Analysis of asymmetries in the African fruit bats Eidolon helvum and Rousettus egyptiacus (Mammalia: Megachiroptera) from the islands of the Gulf of Guinea. II. Integration and levels of multivariate fluctuating asymmetry across a geographic - Juste B., J.; López-González, C.; Strauss, R. E. (J. Evol. Biol., 2001)
Using a set of cranial morphometric characters, trends of variation in multivariate fluctuating asymmetry were evaluated and compared in populations of African fruit bats Rousettus egyptiacus and Eidolon helvum from the Gulf of Guinea islands, and the adjacent mainland. Levels of asymmetry were compared across populations and species, and significant differences were found in both comparisons. Differences coincided with species-specific patterns of morphological and genetic differentiation. Concordance of correlation matrices of asymmetry was also compared. Results were significant; concordance is hypothesized to be a by-product of developmental processes that produce the ’fox-like’ morphology shared by these species. Consistency of asymmetry patterns suggests that the developmental pathway producing it is highly canalized. A prediction of the above hypothesis is that a radical change in the ’fox-like’ structural pattern would result in breakage of the asymmetry parameter associated with it.
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Eidolon helvum; fluctuating asymmetry; Gulf of Guinea; morphology; Pteropodidae; Rousettus aegyptiacus; skull

Arboreal tropical forest vertebrates: Current knowledge and research trends - Kays, R. W.; Allison, A. (Plant Ecology, 2001)
We review the ecology and specialized methods required for studying arboreal mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, and use faunal checklists from 12 tropical wet forest sites and an analysis of all articles published during the past ten years in 14 major journals to assess current knowledge and general research trends for these groups. The percentage of arboreal vertebrates was remarkably similar at the different sites (76.2±3.9%). Birds were the most arboreal group and amphibians and reptiles the least. The review of journals showed that primates were overwhelmingly the most studied group (336 papers), followed by bats (105), passeriform birds (73) and rodents (55). Judging by their portion of the arboreal vertebrate community and the number of papers surveyed, birds and amphibians and reptiles are vastly understudied compared to mammals, but this is largely due to the great number of primate studies. The number of publications on arboreal vertebrates has remained relatively stable over the last 10 years for all taxa except primates, which have seen a growth in publications. Canopy vertebrates from Brazil had by far the most publications (120), followed by Madagascar (61), Costa Rica (55) and Indonesia (42). We conclude by highlighting the priorities we see for future studies on tropical canopy vertebrates.
Keywords: Amphibia; arboreal; Aves; canopy; Chiroptera; Mammalia; Primates; rainforests; Reptilia; Rodentia; tropical forests

Aspects of the histology of reproduction in the female Angolan free-tailed bat Mops condylurus (Microchiroptera: Molossidae) in Mpumalanga, South Africa - Vivier, L.; van der Merwe, M. (J. Zool. (Lond.), 2001)
The reproductive pattern of the female Angolan free-tailed bat Mops condylurus (A. Smith, 1933) was investigated at two localities in Mpumalanga. Female Angolan free-tailed bats displayed a seasonal bimodally polyoestrous reproductive pattern. Parturition in December was followed closely by a postpartum oestrus. Ovarian follicle and endometrium cycles also closely followed the breeding season. The reproductive tract displayed complete dextral dominance with the right ovary and uterus being functionally dominant. Luteal activity was maintained throughout pregnancy and healthy corpora lutea were observed until late in pregnancy. Shedding of the zona pellucida occurred in the oviduct in the region of the ampulla-isthmus junction. The embryo entered the uterus as a morula, where it was transformed into a unilaminar, free-lying blastocyst. A unique feature of the pre-implantation uterus was the formation of a distinct decidua at the implantation site on the mesometrial side. Implantation in the Angolan free-tailed bat was centric and superficial. First attachment of the trophoblast to the endometrium was mesometrial. The formation of a pre-placental pad of trophoblast cells was also initiated on the mesometrial side, while orientation of the embryonic disc was anti-mesometrial. Placental development occurred in the abembryonic hemisphere. Proliferation of the trophoblast over the embryonic hemisphere was slow and a bilaminar arrangement of the trophoblast was not observed in this region until after the primitive streak stage.
Keywords: Chiroptera; histology; implantation; Molossidae; Mops condylurus; reproduction; seasonal polyoestry; South Africa

The Bats of Madagascar: A Field Guide with Description of Echolocation Calls - Bennett, D.; Russ, J. M. (Viper Press, 2001)
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; distribution; echolocation; Madagascar

Biology of Frances’s sparrowhawk, Accipiter francesiae, on the Comoro Islands - Herremans, M.; Louette, M.; Stevens, J. (Ostrich, 2001)
Keywords: Accipiter francesiae; Africa; Amphibia; Aves; Chiroptera; Comoros; diet; food; Indian Ocean; Mammalia; predation; reproduction; Reptilia

The Calling Behavior and Mating System of a Non-Lekking Population of Hypsignathus monstrosus - Gordon, T. T. (Ph.D. Thesis, 2001)
A question central to understanding the evolution and maintenance of lek mating systems is why do males cluster in the first place. Two prominent models explaining this behavior are the Hotspot (Bradbury and Gibson 1983) and Hotshot models (Beehler and Foster 1988). The Hotspot model proposes males cluster at locations determined by high female encounter rates resulting from large, overlapping female ranges. The Hotshot model proposes that male clustering is the result of non-reproductively successful males gathering around reproductively successful males in order to increase their encounter rate with females. Evidence supporting either model has been equivocal.I chose to address this question by studying a non-lekking population of a species whose lekking behavior had been well studied. For each of the two models, I made novel predictions as to what types of mating behaviors I should encounter in a non-lekking population. A single key point separating the two models involves the spatial and temporal patterns of the male display sites. The Hotshot model suggests male display sites will be dispersed at the beginning of the mating season and there will be a gradual clustering around several static sites as the mating season. The Hotspot model predicts male display sites will be ephemeral and follow resources important to the females.The hammer-headed bat, Hypsignathus monstrosus, is a well studied lekking species found across much of Equatorial Africa. At Ta{\"ı forest, in Côte d’Ivoire, this species does not lek. Instead, the male H. monstrosus show a highly dispersed pattern of calling that still utilizes the "court display" behavior seen in other parts of Africa. I tracked the male display patterns of this population, both in time and space, for 24 months over a four year period and found males displayed in close proximity to resources that were important to the females. Two distinct patterns and resources were identified. One pattern involved fruit trees where females were feeding. Such sites where ephemeral in nature and calling activity was constrained to a six hour portion of the night. The second resource was roost sites used by large numbers of individuals. Calling was most consistent at these sites throughout the year, however, calling was limited to the half hour around sunset and the hour preceding dawn. Both of these patterns support the Hotspot prediction of males using resources important to the females as calling hotspots.
Keywords: behaviour; Chiroptera; Côte d’Ivoire; courtship behaviour; diet; ecology; food; foraging; frugivory; Hypsignathus monstrosus; Ivory Coast; lekking; mating systems; Pteropodidae; radio-tracking; Ta{\"ı National Park; telemetry; West Africa

Changes in the abundance of cells in the anterior pituitary gland and the possible roles of luteinizing hormone, prolactin and progesterone in the control of delayed implantation in the straw-coloured fruit bat (Eidolon helvum) - Simbauni, J. A.; Bernard, R. T. F. (African Zoology, 2001)
Eidolon helvum (Megachiroptera) is a large frugivorous bat found in equatorial and tropical Africa. The reproductive cycle is characterized by a three-month period of delayed implantation and the total length of pregnancy may be as much as 10 months. A histochemical study of the gonadotrophs and mammotrophs of the anterior pituitary, in conjunction with assays of LH-like, progesterone-like and prolactin-like immunoreactivity in the plasma suggest that during delayed implantation the gonadotrophs were inactive while the mammotrophs were active and plasma PRL-like immunoreactivity high. We interpret this as indicating that, in the straw-coloured fruit bat, implantation was inhibited by high levels of prolactin and, as such, the endocrine control of delayed implantation may be quite different from that described for other mammals.
Keywords: Chiroptera; delayed implantation; East Africa; Eidolon helvum; endocrinology; hormones; Kenya; Pteropodidae; reproduction

Chromosomes of three species of Sudanese bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) - Khalid, N. M. (Myotis, 2001)
Karyotypes of three species of bats, Eidolon helvum, Rhinopoma hardwickei and Scotophilus nigrita from Sudan are described for the first time. All were found to have a diploid chromosome number of 2n=36, but with a different chromosome morphology.
Keywords: Chiroptera; chromosomes; cytogenetics; Eidolon helvum; karyotypes; Northeast Africa; Pteropodidae; Rhinopoma cystops; Rhinopomatidae; Scotophilus nigrita; Sudan; Vespertilionidae

Contribution à l’étude Comparative de l’Efficacité de la Méthode Classique de Capture et Celle de Détection Ultrasonique sur l’Inventaire des Chiroptères de la Péninsule de Masoala - Kofoky, A. F. (DEA-thesis, 2001)
Peu d’informations étaient disponibles sur les chiroptères de Madagascar. Actuellement, ces animaux sont devenus un centre d’intérêt de différentes recherches continuelles depuis ces quatre dernières années. Au mois de février, et mars 1999, un inventaire systématique de chiroptères a été mené dans deux localités sur la partie occidentale de la Péninsule de Masoala. Deux principales techniques ont été utilisées pour inventorier le peuplement Chiropterologique à savoir la méthode de capture et celle de détections ultrasoniques. Cette étude a été axée sur la détermination de la composition et la structure de la faune Chiropterologique dans le but de compléter la connaissance sur ce taxon en comparant l’efficacité des deux méthodes utilisées sur l’estimation de la communauté de ces animaux. 18874 mètres de filet-heure et 2000 mètres de piège harpe-heure on été entrepris, 126 individus groupés en onze espèces (Pteropus rufus, Rousettus madagascariensis, Emballonura atrata, Hipposideros commersoni, Myotis goudoti, Scotophilus robustus, Miniopterus gleni, Miniopterus manavi, Tadarida leucostigma, Myotis sp, et Myzopoda aurita) ont été recensées et identifiées. Ces résultats sont caractérisés par la présence de l’espèce la plus commune de Megachiroptères (Rousettus madagascariensis). Les chauves-souris Microchiroptères sont difficiles à capturer puisque leur système d’écholocation est si développé qu’elles détectent facilement les filets et les évitent. De plus, le travail a montré qu’on peut utiliser des détecteurs ultrasoniques pour des études de peuplement de chauve-souris de Madagascar. A l’aide de cette technique moderne nous avons pu identifier et caractériser 8 espèces différentes (Emballonura atrata, Miniopterus manavi, Hipposideros commersoni, Myotis goudoti, Scotophilus robustus, Rousettus madagascariensis, Tadarida leucostigma et Myzopoda aurita) avec leur écholocations détectées et enregistrées, y compris le Myzopoda aurita, une espèce de chauve-souris très rare qui est classée menacée par IUCN. Ce travail représente aussi la première étude sur les ultrasons de chauve-souris malgaches. Cette étude a permis de comprendre que la combinaison de ces deux méthodes montrent des avantages énormes sur l’estimation d’une richesse spécifique par rapport aux travaux précédents qui ont été faits seulement par la méthode traditionnelle de capture. Il y a des espèces qui sont identifiées uniquement par leurs écholocations du fait de la difficulté de leur capture.
Keywords: acoustic monitoring; Africa; bat detectors; Chiroptera; Emballonura atrata; Emballonuridae; harp traps; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros commersonii; inventory; Madagascar; methods; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus gleni; Miniopterus manavi; mist nets; Molossidae; Mops leucostigma; Myotis goudoti; Myzopoda aurita; Myzopodidae; Pteropodidae; Pteropus rufus; Rousettus madagascariensis; sampling; Scotophilus robustus; survey; Vespertilionidae

Contribution à l’étude de la Biologie et de l’Effet de la Prédation Humaine sur la Roussette: Eidolon dupreanum (Pollen, 1866) - Ranivo, J. C. (DEA-thesis, 2001)
La chauve-souris frugivore Eidolon dupreanum est l’une des espèces de Megachiroptera endémiques de Madagascar. Elle vit dans les anfractuosités des falaises et se rencontre partout à Madagascar. Cette espèce est chassée sur les Hauts Plateaux. Sa viande est très appréciée et sa matière grasse servirait de remède contre la toux et l’asthme. Etant donné son régime frugivore, elle dépend étroitement de la forêt et des arbres fruitiers. Nos études ont été menées principalement sur les Hauts-Plateaux malgaches et dans la région Mahafaly. Les populations d’Eidolon dupreanum des Hauts-Plateaux sont menacées du fait de la dégradation de leur habitat et des prédations qui pèsent sur elles. Ces populations ont un effectif moyen de 110 individus par g{\^ıte. Les simulations faites sur le logiciel VORTEX donnent une probabilité d’extinction de 0.17 pendant les 20 premières années. Cette espèce est classée dans la catégorie des animaux vulnérables selon les critères de l’IUCN. Contrairement à ce qui se passe sur les Hauts-Plateaux, les «Fanihy» ou «Angavo» sont Fady pour les Mahafaly. Ces deux populations présentent de légères différences morphologiques, les individus de Tritriva dans la région d’Antsirabe ont des oreilles beaucoup plus longues et sont plus lourds. Elles différent aussi par le nombre d’adultes ayant accès à la reproduction. A Tritriva presque toutes les femelles adultes donnent un petit, alors qu’à Sarirova dans la région Mahafaly seulement 64% des adultes femelles donnent un petit à partir du mois de septembre. En général, les accouplements et la fécondation ont lieu au mois de décembre et l’implantation du blastocyste vers le mois d’avril- mai (Kingdon, Jonathan, 1984). Les jeunes naissent après 4 mois d’incubation et sont sevrés 3 mois après leur naissance. Cette étude montre la nécessité d’entreprendre des programmes d’éducation environnementale pour mieux préserver ces animaux qui ont un rôle considérable dans la pollinisation et la dispersion des graines de nombreuses plantes.
Keywords: Africa; bushmeat; Chiroptera; colony size; conservation; day roosts; Eidolon dupreanum; extinction risk; hunting; Madagascar; Pteropodidae; reproduction; traditional medicine

