring; activity patterns; Chiroptera; Côte d’Ivoire; echolocation; guilds; habitat heterogeneity; habitat preferences; Ivory Coast; predation pressure; West Africa

The application of genetic research to the conservation of fruit bats in the western Indian Ocean - O’Brien, J.; Hayden, T. J. (Phelsuma, 2004)
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; endemic; Indian Ocean; island biogeography; Pteropodidae; Pteropus

Argasidae (Acari: Ixodida) parasites of wild and domestic animals in Senegal: I - Review and distribution - Sylla, M.; Pourrut, X.; Faye, N.; Bâ, K.; Cornet, J.-P.; Camicas, J.-L. (Acarologia, 2004)
A list of argasid ticks occurring in Senegal is given. It includes 11 recognized species (six Argasinae and five Ornithodorinae). Argas (A.) hermanni, A. (Persicargas) persicus and Argas (P.) near walkerae were collected from domestic poultry. A. (P.) arboreus and A. (P.) streptopelia were recorded respectively from egrets and wild doves in different ecological areas in Senegal. Carios (C.) vespertilionis was found associated with insectivorous bats of the genera Tadarida, Taphozous, Scotoecus, Scotophilus and Pipistrellus. A. (Reticulinasus) camicasi were recorded infesting fruit-eating bats of the genus Rousettus, Alectorobius (A.) maritimus was found from breeding sites of terns and A. (A.) capensis associated with terns in the Langue de Barbarie National Park (PNLB) and with pelicans in the Bird National Park of Djoudj (PNOD). A. (Theriodoros) sonrai inhabits the burrows of Sciuromorpha and Myomorpha rodents and is widely distributed in Senegal, Ornithodoros (O.) savignyi is localized in northern Senegal in sandy areas under trees around wells. Two other species of which systematic positions remain to be elucidated are known from nests of pelicans in the Park of Djoudj and from Microchiroptera bats in the sudano-sahelian area. A. (P.) near walkerae and O. (O.) savignyi are reported for the first time in Senegal. The occurrence of A. (A.) maritimus in Senegal is confirmed. The lists of common and incidental hosts are given as well as distribution according to main ecological divisions.
Keywords: [Chaerephon pumilus] Tadarida gambiana; [Neoromicia nana] Pipistrellus nanus; [Neoromicia] Eptesicus tenuipinnis; [Nycticeinops schlieffenii] Nycticeius schlieffeni; Chiroptera; Emballonuridae; Lissonycteris angolensis; Molossidae; parasites; parasitism; Pipistrellus nanulus; Pteropodidae; Rousettus aegyptiacus; Scotoecus hirundo; Scotophilus leucogaster; Scotophilus nigrita; Taphozous sp.; Vespertilionidae; West Africa

Assessment of the quality and reserves of bat guano at Chipongwe and Kapongo caves near Lusaka as fertiliser material - Sikazwe, O.; de Waele, B. (Journal of Science and Technology, 2004)
There are many bat guano deposits in Zambia but their characteristics and sizes are not well known. The Chipongwe and Kapongo Caves, located within about forty km south of Lusaka, are developed in the white and grey banded crystalline limestone and dolomite marble of the Lusaka Formation and Mampompo Formation, respectively. The caves were created as a result of dissolution of calcium carbonate. The main objectives of this study were to assess the quantity and quality of bat guano in the two caves. In order to achieve the above objectives, mapping of the caves was undertaken and bat guano samples collected for chemical analysis. Both caves are colonised by bats and as such have accumulations of guano, which have been deposited on the carbonate rocks. The estimated resource of bat guano at Chipongwe Cave is 1218 tonnes averaging 0.46% N, 4.03% P and 0.12% K and at Kapongo Cave is 2822 tonnes averaging 1.94% N, 8.41% P and 1.24% K. The N-P-K ratios for the bat guano from the Chipongwe and Kapongo Caves are 4:34:1 and 2:7:1, respectively. These ratios show that generally bat guano from both caves is relatively depleted in nitrogen and potassium, which are more mobile elements and enriched in phosphorous, a relatively immobile element. The N-P-K ratio for internationally traded bat guano is typically 3-10-1, 8-4-1 and 10-3-1 and such guano has been recommended for fruit trees, vegetables and flowers. The Chipongwe and Kapongo bat guano is similar to the internationally traded guano with N-P-K ratio of 3-10-1 and as such would be suitable for growing vegetables, fruits, flowers and maintenance of lawns.
Special Edition
Keywords: agriculture; caves; Chiroptera; fertilizer; guano; nitrate; nutrients; phosphorus; potassium; Southern Africa; Zambia

Bat species diversity and distribution in three vegetation communities of Meru National Park, Kenya - Webala, P. W.; Oguge, N. O.; Bekele, A. (Afr. J. Ecol., 2004)
Diversity and distribution of bats was determined in four vegetation types in and around Meru National Park, Kenya between September 2000 and February 2001. Bat-habitat studies were based on plant species dominance, cover and farming activities. Bats were captured using standard mist nets (18 m long x 2 m high) erected on poles averaging 3 m. Vegetation was broadly grouped as Acacia or Combretum wooded grassland, or Acacia-Commiphora bushland and studied using the Braun-Blanquet method. Analysis of floristic similarity showed five vegetation species assemblages in the three broad categories. Four hundred and ninety-five bats representing eleven genera in seven families were recorded. These were Epomophorus labiatus, E. wahlbergi, Cardioderma cor, Lavia frons, Myotis welwitschii, Scotoecus hirundo, S. leucogaster, Pipistrellus kuhlii, Mops condylurus, Chaerephon bemmeleni, Mormopterus sp., Hipposideros caffer, H. commersoni, Nycteris arge and Rhinolophus landeri. This was the first record of N. arge, M. welwitschii, C. bemmeleni and a Mormopterus species in eastern Kenya. The Combretum community was most equitable (E = 0.51) with nine bat species records, while farming areas had only four. The low species richness and increased dominance of a few generalist species on farms may be indicative of different levels of disturbance.
Keywords: Cardioderma cor; Chaerephon bemmeleni [cisturus]; Chiroptera; East Africa; Epomophorus labiatus; Epomophorus wahlbergi; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros caffer; Hipposideros commersoni [vittatus]; Kenya; Lavia frons; Megadermatidae; Molossidae; Mops condylurus; Mormopterus sp.; Myotis welwitschii; Nycteridae; Nycteris arge; Pipistrellus kuhlii [hesperidus]; Pteropodidae; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus landeri; Scotoecus hirundo; Scotophilus leucogaster; species composition; Vegetation; Vespertilionidae

Bats (Chiroptera) of Ithala Game Reserve, northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa - Seamark, E. C. J.; Kearney, T. C. (Durban Mus. Novit., 2004)
In 1980 Rautenbach et al. (1981) recorded 11 species of bats from five families at Ithala Game Reserve. Eighteen years later we caught six of the 11 bat species caught by Rautenbach et al. (1981); Rhinolophus clivosus Cretzschmar, 1828, Myotis tricolor (Temminck, 1832), Neoromicia capensis (A. Smith, 1829), Neoromicia nanus (Peters, 1852), Scotophilus dinganii (A. Smith, 1833) and Tadarida aegyptiaca (E. Geoffroy, 1818), as well as two new species for the reserve; Hipposideros caffer (Sundevall, 1846) and Miniopterus schreibersii (Kuhl, 1819). The five species previously recorded by Rautenbach et al. (1981) which we did not capture were: Epomophorus wahlbergi (Sundervall, 1846), Nycteris thebaica E. Geoffroy, 1813, Rhinolophus blasii Peters, 1867, Miniopterus fraterculus Thomas and Schwann, 1906, and Eptesicus hottentotus (A. Smith, 1833).
Keywords: Chiroptera; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros caffer; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus schreibersii; Molossidae; Myotis tricolor; Neoromicia capensis; Neoromicia nana; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus clivosus; Scotophilus dinganii; South Africa; survey; Tadarida aegyptiaca; Vespertilionidae

The bats of Aldabra atoll, Seychelles - Hutson, A. M. (Phelsuma, 2004)
Keywords: Africa; Chaerephon pusilla [pusillus]; Chiroptera; ectoparasites; Emballonuridae; Hipposideridae; Indian Ocean; Insecta; Molossidae; parasitism; Pteropodidae; Pteropus (seychellensis) aldabrensis; Seychelles; Taphozous mauritianus; Triaenops furculus

The bats of Silhouette Island, Seychelles - Gerlach, J. (Phelsuma, 2004)
A review of the status of the bats recorded on Silhouette island is presented. This is placed in the context of the conservation status of the bats on the granitic islands of Seychelles. Two species are present: the Seychelles fruit bat Pteropus seychellensis and the Seychelles sheath-tailed bat Coleura seychellensis. The Silhouette population of the fruit bat is estimated at approximately 2,000 (with a Seychelles total of approximately 8,500). One roost of the sheath-tailed bat is known on Silhouette, this contains 32 bats. This is the only roost to have been monitored regularly and is only one of two known in Seychelles. The fruit bat population appears to be stable, the sheath-tailed bat remains Critically Endangered.
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Coleura seychellensis; Emballonuridae; Indian Ocean; Pteropodidae; Pteropus seychellensis; Seychelles

A behavioural study of the Silhouette sheath-tailed bat (Coleura seychellensis) - Burgess, H.; Lee, N. (Phelsuma, 2004)
The behaviour of the Seychelles sheath-tailed bat Coleura seychellensis was studied in the largest known roost of the species at La Passe, Silhouette island. The population of bats using the roost numbered 32, the highest count recorded for the species. The roost comprises two small interconnected caves in a boulder field. The preferred roost was relatively dark and cool. Individuals appeared to show preferences for positions within the roost. A harem structure has been speculated to exist in this species, observations from the present study may support this but are inconclusive.
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Coleura seychellensis; Emballonuridae; Indian Ocean; Seychelles

Beitrag zum Paarungsverhalten des Gambia-Epauletten-Flughundes - Epomophorus gambianus (Ogilby, 1835) - Grimmberger, E. (Nyctalus (N.F.), 2004)
Keywords: calling behaviour; Chiroptera; Epomophorus gambianus; Gambia; lek mating; mating systems; Pteropodidae; West Africa

Common fiscal Lanius collaris preying on a Cape serotine bat Eptesicus capensis - Herrmann, E. (Ostrich, 2004)
Keywords: Aves; Chiroptera; Neoromicia capensis; predation; South Africa; Vespertilionidae

Contribution à l’étude de la Morphologie et de l’écologie en vue de la Conservation des Chiroptères dans le Parc National des Tsingy de Bemaraha - Razafimanahaka, H. J. (Mémoire de Fin d’études, 2004)
The Bemaraha National Park is one of the most important sites for bat survival due to abundance of caves which provide suitable roosts, with only moderate to low levels of perturbation of the habitat. This study aims to identify the bat species present in this park, to describe and study seasonality and habitat use. Two field work periods were undertaken: first in July during the cool and dry season and the second in October during hot and dry season. We captured bats with mist nets in four types of habitats: clearings, dry forest, riparian forest and agriculture fields during each season. Trapping effort totalled 30 nights capture and 463 bats of 10 species were caught. The most abundant species are Rousettus madagascariensis (Megachiroptera) and Miniopterus manavi (Microchiroptera).Three categories of species were classified depending on their sizes measured as the forearm length and the weight:- small-sized species: Emballonura atrata, Myotis goudoti, Miniopterus manavi and Chaerephon leucogaster;- medium-sized species: Triaenops furculus, Triaenops rufus and Scotophilus borbonicus;- large-sized species: Rousettus madagascariensis, Hipposideros commersoni and Scotophilus robustus.The small and medium-sized species were most frequent in the forest. Therefore, their conservation status should be revised. Through this study, we propose T. rufus to be classified “Vulnerable” as T. furculus because of habitat loss and decreasing population. In fact, pregnancy during hot-dry season coincides with high rate of forest degradation. M. goudoti should be also classified “Vulnerable” because of habitat loss because it’s a forest specialist species. Further research should be undertaken for the “Critically Endangered” species: Scotophilus borbonicus.Abundance decreased in October because bats are less able to protect themselves from overheating, so they probably migrate to cooler habitat. The exception is Hipposideros commersoni: it was caught only in October, with many pregnant females. We suggest that this species hibernates or migrates to more suitable regions during the cool-dry season. Capture rate was higher in riparian forest than in other habitats.
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; conservation; ecology; Madagascar; morphology; reproduction; seasonality

Controversial scientific names of African mammals - Grubb, P. (African Zoology, 2004)
A number of problems still exist among African mammal names. Vespertilio megalotis, Genetta maculata, Choiropotamus and Myomys should be recognized as invalid synonyms of Lavia frons, Genetta pardina, Potamochoerus and Mastomys respectively. Tragelaphus spekii was named by Speke (not P.L. Sclater) in 1863 (not 1864). By designation of a lectotype, Antelope doria becomes a synonym of Cephalophus zebra and so is confirmed as the type species of Cephalophula. The authors and dates of publication of the following are cited and discussed: Galagoides rondoensis, G. udzungwensis, Hippotraginae, Hippotragus, H. equinus, Alcelaphus caama, Xerus erythropus, Arvicanthis, and A. niloticus. Unjustified and justified emendations of names are summarized. The valid name in the following cases appears to be controversial and may require a ruling by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature: Galagoides demidoff or G. demidovii, Procolobus pennantii parmentieri or P. p. parmentierorum, Strepsicerotini or Tragelaphini, Peleinae or Reduncinae, Damaliscus dorcas or D. pygargus, Graphiurus hueti or G. nagtglasi, and Cricetomys dissimilis or C. emini. In spite of seniority, Sylvicaprinae and Connochaetinae do not replace Cephalophinae and Alcelaphinae respectively. The correct name for the rusty-spotted genet, which has been called Genetta rubiginosa, has yet to be determined. Myotis cf. megalotis from Congo-Brazzaville may not be correctly named and could be an unnamed species.
Keywords: [Eptesicus] Vesperugo serotinus gabonensis; [Lavia frons] Vespertilio megalotis; [Myotis] Vespertilio africanus; [Myotis] Vespertilio megalopus; Africa; Chiroptera; Dobson; Galago; Mammalia; Megadermatidae; nomenclature; Primates; systematics; taxonomy; Vespertilionidae

Correction of a montane (Drakensberg) record of lesser yellow house bat Scotophilus viridis (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) - Kearney, T. C.; Seamark, E. C. J. (Durban Mus. Novit., 2004)
Keywords: Chiroptera; distribution maps; Eptesicus hottentotus; morphometrics; PCA; Scotophilus viridis; South Africa; Vespertilionidae

Description of a cryptic species, Spinturnix bechsteini n. sp. (Acari, Mesostigmata, Spinturnicidae), parasite of Myotis bechsteinii (Kuhl, 1817) (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) by using ecoethology of host bats and statistical methods - Deunff, J.; Walter, G.; Bellido, A.; Volleth, M. (Journal of Medical Entomology, 2004)
Using ecoethology of bats and statistical methods, we anticipate the evidence of specific species of spinturnicids associated with Myotis myotis and Myotis bechsteinii (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) mixed colonies are unknown. Traditional description of this new crpytic species Spinturnix bechsteini, parasite of M. bechsteinii, is done. Statistical approach is based on analysis of variance and principal component analysis. The current knowledge on parasites of the genus Myotis in the West Palearctic subregion is presented.
Keywords: Acari; Arachnida; Chiroptera; ectoparasites; Europe; host specificity; Myotis bechsteinii; North Africa; parasitism; Spinturnix bechsteini sp. nov.; Tunisia; Vespertilionidae

Echolocation signal structure in the megachiropteran bat Rousettus aegyptiacus Geoffroy 1810 - Holland, R. A.; Waters, D. A.; Rayner, J. M. V. (J. Exp. Biol., 2004)
Rousettus aegyptiacus Geoffroy 1810 is a member of the only genus of megachiropteran bats to use vocal echolocation, but the structure of its brief, click-like signal is poorly described. Although thought to have a simple echolocation system compared to that of Microchiroptera, R. aegyptiacus is capable of good obstacle avoidance using its impulse sonar. The energy content of the signal was at least an order of magnitude smaller than in Microchiropteran bats and dolphins (approximately 4x10-8 J m-2). Measurement of the duration, amplitude and peak frequency demonstrate that the signals of this animal are broadly similar in structure and duration to those of dolphins. Gabor functions were used to model signals and to estimate signal parameters, and the quality of the Gabor function fit to the early part of the signal demonstrates that the echolocation signals of R. aegyptiacus match the minimum spectral spread for their duration and amplitude and are thus well matched to its best hearing sensitivity. However, the low energy content of the signals and short duration should make returning echoes difficult to detect. The performance of R. aegyptiacus in obstacle avoidance experiments using echolocation therefore remains something of a conundrum.
Keywords: Chiroptera; echolocation; Pteropodidae; Rousettus aegyptiacus

Erfassung von Fledermäusen mit konstantfrequenten (CF) Rufen: Fang versus Acoustic Monitoring - Schmid, S. (Diploma Thesis, 2004)
Keywords: CF-echolocation; Chiroptera; Côte d’Ivoire; harp traps; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros; Ivory Coast; mist nets; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus; sampling methods; survey techniques; West Africa

Etude de l’Influence de la Fragmentation et de la Dégradation des Forets Naturelles des Hautes Terres sur les Activités des Microchiroptères: Cas e la Foret d’Ambohitantely - Rakotondramanana, C. M. (DEA-thesis, 2004)
Ambohitantely forest is one of the rare evergreen rainforest remnants from the central highlands of Madagascar. Now, it has several riparian fragments scattered around a 1250 ha core which was appointed as a réserve spéciale. This special ecosystem has been commonly used for fragmentation effects studies on small vertebrates. This study investigates the fragmentation effects on the activities of microchiropteran bats. Microchiropterans’ activities were sampled within fragments of different sizes. We used two methods: heterodyne and frequency division. Insects were sampled alongside.Our results show that:- Microchiropteran bats visit all fragments (that have more than 0.2 ha area) although they feed only within those that have more than 2 ha.- Activities tend to be even for the 2 ha fragments and those larger- Bat feeding rates are higher for bigger fragments- Habitats that contain rocky roosting site were more visited by batsThe inventories of all the fragments that possess potential roosting sites (boulders upon streams) and their protection by extending the reserve perimeter to these fragments would target toward the Ambohitantely microchiropteran bats conservation.
Keywords: acoustic monitoring; activity patterns; Africa; Chiroptera; day roosts; echolocation; feeding; foraging; forest degradation; forest fragmentation; Insecta; Madagascar

Etude des Rôles des Megachiroptères dans la Pollinisation de Baobabs (Andansonia grandidieri et Adansonia suarezensis) et la Dispersion des Graines dans la Forêt Naturelle de Befandrana - Andriafidison, D. (DEA-thesis, 2004)
The study of the roles of Eidolon dupreanum in the pollination of Adansonia suarezensis, in the forest of Beantely (Diégo-Suarez) and Adansonia grandidieri in the classified forest of Marofandilia (Morondava) aims to contribute to the knowledge of its role in the pollination and the regeneration of the caducifoliée forest of the West of Madagascar. To be done, 15 feet of Brevitubae baobab trees in flowering, including 9 feet of A. grandidieri (Marofandilia) and 6 feet of A. suarezensis (Beantely), were observed of June 24 until July 18, 2000. The study of the role of Pteropus rufus in the dispersion of seeds collected in the forest of Ambatovaky (Befandrana) during September - the purpose of November 2000 is to show that it can take part in the regeneration of the natural forest. Indeed, we carried out the tests of germination of seeds collected among seeds balls, seeds droppings and of pilot seeds. The realization of these tests took place of September 17 at December 20, 2000 in Antananarivo in a shaded medium (20 with 21°C). Thanks to the very frequent visits, E. dupreanum play a significant role in the transfer of pollens of A. suarezensis. In the classified forest of Marofandilia, the two species of Cherogaleidae lemurs: Phaner furcifer, Mirza coquereli can also play a role similar to that of Megachiroptères (E. dupreanum) in the pollination of A. grandidieri especially in canopées closed the or continuous ones. In canopées insulated like those from the Alleys from baobab trees with Morondava, E. dupreanum seem to precede the night butterflies in the pollination of these plants. Rates of germination of seeds droppings and balls rejected by P. rufus are very significant compared to the rates of germination of seeds of the intact fruits, especially with regard to fig seeds such as Ficus coccilifolia (45% for seeds resulting from droppings, 26% for seeds resulting from the balls and 19% for pilot seeds), Ficus syncomorus (36% for seeds resulting from droppings, 16% for seeds resulting from the balls and 12% for pilot seeds) and Ficus grevei (42% for seeds resulting from droppings, 20% for seeds resulting from the balls and 11% for pilot seeds).
Keywords: Adansonia grandidieri; Adansonia suarezensis; Africa; baobabs; Chiroptera; Eidolon dupreanum; germination rates; Madagascar; Mammalia; pollination; Primates; Pteropodidae; Pteropus rufus; seed dispersal