The distribution and relative abundance of megachiropteran bats in southern Ghana - Yeboah, S. (Journal of the Ghana Science Association, 2001)
During a two-year period, a survey of megachiropteran (fruit) bats was undertaken in 21 forest reserves and two wildlife protected areas in Southern Ghana. The main objective of the study was to map out their distribution and abundance in Southern Ghana to serve as the basis for further studies in the rest of the country. Eleven of Ghana’s 13 known species of fruit bats were caught in the study areas. The species with the most widespread distribution was Epomops franqueti, which was caught in all the seven regions of Southern Ghana. Four species, namely, Eidolon helvum, Hypsignathus monstrosus, Lissonycteris angolensis and Rousettus aegytiacus were either poorly represented in the samples or had very limited distribution. The Western Region had the highest concentration of fruit bat species (9 species) followed by the Eastern and Central Regions (7 species each). The Mount Afadjato, Dadieso and Ajenjua Forest Reserves were the richest forest reserves in Ghana in terms of fruit bat species, each recording 7 species. The Ajenjua Forest Reserve had the highest density of bats, registering 179.16 bats per mist net night followed by the Supuma Forest Reserve with 75.8lmnn. It has been suggested that there is the need for certain forest reserves in the country to be upgraded to wildlife protected area status to guarantee the protection of their diverse bat species and other fauna of conservation importance.
Keywords: Chiroptera; distribution; Eidolon helvum; Epomophorus gambianus; Epomops franqueti; Ghana; Hypsignathus monstrosus; Lissonycteris angolensis; Megaloglossus woermanni; Micropteropus pusillus; Myonycteris torquata; Nanonycteris veldkampii; Pteropodidae; Rousettus aegyptiacus; Scotonycteris ophiodon; West Africa

Effects of Exposure to Continuous Low Doses of Ionising Radiation - Meehan, K. A. (Ph.D. Thesis, 2001)
Ionising radiation has the ability to induce, inter alia, DNA damage and is well established as a causative agent of carcinogenesis and mutagenesis. The effects of high doses of short duration have been well documented, whereas the effects of continuous exposure to low doses of ionising radiation have not, nor are they as clearly understood and current risk estimates are largely extrapolated from high-dose data of atomic bomb survivors. 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 areas in the mine, with external radiation levels measuring around 20 µSv/h (low dose) and 100 µSv/h (high dose). A control group of bats was collected from a cave with no detectable radiation above normal background levels.The most frequently encountered genetic event in human malignancy is the alteration of the p53 gene. Mutant p53 proteins have a longer half-life than the wild-type variant and accumulate to high levels in the nucleus of tumour cells. The study showed that not only was there a significant increase in p53 positive cells of radiation exposed bats, but also in the degree of positivity, especially in the cells lining the bronchioles of the lungs.Although experimental studies have shown that exposure to radiation may lead to the onset of fibrosis and an inflammatory response in the lung and other tissues, the magnitude of the dose exposure was not comparable to this study and histological examination of bat lung and liver tissues showed no morphological changes in radiation exposed bats when compared to the control group.It has been documented that chronic radiation exposures may give rise to a number of specific haematological defects which are collectively termed "preleukemia" or myelodysplastic syndrome. Full blood counts on bat samples showed a significant decrease in the MCV indicating microcytic erythrocytes from the radiation exposed bats. Differential counts performed on the peripheral blood of the bats showed a marked neutropenia. Neutrophils also showed marked dysplasia including psuedo-Pelger Huet cells in radiation-exposed bats. Cytochemical analysis using DAB myeloperoxidase showed that control bats had hypogranular neutrophils and radiation-exposed bats had largely agranular neutrophils. Bone marrow biopsies were taken from both control and radiation-exposed bats and evaluated for cellularity, granulocyte: lymphocyte: erythrocyte (GLE) ratio and megakaryocyte morphology. A hypocellular bone marrow, a decreased granulocytic haematopoeisis and dysplastic megakaryocyte morphology were observed in radiation-exposed bats. Mineralisation of bone osteoid was determined using image analysis and showed a highly significant decrease in the bone matrix from radiation-exposed bats. All haematological features observed are congruent with current literature describing secondary (radiation-induced) myelodysplastic syndrome. As there is considerable debate as to what dose radiation exposure is harmful, the results of these findings may prove significant in establishing haematopoeitic effects of continuous low dose exposure to ionising radiation.The micronucleus assay was used to evaluate residual radiation damage in binucleated lymphocytes and showed that the micronucleus frequency was higher in the test group than the control group. This study showed that bats exposed to radiation also presented with an increased number of micronuclei in reticulocytes compared to the control group. The Single Cell Gel (Comet) assay further showed increased DNA damage as indicated by the length of the comet tails. The results of the micronucleus and the comet assays showed not only a statistically significant difference between test and control groups, but indicated a dose dependent increase in DNA damage. These findings were supported by the presence of chromosomal aberrations in metaphases of radiation exposed bats. These assays may thus be useful in evaluating the potential clastogenecity of exposure to continuous low doses of ionising radiation.Although one has to be cautious about extrapolating data from bats to humans, the results of this study clearly indicate the potential risk of continuous exposure to low doses of ionising radiation. As a monazite mine at Steenkampskraal, South Africa, is likely to reopen in the near future, it will be essential to make use of a biodosimetry service to monitor radiation exposed individuals on a regular basis for early signs of DNA damage thereby ensuring the right of all employees to a safe working environment The biodosimetry service can be extended to incorporate exposure to any potential mutagen such as in the paint, pesticide and plastics industries.
Keywords: Chiroptera; day roosts; haematology; histology; mines; molecular genetics; radiation; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus capensis; South Africa

Emendation of Glauconycteris curryae - Eger, J. L. (Acta Chiropterologica, 2001)
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Glauconycteris curryae; nomenclature; Vespertilionidae

Epiphytes and their contribution to canopy diversity - Nieder, J.; Prosper{\'ı, J.; Michaloud, G. (Plant Ecology, 2001)
About ten percent of all vascular plant species world-wide are epiphytes and they are almost exclusively found in tropical forests. Therefore, they constitute a large part of the global plant biodiversity (10% of all species), and in tropical countries represent up to 25% of all vascular plant species. Focusing on the differences between epiphytes in the strict sense or ’holo-epiphytes’ (non-parasitic plants that use other plants – usually trees – as growing sites all through their life-cycle) and ’hemi-epiphytes’ (’half’ epiphytes which only spend part of their life as epiphytes until their aerial roots become connected to the ground), horizontal and vertical distribution patterns of both in relation to some of their ecological requirements are compared. Vertical ecological gradients (i.e., insolation and humidity differences from the forest floor to the canopy surface) are relevant for the composition of the holo- epiphytic vegetation. For hemi-epiphytes, however, ecological differences between distinct forest habitats (i.e., horizontal gradients) are relevant, but not primarily the canopy structure, as the individual host tree structure is more important. The scale-dependence of epiphyte diversity assessment (relatively small study areas for holo-epiphytes, large study areas for hemi-epiphytes) is mainly due to the striking differences in plant sizes and related mechanical and physiological requirements.
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Côte d’Ivoire; epiphytes; Fench Guyana; Ficus; Gabon; Hypsignathus monstrosus; Makokou; Pteropodidae; rainforests; South America; Ta{\"ı National Park; vascular plants

Etude du Régime Alimentaire d’un Megachiroptère: Eidolon dupreanum (Pollen, 1866) dans les Hautes-Terres Centrales Malgaches et son Rôle Potentiel sur la Dispersion des Graines des Plantes dans l’écosystème Modifié par l’Homme - Ratrimomanarivo, F. H. (DEA-thesis, 2001)
Connue par sa remarquable biodiversité, Madagascar possède certaines espèces à aspects biologiques et écologiques mal connus telles que les chauves-souris. D’après de nombreuses recherches, les chauves-souris, surtout les Mégachiroptères, jouent deux rôles importants dans la régénération forestière: par les phénomènes de la pollinisation des fleurs et de la dispersion des graine. Ce qui nous a incité à mener, entre juillet 1999 et février 2000, une étude basée sur le régime alimentaire de Eidolon dupreanum (Pollen, 1866) dans les falaises rocheuses des quatre sites (Ambatovaky, Marovato, Atongona et Tritriva) situées dans les Hautes-Terres Centrales malgaches. Basée sur l’analyse des matières fécales, les observations ont permis d’identifier 36 plants dont 13 fruits et 23 fleurs. Eidolon dupreanum consomme des fruits succulents, elle a une affinité très accentuée pour les pollen de Eucalyptus et les fruits de figuiers. Malgré l’endémicité de Eidolon dupreanum, elle consomme des espèces de plantes introduites et des plantes endémiques. Par ailleurs, les plantes consommées par l’animal ne sont pas les mêmes dans chaque site et à chaque période de l’année. Plusieurs graines sont tombées au-dessous de leur g{\^ıte après réjection et défécation mais le passage des graines au niveau du tube digestif ne diminue pas leur pouvoir germinatif d’après l’expérience de germination. La connaissance du régime alimentaire de Eidolon dupreanum dans son habitat naturel nous a permis: - d’établir une liste des espèces végétales consommées par l’animal dans les Hautes-Terres Centrales Malgaches, - d’évaluer la préférence de l’espèce sur les différentes plantes consommées, - de faire conna{\^ıtre à la population locale les rôles de l’espèce dans la régénération forestière (pollinisation et dispersion). Cette sorte de sensibilisation s’avère très indispensable et primordiale afin de maintenir une population de Eidolon dupreanum viable dans cette région.
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; diet; Eidolon dupreanum; food; frugivory; germination rates; Madagascar; pollination; Pteropodidae; seed dispersal

Evidence of two lyssavirus phylogroups with distinct pathogenicity and immunogenicity - Badrane, H.; Bahloul, C.; Perrin, P.; Tordo, N. (J. Virol., 2001)
The genetic diversity of representative members of the Lyssavirus genus (rabies and rabies-related viruses) was evaluated using the gene encoding the transmembrane glycoprotein involved in the virus-host interaction, immunogenicity, and pathogenicity. Phylogenetic analysis distinguished seven genotypes, which could be divided into two major phylogroups having the highest bootstrap values. Phylogroup I comprises the worldwide genotype 1 (classic Rabies virus), the European bat lyssavirus (EBL) genotypes 5 (EBL1) and 6 (EBL2), the African genotype 4 (Duvenhage virus), and the Australian bat lyssavirus genotype 7. Phylogroup II comprises the divergent African genotypes 2 (Lagos bat virus) and 3 (Mokola virus). We studied immunogenic and pathogenic properties to investigate the biological significance of this phylogenetic grouping. Viruses from phylogroup I (Rabies virus and EBL1) were found to be pathogenic for mice when injected by the intracerebral or the intramuscular route, whereas viruses from phylogroup II (Mokola and Lagos bat viruses) were only pathogenic by the intracerebral route. We showed that the glycoprotein R333 residue essential for virulence was naturally replaced by a D333 in the phylogroup II viruses, likely resulting in their attenuated pathogenicity. Moreover, cross-neutralization distinguished the same phylogroups. Within each phylogroup, the amino acid sequence of the glycoprotein ectodomain was at least 74% identical, and antiglycoprotein virus-neutralizing antibodies displayed cross-neutralization. Between phylogroups, the identity was less than 64.5% and the cross-neutralization was absent, explaining why the classical rabies vaccines (phylogroup I) cannot protect against lyssaviruses from phylogroup II. Our tree-axial analysis divided lyssaviruses into two phylogroups that more closely reflect their biological characteristics than previous serotypes and genotypes.
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; infectious diseases; Mammalia; phylogeny; rabies

The extirpation of large mammals and implications for montane forest conservation: The case of the Kilum-Ijim Forest, North-west Province, Cameroon - Maisels, F.; Keming, E.; Kemei, M.; Toh, C. (Oryx, 2001)
A review was carried out of the mammalian fauna of the Kilum-Ijim forest in the mountains of north-west Cameroon. The purpose was to examine the loss of species, particularly of larger mammals, and the implications of this for forest ecology. Information was collected by direct observation, hunter interviews and a literature review. The forest is the largest remaining representative fragment of the West African montane forest habitat. Seventy-seven species of mammal have been recorded in the forest over the last 50 years. Most are small, especially rodents, bats and insectivores. Seven species are endemic to the Kilum-Ijim area. The process of species extirpation probably began over 100 years ago with the loss of the mega-fauna, possibly beginning with elephant Loxodonta africana (several generations ago), and certainly with buffalo Syncerus caffer (at least 20 years ago), and other large mammals. Remaining large mammal population densities are very low and many species are close to regional extinction. The long-term consequences of these extinctions is uncertain but, as many tree species are monkey- or ruminant-dispersed, severe ecosystem damage has probably already occurred. Human population density in the area is around 300 people per sq km, and no sustainable offtake of wild animals will ever be possible that would provide more than a few grams of meat per person per year from the forest. The protein requirements of the communities of the area will have to continue to be supplied from domesticated stock. Since 1987 the Kilum-Ijim Forest Project of BirdLife International has been working to conserve the remaining forest, using a community forestry approach in collaboration with traditional and local authorities and the government of Cameroon. The project is investigating ways to improve the production of domestic animals outside the forest boundary.
Keywords: bushmeat; Cameroon; Central Africa; conservation; hunting; Mammalia; threat

The first specimen of Thomas’s flatheaded bat, Mimetillus moloneyi thomasi (Microchiroptera: Mammalia) in southern Africa from Mozambique - Cotterill, F. P. D. (Arnoldia Zimbabwe, 2001)
This paper reports the unprecedented occurrence of the unusual vespertilionid bat, Mimetillus moloneyi thomasi, in southern Africa. This discovery is vouched for by a single specimen (previously misidentified as Scotoecus albofuscus) from Zinave National Park in southern Mozambique. This specimen greatly extends the range from northern Zambia and southeast Tanzania, and is a significant record for southern Africa, let alone Mozambique. In addition, a significant range extension of Mimetillus into eastern Zambia is reported for the Luangwa valley. The morphology of these new specimens is compared against available material, and the taxonomy of Mimetillus is discussed.
Keywords: Chiroptera; Mimetillus moloneyi berneri; Mimetillus moloneyi moloneyi; Mimetillus moloneyi thomasi; Mozambique; Southern Africa; systematics; taxonomy; Vespertilionidae; Zambia

Five new species and a new subgenus of fleas (Siphonaptera: Chimaeropsyllidae, Ctenophthalmidae) from Africa - Hastriter, M. W. (Proc. Entomol. Soc. Wash., 2001)
Five new species of fleas and one new subgenus of fleas are described from Africa. They include Chiastopsylla (Ctenomacropsylla) petroma, n. subgen., n. sp. (Chimaeropsyllidae) from Cape Province, South Africa, Hypsophthalmus baxteri, n. sp. (Chimaeropsyllidae) from Natal, South Africa, Ctenophthalmus (Ethioctenophthalmus) hottentotus, n. sp. (Ctenophthalmidae) from Transvaal, South Africa, Ctenophthalmus (Ethioctenophthalmus) nigeriensis, n. sp. (Ctenophthalmidae) from Nigeria, and Ctenophthalmus (Ethioctenophthalmus) truncatus, n. sp. (Ctenophthalmidae) from Transvaal, South Africa and Manicaland, Zimbabwe. A key is provided for the species of Hypsophthalmus.
Keywords: Chiroptera; ectoparasites; identification key; Insecta; Mammalia; Nigeria; parasitism; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus clivosus; Rodentia; Siphonaptera; Soricidae; Soricomorpha; South Africa; Zimbabwe

Floral scent and nectar production in Parkia biglobosa Jacq. (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae). - Pettersson, S.; Knudsen, J. T. (Bot. J. Linn. Soc., 2001)
Composition and variation in scent chemistry among individuals and populations, and nocturnal variation in scent composition and nectar production were studied in the African bat-pollinated species Parkia biglobosa. Floral scent was sampled using headspace techniques and chemical composition determined by GC-MS. Nectar production and sugar concentration were measured. The floral scent of P. biglobosa contained mainly benzenoids and isoprenoids. The total amount of volatiles produced and the chemical composition varied within and among the populations studied, as did nectar production. A nocturnal variation in the production of individual compounds and in nectar production was also found, but the sugar concentration of the nectar was fairly constant. Most of the floral scent compounds in P. biglobosa are common in the floral scent of plants pollinated by various groups of animals. The temporal scent and nectar production in P. biglobosa showed highest production early during anthesis and then declined following bat visitation. Published descriptions of floral scents in other species of Parkia imply the presence of sulphur compounds, as has been reported in several bat-pollinated species in the Neotropics. However, Parkia biglobosa did not contain any sulphur compounds, which shows that megabats, in this case, do not use sulphur compounds as foraging cues, as has been suggested for microbats in the New World.
Keywords: chemical ecology; Chiroptera; floral scent; odour; Parkia biglobosa; pollination; Pteropodidae; Senegal; West Africa

A fresh look at Afrotropical bat assemblages: Combining different sampling techniques and spatial scales - Fahr, J. (Bat Research News, 2001)
Until recently, Afrotropical bat assemblages were considered to show highly impoverished levels of species richness when compared with the Neotropical or Australasian region. This view was held both at the local and regional scale. Contrary to this proposition, I found highly diverse assemblages at two study sites in Ivory Coast, West Africa, using standardized sampling methods including harp traps, mist nets on ground and canopy level, roost search, and acoustic monitoring. Each method produced heavily biased results, both in species composition and relative abundance. Certain species were recorded with a single technique only, consequently complete inventories can only be obtained by combining several techniques. The advantages and shortcomings of each method are compared. I further conclude that previous studies of Afrotropical bat assemblages are far from completion. They suffer from insufficient and non-standardized methods, leading to the previous assumption of impoverished species richness. In this study, I also show that even within a fairly homogeneous habitat some species were exclusively found in particular situations at the micro-scale. I conclude that sampling methods, habitat specificity, and scale dependency strongly influence the results and conclusions of community studies. Further directions in comparing the results obtained at the local scale with patterns at the regional scale are discussed.
Symposium talk at 12th International Bat Research Conference, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, August 2001
Keywords: Chiroptera; Ivory Coast; West Africa

Further notes on large Afrotropical free-tailed bats of the genus Tadarida (Molossidae: Mammalia) - Cotterill, F. P. D. (Arnoldia Zimbabwe, 2001)
The distributions and status of Tadarida fulminans, T. lobata and T. ventralis are reviewed in the light of new specimens. Intraspecific and non-geographical variation in the morphology of a population of T. fulminans in northeastern Zimbabwe is described. This species is sexually dimorphic; adult mates are distinguished by their fulvous pelage and fully developed gular gland. Diagnosis of the three species is discussed, and some observations are noted on roosting behaviour of these large molossids. In conclusion, I discuss the opportunities and challenges to improve our knowledge of the ecology and life histories of these large Tadarida.
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Congo (Kinshasa); Kenya; Molossidae; Rwanda; Tadarida fulminans; Tadarida lobata; Tadarida ventralis; Zimbabwe

On the genus Rhinopoma E. Geoffroy 1818, and a record of Rh. muscatellum Thomas 1903 from Yemen - Kock, D.; Al-Jumaily, M. M.; Nasher, A. K. (Senckenbergiana biol., 2001)
A second species of Rhinopomatidae, the small mouse-tailed bat Rhinopoma muscatellum Thomas 1903, is reported from Hadramaut, southern Yemen; its specific characters reliably differentiate it from all other known species. Currently omitted from all taxonomic considerations, Rh. hadithaensis Khajuria 1988 is formally synonymized with Rh. microphyllum (Brünnich 1782).
Keywords: Arabia; Chiroptera; Near East; Rhinopoma microphyllum; Rhinopoma muscatellum; Rhinopomatidae; Yemen

Gut morphology and morphometry in the epauletted Wahlberg’s fruit bat (Epomophorus wahlbergi, Sundevall, 1846) - Makanya, A. N.; Self, T. J.; Warui, C. N.; Mwangi, D. K. (Acta Biologica Hungarica, 2001)
The morphological adaptations of the fruit bat small intestine to which the high functional efficiency could be related and the possible landmarks delineating the various parts of the gut were examined. The stomach was the carnivorous type with large rugae spanning the entire luminal aspect down to the pyloric sphincter, which was reflected internally as a prominent fold. Externally, the intestine was a continuous tube uninterrupted by any structures. The cranial fifth of the small gut had long, branching and anastomosing villi, which caudally turned to finger-like discrete structures that became rather short and stumpy and diminished at the beginning of the colon. The colon had longitudinal folds that were macroscopically discernible from the mucosal aspect of the opened intestine and that continued into the rectum. The small gut formed 94% of the whole intestinal length, the colon and the rectum taking 4 and 2%, respectively. Ultrastructurally, the enterocyte showed a prominent brush border and the lateral membranes were modified into numerous tortuous interdigitating processes. Adjacent enterocytes were joined by these processes through desmosomes. The processes also participated in pinocytotic fluid uptake from the intercellular spaces with resultant numerous intracellular vacuoles of varied sizes. Solutes absorbed into the cells were probably first passed into the intercellular compartment to create a concentration gradient thus enhancing further absorption into the cell. We conclude that the uniquely elaborate ultrastructure of the enteric epithelium coupled with the vast microvillous surface areas reported elsewhere are partly responsible for the very high absorption rates reported in the fruit bat small intestine.
Keywords: anatomy; Chiroptera; digestive tract; East Africa; Epomophorus wahlbergi; histology; Pteropodidae; ultrastructure

Chaerephon ansorgei - Bouchard, S. (Mammalian Species, 2001)
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Molossidae; review

Identity of the African Vespertilio hesperida Temminck 1840 (Mammalia, Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) - Kock, D. (Senckenbergiana biol., 2001)
The history of Vespertilio hesperida Temminck 1840 from North-eastern Africa is reviewed and its status investigated. V. hesperida was described from two syntypes in the Senckenberg Museum. Later, the same specimens also became the syntypes of Vespertilio pipistrellus var. africana Rüppell 1842. Based on the original description of V. hesperida, one syntype of V. p. africana is formally designated as lectotype of V. hesperida, and placed in the kuhlii-group of the genus Pipistrellus as P. hesperidus (Temminck 1840). By this action V. hesperida does not threaten the recent nomenclatorial change of Pipistrellus (Hypsugo) nanus (Peters 1852) to P. (H.) africanus (Rüppell 1842). P. hesperidus differs morphologically and parasitologically from Palaearctic P. kuhlii (Kuhl 1817), and is considered to represent a separate species. It agrees with taxa presently considered to be subspecies of P. kuhlii in the Afrotropical Region, i.e. fuscatus Thomas 1901, and broomi Roberts 1948. From common characters and its occurrence eastern African P. hesperidus antedates P. kuhlii fuscatus and P. k. broomi. The status of other "kuhlii" populations recorded from south of the Sahara needs further investigations.
Keywords: Chiroptera; ectoparasites; Ethiopia; Europe; Neoromicia nana; Northeast Africa; parasitism; Pipistrellus hesperidus; Pipistrellus kuhlii; systematics; taxonomy; Vespertilionidae

Pipistrellus africanus meesteri, nom. nov. for Pipistrellus nanus australis Roberts, 1913 (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) - Kock, D. (Acta Chiropterologica, 2001)
Keywords: [Neoromicia nana meesteri] Pipistrellus africanus meesteri nom. nov.; Africa; Chiroptera; nomenclature; Pipistrellus nanus australis; synonymy; systematics; taxonomy; Vespertilionidae

Rousettus aegyptiacus (E. Geoffroy St. Hilaire, 1810) and Pipistrellus anchietae (Seabra, 1900), justified emendations of original spellings - Kock, D. (Acta Chiropterologica, 2001)
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; nomenclature; Pipistrellus anchietae; Pteropodidae; Rousettus aegyptiacus; Vespertilionidae

Karyotype comparison and phylogenetic relationships of Pipistrellus-like bats (Vespertilionidae; Chiroptera; Mammalia) - Volleth, M.; Bronner, G. N.; Göpfert, M. C.; Heller, K.-G.; von Helversen, O.; Yong, H.-S. (Chromosome Research, 2001)
Detailed karyotype descriptions of 20 Pipistrellus-like bat species belonging to the family Vespertilionidae are presented. For the first time, chromosomal complements of four species, i.e. Pipistrellus stenopterus (2n = 32), P. javanicus (2n = 34), Hypsugo eisentrauti (2n = 42) and H. crassulus (2n = 30) are reported. A Pipistrellus kuhlii-like species from Madagascar represents a separate species distinguished from the European Pipistrellus kuhlii (2n = 44) by a diploid chromosome number of 42. Banded karyotypes are presented for the first time for Scotozous dormeri, Hypsugo capensis, Hesperoptenus blanfordi, Tylonycteris pachypus and robustula. Chromosomal evolution in the family Vespertilionidae is characterized by the conservation of entire chromosomal arms and reductions in diploid chromosome number via Robertsonian fusions. Less frequently, centric fissions, para- and pericentric inversions and centromere shifts were found to have occurred. In several cases a certain type of chromosomal change predominates in a karyotype. Examples of this are the acquisition of interstitial heterochromatic bands in Tylonycteris robustula, and centric shifts in P. javanicus, H. eisentrauti and Hesp. blanfordi. The species examined here belong to three tribes, i.e. Pipistrellini, Vespertilionini and Eptesicini, which are distinguished by chromosomal characteristics. According to our results, the species Pipistrellus (Neoromicia) capensis belongs to the Vespertilionini and not to the Pipistrellini. We therefore propose to elevate the subgenus Neoromicia to generic rank.
Keywords: [Pipistrellus] Hypsugo crassulus; Chiroptera; chromosomes; Congo (Kinshasa); cytogenetics; Eptesicus bottae; Greece; karyotypes; Madagascar; Neoromicia capensis; Pipistrellus cf. kuhlii; South Africa; Vespertilionidae