Evaluation of DNA damage in a population of bats (Chiroptera) residing in an abandoned monazite mine - Meehan, K. A.; Truter, E. J.; Slabbert, J. P.; Parker, M. I. (Mutation Research, 2004)
Ionising radiation has the ability to induce DNA damage. While the effects of high doses of radiation of short duration have been well documented, the biological effects of long-term exposure to low doses are poorly understood. This study evaluated the clastogenic effects of low dose ionising radiation on a population of bats (Chiroptera) residing in an abandoned monazite mine. Bats were sampled from two chambers in the mine, where external radiation levels measured around 20 muSv/h (low dose) and 100 muSv/h (higher dose), respectively. A control group of bats was sampled from a cave with no detectable radiation above normal background levels. The micronucleus assay was used to evaluate residual radiation damage in binucleated lymphocytes and showed that the micronucleus frequency per 500 binucleated lymphocytes was increased in the lower radiation-exposed group (17.7) and the higher radiation-exposed group (27.1) compared to the control group (5.3). This study also showed that bats exposed to radiation presented with an increased number of micronuclei per one thousand reticulocytes (2.88 and 10.75 in the lower and high radiation-exposed groups respectively) when compared to the control group (1.7). The single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay was used as a means of evaluating clastogenecity of exposure to radiation at the level of individual cells. Bats exposed to radiation demonstrated increased DNA damage as shown by the length of the comet tails and showed an increase in cumulative damage. The results of the micronucleus and the comet assays indicated not only a statistically significant difference between test and control groups (P<0.001), but also a dose-dependent increase in DNA damage (P<0.001). These assays may thus be useful in evaluating the potential clastogenecity of exposure to continuous low doses of ionising radiation.
Keywords: Chiroptera; Namaqualand; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus clivosus; South Africa

évaluation rapide des chiroptères dans la Forêt Classée du Pic de Fon, Guinée - Fahr, J.; Ebigbo, N. M. (Une évaluation Biologique Rapide de la Forêt Classée du Pic de Fon, Cha{\^ıne du Simandou, Guinée, 2004)
Nous rapportons ici les résultats d’une évaluation des populations de chauves-souris du Pic de Fon, dans la cha{\^ıne du Simandou, au sud-est de la Guinée. Nous présentons un ensemble de chauve-souris particulier, caractérisé par des espèces forestières telles que Epomops buettikoferi, Rhinolophus guineensis et Hipposideros jonesi qui sont endémiques à la Haute Guinée ou à l’Afrique de l’Ouest. La présence de trois espèces sympatriques de Kerivoula est notable avec K. cuprosa et K. phalaena, recensées pour la première fois en Guinée. De plus, trois individus Murin de Welwitsch, Myotis welwitschii ont été capturés pendant l’évaluation. C’est le premier recensement pour l’Afrique de l’Ouest et il représente une extension de 4 400 km au nord-ouest des plus proches localités connues. Nous avons révisé la distribution de cette espèce en Afrique et conclu que cette espèce présente un modèle de répartition para montagneux. Sept espèces, soit 33,3% du total des 21 espèces, sont enregistrées dans le dernier volume de la liste rouge de l’UICN: une espèce en tant que «Vulnérable» (Epomops buettikoferi) et six espèces «Presque Menacées» (Rhinolophus alcyone, R. guineensis, Hipposideros jonesi, H. fuliginosus, Kerivoula cuprosa, Miniopterus schreibersii). Nos résultats de l’évaluation RAP ainsi que la présence d’espèces de chiroptères endémiques aux zones d’altitude de la Haute Guinée, met en évidence l’importance régionale des habitats de montagne d’Afrique de l’Ouest en général, et de la cha{\^ıne du Simandou en particulier, pour la conservation des chiroptères d’Afrique.
Keywords: Chiroptera; Guinea; West Africa

Field identification of two morphologically similar bats, Miniopterus schreibersii natalensis and Miniopterus fraterculus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) - Stoffberg, S.; Jacobs, D. S.; Miller-Butterworth, C. M. (African Zoology, 2004)
Miniopterus schreibersii natalensis and Miniopterus fraterculus are two morphologically similar, but genetically distinct, species of insectivorous bat that, more often than not, share roosts. Identifying these two species in the field is difficult because of an overlap in the ranges of both forearm and mass. We thus attempted to find morphological features that could be used to distinguish between these two species in the field. We compared cranial and external morphological measurements from museum specimens of the two species, using principal component analysis and discriminant function analysis, to determine which variables could be used to discriminate between them. Length of the hind foot and total body length were identified as the variables responsible for most of the variation between these two species. Miniopterus s. natalensis has a longer total body length (113.6 ± 3.5 mm) than M. fraterculus (102.2 ± 4.8 mm) but a relatively shorter hind foot (9.1 ± 0.6 mm, 9.8 ± 0.8 mm, respectively). A function generated from standardized canonical variables, (HF x 0.279417) - (TL x 0.989306) + 100, and based on length of hind foot (HF) and total body length (TL) generated function scores <0 for M. s. natalensis and >0 for M. fraterculus. On the basis that positive values (above zero) indicated M. fraterculus, and negative values (below zero) indicated M. s. natalensis, we were able to correctly assign 20 individuals to their respective species using the above function. These individuals were previously identified as M. fraterculus or M. s. natalensis from their mtDNA sequences. The function thus provides a useful tool for discriminating between the two species in the field.
Keywords: Chiroptera; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus fraterculus; Miniopterus natalensis; morphometrics; South Africa

Floral scent of bat-pollinated species: West Africa vs. the New World - Pettersson, S.; Ervik, F.; Knudsen, J. T. (Biol. J. Linn. Soc., 2004)
Floral scent of seven West African bat-pollinated tree species, belonging to six families, was collected in situ from flowering individuals using headspace adsorption. The seven species shared neither any specific compounds nor any other discernible pattern in their floral scent composition. Most of the identified compounds are common in the floral scent of species pollinated by a variety of animals. Adansonia digitata (Bombacaceae) was the only African species found to have a substantial proportion of sulphur compounds in its floral scent. This feature contrasts with the sampled New World bat-pollinated plants, which frequently contain these compounds. The floral scent of Ceiba pentandra (Bombacaceae), native to both South America and Africa, contained no sulphur substances, contradicting a previous study in the New World that identified the major floral compounds as dimethyl disulphide and dimethyl trisulphide. We suggest that the differences in the floral scent of C. pentandra, including the absence of sulphur compounds in the African variety, result from the different selective regimes exerted by the Pteropotidae bats, in Africa, and Phyllostomidae bats, in the New World, that visit their flowers.
Keywords: Adansonia digitata; Bombacaceae; Ceiba pentandra; chemical ecology; Chiroptera; chiropterophily; floral scent; flowers; Neotropics; Phyllostomidae; pollination; Pteropodidae; Senegal; sulphur compounds; trees; West Africa

The Foraging Ecology of Fruit Bats in the Seasonal Environment of Central Zambia - Richter, H. V. (MSc Thesis, 2004)
One of the most conspicuous examples of long distance movements in animals is the dramatic migration of large herds of African ungulates. Less recognized, but no less impressive, is the large-scale movement of huge numbers of African fruit bats. When the food availability in a region declines, multiple factors at the individual, population, and species level ultimately lead to migration. Although for some species the optimal strategy may be to move to areas with a greater food supply, others are limited in their ability to move and will utilize available local resources. The spatial scale of decision making depends on the energetic, physical, and environmental constraints on each species.This study examined the causes of the annual migration of straw-colored fruit bats through a Zambian national park, and the effects of the migration on resident fruit bat species. From August 2003 through January 2004, I monitored woodland phenology and mist netted bats along 46 transects. I used these data to compare the timing of straw-colored fruit bat migration to changes in local fruit availability and variation in resident fruit bat assemblages.The timing of migration of the straw-colored fruit bat coincided with the seasonal peak in fruit production in Central Zambia. Six fruit bat species were identified at the site; cluster analysis and palate records were used to divide five similar epauleted fruit bat species into four species groups. The distribution of these species was not significantly correlated with the date, canopy height, habitat type or the amount of food at a site. While indices of fruit availability decreased over time, capture rates increased. Fruit bats were increasingly captured in habitats without food sources and that had not previously been successful netting sites. Epauleted species resort to increasing commute and search times when food availability decreases in order to meet their daily food requirements while larger fruit bats migrate to new areas with a more abundant food supply. African fruit bats have high economic and ecological importance, yet they remain largely unstudied. In today’s world, with concerns of climate change and habitat destruction, it is important to understand both the role of fruit bats in maintaining functional ecosystems and the ecosystem requirements for healthy fruit bat populations to reduce the impacts of human beings on megachiropteran species.
Keywords: Chiroptera; Eidolon helvum; Epomophorus gambianus crypturus; Epomophorus labiatus; Epomophorus minor; Epomophorus wahlbergi; Micropteropus pusillus; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus sp.; Myotis welwitschii; Neoromicia capensis; Neoromicia somalicus; Nycteridae; Nycteris thebaica; Nycticeinops schlieffenii; Pipistrellus kuhlii [hesperidus]; Pteropodidae; Scotoecus hirundo; Southern Africa; Vespertilionidae; Zambia

Genetic similarity amongst phenotypically diverse little free-tailed bats, Chaerephon pumilus - Jacobs, D. S.; Eick, G. N.; Richardson, E. J.; Taylor, P. J. (Acta Chiropterologica, 2004)
The African molossid Chaerephon pumilus shows extensive variation in colour, size and echolocation across its wide distributional range with a light-winged form in north-eastern Africa and a dark form in southern Africa. There is also much variation in supposedly diagnostic characters (e.g., degree of palatial emargination) amongst the dark form of this species in southern Africa. These differences suggest that there may be cryptic species within C. pumilus. We used phylogenetic and phenetic analyses of sequence data from the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene of a number of C. pumilus individuals to investigate the status of the light and dark-winged forms of this species and to evaluate the possibility of cryptic species within the dark-winged form of C. pumilus in southern Africa. We evaluated species status by comparing the level of sequence divergence amongst C. pumilus with the level of sequence divergence between known species in the genus. These included C. ansorgei, C. chapini, C. nigeriae and C. jobensis. Intrageneric sequence divergences among the Chaerephon spp. included here ranged from 6.51 to 11.18%, whereas the average sequence divergence between the light and dark forms was 0.9%. This suggests that these two forms are not distinct species. Individuals of the dark form of C. pumilus were genetically indistinguishable from each other having the same cytochrome b haplotype. We thus found no evidence of cryptic species in southern African C. pumilus.
Keywords: Chaerephon pumilus; Chiroptera; Molossidae; Southern Africa

Helminth fauna of Tadarida (Chaeraphon) nigeriae (Thomas, 1913) (Microchiroptera: Molossidae) - Okafor, F. C.; Igbinosa, I. B.; Ezenwaji, H. M. G. (Animal Research International, 2004)
A checklist of helminth parasites isolated from Tadarida (Chaeraphon) nigeriae is presented. Out of 857 bats examined 658 (76.78%) were infected by helminth parasites. Details of the taxa presented show that 2 were trematodes; 2 were cestodes; and 5 were nematodes. Observation on the distribution of the worms within the host shows that they were found mainly in the alimentary canal and peritoneal cavity. Rictularia was the predominant helminth parasite of these bats in this study with 49.59% of the bats examined found infected with this parasite. Female bats were found with higher infection rates with the helminths than the males. There are similarities in the type of parasites infecting bats collected from Nsukka and those collected from other places. Significant levels of positive associations exist between the parasites. Food habits based on stomach content anayses revealed that in volume and in actual numbers, beetle (Coleoptera) and moths (Lepidoptera) comprised the major prey items in the diet.
Keywords: Chaerephon nigeriae; Chiroptera; Coleoptera; diet; endoparasites; food; Helminthes; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Molossidae; Nigeria; parasitism; prevalence; West Africa

The impact of population explosion of the straw-coloured fruit bat (Eidolon helvum) on host trees in a park at the Obafemi Awolowo University Campus, Ile-Ife - Oke, J. T. O. (Environtropica, 2004)
Keywords: Chiroptera; colonies; damage; day roosts; defoliation; Eidolon helvum; Elaeis guineensis; Nigeria; population size; Pteropodidae; roost trees; West Africa

Individual signatures in the frequency-modulated sweep calls of African large-eared, free-tailed bats Otomops martiensseni (Chiroptera: Molossidae) - Fenton, M. B.; Jacobs, D. S.; Richardson, E. J.; Taylor, P. J.; White, W. (J. Zool. (Lond.), 2004)
Frequency-modulated sweep calls of Otomops martiensseni were recorded from individuals as they emerged from nine different building roosts near Durban, South Africa. Multiple analyses of call features, including duration (ms), lowest frequency (kHz), highest frequency (kHz) and frequency with most energy (kHz), indicated significant inter-individual variation. Discriminant function analysis of call features correctly classified the calls of individuals from four roosts >70% on 19 of 28 times. Although other species of molossids (Chaerephon pumilus, Tadarida aegyptiaca, and one unidentified species) produced social calls as well as frequency-modulated sweep calls, O. martiensseni produced just the latter vocalizations and they were longer and lower in frequency than those of the sympatric molossids. Other species of molossids, but not O. martiensseni, produced feeding buzzes as they attacked flying insects. The frequency-modulated sweep calls of O. martiensseni seem to serve a communication function, but they may not be used in echolocation unlike similar calls by other molossids. Individually distinct communication signals (frequency-modulated sweep calls) enhance communication in a species that lives in year-round social groups (one adult male, females and dependent young).
Keywords: acoustic communication; Chaerephon pumilus; Chiroptera; echolocation; Molossidae; Otomops martiensseni; social calls; South Africa; Tadarida aegyptiaca

The influence of wing morphology and echolocation on the gleaning ability of the insectivorous bat Myotis tricolor - Stoffberg, S.; Jacobs, D. S. (Can. J. Zool., 2004)
On the basis of its external morphology, Myotis tricolor (Temminck, 1832) should be able to both aerial feed and glean. Furthermore, this bat is known to use broadband calls of short duration, reinforcing the prediction that it gleans. However, results from this study indicate that M. tricolor does not commonly glean. This conclusion was reached after studying the foraging behaviour of M. tricolor in a flight room. We presented M. tricolor with mealworms, moths, mole crickets, beetles, and cicadas in a variety of ways that required either gleaning and (or) aerial feeding. Although M. tricolor readily took tethered prey, it did not take any of the variety of insects presented to it in a manner that required gleaning. We therefore compared its wing morphology and echolocation calls with those of several known gleaners, Nycteris thebaica E. Geoffroy, 1818, Myotis lucifugus (Le Conte, 1831), and Myotis septentrionalis (Trouessart, 1897), and an aerial forager, Neoromicia capensis (A. Smith, 1829). In a discriminant analysis wing-tip shape was the only variable to provide some degree of discrimination between species, with M. tricolor having more pointed wing tips than the known gleaners. Discriminant analysis of echolocation-call parameters grouped M. tricolor with the other Myotis species and separated it from N. capensis and N. thebaica. However, M. tricolor did not use harmonics as did the other Myotis species. The apparent failure of M. tricolor to glean might therefore be due to its relatively pointed wings and narrow-bandwidth echolocation calls, owing to the absence of harmonics in its calls.
Keywords: Chiroptera; echolocation; foraging; functional morphology; gleaning; Myotis lucifugus; Myotis septentrionalis; Myotis tricolor; Neoromicia capensis; Nycteridae; Nycteris thebaica; South Africa; Vespertilionidae; wing shape

Interspecific responses to distress calls in bats (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae): A function for convergence in call design? - Russ, J. M.; Jones, G.; Mackie, I. J.; Racey, P. A. (Anim. Behav., 2004)
Distress calls were recorded from three sympatric species of pipistrelle bat (Pipistrellus nathusii, P. pipistrellus and P. pygmaeus) in England and Northern Ireland. At foraging sites, we conducted playback experiments, consisting of experimental distress call sequences from each species and control sequences of random noise and sound recorded with no bats present. We measured response by simultaneously recording ultrasound during playbacks and counting the echolocation pulses above a predetermined threshold which were then identified to species. All three species responded to each other’s calls. The number of recorded echolocation pulses of all species increased eight-fold, on average, during the playback of distress call sequences compared with the playback of ultrasonic noise, and four-fold compared with the playback of silence. In a separate playback experiment, the number of echolocation pulses of P. pygmaeus increased 14-fold during the playback of distress calls of four endemic species of bat from Madagascar (Emballonura atrata, Myotis goudoti, Miniopterus majori and M. manavi) compared with the playback of silence. This increased response might have been caused by the high calling rates of the Malagasy species. Distress calls of P. nathusii, P. pipistrellus and P. pygmaeus were structurally convergent, consisting of a series of downward-sweeping, frequency-modulated elements of short duration and high intensity with a relatively strong harmonic content. Selection may favour convergence in the structure of distress calls among bat species, if attracting heterospecifics increases the chance of repelling predators by mobbing.
Keywords: acoustic communication; Chiroptera; echolocation; Europe; Madagascar; Pipistrellus nathusii; Pipistrellus pipistrellus; Pipistrellus pygmaeus; social calls; UK; Vespertilionidae

Les Rôles des Megachiropteres (Pteropus rufus, Tiedeman, 1808 et Eidolon dupreanum, Shlegel, 1967) dans la Pollinisation de Ceiba pentandra de la Région de Morondava - Andrianaivoarivelo, R. A. (DEA-thesis, 2004)
The two species of Megachiroptera Pteropus rufus and Eidolon dupreanum were the only mammals species we had seen visiting the flowers of silk cotton-trees (Ceiba pentandra) in Morondava. Morondva is among the regions in Madagascar where there were many sites with Ceiba pentandra. The pollination of Ceiba pentandra studies and the results of exclusion experiences confirmed that this plant is well adapted to be pollinated by megabats. The megabats are actives during the night when the flowers are fertile. The flowers produce a high quantity nectar and pollen, which are useful elements for bats, so that they could find their energetic need. That covers the most part of their need during the dry season in Morondava. Visits by Pteropus rufus are more dramatic than the visits by Eidolon dupreanum. Their role as making cross-pollination of Ceiba pentandra differs them from the diurnal species visitors of flowers. These Megachiroptera are carrying the pollen from flower onto another flower of the same tree, or onto the other flower of another silk cotton tree (Ceiba pentandra) to avoid the autogamy process.
Keywords: Africa; Ceiba pentandra; Chiroptera; Eidolon dupreanum; flowers; Madagascar; pollination; Pteropodidae; Pteropus rufus

Martienssen’s mastiff bat, Otomops martiensseni (Matschie 1897) (Molossidae) in Eritrea - Kock, D.; Zinner, D. (African Bat Conservation News, 2004)
Keywords: Chiroptera; Eritrea; first record; Molossidae; Northeast Africa; Otomops martiensseni

Mitochondrial phylogeography of the long-eared bats (Plecotus) in the Mediterranean Palaearctic and Atlantic Islands - Juste B., J.; Ibáñez, C.; Muñoz, J.; Trujillo, D.; Benda, P.; Karataş, A.; Ruedi, M. (Mol. Phylog. Evol., 2004)
Long-eared bats of the genus Plecotus are widespread and common over most of the western Palaearctic. Based on recent molecular evidence, they proved to represent a complex of several cryptic species, with three new species being described from Europe in 2002. Evolutionary relationships among the different lineages are still fragmentary because of the limited geographic coverage of previous studies. Here we analyze Plecotus mitochondrial DNA sequences from the entire Mediterranean region and Atlantic Islands. Phylogenetic reconstructions group these western Palaearctic Plecotus into two major clades which split at least 5 Myr ago and that are each subdivided into further subgroups. An ’auritus group’ includes the traditional P. auritus species and its sister taxon P. macrobullaris (=P. alpinus) plus related specimens from the Middle East. P. auritus and P. macrobullaris have broadly overlapping distributions in Europe, although the latter is apparently more restricted to mountain ranges. The other major clade, the ’austriacus group,’ includes the European species P. austriacus and at least two other related taxa from North Africa (including P. teneriffae from the Canary Islands), the Balkans and Anatolia (P. kolombatovici). The sister species of this ’austriacus group’ is P. balensis, an Ethiopian endemic. Phylogenetic reconstructions further suggest that P. austriacus reached Madeira during its relatively recent westwards expansion through Europe, while the Canary Islands were colonized by a North African ancestor. Although colonization of the two groups of Atlantic Islands by Plecotus bats followed very distinct routes, neither involved lineages from the ’auritus group.’ Furthermore, the Strait of Gibraltar perfectly segregates the distinct lineages, which confirms its key role as a geographic barrier. This study also stresses the biogeographical importance of the Mediterranean region, and particularly of North Africa, in understanding the evolution of the western Palaearctic biotas.
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Ethiopia; Europe; Libya; Morocco; Plecotus auritus; Plecotus austriacus; Plecotus balensis; Plecotus kolombatovici; Plecotus macrobullaris; Plecotus teneriffae; Vespertilionidae