The mammals of Adrar des Iforas (Mali), with special emphasis on small mammals: Systematic and biogeographical implications - Dobigny, G.; Cornette, R.; Moulin, S.; Ag Sidiyène, E. (African Small Mammals, 2001)
Proceedings of the 8th International Symposium on African Small Mammals, Paris, July 1999
Keywords: [Nycticeinops] Nycticeius schlieffenii; Asellia tridens; Chiroptera; Hipposideridae; Mali; Mammalia; mountains; Nycteridae; Nycteris thebaica; Rhinopoma hardwickii; Rhinopomatidae; Rodentia; Sahara; Soricomorpha; Vespertilionidae; West Africa

Mammoth roost of nonbreeding straw-coloured fruit bat Eidolon helvum (Kerr, 1792) in Zambia - Sørensen, U. G.; Halberg, K. (Afr. J. Ecol., 2001)
Keywords: Chiroptera; Eidolon helvum; Kasanka National Park; Pteropodidae; roosting; Southern Africa

Morcegos da Guiné-Bissau - Rainho, A.; Franco, C. (Instituto de Conservação da Natureza, 2001)
Keywords: [Glauconycteris] Chalinolobus beatrix (?); [Glauconycteris] Chalinolobus poensis [first record]; [Neoromicia nana] Pipistrellus nanus; [Neoromicia somalica] Eptesicus somalicus; [Neoromicia] Eptesicus capensis; [Neoromicia] Eptesicus guineensis; [Neoromicia] Eptesicus tenuipinnis [first record]; Chaerephon pumilus; Chiroptera; Coleura afra; Eidolon helvum; Emballonuridae; Epomophorus gambianus; Epomops buettikoferi [first record]; Guinea Bissau; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros abae; Hipposideros beatus (?); Hipposideros caffer; Hipposideros commersoni; Hipposideros cyclops; Hipposideros fuliginosus (?); Hypsignathus monstrosus [first record]; Lavia frons; Lissonycteris angolensis; Megadermatidae; Micropteropus pusillus; Molossidae; Mops condylurus; Nycteridae; Nycteris gambiensis; Nycteris hispida; Nycteris macrotis; Pteropodidae; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus alcyone [first record]; Rhinolophus denti [first record]; Rousettus aegyptiacus [first record]; Scotoecus hirundo [first record]; Scotophilus dinganii; Scotophilus leucogaster; Scotophilus viridis; Taphozous nudiventris; Taphozous perforatus; Vespertilionidae; West Africa

The nasal cavity of Hypsignathus monstrosus: Adaptations for sound production? - Dawson, A. E.; Dumont, E. R (Bat Research News, 2001)
Keywords: acoustic communication; Africa; behaviour; Chiroptera; Hypsignathus monstrosus; lek mating; Pteropodidae

New distribution records of leaf-nosed bats (Microchiroptera: Hipposideridae) in Zimbabwe - Cotterill, F. P. D. (Arnoldia Zimbabwe, 2001)
This paper reviews the distributions of the four species of leaf-nosed bats (Cloeotis percivali, Hipposideros commersoni, H. caffer and Triaenops persicus) occurring in Zimbabwe. Many of the specimens reported constitute significant range extensions. The second known specimen of T. persicus is reported from Zimbabwe. Although H. caffer is the most widely distributed of the four species, its distribution within Zimbabwe reflects mainly on sampling effort for bats over the past century. The biogeography of H. commersoni is reviewed with respect to the species’ dependence on large caves as breeding roosts, and intraspecific variation in migratory behaviour.
Keywords: Chiroptera; Cloeotis percivali; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros caffer; Hipposideros commersoni [vittatus]; Southern Africa; Triaenops persicus [afer]; Zimbabwe

New records for two species of fruit bats (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) in southeast Africa, with taxonomic comments - Cotterill, F. P. D. (Durban Mus. Novit., 2001)
Keywords: Chiroptera; Eidolon helvum; Lissonycteris angolensis goliath = L. goliath sp. propria; Lissonycteris angolensis petraea = L. petraea sp. propria; Lissonycteris angolensis smithi = L. smithi sp. propria; Mozambique; Pteropodidae; reproduction; resident colony; Southern Africa

A new species of Glauconycteris from West Africa (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) - Eger, J. L.; Schlitter, D. A. (Acta Chiropterologica, 2001)
A new species of Glauconycteris is described using cranial and external morphology and morphometric data. The new species is found in Cameroon and Democratic Republic of Congo, and is associated with tropical forest. Comparisons are made with the sympatric species, G. beatrix (including G. b. humeralis) and G. alboguttatus, because of general similarities in size and colour. Glauconycteris sp. nov. differs through a combination of small size, lack of external markings and shape of skull.
Keywords: Cameroon; Central Africa; Chiroptera; Congo (Kinshasa); Glauconycteris curryi sp. nov. [emendated to G. curryae (Eger 2001)]; Vespertilionidae

New specimens of lesser house bats (Vespertilionidae: Scotoecus) from Mozambique and Zambia - Cotterill, F. P. D. (Arnoldia Zimbabwe, 2001)
Discoveries of new specimens of dark-winged Scotoecus from south central Africa expand the range of these vesper bats into western Zambia, and southern Mozambique. These specimens are provisionally identified as S. albigula and S. hindei subject to a more detailed review of the genus. Notable records of these two species, represented by single specimens from Zinave National Park in Mozambique, vouch for significant range extensions and the first records of dark-winged Scotoecus in southern Africa.
Keywords: Chiroptera; Mozambique; Scotoecus albigula; Scotoecus hindei; Southern Africa; Vespertilionidae; Zambia

Notes on a collection of bats (Chiroptera) from Dzanga-Sangha, Central African Republic - Lunde, D. P.; Conway, T. M.; Beresford, P. (Mammalia, 2001)
Keywords: [Glauconycteris] Chalinolobus beatrix; [Glauconycteris] Chalinolobus cf. egeria; Central Africa; Central African Republic; Chiroptera; distribution; Dzanga-Sangha National Park; Epomops franqueti; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros commersoni; Hipposideros cyclops; Hipposideros ruber; Megaloglossus woermanni; Mimetillus moloneyi; Myonycteris torquata; Nycteridae; Nycteris arge; Nycteris grandis; Nycteris hispida; Nycteris intermedia; Pteropodidae; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus alcyone; species richness; survey; Vespertilionidae

The Plio-Pleistocene vegetation and climate of Sterkfontein and Swartkrans, South Africa, based on micromammals - Avery, D. M. (Journal of Human Evolution, 2001)
Micromammalian remains from Oldowan and Acheulean horizons in Sterkfontein Member 5E (M5E-O and M5E-A) and Swartkrans Members 1-3 (SKX1-3) provide information for the period between about 2 and 1 Ma. Another small sample from Sterkfontein Member 4 (M4) refers to a short period around 2·8–2·6 Ma and material from Sterkfontein post Member 6 infill (post-M6) relates to the Middle Stone Age occupation around 100 ka.Virtual absence of evidence of digestion on in situ lower molars of the major prey species, Mystromys albicaudatus, indicates that one of the owls Tyto alba, T. capensis or Asio capensis was the responsible predator. Over-emphasis on riverine grassland supports this suggestion, as does faunal resemblance between the Sterkfontein Valley samples and modern prey samples for the three owl species concerned. The location of the roost and the range of prey species point to the barn owl T. alba. There is no indication of differential bias between samples. South African species of eagle owl (Bubo spp.) are ruled out.All samples appear to represent interglacial conditions. The Grassland-Savanna ecotone probably lay nearby, as did the border between Moist and Arid Savanna. Possible modern analogues occur about 200 km west and southwest of the valley more than 250 m lower in altitude. South of Mafikeng all three vegetation types intergrade but the rainfall is higher than that postulated for some of the units in the Sterkfontein Valley. Similar climatic conditions occur near Kuruman and Kimberley where Arid Savanna merges into Grassland. Landscape information indicates a succession from riverine grassland, sometimes withAcacia trees, through hillsides with bush, grass and some trees, to plains with open savanna woodland. The suggested climate for the Sterkfontein Valley varied between ±310 mm and possibly 550 mm mean annual precipitation, summer aridity index 3.8-4.1 and percentage winter rainfall 23-24. Minimum and maximum monthly temperatures would have been higher than they are today but with the temperature range reduced.
Keywords: Afrosoricida; Chiroptera; climate; Eptesicus hottentotus; food; fossils; Macroscelidea; Mammalia; Myotis tricolor; palaeontology; predation; prey; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus blasii; Rhinolophus capensis; Rhinolophus clivosus; Rodentia; Soricidae; South Africa; taphonomy; Vegetation; Vespertilionidae

Prey groups in the pellets of the barn owl Tyto alba (Scopoli) in the Nigerian savanna - Lekunze, L. M.; Ezealor, A. U.; Aken’Ova, T. (Afr. J. Ecol., 2001)
The diet of the barn owl in the Nigerian savanna was determined by analysis of 739 prey remains, made up largely of small mammalian species. Small mammals accounted for 92.2% of all remains, with rodents (76.0%), insectivores (12.3%) and chiropterans (3.1%) being the primary prey groups. Unidentified mammals accounted for 0.8%. Nile rat Arvicanthis niloticus was the favourite prey and accounted for 30.9% of all prey and 26.5% of prey biomass. Food habits varied among the four geo-ecological zones of the Nigerian savanna studied in several respects. The diets in Nguru and Baga were more diversified than in the other locations. Birds accounted for 4.7%, reptiles 1.6%, amphibians 1.1% and insects 0.4%. As a result of the preponderance of rodents and some granivorous birds in the diet of barn owls, the owls are deemed to be playing an important role in the biological control of these potential agricultural pests.
Keywords: Aves; Chaerephon pumilus; Chiroptera; Mammalia; Molossidae; Nigeria; predation; Rodentia; Soricidae; Strigiformes; Tyto alba; West Africa

Protecting little-known species: The African bat Otomops martiensseni - Fenton, M. B.; Taylor, P. J.; Jacobs, D. S.; Richardson, E. J.; Bernard, E.; Bouchard, S.; Hollis, L.; Debaeremaeker, K. R.; Ter Hofstede, H. M.; Lausen, C. L.; Lister, J.S.; Rambaldini, D. A.; et al. (Bat Research News, 2001)
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Molossidae; Otomops martiensseni

Relations Faune-Flore dans le Parc National de Ta{\"ı: Une étude bibliographique - Chatelain, C.; Kadjo, B.; Koné, I.; Refisch, J. (Tropenbos - Côte d’Ivoire Série 3, 2001)
Keywords: animal-plant interactions; Aves; Chiroptera; Côte d’Ivoire; Fledermäuse; Ivory Coast; Mammalia; plants; Primates; Pteropodidae; West Africa

A review of the small mammal fauna of Djibouti and the results of a recent survey - Pearch, M. J.; Bates, P. J. J.; Magin, C. (Mammalia, 2001)
During a recent biodiversity survey in Djibouti, nineteen small mammal species were collected, including six bats and three rodents not previously recorded from the country. Records of a further three species, based on specimens from the zoological collections of the Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, are published for the first time. A second record of Lophiomys imhausii is included, based on a photograph. The thirty-nine species of Insectivora, Macroscelidea, Chiroptera, Hyracoidea, and Rodentia now known from the country are listed. Brief descriptions and measurements, where available, of twenty-one species are given together with notes on their distribution, ecological parameters, and conservation status. Previous publications on the mammal fauna of Djibouti are reviewed.
Keywords: Cardioderma cor; Chiroptera; Coleura afra; Djibouti; Emballonuridae; Epomophorus labiatus; Hipposideridae; Hyracoidea; Mammalia; Megadermatidae; Northeast Africa; Nycteridae; Nycteris thebaica; Pipistrellus kuhlii [hesperidus]; Pteropodidae; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus clivosus; Rhinopoma hardwickii; Rhinopoma microphyllum; Rhinopomatidae; Rodentia; Scotophilus dinganii; Taphozous nudiventris; Taphozous perforatus; Triaenops persicus [afer]; Vespertilionidae

Samples of Plecotus from Algeria in the National Museum of Natural History of Ukraine - Zagorodniuk, I. V. (Vestnik Zoologii, 2001)
Keywords: Algeria; Chiroptera; North Africa; Plecotus austriacus [gaisleri]; Vespertilionidae

Sex discrimination and roostmate recognition by olfactory cues in the African bats, Mops condylurus and Chaerephon pumilus (Chiroptera: Molossidae) - Bouchard, S. (J. Zool. (Lond.), 2001)
The ability of two species of African insectivorous bats (Angola free-tailed Mops condylurus and little free-tailed Chaerephon pumilus) to distinguish between males and females and roostmates from strangers in scent-choice experiments was tested. Both sexes of M. condylurus and male C. pumilus discriminated between sexes based on odours collected from the interaural and muzzle glandular areas, whereas female C. pumilus did not show any preference in either trials. Female M. condylurus from intermediate sized colonies (c. 200-600 individuals) distinguished female roostmates from strangers. There is some indication that roostmate recognition may vary inversely with the colony size of the test-subject suggesting that recognition is individually based, but further studies are necessary to determine if this is so. Histological work revealed that the interaural and muzzle area contain sebaceous glands and that the quantity of the glandular tissue is sexually dimorphic in both species for the interaural area, with males having more tissue, but not for the muzzle area. The presence of osmetrichia using SEM was also observed in the interaural area of both sexes of M. condylurus and in male C. pumilus. Their presence and association with sebaceous glands, as well as the results of the scent-choice experiments are indirect evidences of use of chemical signals, possibly pheromones, by these bats.
Keywords: Chaerephon pumilus; Chiroptera; Molossidae; Mops condylurus; South Africa

Sexual dimorphism, sex ratio and preliminary recapture rates of Nycteris thebaica (Nycteridae: Chiroptera) in Swaziland - Monadjem, A. (Durban Mus. Novit., 2001)
Nycteris thebaica was captured at day roosts in culverts under a road in Mlawula Nature Reserve, Swaziland. Captured bats were banded, sexed, aged, weighed and their forearm lengths were measured. There was clear sexual dimorphism: females were heavier and had longer forearms than males. Sex ratio was highly skewed with adult females outnumbering adult males by 2.8:1. Sex ratio of juveniles, though, was 1:1. Sex ratios of adults, however, varied seasonally, being highly skewed in July/August, October and December, but not deviating from parity in February. Since females appear to be resident year-round in the culverts, this suggests that males join females in late summer for the purposes of mating. Observations in the critical mating period (possibly May-June), however, are lacking. Adult recapture rates did not differ significantly between the sexes. Juvenile females appear to have higher residency rates than juvenile males, but small sample sizes precluded statistical testing. Whether these higher residency rates reflect lower mortality in females or greater dispersal in males has yet to be determined.
Keywords: banding; Chiroptera; day roosts; Nycteridae; Nycteris thebaica; reproduction; seasonality; sex ratio; sexual dimorphism; Southern Africa; Swaziland

On small mammals of the Nyika Plateau, Malawi - Chitaukali, W. N.; Burda, H.; Kock, D. (African Small Mammals, 2001)
Proceedings of the 8th International Symposium on African Small Mammals, Paris, July 1999
Keywords: [Neoromicia nana] Pipistrellus nanus; Chiroptera; East Africa; Epomops dobsonii; Malawi; Mammalia; Plerotes anchietae; Pteropodidae; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus simulator; Rodentia; Soricomorpha; Vespertilionidae

The status of Sauromys petrophilus and Chaerephon pumilus (Chiroptera: Molossidae) in the Western Cape Province of South Africa - Jacobs, D. S.; Fenton, M. B. (African Zoology, 2001)
Chaerephon pumilus is widespread in tropical and subtropical Africa, with an outlying southern population near the Cape which is based primarily on records of specimens captured at the Algeria Forestry Station (32°22’S, 19°03’E) in South Africa. Sauromys petrophilus, a flat-headed molossid, has a more restricted distribution, ranging from Mozambique and Zimbabwe south to South Africa and west to Namibia. Principal components analysis was used to compare the morphology of the specimens from Algeria Forestry Station (AFS) with that of S. petrophilus and C. pumilus from northeastern South Africa. Although similar in size to C. pumilus, the AFS specimens differed in several features, most notably the degree of skull flattening, a feature shared with S. petrophilus. The AFS specimens also lacked the flap of skin joining the ears, a feature of C. pumilus. These differences suggest that the bats from AFS are S. petrophilus rather than C. pumilus. This means that S. petrophilus may not be as rare in the Cape Province as previously thought and that there are now no records of C. pumilus as far south as the Western Cape Province of South Africa.
See Rautenbach & Nel 1979, 1980
Keywords: Chaerephon pumilus; Chiroptera; Cistugidae; Cistugo lesueuri; Eptesicus hottentotus; Laephotis wintoni; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus schreibersii; Molossidae; Neoromicia capensis; Sauromys petrophilus; South Africa; Tadarida aegyptiaca; Vespertilionidae

Sympatric fruit bat species (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) in the Comoro Islands (Western Indian Ocean): Diurnality, feeding interactions and their conservation implications - Trewhella, W. J.; Rodriguez-Clark, K. M.; Davies, J. G.; Reason, P. F.; Wray, S. (Acta Chiropterologica, 2001)
The fruit bats Pteropus livingstonii and Pteropus seychellensis comorensis coexist on two of the Comoro Islands, in the Western Indian Ocean. Pteropus livingstonii is more diurnally active than P. s. comorensis. Differences exist in the feeding strategies exhibited by both species when feeding together on kapok (Ceiba pentandra), with P. livingstonii dominant in aggressive interactions with P. s. comorensis. Preliminary investigations suggest that, although there may be some overlap in feeding ecology, with both species feeding on native forest plants, there may be little evidence of overlap in the native fruits eaten. These differences complement known differences in the roosting ecology, flight behaviour, morphology and timing of reproduction of the two sympatric Pteropus species, and suggest that P. s. comorensis does not act as a major limiting factor on P. livingstonii. The implications for the conservation of the Critically Endangered P. livingstonii are discussed.
Keywords: Ceiba pentandra; Chiroptera; Comoros; diet; East Africa; food; frugivory; Indian Ocean; nectarivory; pollination; Pteropodidae; Pteropus livingstonii; Pteropus seychellensis comorensis

They just keep calling, but is anyone listening? - Gordon, T. T. (Bat Research News, 2001)
Keywords: Chiroptera; Côte d’Ivoire; Hypsignathus monstrosus; Ivory Coast; Pteropodidae; Ta{\"ı National Park; West Africa

Type specimens of recent mammals in the Museum of Comparative Zoology - Helgen, K. M.; McFadden, T. L. (Bull. Mus. comp. Zool. Harv., 2001)
The Mammal Department at the Museum of Comparative Zoology houses name-bearing types of 342 species-group taxa of Recent mammals. The type collection consists of 327 holotypes, 2 lectotypes, 4 complete syntype series, and 9 partial syntype series. This catalogue notes information on the type locality, collector, date of collection, present condition, original publication, and synonyms for all name-bearing types in the Mammal Department. Comments on the taxonomic and historical importance of many type specimens are included. Lectotypes for a number of taxa are designated for purposes of taxonomic consistency.
Keywords: [Mops] Chaerephon leucostigma; [Neoromicia capensis] Scabrifer notius; [Neoromicia rendalli] Eptesicus phasma; [Nycticeinops schlieffenii] Nycticeius africanus; Chiroptera; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros curtus; Mammalia; MCZ; Molossidae; Mops angolensis orientis [condylurus]; museum collections; Nycteridae; Nycteris madagascariensis; Nycteris nana tristis; Pteropodidae; Pteropus laniger lectotype; Rousettus madagascariensis; Scotophilus altilis [leucogaster]; systematics; taxonomy; Triaenops auritus; Vespertilionidae

Vertebrate prey of the barn owl (Tyto alba Scopoli) from Tororo, eastern Uganda - Kityo, R. M. (Uganda Journal, 2001)
Keywords: [Chaerephon pumilus] Chaerophon pumila; [Chaerephon] Chaerophon aloysiisabaudiae; [Neoromicia] Epitesicus capensis; [Neoromicia] Epitesicus tenuipinnis; Aves; caves; Chiroptera; day roosts; diet; East Africa; Emballonuridae; Epomophorus minimus; food; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros caffer; Mammalia; Micropteropus pusillus [pusillus]; Molossidae; Mops condylura [condylurus]; Mops demonstrator; Mops niveiventer; predation; prey; Pteropodidae; Reptilia; Rodentia; Scotophilus leucogaster; Scotophilus sp.; Soricidae; Strigiformes; Taphozous perforatus; Tyto alba; Tytonidae; Uganda; Vespertilionidae

Woodhoopoes prey on bat - Daniel, D. (CCA Ecological Journal, 2001)
Keywords: Aves; Botswana; Chiroptera; Okavango Delta; Phoeniculidae; Phoeniculus purpureus; predation; Southern Africa

Bat survey begins at Phinda - Naylor, S. (CCA Ecological Journal, 2000)
Keywords: [Neoromicia nana] Pipistrellus nanus; [Neoromicia] Eptesicus rendalli; Chaerephon pumilus; Chiroptera; Epomophorus wahlbergi; Molossidae; Mops condylurus; Pteropodidae; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus darlingi-simulator; Scotophilus dinganii; South Africa; survey; Vespertilionidae

Bats of Southern Africa - Taylor, P. J. (University of Natal Press, 2000)
Keywords: Botswana; Chiroptera; Mozambique; Namibia; South Africa; Zimbabwe

Bats of the Palaearctic Region: A taxonomic and biogeographical review - Horáček, I.; Hanák, V.; Gaisler, J. (Proceedings of the VIIIth EBRS, Vol. 1: Approaches to Biogeography and Ecology of Bats, 2000)
Although the Palearctic is the largest biogeographic region of the World, its bat fauna consists of mere 109 species (25 genera, 8 families) of which 51 species (5 Rhinolophidae, 46 Vespertilionidae), predominantly linked to the temperate arboreal biomes, can be regarded as its core elements. These numbers are, of course, quite provisional because the knowledge on taxonomy of individual species is often rather incomplete. The patterns of geographic variation and status of local populations have been properly comprehended in eleven species only. This all biases also the current comprehension to faunal dynamics and chorologic diversity of the region. The present biogeographic analyses (based on a total of 29 800 faunal records subdivided into 112 operational biogeographic units) were thus intended to reveal the large scale biogeographic patterns and the major trends. Among others the following were particularly well marked: (1) most of the arboreal elements are characterized by the E-W Palearctic vicariance, some also with the vicariant species in the W-Palearctic eremial zone, (2) besides the gradual latitudinal decrease in species richness and diversity there is an apparent increase in both the characteristics in the latitudinal belt of 40-500 N. This is apparently because (3) the W Palearctic is essentially contributed by the Mediterranean and Afro-eremial elements, by which (4) the species richness and diversity is here much higher that in the corresponding latitudes in both the E Palearctic and Nearctic regions. (5) The tensions along the following polarities were found the most influencing factors modulating the faunal structure: (i) eremial-boreal, (ii) Oriental-Ethiopian, (iii) Mediterranean vs. non Mediterranean.The observed specificities of the Palearctic bat fauna resulted largely from (a) subsequent disappearance of the ancient groups of specialized foragers during the Neogene, (b) increasing the role of an ancient pattern of faunal arrangement centered around the unspecialized foraging (viz., slow aerial hawking), and (c) a massive adaptive divergence modifying it in favour of the groups capable of long-lasting hibernation. The resulting pattern is thus a bit strange: the Palearctic bat fauna is rather poor in comparison either with the original state or with the situation in the neighbouring Paleaotropic regions but, at the same time, it is rather modern and rich in fine modifications and newly rediscovered possibilities within the above mentioned constraints. Because of narrowing the adaptive limits due to these constraints, in the Palearctic bats, a large amount of parallel adaptations in different clades can be expected, as well as a considerable amount of cryptic variation resulting from it, particularly in those clades which succeeded to attain especially well balanced phenotypic design (M. mystacinus group, Pipistrellus, Plecotus a.o.).The paper is supplemented with an annotated checklist of all Palearctic bat species and a list of regional faunal record.
Keywords: biogeography; Chiroptera; distribution; Palaearctic

Breeding biology of Frances’s sparrowhawk Accipiter francesii in a lowland rainforest of northeastern Madagascar - Lily-Arison, R. de R. (Ostrich, 2000)
Frances’s sparrowhawks Accipiter francesii were studied during the breeding seasons 1994 and 1995 on Masoala Peninsula of northeastern Madagascar. Breeding coincides with the dry season, nest building in October, egg laying in November, hatching in December and fledging in January (beginning of the wet season). All but one of 10 pairs built new nests in 1995 and the mean distance of nest site from 1994 and 1995 nests was 105f100 m (n = 6, ranging from 0 to 250 m). Nests in primary forest were incubated for 79% of the observation time by females, 3% by males and eggs were unattended for 18% of the observation time. On a numerical basis the diet was composed of lizards (56%) and birds (23%), making up more than 79% of the identified prey items. A total of 33 eggs was laid in 13 nests (average clutch size 2.5). In 13 breeding attempts 29 (88%) hatched and all of those hatchlings fledged. Of the 14 My-documented breeding attempts 2.1 young fledged per breeding attempt and overall nesting success was 93%.
Keywords: Accipiter francesiae; Africa; Aves; Chiroptera; diet; food; Madagascar; predation; reproduction

Cave investigations in Namibia VI. The desert caves in and around the Namib-Naukluft Park - Irish, J.; Martini, J.; Marais, E. (Cimbebasia, 2000)
The known caves of the central Namib Desert and adjacent escarpment area are investigated. Six caves are treated in detail, particularly regarding geological and mineralogical aspects, and surveys, cave climate measurements, and biological information is provided. Additional information regarding a seventh cave, previously treated elsewhere, is given. As climatic conditions in the central Namib are too arid for normal karst processes, speleogenesis is ascribed to hydrothermal action, which is supported by mineralogical and geomorphological evidence.
Keywords: [Neoromicia] Eptesicus capensis; caves; Chiroptera; climate; day roosts; geology; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros caffer; history; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus schreibersii; Molossidae; Namibia; Nycteridae; Nycteris thebaica; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus denti; roosting; Scotophilus dinganii; Southern Africa; Tadarida aegyptiaca; Vespertilionidae