Molecular architecture of Pipistrellus pipistrellus/Pipistrellus pygmaeus complex (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae): Further cryptic species and Mediterranean origin of the divergence - Hulva, P.; Horáček, I.; Strelkov, P. P.; Benda, P. (Mol. Phylog. Evol., 2004)
Previous genetic analyses have demonstrated that two phonic types of one of the most common European bats, the Common pipistrelle, belong to distinct species, although they are almost identical morphologically (45 kHz Pipistrellus pipistrellus and 55 kHz Pipistrellus pygmaeus). To reconstruct the history of the species complex and explain the codistribution of both forms in Europe and the Mediterranean, we performed phylogenetic analysis based on a 402-bp portion of the cytochrome b gene. Particular attention was paid to the eastern and southern parts of the range where no data were available. We found further distinctive allopatric haplotypes from Libya and Morocco. The difference of about 6-7% described in the Libyan population suggests the occurrence of a new species in the southern Mediterranean. The species status of Moroccan population is also discussed. The phylogeographic patterns obtained and analysis of fossil records support the hypothesis of expansion of both species into Europe from the Mediterranean region during the Holocene. The allopatric speciation model fits our data best. The paleobiographic scenario envisaged is corroborated also by molecular clock estimations and correlations with Late Neogene environmental changes in the Mediterranean region which ended with the Messinian salinity crisis.
Keywords: Chiroptera; Europe; fossils; Libya; Mediterranean; molecular genetics; Morocco; North Africa; palaeontology; phylogeography; Pipistrellus pipistrellus; Pipistrellus pygmaeus; Vespertilionidae

Molecular phylogenetics, karyotypic diversity, and partition of the genus Myotis (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) - Bickham, J. W.; Patton, J. C.; Schlitter, D. A.; Rautenbach, I. L.; Honeycutt, R. L. (Mol. Phylog. Evol., 2004)
Nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene are reported from bats of the genus Myotis including species of the endemic southern African subgenus Cistugo, Myotis (Cistugo) sebrai and Myotis (Cistugo) lesueuri. We also examined Myotis annectans from Southeast Asia, and Myotis macropus from Australia. The two species of Cistugo and Myotis annectans represent the only species of Myotis to differ in chromosome number from the common 2n = 44 found in >40 species. Our results show that the two species of Cistugo are more divergent from the other species of Myotis than several other well-recognized genera and we recommend elevating Cistugo to full generic rank. Myotis annectans groups well within Myotis, clustering with other Southeast Asian and Japanese species, and thus represents the only species of Myotis known to have diverged from the common 2n = 44 karyotype. Myotis macropus clusters within a clade that includes Southeast Asian species.
Keywords: Africa; Australia; Chiroptera; chromosomes; Cistugidae; Cistugo lesueuri; Cistugo seabrae; cytogenetics; molecular genetics; phylogeny; South-East Asia; Vespertilionidae

Molecular systematics and biogeography of the bent-wing bat complex Miniopterus schreibersii (Kuhl, 1817) (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) - Appleton, B. R.; McKenzie, J. A.; Christidis, L. (Mol. Phylog. Evol., 2004)
The complete mitochondrial ND2 gene (1037 bp) was sequenced to examine relationships within the bent-wing bat complex, Miniopterus schreibersii (Family Vespertilionidae). It was found that M. schreibersii is a paraphyletic assemblage comprising several species. Two major lineages were identified, one of which was restricted to the Palearctic-Ethiopian regions and the other to the Oriental-Australasian regions. This pattern of differentiation was mirrored by the genus as a whole. Speciation and differentiation within the genus Miniopterus appears to have a hierarchical geographical pattern. The earliest divergence corresponds to the Ethiopian-Palearctic and the Oriental-Australasian biogeographical zones. This early divergence is then followed by radiations within each of the Ethiopian, Oriental and Australasian regions. The study also revealed that the number of species currently recognized (11 or 13) is a gross underestimate of the number of actual species. The emerging picture is one of a relatively speciose genus with most species having relatively restricted distributions; few, if any, occur in more than one biogeographical region.
Keywords: Africa; Asia; Australia; Chiroptera; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus schreibersii; molecular genetics; Pacific; phylogeny; systematics; taxonomy

Molecular systematics of the fishing bat Myotis (Pizonyx) vivesi - Stadelmann, B.; Herrera M., L. G.; Arroyo-Cabrales, J.; Flores-Mart{\'ınez, J. J.; May, B. P.; Ruedi, M. (J. Mamm., 2004)
Phylogenetic reconstructions based on molecular data have shown recurrent morphological convergence during evolution of the species-rich genus Myotis. Species or groups of species with similar feeding strategies have evolved independently several times to produce remarkable similarities in external morphology. In this context, we investigated the contentious phylogenetic position of 1 of the 2 piscivorous bat species, Myotis vivesi MENEGAUX, 1901, which was not included in previous molecular studies. This bat, endemic to the coasts and islands of the Gulf of California, Mexico, was long classified in its own genus, Pizonyx,because of its distinctive morphology. To reconstruct its phylogenetic origins relative to other Myotis, we sequenced the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene of 2 M. vivesi and related vespertilionids. These outgroups included Pipistrellus subflavus, a member of the subgenus Perimyotis,sometimes classified within the genus Myotis. Unexpectedly, all reconstructions placed M. vivesi within a strongly supported clade including all other typical Neotropical and Nearctic Myotis. This molecular phylogeny supports an endemic radiation of New World Myotis. Other Myotis species with similar adaptations to gaffing prey from the water surface present no close phylogenetic relationships with M. vivesi, indicating that such adaptations are convergences. On the other hand, P.subflavus is genetically as distant from the genus Myotis as from other Pipistrellus species, suggesting that generic rank to Perimyotis is warranted.
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Ghana; Madagascar; Myotis bocagii; Myotis emarginatus; Myotis goudoti; Myotis tricolor; Myotis welwitschii; Vespertilionidae

New biogeographical records of five rare bat species (Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae and Vespertilionidae) from South Africa - Taylor, P. J.; Cotterill, F. P. D.; van der Merwe, M.; White, W.; Jacobs, D. S. (Durban Mus. Novit., 2004)
Extensions of the previously recorded distribution ranges of five rare bat species in South Africa are reported: Rhinolophus swinnyi (family Rhinolophidae), Kerivoula argentata, Myotis bocagei, Glauconycteris variegatus and Scotoecus albofuscus (family Vespertilionidae). In the case of three of the vespertilionid species which are associated with moist savanna and woodland/forest habitats elsewhere in Africa, new collecting records indicate southward extensions (and biogeographic continuity) along the coastal forest-grassland vegetation mosaic of eastern KwaZulu-Natal. IUCN Red List categories are discussed for each of the five species at the national and international levels in the light of the new data.
Keywords: Chiroptera; Glauconycteris variegata; Kerivoula argentata; Myotis bocagii; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus swinnyi; Scotoecus albofuscus; South Africa; Vespertilionidae

New data on the distribution of bats (Chiroptera) in Morocco - Benda, P.; Ruedi, M.; Aulagnier, S. (Vespertilio, 2004)
New records of 24 bat species from Morocco are presented, including Rhinopoma microphyllum, Rhinopoma hardwickii, Nycteris thebaica, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, Rhinolophus mehelyi, Rhinolophus blasii, Hipposideros caffer, Asellia tridens, Myotis punicus, Myotis nattereri, Myotis mystacinus, Eptesicus isabellinus, Hypsugo savii, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Pipistrellus kuhlii, Pipistrellus (kuhlii) deserti, Pipistrellus rueppellii, Nyctalus leisleri, Otonycteris hemprichii, Barbastella barbastellus, Plecotus teneriffae, Miniopterus schreibersii, Tadarida teniotis, and Tadarida aegyptiaca, some of which are only rarely mentioned in the literature. Previously, O. hemprichii and T. aegyptiaca were known from Morocco only from bone remnants. Here, these species are documented from this country for the first time by records of live individuals. P. (k.) deserti is reported from Morocco for the first time.
Keywords: Asellia tridens; Barbastella barbastellus; Chiroptera; Eptesicus isabellinus; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros caffer; Hypsugo savii; Mammalia; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus schreibersii; Molossidae; Morocco; Myotis mystacinus; Myotis nattereri; Myotis punicus; North Africa; Nyctalus leisleri; Nycteridae; Nycteris thebaica; Otonycteris hemprichii; Pipistrellus (kuhlii) deserti; Pipistrellus kuhlii; Pipistrellus pipistrellus; Pipistrellus rueppellii; Plecotus teneriffae [gaisleri]; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus blasii; Rhinolophus ferrumequinum; Rhinolophus mehelyi; Rhinopoma hardwickii; Rhinopoma microphyllum; Rhinopomatidae; Tadarida aegyptiaca; Tadarida teniotis; Vespertilionidae

New records and notes on Laephotis Thomas, 1901 (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) - Stanley, W. T.; Kock, D. (Mammalian Biol., 2004)
A new record of Laephotis wintoni is described from central Tanzania. Other specimens and records of the genus are re-examined and discussed, resulting in new distributional limits for L. botswanae and the determination of the specific hosts of published specimens of bat bugs (Cacodmus).
Keywords: Africa; Angola; Chiroptera; Laephotis botswanae; Laephotis wintoni; Tanzania; Vespertilionidae; Zimbabwe

A new species of Chaerephon (Molossidae) from Madagascar with notes on other members of the family - Goodman, S. M.; Cardiff, S. G. (Acta Chiropterologica, 2004)
We describe a species of Chaerephon (Molossidae) new to science from western Madagascar. This bat differs from the other two Chaerephon occurring on the island and from comparably sized African and Asian Chaerephon based on measurements, pelage and wing coloration, and cranial and dental characters. Chaerephon sp. nov. occurs at three sites in the drier western portion of the island. We also provide some natural history and distributional information on other Malagasy members of this family.
Keywords: Africa; Andrafiabe Cave; Chaerephon jobimena sp. nov.; Chaerephon leucogaster; Chaerephon pumilus; Chiroptera; Madagascar; Mammalia; Molossidae; Mops leucostigma; Mops midas; Mormopterus jugularis; Otomops madagascariensis; Réserve Spéciale d’Ankarana; Tadarida fulminans

Notes on the bats (Chiroptera) collected by the Joint Ethiopian-Russian Biological Expedition, with remarks on their systematics, distribution, and ecology - Lavrenchenko, L. A.; Kruskop, S. V.; Morozov, P.N. (Bonn. zool. Beitr., 2004)
New records are reported for 30 species of Ethiopian bats collected by the Joint Ethiopian-Russian Biological Expedition. Myonycteris torquata and Pipistrellus aero are recorded for the first time from Ethiopia. Principal new localities are reported for ten species, including Stenonycteris lanosus, Lissonycteris angolensis, Hypsignathus monstrosus, Micropteropus pusillus, Nycteris thebaica, Triaenops persicus, Myotis scotti, M. welwitschii, Pipistrellus rusticus and Laephotis wintoni. Selected external and cranial measurements, information on habitat associations and reproduction are given for most species. Generally, the local faunas of Microchiroptera of Ethiopian montane forests are impoverished. Nevertheless, both of the only known endemic species, Myotis scotti and Plecotus balensis, being putative derivatives of Palaearctic lineages, inhabit this environment. A checklist of 77 bat species known to date from the territory of Ethiopia is provided in the Appendix.
Keywords: [Rousettus] Stenonycteris lanosus; Cardioderma cor; Chaerephon pumila [pumilus]; checklist; Chiroptera; distribution; Epomophorus gambianus; Ethiopia; Glauconycteris variegata; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros caffer; Hipposideros ruber; Hypsignathus monstrosus; Hypsugo sp.; Laephotis wintoni; Lavia frons; Lissonycteris angolensis; Megadermatidae; Micropteropus pusillus; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus africanus; Miniopterus natalensis; Molossidae; Mops nanulus; morphometrics; Myonycteris torquata; Myotis scotti; Myotis welwitschii; Neoromicia capensis; Neoromicia cf. guineensis; Northeast Africa; Nycteridae; Nycteris hispida; Nycteris macrotis; Nycteris thebaica; Pipistrellus aero; Pipistrellus hesperidus; Pipistrellus rusticus; Plecotus balensis; Pteropodidae; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus clivosus; Rousettus aegyptiacus; Scotophilus dinganii; Triaenops persicus [afer]; Vespertilionidae

Observations préliminaires sur les chauves-souris du Bénin - Capo-Chichi, B.; Tchibozo, S.; Bergmans, W.; Mensah, G. A. (Actes du Séminaire-Atelier sur la Mammalogie et la Biodiversité Abomey-Calavi, Bénin, 30/10-18-11/2002, 2004)
Les chauves-souris font parti des indicateurs de la qualité de la diversité biologique, plusieurs espèces existent au Bénin. Seules 35 espèces sont connues pour le moment du Bénin. Les différents résultats concernent l’importance des chauves-souris, les menaces, les perspectives de protection et la liste des chauves-souris connues du Bénin.
Keywords: Benin; Chiroptera; West Africa

Phylogeny of African Myotis bats (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) inferred from cytochrome b sequences - Stadelmann, B.; Jacobs, D. S.; Schoeman, M. C.; Ruedi, M. (Acta Chiropterologica, 2004)
The genus Myotis is comprised of about 100 species that are unequally distributed between the Northern (81% of the species) and the Southern hemisphere (19% of the species). Only eight species of Myotis occur in the Ethiopian region, but this is the only biogeographic region with representatives of all four classical subgenera, suggesting a diverse assemblage of morphotypes. We used sequences of a mitochondrial DNA gene (cyt b) to investigate the evolution and the phylogenetic position of seven of the eight Ethiopian species, and compared them to a broad sampling of Myotis from the World and of other vespertilionids. Phylogenetic reconstruction was based on 91 complete sequences representing 79 species of bats. The two endemic southern African species of the subgenus Cistugo were not placed within the genus Myotis, but were basal to the vespertilionid radiation, as suggested by earlier work based on karyology. The remaining Ethiopian species formed a strong monophyletic clade within Myotis, further stressing the importance of biogeography as a good predictor of phylogenetic relationships. This Ethiopian clade includes one Western Palaearctic and one Oriental species, both of which probably secondarily colonized these areas from the Ethiopian region. Molecular dating based on Bayesian inferences suggest that these faunal exchanges occurred at the end of the Miocene, while the split of the Ethiopian clade from the other Old World Myotis dates back to the middle Miocene, quite early in the Myotis radiation. Thus, the relative paucity of species in sub-Saharan Africa cannot be attributed to a late entry into this continent. Instead, these molecular results suggest that other evolutionary processes are responsible for the poor species diversity of Myotis found in Africa today.
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Cistugidae; Cistugo lesueuri; Cistugo seabrae; Eptesicus hottentotus; Guinea; Kerivoula; Laephotis wintoni; Madagascar; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus; molecular phylogeny; Murina; Myotis tricolor; Myotis welwitschii; Neoromicia capensis; Nyctalus noctula; Pipistrellus hesperidus; Vespertilionidae

A possible high-altitude roost of Seychelles sheath-tailed bats Coleura seychellensis - Ball, N. (Phelsuma, 2004)
Keywords: Africa; caves; Chiroptera; Coleura seychellensis; day roosts; Emballonuridae; Indian Ocean; Seychelles

Potential mammalian filovirus reservoirs - Peterson, A. T.; Carroll, D. S.; Mills, J. N.; Johnson, K. M. (Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2004)
Ebola and Marburg viruses are maintained in unknown reservoir species; spillover into human populations results in occasional human cases or epidemics. We attempted to narrow the list of possibilities regarding the identity of those reservoir species. We made a series of explicit assumptions about the reservoir: it is a mammal; it supports persistent, largely asymptomatic filovirus infections; its range subsumes that of its associated filovirus; it has coevolved with the virus; it is of small body size; and it is not a species that is commensal with humans. Under these assumptions, we developed priority lists of mammal clades that coincide distributionally with filovirus outbreak distributions and compared these lists with those mammal taxa that have been tested for filovirus infection in previous epidemiologic studies. Studying the remainder of these taxa may be a fruitful avenue for pursuing the identity of natural reservoirs of filoviruses.
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Ebola; Filoviridae; infectious diseases; Mammalia

A preliminary investigation into the general ecology, status and habitat of the Seychelles sheath-tailed bat Coleura seychellensis (Emballonuridae) - Joubert, F. (Phelsuma, 2004)
An evaluation of the occurrence of the Seychelles sheath-tailed bat (Coleura seychellensis) on the islands of Mahé and Silhouette (Seychelles) was attempted. Abandoned caves were documented. The presence of C. seychellensis was confirmed for Mahé and a previously unknown population was located and studied on Silhouette. Techniques for field study, habitat and diet analysis were successfully applied to C. seychellensis. Most of the results were limited but foraging, habitat and population are discussed and some conclusions are drawn.
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Coleura seychellensis; Emballonuridae; Indian Ocean; Seychelles

Preliminary report on the small mammals collected during the mission RéRE-VZZ 2002 in Benin (Mammalia: Insectivora, Chiroptera, Rodentia) - Bekker, J. P.; Ekué, M. R. M. (Actes du Séminaire-Atelier sur la Mammalogie et la Biodiversité Abomey-Calavi, Bénin, 30/10-18-11/2002, 2004)
Keywords: Benin; Chaerephon pumilus; Chiroptera; Epomophorus gambianus; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros caffer; Molossidae; Mops condylurus; Nanonycteris veldkampii; Neoromicia nanus; Nycteridae; Nycteris hispida; Pteropodidae; Vespertilionidae; West Africa

Presence of rhodanese in the cytosolic fraction of the fruit bat (Eidolon helvum) liver - Agboola, F. K.; Okonji, R. E. (Journal of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, 2004)
Rhodanese was isolated and purified from the cytosolic fraction of liver tissue homogenate of the fruit bat, Eidolon helvum, by using ammonium sulphate precipitation and CM-Sephadex C-50 ion exchange chromatography. The specific activity was increased 130-fold with a 53% recovery. The Km values for KCN and Na2S2O3 as substrates were 135 ± 2.2 mM and 195 ± 0.7 mM, respectively. The apparent molecular weight was estimated by gel filtration on a Sephadex G-100 column to be 36,000 Da. The optimal activity was found at a high pH (pH 9.0) and the temperature optimum was 35°C. An Arrhenius plot of the heat stability data consisted of two linear segments with a break occurring at 35°C. The apparent activation energy values from these slopes were 11.5 kcal/mol and 76.6 kcal/ mol. Inhibition studies on the enzyme with a number of cations showed that Mg2+, Mn2+, Ca2+, and Co2+ did not affect the activity of the enzyme, but Hg2+ and Ba2+ inhibited the enzyme.
Keywords: biochemistry; Chiroptera; Eidolon helvum; Nigeria; Pteropodidae; West Africa

Prey composition of the little owl Athene noctua in an arid zone (Egypt, Syria, Iran) - Obuch, J.; Krišt{\'ın, A. (Folia Zool., 2004)
The little owl is the only owl whose pellets were found in extreme desert conditions. Pellets were collected at 34 roosting sites in Egypt, Syria and Iran in 1996-2002. Altogether 5 939 prey items identified in the food in these countries belonged to 4 classes, 14 orders, 42 families, 92 genera and about 180 species of invertebrates. Mammals included 36 species (9.7 %), birds 33 taxa (3.0 %), amphibians only 3 ind., but reptiles (4.3 %, Lacertidae, Agamidae and Gekkonidae) were more abundant than in European studies. Pellets from all countries contained abundant deserticolous species of mammals (genera Gerbillus, Meriones, Cricetulus, Allactaga), eudominant deserticolous tenebrionid beetles (i.e. Pimelia spp., Blaps) (16.4-26.8%, in total 19%), dominant coprophagous and deserticolous species of Scarabeidae (5.9-8.6%, in total 6.8%), grasshoppers and crickets (Orthoptera, 5.7-16.4%, in total 9.7%). Significant and characteristic components of food in these arid countries were poisonous sunspiders (Solifugae 4-11.4%), but also scorpions (Scorpionidea, 0.23.3%), neither being found in pellets from Europe, and earwigs (Dermaptera, 1.7-13.4%).
Keywords: Amphibia; Arabia; Arachnida; Athene noctua; Aves; Chiroptera; diet; Egypt; Eptesicus serotinus; food; Insecta; Iran; Mammalia; North Africa; Pipistrellus kuhlii; Pipistrellus pipistrellus; predation; Reptilia; Strigidae; Syria; Vespertilionidae

Rapid survey of bats (Chiroptera) in the Forêt Classée du Pic de Fon, Guinea - Fahr, J.; Ebigbo, N. M. (A Rapid Biological Assessment of the Forêt Classée du Pic de Fon, Simandou Range, South-eastern Republic of Guinea, 2004)
We report on the results of a bat survey of the Pic de Fon, Simandou Range, southeastern Guinea. We document a speciose bat assemblage characterised by forest species, including bats such as Epomops buettikoferi, Rhinolophus guineensis and Hipposideros jonesi that are endemic to Upper Guinea or West Africa. The sympatric occurrence of three species of Kerivoula is noteworthy, with both K. cuprosa and K. phalaena representing first records for Guinea. Moreover, three individuals of Welwitsch’s Mouse-eared bat, Myotis welwitschii, were captured during the survey. This is the first record for West Africa and represents a range extension of 4,400 km to the northwest from the nearest known localities. We review the distribution of this species in Africa and conclude that the species shows a paramontane distribution pattern. Seven species or 33.3 % out of the total of 21 species are registered in the latest IUCN Red List: one species as "Vulnerable" (Epomops buettikoferi) and six species as "Near Threatened" (Rhinolophus alcyone, R. guineensis, Hipposideros jonesi, H. fuliginosus, Kerivoula cuprosa, Miniopterus schreibersii). Our results of the RAP survey as well as the occurrence of bat species that are endemic to the Upper Guinea Highlands highlight the outstanding regional importance of the montane habitats of West Africa in general, and of the Simandou Range in particular, for the conservation of bats in Africa.
Keywords: Chiroptera; Guinea; Pic de Fon; Simandou Range; West Africa

Relations between fruits and disperser assemblages in a Malagasy littoral forest: A community-level approach - Bollen, A.; Van Elsacker, L.; Ganzhorn, J. U. (J. Trop. Ecol., 2004)
Interactions among fleshy fruits and frugivore assemblages are presented from a 1-y study in the littoral forest of Sainte Luce, south-eastern Madagascar. This community-level approach allowed us to determine food selection by all consumer species and to evaluate the role different frugivores play in seed dispersal and predation. For this, interactions between 136 consumed fruit species and 13 frugivorous species were studied. Fruit and seed size were the most important physical factors determining food selection of all consumer species. Nutritionally birds favoured and mammals avoided lipid-rich fruits. For Cheirogaleus spp., that go into torpor, there was a trend to select sugar-rich fruit pulp. However, for numerous fruit traits the consumer species had no clear feeding preferences and they seemed to be quite flexible, eating whatever was available. This might be related to unpredictable fruit availability and low fruit productivity in the littoral forest, which may also partially explain the low number of frugivores present. Nevertheless frugivores have different impacts on seed dispersal. Eulemur fulvus collaris is particularly important for the dispersal of large-seeded species, while frugivorous birds and flying foxes ensure plant regeneration between and outside forest fragments. In terms of conservation, heterogeneous seed transport is particularly important for this severely degraded littoral forest.
Keywords: Africa; Alectroenas madagascariensis; Aves; Chiroptera; Coracopsis nigra; frugivory; fruit compounds; fruit selection; fruit size; Hypsipetes madagascariensis; Madagascar; Mammalia; Microcebus rufus; Primates; Pteropodidae; Pteropus rufus; Rodentia; seed dispersal; seed size

Reproductive energetics of captive and free-ranging Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) - Korine, C.; Speakman, J. R.; Arad, Z. (Ecology, 2004)
This study explored how a flying frugivorous mammal, the Egyptian fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus), meets the increased energy requirements of reproduction. This bat feeds on low-protein fruit, and females have bimodal polyestrous cycles that are relatively long for a small mammal. We measured the energy and water balance of captive nonreproductive, pregnant, and lactating females, and of free-ranging lactating females. Our results indicate that females use more than one strategy to cope with the high energy demands of reproduction. These strategies may change according to the availability of food and reproductive status. The primary strategy near the end of pregnancy and at peak lactation was increased food consumption. In the laboratory, mean metabolizable energy intake (MEI) of pregnant and lactating females (271 and 360 kJ/d, respectively) increased by 35% and 80%, respectively, compared to that of nonreproductive females (200 kJ/d). At peak lactation, energy intake measured by doubly labeled water averaged 350 kJ/d. During late pregnancy, water turnover rate (WTO) increased by 15-23% compared to that of nonreproductive females. In the field, WTO at peak lactation was 44% higher than in captive lactating females, and milk production was estimated to be 22 mL/d. Absolute resting metabolic rate (RMR) in late pregnancy was significantly lower than the RMR of nonreproductive females, suggesting that a metabolic depression was used as a compensatory mechanism. Fat deposition was evident during the second pregnancy, when food availability was high, presumably in preparation for a second lactation period. Fetal tissue represented  1.3% of the total energy assimilated during pregnancy, and the gross efficiency of lactation averaged 24%. Both values are lower than the values reported for other eutherian mammals, but similar to estimates for other bat species, and probably reflect the high energy costs associated with flight. A long lactation period may be constrained by flight and the low-protein diet of fruits. We conclude that the energy costs of Egyptian fruit bats during reproduction are distributed over a relatively long time, similar to those observed in large mammals.
Keywords: Chiroptera; energetics; Israel; Near East; physiology; Pteropodidae; reproduction; Rousettus aegyptiacus

The Role of Flying Foxes as Seed Dispersers on the Vegetation Dynamics in a West African Forest-Savannah Mosaic in Côte d’Ivoire - Ebigbo, N. M. (Ph.D. Thesis, 2004)
The all-embracing aim of this study was to investigate the influence of flying foxes on the vegetation dynamics of plants within the highly dynamic forest-savannah mosaic of the Guinea zone in West Africa. Assuming a positive influence of flying foxes as high quality seed dispersers, I asked the following questions, summarised in three main chapters:(1) How indicative are plant traits of fruit use by flying foxes and what adaptations between plants and frugivores have evolved?(2) Are plant distribution patterns associated with seed dispersal patterns and how well does this reflect current models of disperser-plant interaction, in particular regarding advantages animal-dispersed plants may have in terms of escaping density-dependent effects near parent plants and/or colonising new habitats?(3) What seed rain patterns, in particular spatial contagion, result from the shuttling foraging behaviour of flying foxes?In the first chapter, I showed that plant traits were not necessarily predictive of fruit use by flying foxes. It appears that flying foxes do not specialise on a specific set of plant species as their diet is highly flexible and broad when compared to different groups of vertebrate dispersers where broad overlap in fruit use prevail. In general, morphological and biochemical characterisations of fruits of woody plant species showed flying foxes to disperse fruits that were mostly large with high sugar and low nitrogen contents. Further, fruit and seed size did not limit flying foxes to particular diets.In the second and third chapters, I considered the consequences of frugivory by flying foxes in a common tree species, Cola cordifolia (Cav.) R. Br. (Sterculiaceae) that is restricted to forest islands. Here, short range seed dispersal probably plays an important role in population maintenance within forest islands. In chapter 2, spatial point pattern analysis of distribution patterns of adult and juvenile Cola plants and its pattern of seed rain generated by flying foxes indicated strong spatial association between patterns. This implies that colonisation advantages and advantages of seeds and seedlings escaping density-dependent effects were apparent. Furthermore, it represents strong evidence that flying foxes significantly impact distribution patterns of plants.In the third and last chapter, inverse modelling based on maximum likelihood estimates of seed rain data supported the results of spatial pattern associations shown in the second chapter. Seed dispersal kernels showed modal seed dispersal at intermediate distances but very little dispersal near and far from parent tree crowns. Further, handling of large seeds by flying foxes enhanced germination success even though seeds do not pass the alimentary canal. Finally, seed predation and seedling survival appeared to adversely impact recruitment of Cola within forest islands. In conclusion, flying foxes affect vegetation dynamics by delivering efficient seed dispersal within forest islands, ensuring population maintenance of Cola in a highly dynamic setting governed by seasonality, high species invasion and probable high local species extinction.
Keywords: animal-plant interactions; Chiroptera; Cola cordifolia; Comoé National Park; forest islands; gallery forests; germination; Ivory Coast; Pteropodidae; savannas; seed dispersal; Sterculiaceae; West Africa

The Seychelles sheath-tailed bat Coleura seychellensis: Monitoring methodologies and recommended priority actions - Rocamora, G.; Joubert, F. (Phelsuma, 2004)
The Seychelles sheath-tailed bat Coleura seychellensis is Critically Endangered with fewer than 30 individuals censused in 1996/1997. The surviving population is estimated to be as low as 50 to 100 individuals. Records from the last century and popular reports indicate that a strong decline in numbers and probably range has occurred. The species is present on Silhouette, Mahé, Praslin, and possibly already extinct on La Digue. Recommended monitoring comprises annual census of individuals along established transects using bat detectors, regular visits to all known caves and census of individuals, searches for roosting caves nearby repeated contacts with the species and assessment of the evolution of its distribution every 3 or 4 years. The main conservation actions required are legal protection for all known roosting caves and their immediate surroundings, control of introduced predators (barn owls and cats) in these areas, habitat protection within known feeding area and public sensitisation to help protecting the species and obtain information on feeding areas or roosting caves. Research into the biology and autecology of the Seychelles sheath-tailed bat is required, including basic information on feeding ecology and diet, habitat preference, movements, roosting habits and breeding ecology.
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Coleura seychellensis; Emballonuridae; Indian Ocean; Seychelles

Species composition, abundance and vertical stratification of a bat community (Megachiroptera: Pteropodidae) in a West African rain forest - Henry, M.; Barrière, P.; Gautier-Hion, A.; Colyn, M. (J. Trop. Ecol., 2004)
A pteropodid bat community was surveyed in a West African rain forest using mist-nets set for 3 mo in 2 consecutive years (1996-97). The captures were carried out in the understorey and in the canopy for a total of 5054 mist-net hours and were analysed to answer three main questions: (1) to what extent does the bat assemblage vary along the vertical axis, (2) does the observed vertical stratification depend on wingspan (with largest bats preferring canopy openings to the cluttered understorey) and (3) was the vertical stratification repeatable from one year to the next? Nine bat species were reported, among which two were captured exclusively in the canopy where the total capture rate tended to be higher. The community structure did not differ between the four canopy stations. Four species significantly favoured canopy, two significantly favoured understorey and two were opportunistic regarding vertical stratification. Wing size and canopy-preference index were not significantly correlated and except for Eidolon helvum, index values for the 2 sampling years were correlated. Important inter-annual and seasonal variations of species richness and capture rate were observed and these are discussed in relation to rainfall patterns and migratory behaviour of the species concerned.
Keywords: Chiroptera; Côte d’Ivoire; Eidolon helvum; Epomops buettikoferi; Hypsignathus monstrosus; Ivory Coast; Megaloglossus woermanni; Micropteropus pusillus; Myonycteris torquata; Nanonycteris veldkampii; Pteropodidae; Scotonycteris ophiodon; Scotonycteris zenkeri; Ta{\"ı National Park; West Africa

A study of the bat-fruit syndrome on Mauritius, Indian Ocean - Nyhagen, D. F. (Phelsuma, 2004)
This study was conducted over a seven month period on Mauritius, Indian Ocean, and concerns the relationship between the endemic fruit bat Pteropus niger and 19 food plants upon which it feeds in regard to the bat-fruit syndrome. This is a set of fruit characteristics which suggest an adaptation to fruit bat dispersal noted throughout the world where fruit bats occur. This study has found some evidence of an adherence to the bat-fruit syndrome. Twenty-one percent of the food plants had five of seven characteristics in accordance with the syndrome, 32% had four, 21% had three, 21% had two and 5% of the species had one of the seven bat fruit characteristics. Although the concept of the bat-fruit syndrome is difficult to prove, some of these species may be classified as bat-fruit trees; a species of particular interest was Labourdonniasia glauca. Other food plants had only few traits in accordance with the bat-fruit syndrome, some of which appeared to be adapted to bird dispersal, suggesting a more diffuse relationship between these plants and their seed dispersers and a generalist or opportunistic feeding strategy of P. niger.
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Indian Ocean; Mauritius; plants; Pteropodidae; Pteropus niger; seed dispersal

A summary of recent bat records from Aldabra atoll - Von Brandis, R. (Phelsuma, 2004)
Keywords: Africa; Chaerephon pusilla [pusillus]; Chiroptera; Emballonuridae; Hipposideridae; Indian Ocean; Molossidae; Pteropodidae; Pteropus (seychellensis) aldabrensis; Seychelles; Taphozous mauritianus; Triaenops furculus

Systematic notes on a collection of bats from Malawi. I. Megachiroptera: Epomophorinae and Rousettinae (Mammalia, Chiroptera) - Bergmans, W.; Van Strien, N. (Acta Chiropterologica, 2004)
From July 1986 to August 1991 the junior author collected bats in various localities in Malawi. About 450 of these animals were preserved. In the present study the Megachiroptera are reported. Epomophorinae (Megachiroptera) collected in Malawi by H. Jachmann in 1982 are also reviewed. In addition, a number of specimens in collections in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe have been examined by the junior author, while data on some other samples from Malawi in various other collections, examined earlier by the senior author, have been reconsidered as well. The combined collections contain eight species of Megachiroptera, including Epomophorus cf. labiatus, E. gambianus crypturus, a new species of Epomophorus (described herein), E. wahlbergi, Epomops dobsonii, Rousettus aegyptiacus leachii, R. lanosus, and Eidolon helvum. For the new species, an IUCN Red List category is proposed.
Keywords: Chiroptera; Eidolon helvum; Epomophorus anselli sp. nov.; Epomophorus cf. labiatus; Epomophorus gambianus crypturus; Epomophorus wahlbergi; Epomops dobsonii; Kasungu National Park; Malawi; Pteropodidae; Rousettus aegyptiacus leachii; Rousettus lanosus; Southern Africa

Systematic status of African populations of Pipistrellus pipistrellus complex (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae), with a description of a new species from Cyrenaica, Libya - Benda, P.; Hulva, P.; Gaisler, J. (Acta Chiropterologica, 2004)
The distribution of pipistrelles of the Pipistrellus pipistrellus complex (= P. pipistrellus s.l.) reaches only marginally the African continent. These bats are known only from a narrow belt of the Mediterranean zone in Maghreb and from NE Libya. We analysed museum specimens of African populations of P. pipistrellus s.l. using both morphologic and genetic techniques and compared them with Eurasian specimens of the complex. The African representatives of P. pipistrellus complex include two morphologically, genetically and geographically distinct populations. One of them inhabits the Mediterranean part of Cyrenaica, Libya. Belonging to the P. pygmaeus genetic lineage, these bats are represented by larger and more rusty coloured individuals with large massive rostrum and canines. In morphologic traits, this population differs significantly from all Western Palaearctic populations of the P. pipistrellus complex. These bats differ by about 67% in genetic distance from P. pygmaeus s. str. Within the P. pygmaeus lineage Libyan bats seem to be unique in their echolocation calls: the maximum energy of terminal frequencies was recorded at about 45 kHz. We consider the Libyan pipistrelles to represent a separate species, Pipistrellus hanaki sp. nov. Another distinct African pipistrelle population inhabits the Mediterranean parts of NW African countries, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. Individuals from the latter population are small and somewhat darker members of the P. pipistrellus genetic lineage, with relatively short and narrow mesial part of rostrum. Although both morphological and genetic differences between this population and Eurasian P. pipistrellus s. str. were found (genetic distance about 35%), they are probably not sufficient for the separation of this form at the specific level. However, the differences from European samples show rather not a cline character and therefore potential subspecific level of NW African P. pipistrellus has to be taken into consideration.
Keywords: Algeria; Chiroptera; Europe; Libya; Mammalia; Mediterranean; Morocco; North Africa; Pipistrellus hanaki sp. nov.; Pipistrellus pipistrellus; Pipistrellus pygmaeus; Tunisia; Vespertilionidae

Systematic status of African populations of long-eared bats, genus Plecotus (Mammalia: Chiroptera) - Benda, P.; Kiefer, A.; Hanák, V.; Veith, M. (Folia Zool., 2004)
Long-eared bats of the genus Plecotus are widespread over most of temperate Eurasia, marginally reaching the African continent and Macaronesia. Previously, all African populations were assigned to one species, P. auritus, and later to P. austriacus. We analysed museum specimens of African long-eared bat populations using both morphologic and genetic techniques. Based on morphological evidence we recognise four well-defined allopatric populations in northern Africa. They differ in fur coloration, skull morphology and bacular traits. The molecular data support a division of the African populations into at least three well-separated evolutionary lineages. With a combination of these data we define three species of Plecotus occurring in Africa (incl. the Canary Islands) and describe a new subspecies. Small, very pale greyish-brown Egyptian long-eared bats (P. christii Gray, 1838) inhabit desert and semi-deserts habitats of eastern Sahara (Libyan Desert, Nile Valley of Egypt and northern Sudan). Smaller to medium-sized, dark brown Ethiopian long-eared bats (P. balensis Kruskop et Lavrenchenko, 2000) inhabit the Ethiopian Highlands above 2000 metres a. s. l. This form represents the only Afro-tropical species of Plecotus. Large, dark greyish Canarian long-eared bats (P. teneriffae teneriffae Barret-Hamilton, 1907) occur on the three western islands of the Canarian Archipelago. A medium-sized greyish-brown Gaisler’s long-eared bat, P. teneriffae gaisleri subsp. n., is described from the Mediterranean region of Cyrenaica, north-eastern Libya. Due to the lack of substantial morphological differences we preliminarily consider the Maghrebian population of long-eared bats to be consubspecific with P. teneriffae gaisleri subsp. n. The systematic position of the population of Cape Verde Islands remains uncertain.
Keywords: Algeria; Chiroptera; Egypt; Ethiopia; Libya; Mediterranean; Morocco; North Africa; Plecotus teneriffae gaisleri ssp. nov.; Sudan; Tunisia; Vespertilionidae

The taxonomic status of Neoromicia somalicus malagasyensis - Goodman, S. M.; Ranivo, J. (Mammalian Biol., 2004)
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Kenya; Madagascar; Neoromicia malagasyensis nov. stat.; systematics; Tanzania; taxonomy; Uganda; Vespertilionidae

Tree dispersal strategies in the littoral forest of Sainte Luce (SE-Madagascar) - Bollen, A.; Van Elsacker, L.; Ganzhorn, J. U. (Oecologia, 2004)
Zoochory is the most common mode of seed dispersal for the majority of plant species in the tropics. Based on the assumption of tight plant-animal interactions several hypotheses have been developed to investigate the origin of life history traits of plant diaspores and their dispersers, such as species-specific co-evolution, the low/high investment model (low investment in single fruits but massive fruiting to attract many different frugivores versus high investment in single fruits and fruit production for extended periods to provide food for few frugivores), and the evolution of syndromes which represent plant adaptations to disperser groups (e.g. birds, mammals, mixed). To test these hypotheses the dispersal strategies of 34 tree species were determined in the littoral forest of Sainte Luce (SE-Madagascar) with the help of fruit traps and tree watches. The impact of fruit consumers on the seeds was determined based on detailed behavioral observations. Phenological, morphological and biochemical fruit traits from tree species were measured to look for co-variation with different types of dispersal. No indication for species-specific co-evolution could be found nor any support for the low/high investment model. However dispersal syndromes could be distinguished as diaspores dispersed by birds, mammals or both groups (mixed) differ in the size of their fruits and seeds, fruit shape, and seed number, but not in biochemical traits. Five large-seeded tree species seem to depend critically on the largest lemur, Eulemur fulvus collaris, for seed dispersal. However, this does not represent a case of tight species-specific co-evolution. Rather it seems to be the consequence of the extinction of the larger frugivorous birds and lemurs which might also have fed on these large fruits. Nevertheless these interactions are of crucial importance to conserve the integrity of the forest.
Keywords: Africa; Aves; Chiroptera; frugivory; fruit selection; fruit traits; lemurs; Madagascar; Mammalia; Primates; Pteropodidae; Pteropus rufus; seed dispersal

Two new species of bats (Chiroptera) for the fauna of Libya: Rhinopoma hardwickii and Pipistrellus rueppellii - Benda, P.; Hanák, V.; Andreas, M.; Reiter, A.; Uhrin, M. (Myotis, 2004)
Rhinopoma hardwickii and Pipistrellus rueppellii were both collected at Al Jaghbub (Giarabub), 29°45’N - 24°31’E, Tubruq Distr., Cyrenaica, close to the western border of Egypt. – Rh. hardwickii possesses taxonomic characters (colouration, size, skull proportions) divergent from neighbouring and Saharan conspecifics. Besides species (Rh. muscatellum) and specimens from Asia, the comparisons concern African specimens of Rh. hardwickii (from Egypt, Morocco, and Mauritania) and Rh. microphyllum (from Egypt, Mauritania and Senegal). A single P. rueppellii is of extremely small size, actually the smallest specimen of all compared (from Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Senegal, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Sudan, and Iraq).
Keywords: Chiroptera; Libya; Mammalia; North Africa; Pipistrellus rueppellii; Rhinopoma hardwickii; Rhinopomatidae; Vespertilionidae