Climate, vegetation, and predictable gradients in mammal species richness in southern Africa - Andrews, P.; O’Brien, E. M. (J. Zool. (Lond.), 2000)
Many hypotheses have been proposed to account for geographic variations in species diversity. In general these relate to some aspect of climate, particularly climatic variables measuring available or potential energy, but while these relate directly to plant diversity they may only indirectly affect mammal species richness. We have examined these relationships by mapping and correlating mammal species richness in southern Africa (n=285 species) with 15 climatic variables, two topographic variables, and woody plant species richness (n=1359 species). The effect of area on richness was held a constant by using an equal-area grid cell matrix superimposed on species range maps, with each grid cell equal to 25 000 km2. We found that variability in the plant species richness alone accounts for 75% of the variability in mammal species richness. Of the climatic variables, only thermal seasonality approaches this figure, accounting for 69% of the variability, while annual measures of temperature, precipitation or energy account for only 14-35% of variability. Differences from North American mammal diversity studies, where annual temperature, and hence annual potential evapotranspiration (PET), have been found to be more important, are attributed in part to southern Africa’s climate and vegetation being largely temperate to tropical, as opposed to temperate to polar in North America. By distinguishing different types of mammal based on size, spatial and dietary guilds, other differences emerge. Strong correlations with annual temperature exist only for large mammals, accounting for 60-67% of the variability in species richness of large mammals compared with <20% for small mammals. Small mammals are strongly correlated with other climatic or vegetation parameters, especially plant richness and thermal seasonality; frugivorous and insectivorous mammal richness is correlated with thermal seasonality and minimum monthly PET; and arboreal and aerial species richness is correlated with plant richness, thermal seasonality and minimum monthly PET. Up to 77% of the variability in richness of arboreal, frugivorous and insectivorous species can be explained by woody plant richness, compared with only 38-48% of the variability in terrestrial herbivores. It is clear from this that different kinds of mammals are differentially affected by climatic and environmental factors, and this explains some of the discrepancies found in earlier studies where no distinction was made between different sizes or guilds of mammal. This result has implications both for the conservation of mammalian communities at the present time and for understanding the evolution and structure of mammalian communities in the past.
Keywords: body size; Chiroptera; climate; dietary guilds; Mammalia; potential evapotranspiration; Southern Africa; species richness; woody plants

Community level support for the allotonic frequency hypothesis - Jacobs, D. S. (Acta Chiropterologica, 2000)
The allotonic frequency hypothesis proposes that some insectivorous bats increase their access to moths that can hear echolocation calls by using frequencies to which the ears of the moths are less sensitive. The hypothesis predicts that the frequencies of bat echolocation calls are positively correlated with the incidence of moths in the diet of these bats. Studies that have provided evidence in support of the allotonic frequency hypothesis have relied on data collected by a number of researchers, in a number of different ways and at different times. The aim of this study was to test the allotonic frequency hypothesis on a single African bat community so that data for the different species could be collected at more or less the same time and in the same way. This community consisted of three high duty cycle species, Cloeotis percivali, Hipposideros caffer, and Rhinolophus simulator, and two low duty cycle species, Miniopterus schreibersii and Scotophilus borbonicus. As predicted by the hypothesis, echolocation frequency was positively correlated with the proportion of moths in the diet of these bats. Echolocation frequency was also a better predictor of diet than wing morphology suggesting that the selection pressure exerted by moth hearing might have acted directly on call frequency and secondarily on wing morphology, as part of the same adaptive complex. These results suggest that structure of bat communities might be determined by prey defenses rather than by competition.
Keywords: allotonic frequency hypothesis; Chiroptera; Cloeotis percivali; diet; echolocation; frequency; hearing; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros caffer; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus schreibersii; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus simulator; Scotophilus borbonicus; South Africa; Vespertilionidae

Cytogenetic classification of some common bats from Egypt - Riad, Z. M.; Mazhar, F. M.; Zaatar, N. H. M. (Egypt. J. Zool., 2000)
The present work presents an attempt to use cytogenetic studies as a new parameter for the classification of some local common bats. Chromosomal and sperm morphology studies were carried out for 9 bat species, which belong to 6 families of the two suborders Megachiroptera and Microchiroptera (order Chiroptera). The investigated bat species were Rousettus aegyptiacus (Pteropodidae), Taphozous perforatus&Taphozous nudiventris (Emballonuridae), Nycteris thebaica (Nycteridae), Rhinopoma microphyllum&Rhinopoma hardwickei (Rhinopomatidae), Pipistrellus kuhli&Pipistrellus rueppellii (Vespertilionidae), and Rhinolophus clivosus (Rhinolophidae). In addition, differential leucocytic count and neutrophil nuclear dimorphism were carried out on the studied bat species. It is concluded from this study that the bat species of the same family (except Vespertilionidae) have nearly the same chromosomal and sperm morphological characteristics.
Keywords: Chiroptera; chromosomes; cytogenetics; Egypt; Emballonuridae; karyotypes; North Africa; Nycteridae; Nycteris thebaica; Pipistrellus kuhlii; Pipistrellus rueppellii; Pteropodidae; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus clivosus; Rhinopoma hardwickii; Rhinopoma microphyllum; Rhinopomatidae; Rousettus aegyptiacus; Taphozous nudiventris; Taphozous perforatus; Vespertilionidae

A Determination of Parentage, Mating System, and Genetic Diversity in a Captive Population of the Straw-colored Fruit Bat (Eidolon helvum) - Zinck, J. (Ph.D. dissertation, 2000)
Keywords: captivity; Chiroptera; Eidolon helvum; genetic diversity; heterozygosity; mating systems; microsatellites; molecular genetics; parentage; population genetics; Pteropodidae; relatedness; zoos

Ecosystèmes forestiers et virus Ebola - Morvan, J. M.; Nakouné, E.; Deubel, V.; Colyn, M. (Bull. Soc. Path. Exot., 2000)
Despite data collected since the emergence of the Ebola virus in 1976, its natural transmission cycle and especially the nature of its reservoirs and means of transmission are still an enigma. This means that effective epidemiological surveillance and prevention are difficult to implement. The location of outbreak areas has suggested that the reservoir and the transmission cycle of the Ebola virus are closely linked to the rainforest ecosystem. The fact that outbreaks seldom occur suggests the presence of a rare animal reservoir having few contacts with man. Paradoxically, various serological investigations have shown a high prevalence in human beings, especially in forest areas of the Central African Republic (CAR), with no pathology associated. This would appear to suggest a circulation of both pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains as well as frequent contacts with man. The eco - logical changes resulting from human activity (agriculture and logging) account for the modification of the fauna (movement of rainforest fauna, introduction of savannah species) and could explain a multiplication of contacts. Likewise, it is interesting to note that the centre of outbreaks has always been in areas bordering on forests (ecotone forest-savannah in the Democratic Republic of Congo, savannah in Sudan). All these considerations have led us to establish a permanent "watch" in areas bordering on forests in the CAR, involving a multidisciplinary approach to the virological study (strain isolation, molecular biology) of the biodiversity of small terrestrial mammals. The results of a study conducted on 947 small mammals has shown for the first time the presence of the Ebola virus genome in two species of rodents and one species of shrew living in forest border areas. These animals must be considered as intermediary hosts and research should now focus on reservoirs in the ecosystem of forest border areas where contacts with man are likely to be more frequent.
Conference: "3e colloque du réseau international des Instituts Pasteur et instituts associés, Paris, 14-15.10.1999"
Keywords: Central Africa; Central African Republic; Chiroptera; Ebola; Filoviridae; forest-savanna ecosystems; Mammalia; Rodentia; Soricidae; Soricomorpha; virology

Evolutionary relationships among Old World fruitbats (Megachiroptera: Pteropodidae) based on 12S rRNA, tRNA valine, and 16S rRNA gene sequences - Romagnoli, M. L.; Springer, M. S. (Journal of Mammalian Evolution, 2000)
Old World fruitbats were divided into the cynopterine, epomophorine, rousettine, eonycterine, and notopterine sections by Knud Andersen (1912). Among these, the eonycterine and notopterine sections together comprise the subfamily Macroglossinae, which includes forms with specializations for nectarivory. Single-copy DNA hybridization data argue against the monophyly of four of Andersen’s sections and further suggest paraphyly or polyphyly of the Macroglossinae. DNA hybridization data provide support for an endemic African clade that includes Megaloglossus (an eonycterine), Epomophorus (an epomophorine), and Lissonycteris (a rousettine). Analyses of mitochondrial 12S rRNA-tRNA valine gene sequences corroborate the African clade but provide less resolution than hybridization data for most branches on the pteropodid tree. Here, we report 11 new 16S rRNA sequences and analyze a mitochondrial data set that includes 12S rRNA, tRNA valine, and 16S rRNA for 18 pteropodid genera. Parsimony, minimum evolution, and maximum likelihood were all employed in phylogenetic analyses. The addition of 16S rRNA sequences to the mitochondrial data set resulted in increased support for several clades, including Macroglossus + Syconycteris, Cynopterus + Thoopterus, Rousettus + the endemic African clade, and Eonycteris + Rousettus + the endemic African clade. Statistical tests suggest that another endemic African genus, Eidolon, is dissociated from the African clade and represents an independent invasion into Africa. We constructed a molecular phylogenetic framework that incorporated clades that were strongly supported by both single-copy DNA hybridization and 12S rRNA-tRNA valine-16S rRNA sequences. Using this framework as a backbone phylogenetic constraint, we then analyzed a morphological data matrix for 34 pteropodid genera with parsimony. Results of this analysis suggest that other epomophorines and Myonycteris (a cynopterine) are also part of the endemic African clade.
Keywords: Chiroptera; molecular genetics; phylogeny; Pteropodidae

Faunal relationships and zoogeographical affinities of mammals in north-west Africa - Dobson, M.; Wright, A. (J. Biogeogr., 2000)
The nonmarine mammal fauna of the Maghreb region of north-west Africa is related to that from three potential source areas: the northern Palaearctic (Europe and south-west Asia; here referred to as the European fauna), subsaharan Africa (the African fauna) and the arid Palaearctic (Sahara Desert: the desert fauna). On the basis of geographical distribution patterns, this fauna divisible into two groups: the bats, whose affinities are most closely related to southern Europe and southwest Asia, and nonflying species, most closely related to subsaharan Africa but with an appreciable northern Palaearctic element. These affinities are even more pronounced if desert fauna are removed from the analysis. The nonflying European fauna probably colonized via south-west Asia and north Africa, rather than direct from western Europe. The results demonstrate that terrestrial habitat barriers are less of an impediment to dispersal, for all mammals except bats, than even narrow stretches of water. The fauna of the Maghreb may be undergoing faunal relaxation, following immigration from tropical Africa and south-west Asia during mesic phases in the Late Pleistocene and early Holocene.
Keywords: Algeria; biogeography; Chiroptera; Maghreb; Mammalia; Morocco; North Africa; Tunisia

Geometric morphometric approaches to the study of sexual size dimorphism in mammals - Hood, C. S. (Hystrix (n.s.), 2000)
Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) has been extensively documented in many organisms, from vascular plants to vertebrates, including mammals. Geometric morphometric methods offer new, powerful tools for the study of SSD. The investigation of shape variability has not been previously pursued in traditional SSD studies and is an unique contribution of geometric morphometrics to this field. The combining of Procrustes methods with multivariate statistical analyses supports all traditional SSD experimental designs and allows new studies of shape variability and it’s relationship with size and other variables. Intraspecific and interspecific examples comparing traditional and geometric morphometric approaches to the study of SSD within several mammalian taxa are presented.
Keywords: allometry; Asia; Central Africa; Chiroptera; Cynopterus sphinx; Eidolon helvum; Epomops franqueti; Equatorial Guinea; geometric morphometrics; Macroglossus minimus; Mammalia; Megaloglossus woermanni; Micropteropus pusillus; morphology; Myonycteris torquata; North America; Ondatra zibethicus; Pteropodidae; Rensch’s rule; Rio Muni; Rodentia; Rousettus aegyptiacus; sexual size dimorphism; skulls

Ghana’s treetop bats - Taylor, D. A. R. (Bats, 2000)
Keywords: animal-plant interactions; Chiroptera; Eidolon helvum; Ghana; iroko; Milicia excelsa; Pteropodidae; regeneration; seed dispersal; Vegetation; West Africa

Is the Gibraltar Strait a barrier to gene flow for the bat Myotis myotis (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)? - Castella, V.; Ruedi, M.; Excoffier, L.; Ibáñez, C.; Arlettaz, R.; Hausser, J. (Molecular Ecology, 2000)
Because of their role in limiting gene flow, geographical barriers like mountains or seas often coincide with intraspecific genetic discontinuities. Although the Strait of Gibraltar represents such a potential barrier for both plants and animals, few studies have been conducted on its impact on gene flow. Here we test this effect on a bat species (Myotis myotis) which is apparently distributed on both sides of the strait. Six colonies of 20 Myotis myotis each were sampled in southern Spain and northern Morocco along a linear transect of 1350 km. Results based on six nuclear microsatellite loci reveal no significant population structure within regions, but a complete isolation between bats sampled on each side of the strait. Variability at 600 bp of a mitochondrial gene (cytochrome b) confirms the existence of two genetically distinct and perfectly segregating clades, which diverged several million years ago. Despite the narrowness of the Gibraltar Strait (14 km), these molecular data suggest that neither males, nor females from either region have ever reproduced on the opposite side of the strait. Comparisons of molecular divergence with bats from a closely related species (M. blythii) suggest that the North African clade is possibly a distinct taxon warranting full species rank. We provisionally refer to it as Myotis cf punicus Felten 1977, but a definitive systematic understanding of the whole Mouse-eared bat species complex awaits further genetic sampling, especially in the Eastern Mediterranean areas.
Keywords: Chiroptera; Europe; Iberian Peninsula; Morocco; Myotis blythii; Myotis myotis; Myotis punicus; North Africa; Spain; Vespertilionidae

Nycteris grandis - Hickey, M. B. C.; Dunlop, J. M. (Mammalian Species, 2000)
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Nycteridae; Nycteris grandis; review

Rhinolophus maendeleo n. sp. from Tanzania, a horseshoe bat noteworthy for its systematics and biogeography (Mammalia, Chiroptera, Rhinolophidae) - Kock, D.; Csorba, G.; Howell, K. M. (Senckenbergiana biol., 2000)
Described is Rhinolophus maendeleo n. sp. from the Coastal Lowland forests, Tanzania. The new species differs from its closest relative Rh. adami by the shape of noseleaf and by cranial and bacular characteristics. The systematics of the new species and its Central African forest-dwelling relative is discussed.
Keywords: baculum; biogeography; Chiroptera; distribution; East Africa; Fledermäuse; Mammalia; morphology; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus adami; Rhinolophus maendeleo sp. nov.; Rhinolophus simulator alticolus; Rhinolophus simulator simulator; species description; systematics; Tanzania; taxonomy; Verbreitung

Large elapids and arboreality: The ecology of Jameson’s green mamba (Dendroaspis jamesoni) in an Afrotropical forested region - Luiselli, L.; Angelici, F. M.; Akani, G. C. (Contributions to Zoology, 2000)
Several aspects of the ecology of Jameson’s green mamba Dendroaspis jamesoni jamesoni (Traill, 1843), a large-sized arboreal elapid snake, are studied in southern Nigeria. This species is common and widespread in the region studied. On the basis of the analysis of both the habitats of capture of the various specimens and the results of a logistical regression model, it seems that this species inhabits a wide variety of habitats (including secondary forest patches and the plantation-forest mosaic), and that its local distribution is not influenced by the presence of any macrohabitat parameter. Green mambas were observed both in the dry and in the wet season, without any statistical bias toward a particular season. Adult sex-ratio was approximately 1 : 1. Males were significantly longer than females. All adult mamba dietary records involved warm-blooded prey (mainly birds), whereas young mambas fed also upon lizards and toads. Nearly all the prey eaten by adult mambas were arboreal, and thus there was no support for the recent hypothesis that adult mambas develop an orientation to forage on terrestrial rodents. Male-male combats and matings were observed in December, January, and February (dry season), and gravid females were collected in April, May, and June (wet season). Females produced 7-16 eggs (mean 10.9), and litter size was positively correlated with maternal length.
Keywords: Chiroptera; Dendroaspis jamesoni; Nigeria; predation; Pteropodidae; Reptilia; Scotonycteris zenkeri; Serpentes; West Africa

A long-term ecological survey of bats (Mammalia, Chiroptera) in the eastern Niger Delta (Nigeria) - Angelici, F. M.; Wariboko, S. M.; Luiselli, L.; Politano, E (Ital. J. Zool., 2000)
The structure of bat assemblages was studied in relation to variation in forest landscapes in four localities of the eastern Niger Delta (southern Nigeria). The study areas were inhabited by thirteen species, seven Megachiroptera and six Microchiroptera, among which Eidolon helvum, Hypsignathus monstrosus, Rousettus egyptiacus, Saccolaimus peli, and Hipposideros caffer were recorded for the first time, whereas Epomophorus gambianus, Scotonycteris zenkeri, Megaloglossus woermanni, Scotophilus viridis, and Mops thersites were first cited only recently. The majority of captures occurred in secondary forest habitat (99 specimens belonging to 10 species), followed by primary forest (40 specimens, 5 species), and by the bush (13 specimens, 5 species). A multivariate set of analyses arranged the various species into six ’ecological groups’: (i) Eidolon helvum, Mops thersites; (ii) Hipposideros caffer, (iii) Hypsignathus monstrosus; (iv) Rousettus egyptiacus, Epomops franqueti, Scotonycteris zenkeri, Nycteris arge, (v) Saccolaimus peli, Scotophilus viridis, Nycteris hispida; (vi) Epomophorus gambianus, Megaloglossus woermanni. The various groups are interpreted in the light of the available information on the ecology and distribution of Nigerian bats.
Keywords: Chiroptera; Eidolon helvum; Emballonuridae; Epomophorus gambianus; Epomops franqueti; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros caffer; Hypsignathus monstrosus; Megaloglossus woermanni; Molossidae; Mops thersites; Nigeria; Nycteridae; Nycteris arge; Nycteris hispida; Pteropodidae; Rousettus aegyptiacus; Saccolaimus peli; Scotonycteris zenkeri; Scotophilus viridis; Vespertilionidae; West Africa

Mammal fauna of the Muni-Pomadze Ramsar site, Ghana - Ryan, J. M.; Attuquayefio, D. K. (Biodiver. Conserv., 2000)
A survey of the terrestrial mammal fauna of Muni-Pomadze Ramsar site along the Ghana coastline recorded 13 species, with 9 additional species reported by local villagers. Small mammal communities are most diverse in the grassland-thicket habitats surrounding the lagoons. Less diverse communities were present in and around managed Ecalyptus plantations or near villages. Duikers, antelope, bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus), and cane rats (Thryonomys swinderianus) are hunted (or trapped) for bushmeat. Bushbuck, in particular, play an important role in certain cultural ceremonies at Muni-Pomadze. Conservation efforts at these localities should focus on the management of bushmeat species and the establishment of a long-term monitoring program using small mammal communities as bioindicators of the health of the terrestrial habitats bordering Muni Lagoon.
Keywords: Chiroptera; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros commersoni; Nanonycteris veldkampii; Pteropodidae; West Africa

Mammals - Burgess, N. D.; Kock, D.; Cockle, A.; FitzGibbon, C.; Jenkins, P.; Honess, P. (Coastal Forests of Eastern Africa, 2000)
Keywords: [Glauconycteris argentata] Chalinolobus argentatus; [Glauconycteris variegata] Chalinolobus variegatus; [Glauconycteris] Chalinolobus kenyacola; [Lissonycteris] Rousettus angolensis; [Neoromicia nana] Pipistrellus nanus; [Neoromicia somalica] Eptesicus somalicus; [Neoromicia] Eptesicus capensis; [Neoromicia] Eptesicus rendalli; [Nycticeinops schlieffenii] Nycticeius schlieffeni; Cardioderma cor; Chiroptera; Coleura afra; East Africa; Eastern Arc Mountains; Eidolon helvum; Emballonuridae; Epomophorus labiatus; Epomophorus wahlbergi; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros caffer; Hipposideros commersoni [vittatus-gigas]; Hipposideros cyclops; Hipposideros ruber; Kenya; Kerivoula africana; Kerivoula argentata; Lavia frons; Mammalia; Megadermatidae; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus minor; Molossidae; Mops brachypterus; Myonycteris relicta; Myotis bocagei; Myotis tricolor; Myotis welwitchii [welwitschii]; Nycteridae; Nycteris aurita; Nycteris grandis; Nycteris hispida; Nycteris macrotis; Nycteris thebaica; Nycteris woodi; Otomops martiensseni; Pipistrellus eisentrauti [grandidieri]; Pipistrellus rusticus; Pteropodidae; Pteropus seychellensis; Pteropus voeltzkowi; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus clivosus; Rhinolophus deckenii; Rhinolophus eloquens; Rhinolophus fumigatus; Rhinolophus hildebrandtii; Rhinolophus landeri; Rhinolophus sp. nov. [maendeleo]; Rhinolophus swinnyi; Rousettus aegyptiacus; Scotoecus albofuscus; Scotoecus hirundo; Scotophilus dinganii; Scotophilus nigrita; Scotophilus viridis; Tadarida aegyptiaca; Tadarida fulminans; Tanzania; Taphozous hildegardeae; Triaenops persicus [afer]; Vespertilionidae

Morphological and allozyme variation of Eidolon helvum (Mammalia: Megachiroptera) in the islands of the Gulf of Guinea - Juste B., J.; Ibáñez, C.; Machordom, A. (Biol. J. Linn. Soc., 2000)
Morphological and genetic variation is evaluated among populations of the bat, Eidolon helvum, in the islands of the Gulf of Guinea (Central Africa). The populations from the islands of Bioko, Principe, and Sao Tome do not show significant phenetic differentiation, although a trend towards a reduction of size is found in the latter two islands. The low genetic distances between populations, as well as their values of Wright’s fixation indexes, suggest that gene flow has hampered differentiation on these islands. In contrast, the population from Annobon, the smallest and farthermost island, shows remarkable morphological and genetic differentiation. On the mainland, E. helvum displays unique migratory and dispersal behaviours, but migratory behaviour was not found in any of the island populations. The combination of selective forces in harsher oceanic environments and restricted gene flow among populations appears to have favoured the high degree of morphological differentiation of E. helvum on Annobon. Due to the extended length of the dry season in Annobon, an earlier achievement of sexual maturity-and consequently smaller size-may be advantageous in the absence of migration. The differentiation is more marked among females, which also suggests that selection may be linked to the reproductive pattern. The population of the island of Annobon is herein described as a new subspecies, Eidolon helvum annobonensis subsp. nov.
Keywords: Africa; Annobón; Chiroptera; Eidolon helvum annobonensis ssp. nov.; Gulf of Guinea; island biogeography; Pteropodidae

A new species of long-eared bat (Plecotus; Vespertilionidae, Mammalia) from Ethiopia - Kruskop, S. V.; Lavrenchenko, L. A. (Myotis, 2000)
A new species of Plecotus is described, based on several specimens from southern Ethiopia, the southernmost distribution record of the genus. The new species differs from all known species of Plecotus in size, cranial proportions and pelage coloration. In some metric and qualitative traits (skull size and face shape) it resembles P. auritus. The similarities between these two species may be convergent, though. The shape of the baculum of the new species is strikingly similar to that of the insular P. teneriffae. At present the phylogenetic relationships among the species of Plecotus remain unresolved.
Keywords: Chiroptera; Ethiopia; Northeast Africa; Plecotus balensis sp. nov.; Vespertilionidae

Notes on the mammal fauna of the southern part of the Republic of Mali, West Africa - Meinig, H. (Bonn. zool. Beitr., 2000)
During two short surveys the mammalian fauna of the southern part of the Republic of Mali (West Africa) in the sub-Sahelian belt was investigated. 46 species were recorded altogether. At least nine of them (Crocidura lamottei, Chaerephon pumila, Scotophilus leucogaster, Eptesicus rendalli, Rhinolophus fumigatus, Nycteris macrotis, Rattus norvegicus, Acomys cineraceus, Steatomys caurinus) are first records for the country. One other species is documented for the second time (Tatera cf. kempi), one for the third time (Crocidura lusitania). The known range of Gerbillus cf. gerbillus in Mali was extended further to the south. Rattus norvegicus was found for the first time in mainland Africa; formerly it was only known to occur in harbour towns. The most common rodent in the area was a yet unidentified form of Mastomys. By morphological characters the species is close to Mastomys natalensis and not to M. erythroleucus, a name applied by many authors. The commensal small mammal coenoses of some larger towns (Mopti, Djenne, Segou, Bamako) are compared.
Keywords: [Neoromicia] Eptesicus rendalli; Acomys cineraceus; Artenzahl; Chaerephon major; Chaerephon nigeriae; Chaerephon pumilus; Chiroptera; Crocidura lamottei; Crocidura lusitania; distribution; Eidolon helvum; Epomophorus gambianus; Faunistik; Fledermäuse; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros caffer; Mali; Mammalia; Micropteropus pusillus; Molossidae; morphology; Nycteridae; Nycteris macrotis; Nycticeinops schlieffenii; Pteropodidae; Rattus norvegicus; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus fumigatus; Rodentia; Scotophilus leucogaster; Soricidae; Steatomys caurinus; Tatera cf. kempi; Verbreitung; Vespertilionidae; West Africa

Nouvelles observations de six espèces d’oiseaux au Mali - Spierenburg, P. (Malimbus, 2000)
Records from Mali are presented for three species new to the country (redheaded lovebird Agapornis pullaria, yellow-breasted apalis Apalis flavida, mottled swift Apus equatorialis) and three others with few previous records (bat hawk Machaerhamphus alcinus, white-rumped swift Apus caffer, blue-breasted kingfisher Halcyon malimbica). The records of blue-breasted kingfisher constitute an important range extension.
Keywords: Aves; Chiroptera; distribution; Macheiramphus alcinus; Mali; predation; West Africa

The os penis of the frugivorous bat, Eidolon helvum (Kerr) - Nwoha, P. U.; Caxton-Martins, A. E.; Baxter-Grillo, D. L. (Folia Morphologica, 2000)
The os penis reported in some species of the mammalian order was observed in the juvenile and adult penes of the friguvorous African bat, Eidolon helvum. The morphology of the os penis in Eidolon helvum differs from that observed in bat species and other mammalian order. In the adult form it is large, disc-shaped and located at the distal segment of the penile organ. The proximal segment of the penis does not contain any bone. In the juvenile bat the os penis is made of two separate bones located longitudinally close to each other at the distal third of the penile tissue. The distal location in both the juvenile and the adult poses a question about the true function of this tissue. The bone may function in Eidolon helvum to support erection of the penis more for micturition than for intromission.
Keywords: baculum; Chiroptera; Eidolon helvum; Nigeria; Pteropodidae; West Africa