Untersuchungen zum Jagdverhalten der Zyklopen-Rundblattnasen Fledermaus Hipposideros cyclops (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae) im Comoé Nationalpark, Côte d’Ivoire - Soer, K. S. (Diploma Thesis, 2004)
Im Rahmen meiner Diplomarbeit untersuchte ich mit Hilfe der Telemetrie die Jagdstrategie, die Raum- und Wartennutzung sowie die Aktivitätsrhythmik der afrikanischen Zyklopen-Rundblattnasen Fledermaus Hipposideros cyclops (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae) im Comoé-Nationalpark, Côte d’Ivoire. Ein weiterer Fokus meiner Arbeit war der Einfluss der potentiellen Beuteinsektenaktivität auf die Aktivität und das Jagdverhalten der Fledermäuse. Um diese Fragen zu untersuchen, telemetrierte ich im Zeitraum zwischen Anfang April und Ende Juni 2002 fünf Männchen und drei Weibchen aus vier verschiedenen Tagesquartieren für jeweils drei halbe aufeinander folgende Nächte (18:30 bis 24:00 h). Gleichzeitig bestimmte ich durch Lichtfänge in Wald- und Savannenhabitat des jeweiligen Jagdgebiets die Insektenaktivität und den Energiegehalt der potentiellen Beuteinsekten. Das regelmäßige Absammeln von Kotproben und Fraßresten aus Tagesquartieren lieferte zudem Informationen über die Nahrungspräferenzen der Fledermäuse.Meine Untersuchungen zum Jagdverhalten von H. cyclops bestätigten die Annahme, dass diese Fledermäuse nur sehr kleine Aktionsräume nutzen, sehr standorttreu sind und vorwiegend als Wartenjäger mit geringer Flugaktivität fouragieren. Die Nutzung sehr kleiner Jagdgebiete ist größtenteils auf den Fouragiermodus der Wartenjagd zurückzuführen. Die Größe der Jagdgebiete von H. cyclops liegt im Bereich anderer wartenjagenden Fledermausarten. Als wesentliche Gründe für die Bevorzugung der Wartenjagd gegenüber dem Fouragieren im kontinuierlichen Flug wird die Präferenz von H. cyclops für seltenere, große Beuteinsekten angenommen. Mit der Wartenjagd erhöhen sich die Möglichkeiten, große Insekten ohne den hohen Energieverbrauch, wie er mit dem freien Flug verbunden ist, über die kostengünstige Wartenjagd zu erbeuten.Die Individuen von H. cyclops nutzten ihre Jagdgebiete kontinuierlich und waren über den gesamten Untersuchungszeitraum sehr ortstreu. Die Jagdgebiete (95 % Aufenthaltswahrscheinlichkeit) der Weibchen waren mit im Mittel 1.7 ha deutlich kleiner als die der Männchen mit im Mittel 6.9 ha, wohingegen sich bei den Kerngebieten (50 % Aufenthaltswahrscheinlichkeit) keine geschlechtsspezifischen Unterschiede herausstellten. Ich fand bei jedem Tier zwischen 20 und 39 verschiedenen Warten über den Telemetriezeitraum hinweg, wovon einzelne wiederholt genutzt wurden. Hipposideros cyclops fouragierte in geringer Distanz zu den jeweiligen Tagesquartieren. Die maximale Entfernung der Warten betrug bei den Weibchen mit 244 Metern weniger als bei den Männchen (518 m). Die Fledermäuse hielten sich vor allem in den Waldhabitaten auf. Obwohl H. cyclops sowohl im Wald als auch im Savannenhabitat aktiv war, hielten sich nur Männchen M1 und M4 häufiger im Savannenhabitat auf. Während die Insektenaktivität in den verschiedenen Inselwäldern und Savannen sehr unterschiedlich war, erwies sich der Anteil der Insekten in der Savanne durchgehend als deutlich höher, sowohl in der Anzahl der Insekten als auch deren Energiegehalt. Trotzdem hielt sich H. cyclops bevorzugt in den Inselwäldern auf. Die meisten der genutzten Warten dieser Fledermausart befanden sich an ästen in 4 m Höhe mit kaum bis wenig umgebender Vegetation. Die Präferenz von H. cyclops für hallenartige, offene Waldvegetation ist sowohl im Zusammenhang mit ihrem geradlinigen, schnellen Jagd- und Flugstil als auch hinsichtlich eines möglichen Prädationsdrucks zu sehen. Dies wird darin unterstützt, dass sich die Fledermäuse bei starker Bewölkung mehr in der Savanne aufhielten als bei hellem Mondlicht. Insgesamt ließ sich die Variabilität der kurzen Jagdflüge von H. cyclops zum größten Teil (34 %) durch die Variabilität der Anzahl der Insekten in den Inselwäldern, der relativen Luftfeuchte und der Mondsichtbarkeit erklären.Die Hauptjagdaktivität von H. cyclops war an den lokalen Sonnenuntergang gebunden und begann mit dem Ausflug aus dem Tagesquartier 20±4 min nach Sonnenuntergang. Die Hauptjagdaktivitätsphase H. cyclops war von sehr kurzen Jagdflügen geprägt. Die kurzen Jagdflüge bis Mitte der ersten Nachthälfte und die daraus resultierende kumulative Flugzeit von nur 2-8 Minuten, weist auf die Jagdstrategie eines ausgesprochenen Wartenjägers hin und fiel mit der maximalen Verfügbarkeit der Insekten (Anzahl/ Energiegehalt) zusammen. Die kumulative Flugaktivität der Fledermäuse wies eine negative Korrelation zur Mondscheindauer auf. Dies könnte auf ein erhöhtes Prädationsrisiko in helleren Nächten hinweisen. Hipposideros cyclops fouragierte überwiegend von Warten aus, wobei die kurzen Jagdflüge von 2-5 Sekunden, die den Hauptanteil der Einzelflüge ausmachten, durch Hangphasen bis zu 68 Minuten unterbrochen waren. Während der Hangphasen an den Warten orteten die Fledermäuse fast kontinuierlich. Vereinzelt wurde die Echoortung für 6 bis 32 Minuten eingestellt. Dies könnte damit zusammenhängen, dass die Fledermaus bei geringerem Beuteangebot durch Einstellen der Echoortung energetisch besser fährt. Die gesamte Jagdstrategie und Raumnutzung von H. cyclops deutet darauf hin, dass die Tiere Anpassungen an eine möglichst energiesparende Fouragier- und Lebensweise entwickelt haben.Die Bindung von H. cyclops an geeignete Tagesquartiere, ihre damit verbundene sedentäre Lebensweise, ihre Präferenz für offene Waldhabitate und vor allem die Nutzung nur sehr kleiner Fouragierareale lässt vermuten, dass diese Fledermausart sehr stark von der Fragmentierung der Lebensräume betroffen ist.
Keywords: behaviour; Chiroptera; Comoé National Park; Côte d’Ivoire; day roosts; diet; ecology; feeding; Fledermäuse; foraging; habitat preferences; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros cyclops; home range; Insecta; Ivory Coast; Mammalia; morphology; perch hunting; radio-tracking; roosting behaviour; telemetry; Vegetation; West Africa

Vertebrate and insect pests and hemi-parasitic plants of Parkia biglobosa and Vitellaria paradoxa in Nigeria - Odebiyi, J. A.; Bada, S. O.; Omoloye, A. A.; Awodoyin, R. O.; Oni, P. I. (Agroforestry Systems, 2004)
This study investigated the occurrence and diversity of hemi-parasitic plants, vertebrate and insect pest species of Parkia biglobosa (Keay), and Vitellaria paradoxa (Gaertn.) as well as the strategies for their control in the parklands of the Nigerian humid savanna. Results indicated that of the two major hemi-parasitic plants encountered, Tapinanthus globiferus was the more widespread with wider host range than T. dodonifolius. Mechanical control by cutback of infested branches was ineffective for both species. The major vertebrate pests consist of 6 avian species from 3 families: Nectaridae, Plocidae and Cuculidae; a fruit bat, Epomops frangueti and an unidentified squirrel. The species fed on both the fruits of the trees and the seeds of the hemi-parasitic plants. Twenty insect species from 14 families were encountered on P. biglobosa compared to 33 species from 17 families on V. paradoxa in all the ecological zones covered in the study. Species diversity was comparatively higher in the fallow than in the cultivated land. The majority of the insects encountered was of little significance and may not warrant application of control. Cirina forda (Saturnidae: Lepidoptera) was a major pest causing 60%-90% defoliation of mature trees of V. paradoxa. All larval stages were destructive but control at this stage is not advised because it provides incidental source of food to locals. Control after pupation using a slow-release insecticide with a soil penetration depth of 15-20 cm is suggested.
Keywords: Chiroptera; Epomops franqueti; Pteropodidae; West Africa

6. Rapid assessment of bats (Chiroptera) in the Forêt Classée du Pic de Fon, Simandou Range, south-eastern Republic of Guinea - Fahr, J.; Ebigbo, N. M. (Terrestrial Biological Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) Survey, Socio-economic Threats and Opportunities Assessment, and Initial Biodiversity Action Plan for the Pic de Fon Classified Forest, Simandou Range, Guinea, 2003)
We report on the results of a bat survey of the Pic de Fon, Simandou Range, southeastern Guinea. We document a speciose bat assemblage characterised by forest species, including bats such as Epomops buettikoferi, Rhinolophus guineensis, and Hipposideros jonesi that are endemic to Upper Guinea or West Africa. The sympatric occurrence of three species of Kerivoula is noteworthy, with both K. cuprosa and K. phalaena representing first records for Guinea. Moreover, three individuals of Welwitsch’s Mouse-eared bat, Myotis welwitschii, were captured during the survey. This is the first record for West Africa and represents a range extension of 4,400 km to the northwest from the nearest known localities. We review the distribution of this species in Africa and conclude that the species shows a paramontane distribution pattern. Seven species or 33.3 % out of the total of 21 species are registered in the latest IUCN Red List: one species as "Vulnerable" (Epomops buettikoferi) and six species as "Near Threatened" (Rhinolophus alcyone, R. guineensis, Hipposideros jonesi, H. fuliginosus, Kerivoula cuprosa, Miniopterus schreibersii). Our results of the RAP survey as well as the occurrence of bat species that are endemic to the Upper Guinea Highlands highlight the outstanding regional importance of the montane habitats of West Africa in general, and of the Simandou Range in particular for the conservation of bats in Africa.
Keywords: Chiroptera; Guinea; Pic de Fon; Simandou Range; West Africa

The bats that fly over Ngala - Hood, D.; Morgan, J. (CCA Ecological Journal, 2003)
Keywords: Chaerephon pumilus; Chiroptera; Emballonuridae; Epomophorus wahlbergi; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus schreibersi; Molossidae; Neoromicia capensis; Nycticeinops schlieffenii; Pipistrellus rusticus; Pteropodidae; Scotophilus dinganii; Scotophilus viridis; South Africa; survey; Taphozous mauritianus; Vespertilionidae

Boubous harass bats - Dunning, P. (CCA Ecological Journal, 2003)
Keywords: Africa; Aves; Chiroptera; harassment; Insecta; interspecific competition; Isoptera; Laniarius; Lavia frons; Megadermatidae

Case 3240. Vespertilio nanus Peters, 1852 (currently Pipistrellus nanus; Mammalia, Chiroptera): Proposed conservation of the specific name - Happold, M. (Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature, 2003)
The purpose of this application, under Article 23.9.3 of the Code, is to conserve the widely used name Vespertilio nanus Peters, 1852 (currently Pipistrellus nanus) for the African banana bat (family Vespertilionidae). The name is threatened by limited use of a senior subjective synonym P. africanus (Rüppell, 1842).
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Neoromicia nana; nomenclature; Pipistrellus africanus; Pipistrellus nanus; systematics; taxonomy; Vespertilionidae

A conservation assessment of the bats of the Simandou Range, Guinea, with the first record of Myotis welwitschii (Gray, 1866) from West Africa - Fahr, J.; Ebigbo, N. M. (Acta Chiropterologica, 2003)
We report on the results of a bat survey of the Pic de Fon, Simandou Range, southeastern Guinea. This bat survey was part of a larger Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) study conducted by Conservation International in an area currently explored for iron-ore mining by an international company. We document a speciose bat assemblage characterised by forest species, including bats such as Epomops buettikoferi, Rhinolophus guineensis and Hipposideros jonesi that are endemic to Upper Guinea or West Africa. The sympatric occurence of three species of Kerivoula is noteworthy, with K. phalaena representing the first record for Guinea. Moreover, three individuals of Welwitsch’s Mouse-eared bat, Myotis welwitschii, were captured during the survey. This is the first record for West Africa and represents a range extension of minimally 3400 km to the northwest from the nearest known localities. We review the distribution of this species in Africa and conclude that the species shows a paramontane distribution pattern (sensu Koopman, 1983). We also report M. welwitschii for the first time from Burundi. Our results of the RAP survey as well as the occurrence of bat species that are endemic to the Upper Guinea Highlands highlight the outstanding regional importance of the montane habitats of West Africa in general, and of the Simandou Range in particular for the conservation of bats in Africa.
Keywords: Africa; biogeography; Chiroptera; echolocation; Eidolon helvum; Epomophorus gambianus; Epomops buettikoferi; Ethiopian Region; first record; Guinea; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros cf. caffer; Hipposideros cf. ruber; Hipposideros fuliginosus; Hipposideros jonesi; Kerivoula lanosa muscilla; Kerivoula phalaena; Kerivoula sp. [cuprosa]; Megaloglossus woermanni; Micropteropus pusillus; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus schreibersii villiersi; Molossidae; Mops spurrelli; Myonycteris torquata; Myotis welwitschii; Nycteridae; Nycteris grandis; Pteropodidae; Rapid Assessment Program; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus alcyone; Rhinolophus guineensis; Rhinolophus landeri; Rousettus aegyptiacus unicolor; Upper Guinea; Vespertilionidae; West Africa

Echolocation performance and call structure in the megachiropteran fruit-bat Rousettus aegyptiacus - Waters, D. A.; Vollrath, C. (Acta Chiropterologica, 2003)
The structure of the calls made by the echolocating fruit bat Rousettus aegyptiacus while flying within a flight tunnel were investigated. Calls are impulsive clicks lasting around 250 mus, with most energy occurring during the first 100 mus. Such a call duration is much shorter than that previously reported for this species. The ability of R. aegyptiacus to detect and avoid obstacles was tested in both the light and total darkness. Bats were able to detect and avoid 6 mm diameter wires significantly more often than 1.3 mm diameter wires when tested in the light. In the dark, the same relationship held, with no decrease in the ability to detect and avoid the obstacles. Bats used echolocation in both the light and the dark conditions. The simple impulsive clicks used in echolocation by this species are thus able to detect wires of at least 6 mm in diameter and probably smaller. The detection problems associated with very short duration signals is discussed. The possession of both a good visual system, and a good echolocation system in this species has implications for the evolution of echolocation in bats.
Keywords: Chiroptera; echolocation; Pteropodidae; Rousettus aegyptiacus

The endemic Comoros Islands fruit bat Rousettus obliviosus: Ecology, conservation, and Red List status - Sewall, B. J.; Granek, E. F.; Trewhella, W. J. (Oryx, 2003)
Rousettus obliviosus is a megachiropteran bat endemic to the Comoros Islands in the western Indian Ocean. The species is broadly distributed on Grande Comore, Moheli, and Anjouan, but appears to be absent from Mayotte. Roost sites were found to be both shallow and deep caves, in dark locations with infrequent human disturbance. Colony size ranged from 100 to several thousand and at two sites seasonal variation was observed. Total estimated population size was 7,100-17,100. R. obliviosus fed on a variety of native and non-native tree fruits and flowers, and was found native forest habitats, underplanted forest and agricultural areas. R. obliviosus is a manoeuvrable flyer able to hover for brief periods and may echolocate. A small range, sensitivity to disturbance, limited roost site availability and deforestation combine to threaten this species. We suggest that the current IUCN Red List status of Lower Risk: near threatened should be revised to Vulnerable. Protection of roost sites, further surveys to identify additional roosts, further ecological research, and protection of remaining forest are conservation priorities for R. obliviosus.
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Comoros; Indian Ocean; Mammalia; Pteropodidae; Rousettus obliviosus

Fossil bat (Microchiroptera, Mammalia) from Arrisdrift, Namibia - Mein, P.; Pickford, M. (Geological Survey of Namibia Memoir, 2003)
Bats are extremely rare in the Orange River deposits, mainly on account of the fluvial nature of the deposits. Nevertheless the order is represented at Arrisdrift by a new species of rhinolophid which is peculiar in having the vestigial premolar offset to the lingual side, opposite to the usual position in other rhinolophids.
Keywords: Caenozoic; Chiroptera; fossils; Miocene; Namibia; Neogene; palaeontology; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus contrarius sp. nov.; Southern Africa; Tertiary

Geographic variation in the morphology, echolocation and diet of the little free-tailed bat, Chaerephon pumilus (Molossidae) - Aspetsberger, F.; Brandsen, D.; Jacobs, D. S. (African Zoology, 2003)
The insectivorous bat Chaerephon pumilus has a wide distribution in Africa and displays considerable variation in the colour of its wings and venter. We investigated whether variation is also evident in its morphology, echolocation and diet by comparing a population of this species in Amani Nature Reserve, Tanzania, with published data for these characters elsewhere in its range. Chaerephon pumilus in Amani is on average larger than individuals of this species elsewhere in its range. The Amani population has a longer mean forearm (39.1±3.3 mm) than populations in Ghana (36.4±1.0 mm) and southern Africa (38 mm) and a higher wing loading (15.3±2.2 N/m2) than populations in South Africa (mean=12.6 N/m2). Its echolocation calls are of lower minimum, maximum and peak frequency but of a longer inter-pulse interval than in South Africa. As in other parts of its range, the Amani bats ate small insects ranging in body length from 3-8 mm. However, the most notable difference in the diet of the Amani population was the consumption of cockroaches (Blattodea: Blaberidae) which comprised more than 60% of the diet. These cockroaches shared the roost with the bats and the bats probably used vision to detect and capture the cockroaches by crawling on the rafters supporting the roof of the roost. Elsewhere in its range the diet of C. pumilus is dominated by Coleoptera, Hemiptera and Diptera.
Keywords: Africa; Chaerephon pumilus; Chiroptera; diet; echolocation; food; geographic variation; Insecta; Molossidae; morphology; South Africa; Tanzania

Haemoparasites of bats in Madagascar - Raharimanga, V.; Ariey, F.; Cardiff, S. G.; Goodman, S. M.; Tall, A.; Rousset, D.; Robert, V. (Archives de l’Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, 2003)
This study aims to evaluate the prevalence and density of haemoparasites in wild malagasy bats. Among the 440 bats, belonging to 14 species sampled in 5 localities in different bio-climatic zones of the island, 93 (21%) showed at least 1 haemoparasite with, by order of frequency, Haemoproteidae (15.7% of 440 bats), microfilariae (7.0%) and Trypanosoma (0.7%). Among these 93 bats, 92 (99%) belonged to the family Vespertilionidae. Four bat species, all endemic to the Madagascar region (Madagascar and Comoros), were found to harbour parasites: Miniopterus manavi with Haemoproteidae (38% of 129 individuals), microfilariae (23%) and Trypanosoma (2%); Myotis goudoti with Haemoproteidae (24% of 68 individuals) and microfilariae (1%); Miniopterus gleni with Haemoproteidae (23% of 13 individuals); and Triaenops furculus with Haemoproteidae (4% of 28 individuals). The sex of bats was not linked to parasite prevalence. Within Miniopterus manavi, those individuals with greater weight also had a higher prevalence of microfilariae; and within the individuals harbouring microfilariae the greatest weights corresponded to the highest density of microfilariae. Ten bat species (with 202 individuals examined) were negative for any haemoparasite. This study is the first to provide evidence of haemoparasites in Malagasy bats; it provides interesting insights, especially concerning the parasite distribution per bat species and families, the pathogenicity of this type of parasitism and the parasite transmission by arthropod vectors.
Keywords: Africa; Chaerephon leucogaster; Chaerephon sp. nov.; Chiroptera; Eidolon dupreanum; Emballonura atrata; Emballonuridae; endoparasites; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros commersoni; Madagascar; Mammalia; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus gleni; Miniopterus manavi; Molossidae; Mops leucostigma; Mormopterus jugularis; Myotis goudoti; Otomops madagascariensis; parasitism; Pteropodidae; Rousettus madagascariensis; Triaenops furculus; Triaenops rufus; Vespertilionidae

Horseshoe Bats of the World (Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae) - Csorba, G.; Ujhelyi, P.; Thomas, N. M. (Alana Books, 2003)
+ chapter: Guillén Servent, A., Francis, C. M., & Ricklefs, R. "Phylogeny and biogeography of the horseshoe bats", xii-xxiv
Keywords: Africa; Asia; Australia; Chiroptera; distribution; Europe; identification key; morphology; Palaearctic; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus; systematics; taxonomy

Archerops, a new annectent hipposiderid genus (Mammalia: Microchiroptera) from the Australian Miocene - Hand, S. J; Kirsch, J. A. W. (Journal of Paleontology, 2003)
A new genus and species of hipposiderid bat is described from an early to middle Miocene cave deposit (AL90 Site, estimated to be between 15 and 20 million years old) at Riversleigh, northwestern Queensland, Australia. Archerops annectens new genus and species is interpreted to be most closely related to species of the Asian genera Coelops and Paracoelops and southeastern Africa’s Cloeotis percivali, none of which has a fossil record. The new Australian fossil bat: 1) shares a number of apomorphies with species of Coelops, Paracoelops, and Cloeotis; 2) lacks striking autapomorphies characterizing each of the three extant genera; 3) exhibits few autapomorphies its own; and 4) forms a structural intermediate between plesiomorphic Tertiary hipposiderids (e.g., Brachipposideros species) and the aberrant Coelops, Paracoelops, and Cloeotis species.
Keywords: Archerops annectens gen. & sp. nov.; Australia; Chiroptera; fossils; Hipposideridae; Miocene; palaeontology; phylogeny

The influence of local and regional factors on the diversity, structure, and function of West African bat communities (Chiroptera) - Fahr, J.; Ebigbo, N. M.; Djossa, B. A.; Schmid, S.; Soer, K. S.; Voglozin, A.; Sinsin, B.; Kalko, E. K. V. (Sustainable Use and Conservation of Biological Diversity: A Challenge for Society, 2003)
The biodiversity of West African bats was studied on the local and regional scale as well as the role of bats for ecosystem functioning. Our results refute the common assumption of impoverished African bat communities. Instead, we documented highly diverse patterns both for local assemblages and regional species pools. These results contribute to the delimitation of priority areas for conservation and form the indispensable base line against which we will be assessing the effects of human land use along disturbance gradients.

Isolation and properties of cytoplasmic alpha-glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase from the pectoral muscle of the fruit bat, Eidolon helvum - Agboola, F. K.; Thomson, A.; Afolayan, A. (Journal of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, 2003)
Cytoplasmic alpha-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase from fruit-bat-breast muscle was purified by ion-exchange and affinity chromatography. The specific activity of the purified enzyme was approximately 120 units/mg of protein. The apparent molecular weight of the native enzyme, as determined by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 was 59,500±650 daltons; its subunit size was estimated to be 35,700±140 by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The true Michaelis-Menten constants for all substrates at pH 7.5 were 3.9±0.7 mM, 0.65±0.05 mM, 0.26±0.06 mM, and 0.005±0.0004 mM for L-glycerol-3-phosphate, NAD+, DHAP, and NADH, respectively. The true Michaelis-Menten constants at pH 10.0 were 2.30±0.21 mM and 0.20±0.01 mM for L-glycerol-3-phosphate and NAD+, respectively. The turnover number, kcat, of the forward reaction was 1.9±0.2X104 s-1. The treatment of the enzyme with 5,5’-dithiobis-2-nitrobenzoic acid (DTNB) under denaturing conditions indicated that there were a total of eight cysteine residues, while only two of these residues were reactive towards DTNB in the native enzyme. The overall results of the in vitro experiments suggest that alpha-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase of the fruit bat preferentially catalyses the reduction of dihydroxyacetone phosphate to glycerol-3-phosphate.
Keywords: biochemistry; Chiroptera; Eidolon helvum; Nigeria; Pteropodidae; West Africa

Les chiroptères du mont Nimba - Brosset, A. (Le Peuplement Animal du Mont Nimba (Guinée, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia), 2003)
Thirty nine species of bats have been collected on mount Nimba. This species richness is the highest known in Africa, for areas comparable for both size and prospecting efforts. With ten species, the Megachiroptera are especially well represented. This species richness is related to the diversity and stages of the habitats: in the lower part, primary forest with clearings at different stages of the reconstitution of the forest, and in the highest part of the Guinean region, between the altitudes 800 and 1500 m, savannas with numerous iron mines galleries, occupied by three species of Rhinolophus previously known from mount Cameroon, 2500 km away. A new species discovered in this summital zone was named Hipposideros lamottei in 1984.
Keywords: Chiroptera; Côte d’Ivoire; Guinea; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros lamottei; Ivory Coast; Liberia; Mount Nimba; West Africa

Micromammals and barn owls in the Free State, South Africa: Prey distribution and predator behaviour - Avery, D. M.; Avery, G.; Colahan, B. D. (Navorsinge van die Nasionale Museum (Bloemfontein), 2003)
Barn owl pellets were collected from Koppies Dam, Soetdoring and Tussen die Riviere Nature Reserves between 1992 and 2000. The micromammalian component included 25 species (16 rodents, six insectivores, two bats, one elephant shrew), of which the most prominent were the multimammate mouse Mastomys coucha in Koppies Dam and Soetdoring, and the highveld gerbil Tatera brantsii at Tussen die Riviere. More support is provided for the inclusion of Saunders’s vlei rat Otomys saundersiae in the Free State species list and range extensions are recorded for the tiny musk shrew Crocidura fuscomurina and the forest shrew Myosorex varius. Regular collections from Soetdoring Silo during 1992-5 show a change in dominance from the Cape serotine bat Neoromicia capensis during the early part of the series to Mastomys coucha thereafter. Variation in representation of age classes in the latter species agrees with previous evidence for year-round breeding but with a peak immediately following the main summer rainfall season. Evidence from two pairs of roosts at Soetdoring Purple Grove and Tussen die Riviere Aasvoelkop suggest some degree of separation in hunting ranges by neighbouring birds. These data, together with the change in prey composition over time at Soetdoring Silo, help inform the debate on the extent to which barn owls are opportunistic hunters.
Keywords: Aves; Chiroptera; Mammalia; Neoromicia capensis; predation pressure; predators; Rodentia; Soricomorpha; South Africa; Strigiformes; Tyto alba; Tytonidae; Vespertilionidae

Molecular phylogenetics of the chiropteran family Vespertilionidae - Hoofer, S. R.; Van Den Bussche, R. A. (Acta Chiropterologica, 2003)
Limited information from existing data sets and the tremendous amount of diversity in number and kind within the chiropteran family Vespertilionidae (about one-third of all bat species) have hampered efforts to provide adequate assessments of long-standing genealogic hypotheses (e.g., monophyly of the family and of the five subfamilies). We generated approximately 2.6 kilobase pairs of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence ecompassing three adjacent genes (12S rRNA, tRNAzval, 16S rRNA) for 120 vespertilionids representing 110 species, 37 of 44 genera, and all subfamilies. We assessed monophyly of Vespertilionidae in initial analyses of 171 taxa including representatives of all bat families (except the monotypic Craseonycteridae), and assessed lower-level relationships by analysis of several truncated taxon sets. Phylogenetic analysis of ribosomal gene sequences provides well-supported resolution for vespertilionid relationships across taxonomic levels. Furthermore, the resolution is not heavily burdened by alignment of ambiguous regions of the ribosomal gene sequences, and topologies and levels of support produced by two phylogenetic methods (Bayesian and Parsimony) agreed markedly. Our analyses suggest relationships that support many parts of the traditional classification but which also support several changes. The majority of these changes also receives support from other data sources, particularly bacular and karyotypic data. We make more than 20 taxonomic conclusions or recommendations and construct a working classification for vespertilionoid bats. Highlights include: Miniopterus (subfamily Miniopterinae) is recognized in its own family, Miniopteridae, as it represents an extremely divergent lineage relative to other vespertilionids, and in some analyses is sister to the molossids and natalids; all other vespertilionids examined form a well-supported clade; two of the traditional subfamilies within Vespertilionidae (sensu stricto) are monophyletic, Murininae and Kerivoulinae, Nyctophilinae has no validity and Vespertilioninae is paraphyletic relative to the position of Myotis; Myotis is sister to a clade containing Kerivoulinae and Murininae and is recognized in its own subfamily, Myotinae; Myotis subgenera Leuconoe, Selysius, and Myotis are polyphyletic, and a subgeneric classification reflecting geography is suggested, broadening subgenus Myotis to include the sampled Old World species, and allocating the sampled New World species to another subgenus (Aeorestes Fitzinger, 1870); Vespertilioninae (excluding Myotis) is monophyletic; Pipistrellus-like bats (i.e., the traditional tribe Vespertilionini) are divided into three tribes (Nycticeiini; Pipistrellini; Vespertilionini); and support for three tribes of Pipistrellus-like bats has several implications at the genus level. Overall, this study offers a robust working hypothesis for vespertilionid relationships and provides a good starting point for new investigations into the evolutionary history of Vespertilionidae.
Keywords: Chiroptera; Emballonuridae; Furipteridae; Megadermatidae; Miniopteridae; Molossidae; Mormoopidae; Myotinae; Mystacinidae; Myzopodidae; Natalidae; Phyllostomidae; phylogeny; Pteropodidae; Rhinolophidae; Rhinopomatidae; systematics; taxonomy; Thyropteridae

Molekulargenetische Untersuchungen zur Phylogenie und Evolution von Pipistrellus s.l. und Eptesicus - Schnapp, N. (Diploma Thesis, 2003)
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; DNA; Fledermäuse; genetics; Mammalia; ND1; phylogeny; RAG2; systematics; taxonomy; Vespertilionidae

A new estimate of the population size of the Critically Endangered Rodrigues fruit bat Pteropus rodricensis - Powell, V. J.; Wehnelt, S. C. (Oryx, 2003)
The Rodrigues fruit bat Pteropus rodricensis is endemic to Rodrigues Island, the smallest of the Mascarene Islands in the Indian Ocean. The species is categorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. A study between February 2001 and February 2002 identified 10 roosts, four previously unrecorded. Roost sites were located in the north and south of the island, all within forested valleys. Sixteen counts of each roost site, evenly spaced throughout the study period, showed dramatic changes in individual colony numbers, suggesting movement between roosts. Simultaneous counts of all colonies resulted in a minimum population estimate of 5,076, which is substantially higher than previous estimates of the species. This is believed to be due to a population increase since the last count, newly identified roosts and the movement of bats into different areas, allowing more accurate counts to be made.
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Indian Ocean; Mammalia; Pteropodidae; Pteropus rodricensis

A new genus and species of cave cockroach (Blaberidae: Oxyhaloinae) from Guinea, West Africa - Roth, L. M.; Naskrecki, P. (Journal of Orthoptera Research, 2003)
A new genus and species of ovoviviparous blaberid cockroach, Simandoa conserfariam is described that lives in bat guano in a cave in Guinea, West Africa. The male’s subgenital plate, styles, and genitalia clearly place it in the Blaberidae: Oxyhaloinae: Nauphoetini. It is close to Henschoutedenia and Nauphoeta, but lacks stridulating structures on the pronotum and tegmina which are present in some species of the other 2 genera. The taxon belongs in the “Guanobies” group of cockroaches and lives in bat guano that accumulates not far from the entrance of the cave where light is present: Simandoa shows none of the characteristics of a troglobite (obligate cave-dweller) which, compared to surface dwellers, has reduced eyes and wings.
Keywords: Blattodea; Chiroptera; Guinea; Pic de Fon; Pteropodidae; Rousettus aegyptiacus; Simandoa conserfariam sp. nov.; Simandou Range; West Africa

New lyssavirus genotype from the lesser mouse-eared bat (Myotis blythi), Kyrghyzstan - Arai, Y. T; Kuzmin, I. V.; Kameoka, Y.; Botvinkin, A. D. (Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2003)
The Aravan virus was isolated from a esser mouse-eared bat (Myotis blythi) in the Osh region of Kyrghyzstan, central Asia, in 1991. We determined the complete sequence of the nucleoprotein (N) gene and compared it with those of 26 representative lyssaviruses obtained from databases. The Aravan virus was distinguished from seven distinct genotypes on the basis of nucleotide and amino acid identity. Phylogenetic analysis based on both nucleotide and amino acid sequences showed that the Aravan virus was more closely related to genotypes 4, 5, and — to a lesser extent — 6, which circulates among insectivorus bats in Europe and Africa. The Aravan virus does not belong to any of the seven known genotypes of lyssaviruses, namely, rabies, Lagos bat, Mokola, and Duvenhage viruses and European bat lyssavirus 1, European bat lyssavirus 2, and Australian bat lyssavirus. Based on these data, we propose a new genotype for the Lyssavirus genus.
Keywords: Asia; Chiroptera; infectious diseases; Kyrghyzstan; lyssaviruses; Myotis blythii; rabies; Vespertilionidae; virology

New observations on mites of the family Myobiidae Megnin, 1877 (Acari: Prostigmata) with special reference to their host-parasite relationships - Bochkov, A. V.; Fain, A. (Bull. Inst. r. Sci. nat. Belg.: Ent., 2003)
Several species of myobiid mites belonging to ten, of the 50 known genera are revised. Among them 5 new species and 4 new subgenera are described: Crocidurobia (Crocidurobia) dusbabeki sp. nov., Radfordia (Radfordia) colomys sp. nov., Radfordia (Radfordia) dephomys sp. nov., Radfordia (Radfordia) myomysci sp. nov. and Radfordia (Radfordia) delectori sp. nov., Emballomyobia subgen. nov., Otomyobia subgen. nov., Acomyobia subgen. nov. and Petromyscobia subgen. nov.The following stages of recognised species are described and depicted for the first time: Females (1 species): Ugandobia (Emballomyobia) emballonurae Fain, 1972 comb. nov. Males (4 species): Ugandobia (Ugandobia) garambensis Fain, 1973, Idiurobia idiuri (Fain, 1973), Radfordia (Radfordia) hystricosa Fain, 1972 comb. nov. and Radfordia (Lophurmyobia) brevipilis Fain, 1972. Tritonymphs (12 species): Idiurobia idiuri, Myobia (Myobia) malaysiensis Fain, Lukoschus et Nadchatram, 1980, Myobia (Myobia) hyatti Fain, 1973, Myobia (Myobia) afromuris Fain, 1972, Myobia (Otomyobia) otomyia Lawrence, 1951, Austromyobia (Dendromyobia) mesomelas (Fain et Lukoschus, 1976), Radfordia (Radfordia) pogonomys Fain et Lukoschus, 1976, Radfordia (Radfordia) thamnomys Fain, 1972, Radfordia (Radfordia) malacomys Fain, 1972, Radfordia (Radfordia) bukokoensis Fain et Lukoschus, 1976 comb. nov., Radfordia hystricosa and Radfordia brevipilis.Four species are synonymized: Acanthophthirius miniopteri Fain, 1972 syn. nov. with Acanthophthirius capensis (de Meillon et Lavoipierre, 1944), Binuncus rousetti Fain, 1972 syn. nov. with Binuncus jamesoni (Hiregaudar et Bal, 1956), Radfordia praomys trifurcata Fain, 1973 syn. nov. with Radfordia praomys Zumpt et Coffee, 1971, Radfordia chrysophila Curfs et al., 1986 syn. nov. with Radfordia angolensis Fain, 1972.Keys are provided to the genera Ugandobia and Crocidurobia. Lists of hosts and localities are given for the genera, Ugandobia, Neomyobia, Crocidurobia, and the subgenus Radfordia s.str. Host-parasites relationships are analysed for some myobiid genera.
Keywords: [Neoromicia] Eptesicus capensis; Acanthophthirius capensis; Acari; Africa; Arachnida; Binuncus epomophori; Binuncus jamesoni; Binuncus myonycteris; Chiroptera; Congo (Kinshasa); ectoparasites; Emballonuridae; Epomophorus anurus [labiatus]; host-parasite relationships; identification key; Liberia; Myobiidae; Myonycteris torquata; Nanonycteris veldkampii; Neomyobia jacksoni; parasitism; Pteropodidae; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus fumigatus; Rousettus aegyptiacus; synonymy; systematics; Tanzania; Taphozous sudani [perforatus]; taxonomy; Ugandobia garambensis; Vespertilionidae

Notes sur les Ischnopsyllinae du Continent Africain. IV: Quelques Lagaropsylla Jordan & Rothschild 1921 de Côte d’Ivoire; description de L. senckenbergiana n. sp. (Insecta: Siphonaptera: Ischnopsyllidae) - Beaucournu, J.-C.; Fahr, J. (Senckenbergiana biol., 2003)
For the first time Ischnopsyllidae are reported from Ivory Coast. They comprise three species of Lagaropsylla, one of which is described as L. senckenbergiana n. sp. The hosts of the new taxon, Chaerephon russata and Ch. aloysiisabaudiae, and of Lagaropsylla sp., Ch. nigeriae, represent first records of these bats for Ivory Coast.
Keywords: Chaerephon aloysiisabaudiae; Chaerephon nigeriae; Chaerephon russatus; Chiroptera; ectoparasites; Insecta; Ischnopsyllidae; Ivory Coast; Lagaropsylla senckenbergiana sp. nov.; Molossidae; parasitism; Siphonaptera; West Africa

ökologische Untersuchungen zur Wirbeltierfauna im südöstlichen Mauretanien - Zwei Fallstudien unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Krokodile - Nickel, H. (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH, 2003)
Keywords: Amphibia; Aves; Chiroptera; Crocodylus niloticus; Guelta Metraucha; Mammalia; Mauritania; Molossidae; Reptilia; Tadarida aegyptiaca; West Africa

Oldest placental mammal from sub-Saharan Africa: Eocene microbat from Tanzania – evidence for early evolution of sophisticated echolocation - Gunnell, G. F.; Jacobs, B. F.; Herendeen, P. S.; Head, J. J.; Kowalski, E.; Msuya, C. P.; Mizambwa, F. A.; Harrison, T.; Habersetzer, J.; Storch, G. (Palaeontologia Electronica, 2003)
A partial skeleton of a new fossil microbat, Tanzanycteris mannardi, is the oldest placental mammal found in sub-Saharan Africa. It came from early Lutetian (46 Ma) lake sediments in north-central Tanzania. T. mannardi has enlarged cochleae indicating it was capable of a highly derived form of echolocation. Modern bats sharing similar morphology are capable of precise navigation in dense forest undergrowth. The phylogenetic relationships of T. mannardi are unclear. It shares character states with Eocene Hassianycterididae, with extant Microchiroptera, and with Rhinolophoidea within Microchiroptera. T. mannardiis important in documenting early evolution of sophisticated bat echolocating abilities and demonstrating that Tanzanian crater lakes offer an opportunity for future discoveries of Eocene mammals from the African interior.
Keywords: Chiroptera; East Africa; echolocation; Eocene; fossils; morphology; palaeontology; Tanzania; Tanzanycteris mannardi sp. nov.

Phylogeny and biogeography of the horseshoe bats - Guillén-Servent, A.; Francis, C. M.; Ricklefs, R. E. (Horseshoe Bats of the World (Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae), 2003)
Keywords: Africa; Asia; Australia; Chiroptera; Europe; molecular genetics; Palaearctic; phylogeny; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus

A phylogeny of megachiropteran bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) based on direct optimization analysis of one nuclear and four mitochondrial genes - Giannini, N. P.; Simmons, N. B. (Cladistics, 2003)
The phylogeny of megachiropteran bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) has been investigated using several different molecular datasets. These studies differed widely in taxonomic and locus sampling, and their results tended to lack resolution of internal nodes and were themselves largely incongruent. To address this, we assembled a data set of 5 loci (up to 3.5 kbp from 12S rDNA, 16S rDNA, tDNA-valine, cytochrome b, and the nuclear gene c-mos) for 43 species of megachiropterans and 6 microchiropteran outgroups. We analyzed these data with direct optimization under equal costs for substitutions and indels. We used POY in a parallel setting, and searches consisted of replicated swapping + refinements (ratcheting, tree fusing, and iterative pass optimization). Our results indicate that Megachiroptera and all recognized genera (including Pteropus) are monophyletic, and that Melonycteris is the sister group of the clade containing all the other genera. Clades previously proposed using molecular data, as well as many new and traditional groups, were well-supported, and various sources suggest that the degree of conflict with morphological data may be considerably less marked than previously supposed. Analysis of individual loci suffer 70% loss in the number of compatible groups recovered across all analyses with respect to combined analyses. Our results indicate that, within Megachiroptera, nectarivory and cave-dwelling originated several times, but echolocation (used for obstacle detection) evolved only once. Megachiropterans likely originated in SE Asia-Melanesia, and colonized Africa at least four times.
Keywords: Africa; Asia; Chiroptera; Eidolon; Epomophorus; Epomops; Lissonycteris; Megaloglossus; Micropteropus; molecular genetics; Myonycteris; Pacific; phylogeny; Pteropodidae; Rousettus; Stenonycteris

Phylogeography of barbastelle bats (Barbastella barbastellus) in the western Mediterranean and the Canary Islands - Juste B., J.; Ibáñez, C.; Trujillo, D.; Muñoz, J.; Ruedi, M. (Acta Chiropterologica, 2003)
We use two mitochondrial DNA fragments with different substitution rates (cytochrome b gene and the control region) to address the following phylogeographic questions about western Palaearctic populations of the barbastelle bat (Barbastella barbastellus): 1) Do the Iberian populations of barbastelles show any genetic discontinuity associated with its present fragmented distribution?, 2) Is the Gibraltar Strait an effective barrier to gene flow for barbastelles? and 3) Is the subspecies’ from the Canary Islands genetically distinct from continental barbastelles? Our molecular survey shows that there is only a shallow genetic structure among populations of the Iberian Peninsula and Morocco, and probably, even across Europe until Thrace, although, this last point needs to be confirmed. The Gibraltar Strait has not played any significant role as a biogeographic barrier to prevent the recent passage of European barbastelles to Morocco (or vice versa). Our phylogenetic reconstructions also confirm the taxonomic distinction of B. barbastellus guanchae as an endemic subspecies confined to the Canary Islands. The precise origin of this Canarian taxon is, nevertheless, still unclear as its mitochondrial lineage is distinct from any lineage found so far in Morocco and Iberia. This important genetic distinctness suggests either a relatively ancient colonization of the Canary Islands or that the source population of the founders have not yet been identified.
Keywords: Atlantic; Barbastella barbastellus barbastellus; Barbastella barbastellus guanchae; Canary Islands; Chiroptera; Europe; gene flow; Iberian Peninsula; molecular genetics; Morocco; North Africa; phylogeography; Spain; Vespertilionidae

Recent Quaternary fossil mammals of Chrafate and Ez Zarka. The origin of modern fauna in the Northern Rif (NW Morocco, Northern Africa) - Ouahbi, Y.; Aberkan, M.; Serre, F. (Geologica Acta, 2003)
The Northern Rif (Northern Morocco, Northwestern Africa) was characterised in the late Pleistocene and the Holocene by mammal assemblages, which included species with different biogeographic origins. Saharian, Saharo-Mediterranean, Sahelian species as well as some forms adapted to the Mediterranean climatic regime have been recorded. The fossil mammal assemblages recovered from two new localities in karstic infills (Chrafate and Ez Zarka) correspond well with this palaeobiogeographic setting and suggest that this region was a crossroad of palaeoartic and palaeotropical species. The variety observed in the fossil mammal assemblages and in the present mammal fauna resulted from a long period of aridity, which coincided with the late Pleistocene post-glacial stage and was followed by a Holocene humid phase. This palaeoclimatic change resulted from the equator ward shift of the high-pressure cell belt, which allowed the southward shift of less arid Mediterranean climatic zones.
Keywords: Asellia tridens; Chiroptera; fossils; Hipposideridae; Holocene; Mammalia; Mediterranean; Morocco; Myotis blythii [punicus]; North Africa; palaeontology; Pleistocene; Rodentia; Soricomorpha; Vespertilionidae

A revised systematic checklist of the extant mammals of the southern African subregion - Bronner, G. N.; Hoffmann, M.; Taylor, P. J.; Chimimba, C. T.; Best, P. B.; Matthee, C. A.; Robinson, T.J. (Durban Mus. Novit., 2003)
The current paper presents a revised, annotated, systematic checklist of 351 extant mammal species, in 190 genera, currently known to occur in southern Africa (south of the Zambezi and Cunene Rivers) and its coastal waters. The checklist includes each species’ scientific and English common name, details concerning original description, occurrence or possible occurrence in each of the seven countries falling within the Subregion, and, where relevant, the IUCN global Category of Threat. Taxonomic notes, together with the relevant literature, are provided to justify the proposed classification adopted at each hierarchical level. The new classification we present is founded on the philosophy of phylogenetic systematics, and represents not only a summary of new information, but also tremendous advances in the methods and philosophy of mammalian systematics during the past two decades.
Keywords: Chiroptera; Emballonuridae; Hipposideridae; Mammalia; Megadermatidae; Molossidae; Nycteridae; Pteropodidae; Rhinolophidae; Southern Africa; Vespertilionidae

Science and the conservation of bats: Where to next? - Fenton, M. B. (Wildlife Society Bulletin, 2003)
This paper reflects on four topics: 1) the value of bats as indicator species, 2) the state of our knowledge of bats, 3) "silver bullets" (magical tools for solving difficult problems) for studying bats, and 4) the public image of bats and its implications for conservation. The combination of size, mobility, and longevity makes bats good indicators of general habitat quality in regard to both disturbance and the existence of contaminants. Moreover, their propensity to exploit human-wrought changes in the environment provides "good-news" conservation stories at a time when populations of many other organisms wither and disappear in the face of human onslaught. Bats often use food sources created by humans, including insects at artificial light sources, fruits in orchards, or blood from livestock, and many species roost in artificial structures including buildings and mines. However, good-news stories can mask important challenges. What is "the truth" about bat populations and species? Misleading information about bats may adversely affect their survival. For example, the North American silver-haired bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans) has been implicated in human deaths from rabies. Although it is a colonial species, information about this bat and rabies usually refers to it as solitary, influencing the interpretation of data about its role in the epidemiology of rabies. In another example, although the African large-eared free-tailed bat (Otomops martiensseni) is listed as "vulnerable," it is common in some areas, conflicting with its International Union for the Conservation of Nature classification. Some bats live in groups, but not all bats are colonial. A colony of bats may include individuals that roost together only some of the time, and the bats using a roost on any given day may not be a social unit. Problems of technique also influence our views of bats. Of note are quests for "silver bullets," including the common use of oversized radiotransmitters on small bats, and the mistaken belief that bats are always identifiable by their echolocation calls. Bats have a public image problem, and their involvement, particularly of silver-haired bats and eastern pipistrelles (Pipistrellus subflavus), in human deaths caused by rabies virus can influence the way people view bats and our chances of ensuring their survival. Concluding this manuscript are five recommendations about future research to advance the conservation of bats.
Keywords: bat detectors; behaviour; Chiroptera; colonies; conservation; day roosts; echolocation; rabies; radio-tracking; telemetry

Sea-skimming by Seychelles fruit bats - Gerlach, J. (Phelsuma, 2003)
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Indian Ocean; parasites; Pteropodidae; Pteropus seychellensis; saltwater; Seychelles

Strong population substructure is correlated with morphology and ecology in a migratory bat - Miller-Butterworth, C. M.; Jacobs, D. S.; Harley, E. H. (Nature, 2003)
Examining patterns of inter-population genetic diversity can provide valuable information about both historical and current evolutionary processes affecting a species. Population genetic studies of flying and migratory species such as bats and birds have traditionally shown minimal population substructure, characterized by high levels of gene flow between populations. In general, strongly substructured mammalian populations either are separated by non-traversable barriers or belong to terrestrial species with low dispersal abilities. Species with female philopatry (the tendency to remain in or consistently return to the natal territory) might show strong substructure when examined with maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA, but this substructure generally disappears when biparentally inherited markers are used, owing to male-mediated gene flow. Male-biased dispersal is considered typical for mammals, and philopatry in both sexes is rare. Here we show strong population substructure in a migratory bat species, and philopatry in both sexes, as indicated by concordance of nuclear and mtDNA findings. Furthermore, the genetic structure correlates with local biomes and differentiation in wing morphology. There is therefore a close correlation of genetic and morphological differentiation in sympatric subspecific populations of this mammalian species.
Keywords: biomes; Chiroptera; habitat; incipient speciation; migration; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus schreibersii natalensis; population genetics; South Africa; Vegetation; wing morphology

Support for the allotonic frequency hypothesis in an insectivorous bat community - Schoeman, M. C.; Jacobs, D. S. (Oecologia, 2003)
{The allotonic frequency hypothesis proposes that certain insectivorous bat species can prey upon moths that can hear bat echolocation calls by using echolocation frequencies outside the sensitivity range of moth ears. The hypothesis predicts that the peak frequencies of bat echolocation calls are correlated with the incidence of moths in the diets of these bats. The aim of this study was to test this prediction on a bat community dominated by bats using low duty cycle echolocation calls, i.e. aerial foraging, insectivorous species using frequency modulated calls. The community consisted of nine species, two molossids, Sauromys petrophillus and Tadarida aegyptiaca, five vespertilionids, Eptesicus capensis, Eptesicus hottentotus, Miniopteris schreibersii, Myotis tricolor, and Myotis lesueuri, one rhinolophid, Rhinolophus clivosus, and one nycterid, Nycteris thebaica. The insect fauna in the habitat used by the bat community was suited to the testing of the allotonic frequency hypothesis because more than 90% of the moths comprising the insect fauna were tympanate. These included Pyralidae (3.8%), Geometridae (44.9%), Notodontidae (3.8%), Arctiidae (4.6%), Lymantriidae (0.8%) and Noctuidae (32.4%). As predicted, peak echolocation frequency was correlated with the incidence of moths in the diets of these nine species (r=0.98
Keywords: [Cistugo] Myotis lesueuri; [Neoromicia] Eptesicus capensis; Chiroptera; Cistugidae; Eptesicus hottentotus; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus schreibersii; Molossidae; Myotis tricolor; Nycteridae; Nycteris thebaica; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus clivosus; Sauromys petrophilus; South Africa; Tadarida aegyptiaca; Vespertilionidae

Associations between nesting village weavers, Ploceus cucullatus, and other animal species in The Gambia - Lahti, D. C.; Lahti, A. R.; Dampha, M. J. (Ostrich, 2002)
Keywords: Aves; Chiroptera; day roosts; Gambia; Ploceus cucullatus; West Africa

Coccidia (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) of the mammalian order Chiroptera - Duszynski, D. W. (Special Publication of the Museum of Southwestern Biology, 2002)
The coccidia are protists (phylum Apicomplexa) that, likely, are both the most abundant (numbers of individual zoites) and most speciose of all the kinds of parasites found in/on mammals. They also are among the least studied and understood, with the exception of those species that cause pathology in domesticated Artiodactyla. In this review, I focus only on the largest family of the phylum, Eimeriidae Minchin, 1903, because its members often are among the most prevalent apicomplexans of mammals, and because there has never been a taxonomic summation for those species that infect Chiroptera. In all published descriptions of bat coccidia, members of only one genus, Eimeria, have been discovered and named from oocysts found in fecal material; here, all published descriptions of Eimeria species that infect bats are reviewed and evaluated. Some of the named species are invalid, either because rules concerning the naming of new species (International Code of Zoological Nomenclature) were not followed and/or the original description was so incomplete as to be of little use; such names have been relegated to species inquirendae. Recently, oocysts of an Isospora-like species were found in the kidney and urine of Eptesicus fuscus (Vespertilionidae), but until a detailed description and a photosyntype or line drawing are available, this organism also must be considered a species inquirendae. The Chiroptera has 17 families, 177 genera and 925 species. There are no coccidia known from 11 families: Pteropodidae, Rhinopomatidae, Craseonycteridae, Nycteridae, Megadermatidae, Noctilionidae, Mormoopidae, Natalidae, Furipteridae, Myzopodidae, Mystacinidae, and for seven (64%) of these, no individuals in the family have been examined for coccidia. In the Emballonuridae, three genera Peropteryx, Rhynchonycteris and Taphozous have been examined and each has a unique Eimeria species; in the Rhinolophidae, only Rhinolophus has been examined with two Eimeria species known; in the Phyllostomidae, 15 genera have been examined, but only one Eimeria species has been found in a Uroderma species; in the Vespertilionidae, 13 genera have been examined and 20 Eimeria have been found in seven genera: Antrozous (1), Myotis (8); Nyctalus (2), Nycticeius (1), Pipistrellus (5), Tomopeas (1) and Vespertilio (2); and in the Molossidae, five genera have been examined and five Eimeria species have been discovered in four of them: Chaerephon (2), Eumops (1), Molossus (1) and Nyctinomops (1). In all, 31 Eimeria species are now known from chiropteran hosts and eight species inquirendae are noted. In general, phyllostomids, exclusively New World bats, most of which are frugivorous, do not have coccidia, whereas other groups of bats that have been examined do. This may suggest that we are dealing with a phylogenetic explanation for this host-parasite association rather than an environmental, dietary or behavioral one. Mammalogists are encouraged to be more receptive to working with parasitologists to use comparative parasite data that might provide insights into bat evolution, habitat use and sociality. The eimeriid coccidia are ideal parasites for such cooperative efforts because they can be collected easily by noninvasive fecal (and urine?) collections.
Keywords: [Chaerephon pumilus] Tadarida limbata; [Mops brachypterus] Chaerephon bemmeleni; Africa; Chiroptera; endoparasites; Molossidae; parasitism

On a collection of bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) from The Gambia - Kock, D.; Barnett, L.; Fahr, J.; Emms, C. (Acta Chiropterologica, 2002)
A recent collection of bats from The Gambia presented in this publication comprises 17 species, four of which (Lissonycterisangolensis, Pipistrellus (P.) rusticus, P. (Neoromicia) guineensis, and Scotoecus hirundo) represent new records for The Gambia, raising the total number of known species from 27 to 31. Notes on taxonomy, distribution, ecology and biology are presented.
Keywords: Asellia tridens murraiana; Chiroptera; Eidolon helvum; Epomophorus gambianus; Gambia; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros ruber guineensis; Lavia frons; Lissonycteris angolensis smithii; Megadermatidae; Micropteropus pusillus; Neoromicia guineensis; Neoromicia nanus stampflii; Neoromicia rendalli; Nycteridae; Nycteris gambiensis; Nycteris hispida; Nycteris macrotis; Nycteris thebaica; Pipistrellus rusticus marrensis; Pteropodidae; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus denti; Rhinolophus landeri; Scotoecus hirundo; Scotophilus leucogaster; Vespertilionidae; West Africa

Conservation of Pteropus livingstonii based on roost site habitat characteristics on Anjouan and Moheli, Comoros islands - Granek, E. (Biol. Conservation, 2002)
Livingstone’s fruit bats, Pteropus livingstonii, (Pteropodidae: Chiroptera) are endemic to only two islands, Moheli and Anjouan of the Comoros Islands in the West Indian Ocean. With an estimated population of less than 2000 individuals, P. livingstonii is listed as Critically Endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List. Yet the habitat characteristics of these giant fruit bats, or flying foxes, are poorly known. I conducted field research during 5 months in 1998 focused on finding new roost sites, measuring characteristics of both roost sites and roost trees at new as well as previously identified roost sites, and recording the same characteristics for a set of absence sites. I identified six new roost sites allowing me to measure the characteristics of 15 known roost sites and seven absence sites. The study spanned both dry and rainy seasons and I found a significant increase in the number of individuals at roost sites during the rainy season. Bat roost sites were associated with presence of water, southeast aspect, steep slopes, and presence of several native tree species. Roost habitat was characterized based on biotic, abiotic and human factors. This research on habitat characteristics is contributing to the development of a conservation action plan for the Livingstone’s fruit bats. However, further research on dry season roost sites and distribution as well as feeding sites is necessary in order to better understand their seasonal habitat requirements and therefore ensure the conservation of P. livingstonii.
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Comoros; Indian Ocean; Pteropodidae; Pteropus livingstonii

A contribution from barn owl pellets to known micromammalian distributions in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa - Avery, D. M.; Avery, G.; Roberts, A. (African Zoology, 2002)
Samples of barn owl pellets were collected from the Dundee, Estcourt and Kokstad areas of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, during March 2000 for their micromammalian prey remains. Other material collected from near Pietermaritzburg in 1988/89 by the late J.O. Wirminghaus was also analysed. A minimum of 38 micromammalian species was identified, with notable range extensions being recorded for Crocidura fuscomurina and Tatera leucogaster and new localities for all other species. These samples have also added to the numbers of insectivore and rodent species known to occur in the Drier and Moist Upland bioregions. General diversity appears to be much lower in the Coastal Hinterland bioregion but this is probably due to human disturbance of the vegetation near the collecting sites. The samples further illustrate the usefulness of data collection from barn owls for biodiversity studies in particular.
Keywords: Aves; Chiroptera; Chrysochloridae; diet; food; Mammalia; Myotis tricolor; Neoromicia capensis; Nycteridae; Nycteris thebaica; predation; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus clivosus; Rodentia; Scotophilus viridis; Soricomorpha; South Africa; Strigiformes; Tyto alba; Tytonidae; Vespertilionidae

Feeding ecology of Pteropus rufus (Pteropodidae) in the littoral forest of Sainte Luce, SE Madagascar - Bollen, A.; Van Elsacker, L. (Acta Chiropterologica, 2002)
This paper examines bat-plant interactions by focusing on the fruit diet and food selection of flying foxes (Pteropus rufus) in the littoral forest fragments of Sainte Luce, SE Madagascar. Analyses of faecal samples and opportunistic observations revealed 40 endemic plant species in the diet. The bats mainly eat odorous ripe and juicy berries. No particular fruit colour was predominant in their diet. Both multi- and single-seeded fruits are eaten. Small seeds (1-3.5 mm in length) are usually swallowed whole. Passage through the digestive tract of the flying foxes does not reduce the germination rate of seeds nor the percentage of seeds germinated. This study indicates that the role of flying foxes in both short and long distance seed dispersal for a large number of endemic tree species of the littoral forest should not be underestimated when designing reforestation programs in particular or conservation action plans in general.
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; frugivory; fruit selection; germination rates; Madagascar; Pteropodidae; Pteropus rufus; seed dispersal

Feeding ecology of the common slit-faced bat (Nycteris thebaica) in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa - Seamark, E. C. J.; Bogdanowicz, W. (Acta Chiropterologica, 2002)
Monthly samples of arthropod remains (n=1,190 culled parts) collected over a year from under a Nycteris thebaica night roost in the Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve (South Africa) show that prey eaten by bats vary significantly by order but not by season. Nevertheless, there was a significant interaction between the prey category and season, suggesting that these two factors are not independent from each other. Coleoptera (49.6% in the culled parts, calculated as percent composition) dominated in spring (September-November), Orthoptera (38.8%) in summer (December-February), Hemiptera (42.8%) in autumn (March-May), and Lepidoptera (36.3%) in winter (June-August). The diet also included a frog and a small fish (n=2 parts).
Keywords: Arthropoda; Chiroptera; diet; feeding; food; Insecta; Nycteridae; Nycteris thebaica; Pisces; seasonality; South Africa

Guillaume Grandidier’s mammal collections from Madagascar - Helgen, K. M. (Mammalian Biol., 2002)
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Hipposideridae; Madagascar; Nycteridae; Nycteris madagascariensis; Pteropodidae; Rousettus madagascariensis; Triaenops auritus

Guinée - Juberthie, C.; Boulvert, Y. (Encyclopaedia Biospeologica, 2002)
Keywords: caves; Chiroptera; Guinea; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus maclaudi; West Africa

High mammalian diversity in the newly established National Park of Upper Niger, Republic of Guinea - Ziegler, S.; Nikolaus, G.; Hutterer, R. (Oryx, 2002)
This paper presents the results of a mammal survey conducted between 1995 and 1997 in the newly established National Park of Upper Niger in the Republic of Guinea, West Africa. Ninety-four species of mammals were recorded in the park area and its environs; 19 of these species were newly recorded or confirmed for Guinea. The fauna of the park includes about 50% of the known mammalian diversity of the country. Among the species found are West African endemics such as the Gambian mongoose Mungos gambianus. The park, although situated in the Guinea savannah belt, includes some remnant forest, which harbours tropical forest mammals such as Thomas’s galago Galagoides cf. thomasi, hump-nosed mouse Hybomys planifrons, soft-furred rat Praomys rostratus and flying squirrel Anomalurops sp. This National Park is a high priority area for the conservation of the vertebrate diversity of West Africa.
See Nikolaus 2000, Brugiere & Magassouba 2003, Greenbaum & Carr 2005
Keywords: [Neoromicia nana] Pipistrellus nanus; [Neoromicia] Eptesicus capensis; [Neoromicia] Eptesicus guineensis; Chaerephon nigeriae; Chaerephon pumilus; Chiroptera; Epomophorus gambianus; Epomops franqueti [E. buettikoferi]; Guinea; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros caffer; Hipposideros commersoni; Hipposideros cyclops; Hipposideros ruber; Micropteropus pusillus; Molossidae; Myonycteris torquata; Nanonycteris veldkampii; Nycteridae; Nycteris hispida; Nycteris thebaica; Pteropodidae; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus alcyone; Scotophilus leucogaster; Vespertilionidae; West Africa

Horseshoe bats, genus Rhinolophus Lacépède, 1799 (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae), of Yemen - Kock, D.; Al-Jumaily, M. M.; Nasher, A. K. (Fauna of Arabia, 2002)
The taxonomy of the rhinolophid bats of Yemen is investigated to assess their zoogeographic relationships. The widespread Rhinolophus clivosus is represented by the light-coloured Palaearctic R. c. clivosus (first record for Yemen) from one locality in Hadramaut and the dark-coloured Afrotropical R. c. acrotis from several other sites in Yemen. To better understand this bat species, which is the only one in Yemen represented by two subspecies, its taxonomic history is reviewed. Except for one population in north-western Ethiopia and north-western Somalia, all R. clivosus of Arabia and north-eastern Africa have lost the small anterior tipper premolar. The status of the related Afrotropical taxa R. keniensis and R. hillorum are recommended for further investigation. Rhinolophus blasii is examined for the first time since its discovery in Yemen. In the majority of its characters it agrees more closely with the nominate Subspecies of the Mediterranean region of the Palaearctic, R. b. blasii, than with geographically neighbouring Afrotropical populations of R. b. andreinii. This species represents one of two purely Palaearctic bat species, all other species recorded from Yemen show an Afrotropical or, more or less, Saharo-Sindian distribution.
Keywords: Africa; Arabia; Chiroptera; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus blasii; Rhinolophus clivosus acrotis; Rhinolophus clivosus clivosus; systematics; taxonomy

Chaerephon chapini - Fenton, M. B.; Eger, J. L. (Mammalian Species, 2002)
Keywords: Africa; Chaerephon chapini; Chiroptera; Fledermäuse; Molossidae; review

Chaerephon nigeriae Thomas, 1913, an addition to the bat fauna of the Republic of Yemen (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Molossidae) - Al-Jumaily, M. M. (Myotis, 2002)
The molossid bat Chaerephon nigeriae Thomas, 1913 is recorded for the first time from Hajjah Governorate, the Republic of Yemen. Measurements, zoogeographical notes, and a map of its total range are given.
Keywords: Arabia; Chaerephon nigeriae; Chiroptera; distribution maps; Molossidae; Yemen

Chaerephon nigeriae - Willis, C. K. R.; Psyllakis, J. M.; Sleep, D. J. H. (Mammalian Species, 2002)
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Molossidae; review

Identifying appropriate flagship species: The importance of culture and local contexts - Bowen-Jones, E.; Entwistle, A.. (Oryx, 2002)
Over the last 50 years there has been increasing use of charismatic large mammals and birds as ’flagship species’ to raise funds and promote the ethos of conservation. However, species chosen to appeal to donor and membership groups may not necessarily be considered popular among local communities. A growing recognition of the need to engage local communities in conservation makes them an increasingly important audience for information about conservation. In such situations an awareness of the local perception and value of different species is central to choosing effective flagships. Emphasising this, we propose 10 criteria for the selection of flagship species. We then describe three examples of local flagship species and assess their use against these criteria: the Asian elephant Elephas maximus for the conservation of landscapes in Aceh, Indonesia, the flying fox Pteropus voeltzkowi for forest protection on Pemba Island, Tanzania, and the ceiba or kapok tree Ceiba pentandra for the conservation of forests in Belize.
Keywords: Asia; Belize; Bombacaceae; Central America; Chiroptera; conservation; East Africa; Elephas maximus; flagship species; local communities; local participation; Mammalia; Pemba; Proboscidea; Pteropodidae; Pteropus voeltzkowi; Tanzania

The immature stages of Katacamilla cavernicola Papp, the first described for the Camillidae (Diptera: Schizophora), with comparison to other known Ephydroidea larvae, and notes on biology - Kirk-Spriggs, A. H.; Barraclough, D. A.; Meier, R. (J. nat. Hist., 2002)
Katacamilla cavernicola Papp, collected from caves at four localities in northern and central Namibia, is here shown to exhibit both parietal and troglophilic habitat preferences, and the larval stage is trophically guanobious. Katacamilla cavernicola was reared in the laboratory from the guano of the rock pigeon Columba guinea L. (parietal), and of the common slit-faced bat Nycteris thebaica Geoffrey (troglophilic) and larvae and puparia were obtained. The duration of the larval stage of K. cavernicola was found to be 7 days and the pupal stage 6-7 days, eggs remaining dormant within guano, and larval development being apparently triggered by periodic moistening, either by urine, or other liquids. Descriptions of the third instar larva and puparium are presented and are illustrated with line drawings and stereoscan micrographs. These descriptions of the immature stages are the first known for the Camillidae. Larval features are compared to the three closely related families in the Ephydroidea, for which the immature stages are known: Drosophilidae, Curtonotidae and Ephydridae. The larval morphology of Katacamilla is found to be generally close to the putative groundplan for the Ephydroidea. However, the basal sclerite has very large open windows with the ventral arm of the dorsal cornu being very long and needle-like. The thoracic segments are very long and slender and unusually well-separated from one another, and the abdominal segments and the prothoracic Keilin organs are very close together, a trait that is within the Ephydroidea currently only known in the Ephydridae.
Keywords: Aves; caves; Chiroptera; Mammalia; Namibia; Nycteridae; Nycteris thebaica; Southern Africa

Mormopterus petrophilus - Jacobs, D. S.; Fenton, M. B. (Mammalian Species, 2002)
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Molossidae; review; Sauromys petrophilus

Myotis welwitschii - Ratcliffe, J. M. (Mammalian Species, 2002)
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Fledermäuse; Myotis welwitschii; review; Vespertilionidae

Isolation and characterization of highly polymorphic microsatellite loci in Schreibers’ long-fingered bat, Miniopterus schreibersii (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) - Miller-Butterworth, C. M.; Jacobs, D. S.; Harley, E. H. (Molecular Ecology Notes, 2002)
Five polymorphic, dinucleotide microsatellite loci have been identified and characterized in Schreibers’ long-fingered bat, Miniopterus schreibersii (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae). These include three uninterrupted (CA)n repeats, ranging in length from (CA)17 to (CA)19, one interrupted repeat (CA)4(CG)2(CA)13, and one uninterrupted (GA)27 repeat. All loci were highly polymorphic, with 17-20 alleles identified per locus. Observed heterozygosity levels (0.66-0.82) are lower than expected due to homozygote excess, probably caused by pooling of populations, resulting in population substructuring. All five polymorphic loci were also successfully amplified in the closely related M. fraterculus. Two pairs of primers additionally amplified polymorphic microsatellites in Chaerophon sp.
Keywords: Chaerephon ansorgei; Chaerephon pumilus; Chiroptera; microsatellites; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus fraterculus; Miniopterus natalensis; molecular genetics; Molossidae; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus capensis; Rhinolophus clivosus; South Africa

Les chauves-souris (Mammalia, Chiroptera) de Bénin: Compte rendu préliminaire - Bergmans, W. (IUCN Netherlands, 2002)
Keywords: Benin; Chiroptera; distribution; identification key; West Africa

Megachiropteran evolution studied with 12S rDNA and c-mos DNA sequences - Colgan, D. J.; da Costa, P. (Journal of Mammalian Evolution, 2002)
Recent studies of mitochondrial DNA sequences have indicated the requirement for substantial revisions of the morphological understanding of the phylogeny of Megachiroptera (Pteropodidae). There is disagreement between studies as to what these revisions might be. This investigation was undertaken to expand the number of studied species and to add the first data from a nuclear gene sequence. For 12S ribosomal DNA (aligned length of 405 positions), 75 Megachiroptera (50 species in 20 genera) and two outgroup species were sequenced. For the oncogene c-mos (aligned length of 488 bases), 56 Megachiroptera (42 species in 19 genera) were sequenced and three eutherians from GenBank used as outgroups. The root of the megachiropteran phylogeny cannot be determined with the present data. Nyctimene, the only studied insectivorous genus (Paranyctimene not being included), plus Notopteris, the only long-tailed megachiropteran, form the sister clade to the other genera in combined analyses. Several alternative rootings are not rejected by the data, suggesting a rapid early radiation. Generic distributions indicate that this may have occurred in Melanesia. The results confirm that the subfamily Macroglossinae is not monophyletic with the long tongued phenoptype arising at least twice and support the existence of a major clade including a monophyletic endemic African component and biogeographically neighboring genera such as Rousettus and Eonycteris. The phylogenetic position of one African genus, Eidolon, remains uncertain. A cynopterine section (excluding Nyctimene and Myonycteris) is supported, albeit weakly, as a monophyletic group. Pteropus and the related, possibly polyphyletic genus Pteralopex, are unexpectedly basal compared to previous molecular studies.
Keywords: Africa; Asia; Chiroptera; convergence; Eidolon; Epomops; evolution; Megaloglossus; molecular genetics; Myonycteris; phylogeny; Pteropodidae; Rousettus

A new species of horseshoe bat (Microchiroptera: Rhinolophidae) from south-central Africa: With comments on its affinities and evolution, and the characterization of rhinolophid species - Cotterill, F. P. D. (J. Zool. (Lond.), 2002)
A new species of horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus sakejiensis, is described from south-central Africa, near the source of the Zambezi River in north-west Zambia. A distinct combination of noseleaf, cranial and baculum characters are diagnostic of the species. It is a member of the ferrumequinum group, and its evolutionary affinities lie closest to R. clivosus Cretzschmar, 1828 and particularly the West African R. hillorum Koopman, 1989. This discovery of a new species of Rhinolophus in the clivosus complex required reappraisal of these and other related taxa. Known only from high forest in West Africa, hillorum is the closest relative of sakejiensis collected in mesic savanna in south-central Africa. Comparisons of this new species with other large Afrotropical Rhinolophus shows that hillorum is specifically distinct from clivosus, and endorses the specific status of deckeni and silvestris. The contemporary taxonomy of Afrotropical Rhinolophus was incapable of accommodating this new taxon, and the latter part of this paper argues for a more objective characterization of rhinolophids as evolutionary species.
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Mammalia; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus clivosus; Rhinolophus hillorum; Rhinolophus sakejiensis sp. nov.; systematics; taxonomy; Zambia

Notes on the mammal collections and biodiversity conservation in the Ikelenge Pedicle, Mwinilunga District, northwest Zambia - Cotterill, F. P. D. (Occasional Publications in Biodiversity, 2002)
Bulawayo: Biodiversity Foundation for Africa
Keywords: [Neoromicia nana] Pipistrellus nanus; [Neoromicia] Pipistrellus capensis; Amphibia; Aves; Carnivora; Chiroptera; Epomophorus wahlbergi; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros caffer; Hipposideros ruber; Mammalia; Molossidae; Mops niveiventer; Nycteridae; Nycteris macrotis; Nycteris thebaica; Pholidota; Pipistrellus anchietae; Pteropodidae; Reptilia; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus clivosus; Rhinolophus sakejiensis; Rodentia; Scotophilus dinganii; Soricidae; Soricomorpha; Southern Africa; Vespertilionidae; Zambia

The oldest African molossid bat cranium (Chiroptera: Molossidae) - Arroyo-Cabrales, J.; Gregorin, R.; Schlitter, D. A.; Walker, A. (Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 2002)
A fossil cranium from Rusinga Island, Kenya, is described as a new species of free-tailed bat, Tadarida rusingae (Chiroptera, Molossidae). The sediments where the skull was found are dated by Potassium-Argon assay at about 17.5-18.0 million years before present (early Miocene). Comparisons with fossil molossids and all the extant species of Tadarida show that T. rusingae is distinguished by its large size, well developed posterior sagittal crest, deeply domed palate, and several features of the upper molars. This skull represents one of the most complete fossil molossid bats known.
Keywords: Chiroptera; East Africa; fossils; Kenya; Molossidae; palaeontology; Tadarida rusingae sp. nov.

Oxygen dissociation curves of whole blood from the Egyptian free-tailed bat, Tadarida aegyptiaca E. Geoffroy, using a thin-layer optical cell - Van Aardt, W. J.; Bronner, G. N.; de Necker, M.-L. (African Zoology, 2002)
Tadarida aegyptiaca (mean body mass 13.5 g) is a fast flying insectivorous bat that hunts in open areas for extended periods, covering extensive distances during its foraging bouts. Whole blood samples taken from the wing arteries were analysed for 2,3-diphosphoglyceric acid, oxygen affinity and pH. The mean oxygen affinity of T. aegyptiaca blood with a P50-value 38.3 mm Hg (5.1 kPa) is lower than that of similar-sized bats but not as low as the P50-values of 48.5 mm Hg (6.4 kPa) in two mice species. This indicates that oxygen affinity of the blood in T. aegyptiaca and other bats is designed to facilitate both effective binding of oxygen with haemoglobin at the alveolar/blood capillary interface and oxygen offloading in the tissues. Haematocrits (54-60%) and levels of 2,3 DPG (2.36-3.30 mM l-1) were higher, and blood pH (7.106-7.229) lower, than those reported for terrestrial species of a similar size, but within the range of values reported for other bats. We conclude that adequate delivery of oxygen to tissues with high metabolic demands during flight is facilitated primarily by an elevated haematocrit and a reduced blood pH in response to elevated levels of metabolic by-products such as 2,3-DPG (from the citrate acid cycle) and CO2 (leading to increased concentrations of H+ ions).
Keywords: Chiroptera; Molossidae; South Africa

Relationships between external morphology and foraging behaviour: Bats in the genus Myotis - Fenton, M. B.; Bogdanowicz, W. (Can. J. Zool., 2002)
A morphometric study of 41 species of Myotis revealed significant associations between morphological features and foraging styles, namely aerial feeding, gleaning, feeding over water, and trawling. Aerial feeders have small hind feet, short calcars, short ears, and narrow tragi. Gleaners have small hind feet, long ears, and wide tragi and tend to be larger in body size. Bats that feed over water have large hind feet, short calcars, short ears, and narrow tragi and tend to be smaller in body size. Trawlers have large hind feet and long calcars and tend to be larger in body size. The morphometric analysis also confirmed that some species of Myotis were intermediate in morphological features, coinciding with alternation between foraging styles. The results support the view that the morphological features previously used to assign Myotis species to subgenera are more functional than phylogenetic, a position supported by recent genetic analyses. Examination of foraging styles from a phylogenetic perspective suggests that aerial feeding is ancestral and that subsequent diversification has been associated with partitioning and specialization into either gleaning or foraging over water and trawling. When the predictions from the multivariate analysis of the data for the genus Myotis are used with data from other bats, they suggest that 5 species of Nycteris are gleaners, while 11 species of Eptesicus are either aerial feeders or feed over water.
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Eptesicus; foraging; functional morphology; morphometrics; Myotis; Neoromicia; Nycteridae; phylogeny; Vespertilionidae

Researching little-known species: The African bat Otomops martiensseni (Chiroptera: Molossidae) - Fenton, M. B.; Taylor, P. J.; Jacobs, D. S.; Richardson, E. J.; Bernard, E.; Bouchard, S.; Debaeremaeker, K. R.; Ter Hofstede, H. M.; Hollis, L.; Lausen, C. L.; Lister, J.S.; Rambaldini, D. A.; et al. (Biodiver. Conserv., 2002)
Listed as ’vulnerable’ by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the molossid bat Otomops martiensseni occurs widely in Africa and, according to some authorities, in Madagascar. Apart from a few known cave roosts, there are few records of O. martiensseni, although around Durban, South Africa, the species is common and roosts in buildings. Originally described as three species, populations of O. martiensseni differ significantly in size (length of forearm) between East Africa and Durban or Madagascar, but not between Durban and Madagascar. Seventeen buildings used as roosts by O. martiensseni averaged 34.5±15.8 years old. In the Durban area, bats entered roosts by landing and crawling. Roost populations ranged from 7 to 29 individuals, typically consisting of one adult male, several adult females and young (bats with unossified epiphyses), suggesting a harem social structure. The ratio of adult females to young was virtually 1:1, and among young the ratio of males:females averaged 2:1. Radio-tracking showed that individuals used several day and night roosts, and foraged widely in a landscape dominated by sugarcane and urban development. The echolocation and many social calls of O. martiensseni are readily audible to human observers, allowing a non-contact, low technology method for monitoring the local distribution and activity of these bats. Although listed as a species of special concern in KwaZulu Natal, there these bats appear to be candidates for inclusion on a ’blue’ list of species, ones showing stabilized or increased abundance. We recommend that O. martiensseni be recognized as a ’flagship’ species in the Durban area, representing the resilience of nature.
Keywords: Chiroptera; day roosts; echolocation; foraging; harem; Molossidae; Otomops martiensseni; radio-tracking; sex ratio; social calls; social structure; South Africa; telemetry

A revision of the Rhinolophus maclaudi species group with the description of a new species from West Africa (Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae) - Fahr, J.; Vierhaus, H.; Hutterer, R.; Kock, D. (Myotis, 2002)
Rhinolophus ziama n. sp. from the Upper Guinea highlands in Guinea and Liberia is described. This new taxon differs from R. maclaudi in being significantly smaller in size, and from R. ruwenzorii and R. hilli by skull shape and noseleaf morphology. These four related species are allocated to the formally established R. maclaudi group. A published record of R. maclaudi from Nigeria is here re-identified as R. hildebrandtii and represents the first record for West Africa. R. ruwenzorii is reported for the first time from Rwanda. We discuss the biogeography of the species group and propose that its members might represent an ancient radiation now restricted to two disjunct refuges in the Upper Guinea highlands and the mountain range along the Albertine Rift. This pattern strikingly resembles that of Micropotamogale lamottei and M. ruwenzorii (Tenrecidae). The conservation status of the four species is discussed and updated IUCN Red List categories are proposed. It seems likely that these species are seriously threatened both by habitat degradation within their small distribution ranges and direct exploitation in their day roosts.
Keywords: Africa; Albertine Rift; biogeography; Chiroptera; Congo (Kinshasa); conservation; evolution; Guinea; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros jonesi; IUCN Red List; Liberia; Lissonycteris angolensis smithii; Megaloglossus woermanni; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus cf. schreibersii [villiersi]; montane; mountains; Nigeria; Pipistrellus nanulus; Pteropodidae; revision; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus hildebrandtii; Rhinolophus hilli; Rhinolophus maclaudi; Rhinolophus ruwenzorii; Rhinolophus ziama sp. nov.; Rousettus aegyptiacus unicolor; Rwanda; Scotonycteris zenkeri; systematics; taxonomy; Uganda; Vespertilionidae

Systematic implications of chromosome GTG-band and bacula morphology for Southern African Eptesicus and Pipistrellus and several other species of Vespertilioninae (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) - Kearney, T. C.; Volleth, M.; Contrafatto, G.; Taylor, P. J. (Acta Chiropterologica, 2002)
Phylogenetic analyses of bacular and chromosomal GTG-band characters verify the suggestion that Eptesicus hottentotus (A. Smith, 1833) is the only true Eptesicus Rafinesque, 1820 of the six southern African species (capensis, cf. melckorum, rendalli, somalicus and zuluensis) formerly classified as Eptesicus. GTG-banded chromosomes studied in rendalli, zuluensis and capensis confirm the affiliation of all of them to the genus Neoromicia; these species were previously placed in the Pipistrellus Kaup, 1829, subgenus Neoromicia based on bacular morphology. For karyological reasons, the elevation of the subgenus Neoromicia to generic rank is established by the presence of three Robertsonian fusion chromosomes (7/11, 8/9, 10/12) as distinguishing characters. The move of Hypsugo nanus and cf. melckorum to the genus Neoromicia is indicated by chromosomal analysis and bacular morphology, respectively. The close phylogenetic relationship between Pipistrellus cf. kuhlii and P. rusticus is shown by a shared Robertsonian fusion element (11/12).
Keywords: Africa; baculum; Chiroptera; chromosomes; cytogenetics; Eptesicus hottentotus; Hypsugo anchietae; karyotypes; Laephotis; Madagascar; Myotis tricolor; Neoromicia; Neoromicia capensis; Neoromicia cf. melckorum; Neoromicia nanus; Neoromicia rendalli; Neoromicia somalicus; Neoromicia zuluensis; Os penis; Pipistrellus; Pipistrellus cf. kuhlii; Pipistrellus rusticus; systematics; taxonomy; Vespertilionidae

Une nouvelle puce du genre Allopsylla Beaucournuet Fain, 1982 (Siphonaptera: Ischnopsyllidae) on République Centrafricaine, sur un chiroptère Molossidae méconnu - Barrière, P.; Beaucournu, J.-C.; Ménier, K.; Colyn, M. (Parasite, 2002)
A pair of Allopsylla lobayensis Beaucournu& Barrière, new species were collected the first of November 1999 in Ngotto forest, in the south-western part of the Lobaye basin, Central African Republic (CAR). The host specimen, a little known molossid bat (Myopterus whitleyi), constitutes the first record of this species in CAR. The new flea species appears taxonomically close to A. hetera Beaucournu& Fain, 1982, one of the two other Allopsylla species, previously know from other faunal regions (A. alloides in Nigeria and A. hetera in Democratic Republic of the Congo). The parasitism of three distinctly different hosts by the three known Allopsylla species raises questions regarding the host-parasite specificity of this group.
Keywords: Allopsylla lobayensis sp. nov.; Central Africa; Central African Republic; Chiroptera; ectoparasites; Insecta; Ischnopsyllidae; Molossidae; Myopterus whitleyi; parasitism; Siphonaptera

Using inter-SINE-PCR to study mammalian phylogeny - Bannikova, A. A.; Matveev, V. A.; Kramerov, D. A. (Genetika, 2002)
Results of the use of the fingerprinting method related to short interspersed elements (SINEs), inter-SINE-PCR, in the study of phylogenetic and taxonomic relationship in mammals from orders Chiroptera (family Vespertilionidae) and Lipotyphla (family Erinaceidae) are reported. The inter-SINE-PCR method is based on the amplification of fragments situated between copies of SINEs, which are short retroposons spaced 100 to 1000 bp apart. Specifically selected primers were used, which are complementary to consensus sequences of two short retroposons: the mammalian interspersed repeat (MIR), which is typical of all mammals and some other vertebrates, was used in the cases of bats and Erinaceidae, and the ERI-1 element recently isolated from the genome of the Daurian hedgehog was used in the case of Erinaceidae. The results support the current view on phylogenetic relationship between hedgehogs belonging to genera Erinaceus, Hemiechinus, and Paraechinus (but not the genus Atelerix). In bats, the phylogenetic reconstruction revealed a statistically valid topology only at lower taxonomic levels, whereas the topology for the genus and supragenus ranks was unresolved and fan-shaped. The benefits and limitations of the inter-SINE-PCR method are discussed.
Keywords: Bale Mountains; Chiroptera; Ethiopia; Mammalia; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus inflatus; Molossidae; Northeast Africa; phylogeny; Plecotus balensis; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus affinis; Vespertilionidae

Analysis of asymmetries in the African fruit bats Eidolon helvum and Rousettus egyptiacus (Mammalia: Megachiroptera) from the islands of the Gulf of Guinea. I. Variance and size components of bilateral variation - Juste B., J.; López-González, C.; Strauss, R. E. (J. Evol. Biol., 2001)
A set of cranial characters was examined in the fruit bats Rousettus egyptiacus and Eidolon helvum to compare trends and relative importance of major components of bilateral morphometric variation, and their relationship with character size. Using two-way, sides-by-individuals ANOVA, four components of variation were estimated for each bilateral variable: individual variation (I), directional asymmetry (DA), non-directional asymmetry (NDA) and measurement error (E). Both species exhibit similar major trends of variation in asymmetry across characters, as shown by principal component analysis, using variance components as variables. Degree of interspecific congruence among characters was confirmed by a two-way ANOVA with species and variance components as fixed factors. Congruence of asymmetry patterns between species suggests that the concept of population asymmetry parameter (PAP) could be extended to higher hierarchies. PAPs above the species level may result from common mechanisms or similar developmental constraints acting on species’ buffering capacities and morphological integration processes.
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Eidolon helvum; Gulf of Guinea; morphology; Pteropodidae; Rousettus aegyptiacus