Patterns in Niche Partitioning within a Guild of Constant Frequency Echolocating Bats in Côte d’Ivoire - Ebigbo, N. M. (Diploma Thesis, 2000)
Keywords: behaviour; CF-echolocation; Chiroptera; community ecology; Comoé National Park; echolocation; ecology; Fledermäuse; foraging; guilds; habitat preferences; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros abae; Hipposideros beatus; Hipposideros caffer; Hipposideros commersoni [vittatus]; Hipposideros cyclops; Hipposideros fuliginosus; Hipposideros ruber; Ivory Coast; Mammalia; morphology; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus alcyone; Rhinolophus landeri; species richness; Ta{\"ı National Park; Vegetation; West Africa

Présence du taphien à ventre nu, Taphozous nudiventris, (Chiroptera, Emballonuridae) au Maroc - Aulagnier, S.; Denys, C. (Mammalia, 2000)
See Denys et al. 1995
Keywords: Aves; Bubo ascalaphus; Chiroptera; distribution; Emballonuridae; Faunistik; first record; Fledermäuse; Mammalia; Molossidae; Morocco; morphology; North Africa; predation; Strigidae; Strigiformes; Tadarida aegyptiaca; Taphozous nudiventris; Verbreitung

Records of bats from Middle Guinea, with remarks on their natural history - Konstantinov, O. K; Pema, A. I.; Labzin, V. V.; Farafonova, G. V. (Plecotus et al., 2000)
The study of bats as potential reservoir hosts of arboviruses in Middle Guinea, conducted in 1981-1987, allowed to receive some new data on their fauna, biology and ecology. Five new bat species were recorded for the prospected area: Hipposideros commersoni (Hipposideridae), Nycteris thebaica (Nycteridae), Scotophilus nigrita, Pipistrellus tenuipinnis (Vespertilionidae) and Chaerephon pumila (Molossidae). Five species or bat ectoparasites as: Eucampsipoda africana, Nycteribia schmidlii scotti, Penicillida fulvida, Stilida scissa sudanica (Nycteribiidac) and Thaumapsylla breviceps (Siphonaptera) were discovered in Guinea for the first time as well.
Keywords: Artenzahl; caves; Chaerephon pumilus; Chiroptera; day roosts; distribution; Eucampsipoda africana; Fledermäuse; Fouta Djallon; Guinea; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros commersoni; Insecta; Mammalia; Molossidae; morphology; Neoromicia tenuipinnis; Nycteribia schmidlii scotti; Nycteribiidae; Nycteridae; Nycteris thebaica; parasites; Penicillidia fulvida; Pteropodidae; roosting behaviour; Scotophilus nigrita; Siphonaptera; Stilida scissa sudanica; Streblidae; systematics; taxonomy; Thaumapsylla breviceps; Verbreitung; Vespertilionidae; West Africa

The role of fruit bat, Eidolon helvum, in seed dispersal, survival, and germination in Milicia excelsa, a threatened West African hardwood - Taylor, D. A. R.; Kankam, B. O.; Wagner, M. R. (Research Advances in Restoration of Iroko as a Commercial Species in West Africa, 2000)
International Workshop Proceedings, 15-16 November 2000
Keywords: Chiroptera; Eidolon helvum; Ghana; iroko; Pteropodidae; seed dispersal; seed germination; West Africa

Sex differences in the bony pelvis of the fruit-eating bat, Eidolon helvum - Nwoha, P. U. (Folia Morphologica, 2000)
Investigation into the bony pelvis of the fruit-eating bat, Eidolon helvum, revealed differences in the pelvic dimensions. The pubic joint of the female consists of interpubic ligament that increased in length until puberty. In the juvenile male Eidolon the pubic joint consists of ligament. Ossification of the interpubic ligament in the male is not an adult phenomenon but begins at the juvenile stage. In the adult the distance from the ischial tuberosity to the iliac crest, from the ischial tuberosity to the medial end of the pubis, and the outlet anteroposterior diameter of the pelvis, were significantly higher in the male than in the female. This indicates that the hip bone in the male is longer in both the vertical (height) and transverse (width) measurements than in the female. The dimensions of the adult pelvic inlet and outlet transverse diameters were significantly higher in the female than in the male. This indicates that the female pelvic canal is wider than the male and this is a consequence of the female interpubic ligament.
Keywords: Chiroptera; Eidolon helvum; Nigeria; Pteropodidae; West Africa

Soaring and non-soaring bats of the family Pteropodidae (flying foxes, Pteropus spp.): Wing morphology and flight performance - Lindhe Norberg, U. M.; Brooke, A. P.; Trewhella, W. J. (J. Exp. Biol., 2000)
On oceanic islands, some large diurnal megachiropteran bat species (flying foxes; Pteropus spp.) frequently use thermal or slope soaring during foraging flights to save energy. We compared the flight morphology and gliding/soaring performance of soaring versus non-soaring Pteropus species, one pair on American Samoa and one pair on the Comoro Islands, and two other soaring/flap-gliding species and one non-soaring species. We predicted that the soaring species should have a lower body mass, longer wings and, hence, lower wing loadings than those species that use mainly flapping flight. This would give a lower sinking speed during gliding, a higher glide ratio, and enable the bats to make tighter turns with lower sinking speeds than in the non-soaring species. We theoretically calculated the gliding and circling performances of both the soaring and non-soaring species. Our results show that there are tendencies towards longer wings and lower wing loadings in relation to body size in the gliding/soaring flying foxes than in the non-soaring ones. In the species-pair comparison of the soaring and non-soaring species on American Samoa and the Comoro Islands, the soarers on both islands turn out to have lower wing loadings than their non-soaring partners in spite of opposite size differences among the pairs. These characteristics are in accordance with our hypothesis on morphological adaptations. Most differences are, however, only significant at a level of P<0.01, which may be due to the small sample size, but overlap also occurs. Therefore, we must conclude that wing morphology does not seem to be a limiting factor preventing the non-soarers from soaring. Instead, diurnality in the soaring species seems to be the ultimate determinant of soaring behaviour. The morphological differences cause visible differences in soaring and gliding performance. The glider/soarers turn out to have lower minimum sinking speeds, lower best glide speeds and smaller turning radii than the non-soarers. When the wing measurements and soaring performance are normalized to a body mass of 0.5 kg for all species, the minimum sinking speed becomes significantly lower (P<0.05) in the three soaring and the one flap-gliding species (0.63 m s-1) than in the three non-soaring species (0.69 m s-1). Interestingly, the zones in the diagrams for the glide polars and circling envelopes of these similar-sized bats become displaced for the glider/soarers versus the non-soarers. The glide polars overlap slightly only at the gliding speeds appropriate for these bats, whereas the circling envelopes do not overlap at the appropriate bank angles and turning radii. This points towards adaptations for better gliding/soaring performance in the soaring and gliding species.
Keywords: American Samoa; Asia; behaviour; Chiroptera; Comoros; diurnal; East Africa; ecology; flight; flying; gliding; Mammalia; nocturnal; Pteropodidae; Pteropus livingstonii; Pteropus mariannus pelewensis; Pteropus rufus; Pteropus samoensis; Pteropus seychellensis comorensis; Pteropus tonganus; soaring; theory; wing shape

A survey of the small mammals of the Gonja Forest Reserve, Tanzania - Stanley, W. T.; Goodman, S. M.; Kihaule, P. M.; Howell, K. M. (J. East Afr. nat. Hist., 2000)
Small mammals were surveyed in the lowland forest of the Gonja Forest Reserve of north-eastern Tanzania. In 565 trap-nights 10 rodents (three species) were captured. In 12.5 net hours 27 bats (11 species) were netted. Comparisons of similar surveys in nearby montane forests indicate a lower density and diversity of rodents and shrews in Gonja than in higher elevation habitats. Information is presented on external measurements, weight and reproductive condition of the specimens collected.
Keywords: Chiroptera; East Africa; Glauconycteris argentata; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros caffer; Mammalia; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus schreibersii; Myotis bocagii; Neoromicia nanus; Nycteridae; Nycteris grandis; Nycteris hispida; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus fumigatus; Rhinolophus hildebrandtii; Rodentia; Scotoecus hirundo; Soricidae; Soricomorpha; Vespertilionidae

Taxonomic revision of Myotis mystacinus group (Mammalia: Chiroptera) in the western Palearctic - Benda, P.; Tsytsulina, K. A. (Acta Soc. Zool. Bohem., 2000)
We restudied the systematic arrangement of the Myotis mystacinus group in the western part of the Palearctic region (Europe, North Africa, and Caucasus region) using morphometry of the skull and wings, and morphology of teeth and bacula in more than 650 museum specimens. In the stated region we recognized five species with several subspecies: Myotis brandtii brandtii (Eversmann, 1845), which occurs in central and north-eastern Europe, the Balkans and the Caucasus region; Myotis mystacinus mystacinus (Kuhl, 1817), which occurs in the European mixed forests from Ireland and the Balkans to the Ural Mts.; M. m. occidentalis Benda ssp. n., which occurs in the western Mediterranean; M. m. caucasicus Tsytsulina ssp. n., which occurs in the Caucasus Mts., Transcaucasia, and Armenian Highlands; and Myotis aurascens Kusjakin, 1935 stat. n., which occurs in south-eastern Europe from northern Italy, Dalmatia and the Balkans through the steppes of southern Ukraine and Ciscaucasia to Transcaucasia and the steppes of western Kazakhstan (this form probably occurs in Asia Minor as well). The Sevan Lake basin in Armenia is inhabited by an endemic form, Myotis hajastanicus Argyropulo, 1939 stat. n. In the north-eastern part of the Middle East (eastern Turkey, eastern Transcaucasia, Iran) and more to the east another form occurs, tentatively identified here as Myotis nipalensis transcaspicus Ogneff et Heptner, 1928 stat. n. The paper includes revised diagnoses of all newly defined taxa.
Keywords: Asia; baculum; Chiroptera; Europe; Morocco; morphometrics; Myotis aurascens; Myotis brandtii; Myotis hajastanicus; Myotis mystacinus caucasicus; Myotis mystacinus mystacinus; Myotis mystacinus occidentalis; Myotis nipalensis transcaspicus; North Africa; systematics; taxonomy; Vespertilionidae

Variation in the frequency of the echolocation calls of Hipposideros ruber in the Gulf of Guinea: An exploration of the adaptive meaning of the constant frequency value in rhinolophoid CF bats - Guillén-Servent, A.; Juste B., J.; Ibáñez, C. (J. Evol. Biol., 2000)
This study describes variation patterns in the constant frequency (CF) segment of echolocation calls of the bat Hipposideros ruber within and among populations across the region of the Gulf of Guinea. Correlations of variation in CF with variation in body size, body condition, environmental humidity and presence of ecologically similar species are studied in an attempt to identify the forces driving the evolution of CF. We found that bats may adapt the frequency to humidity, and that CF may evolve under interspecific interactions, either of ecological or of social nature. The results support an adaptive value for the high values of CF, and challenge the ’Allotonic Frequency Hypothesis’. We found correlation between frequency and a body condition index, which may trigger social selection processes in this species sexually dimorphic in CF. Combined social and environmental selection on CF could trigger diversification of bats along ecotones separating habitats with contrasting air humidity.
Keywords: acoustic communication; Africa; allopatric; Artenzahl; behaviour; Beutespektrum; Chiroptera; communities; competition; distribution; echolocation; ecology; evolution; Fledermäuse; habitat preferences; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros ruber; humidity; island biogeography; Mammalia; morphology; Nahrungsspektrum; Pr{\'ıncipe; prey detection; prey selection; São Tomé; speciation; sympatric; theory; Verbreitung

Are megachiropteran bats lunarphilic? - Gordon, T. T. (Bat Research News, 1999)
Keywords: Chiroptera; Côte d’Ivoire; Ivory Coast; Pteropodidae; Ta{\"ı National Park; West Africa

Bat salivary proteins segregate according to diet - Dumont, E. R; Etzel, K.; Hempel, D. (Mammalia, 1999)
Whole saliva samples were gathered from four insectivorous (Myotis tricolor, Pipistrellus africanus, Mops condylurus, and Chaerephon pumilla) and two frugivorous (Epomophorus labiatus, E. minor) bat species following a 6-10 hour fasting period and immediately stored in liquid nitrogen. Proteins within the samples were visualized by SDS-PAGE techniques modified for saliva. With the exception of E. minor, each species is represented by four to five individuals. Only minor fluctuations in protein banding patterns were encountered among conspecifics. However, frugivores exhibit a major band at 60 Kd that is absent in insectivores, and insectivores exhibit a major 40 Kd band that is lacking in frugivores. Peptides from three sets of bands were extracted directly from the gels after in-situ proteolysis and isolation using HPLC. Comparison of amino acid sequences to the PIR, EC, and SwisProt databanks did not yield any compelling similarities, though some interesting potential matches were generated. Based on their molecular weights, potential identities of the proteins are discussed with respect to their roles in digestion and the maintenance of the oral cavity. These data constitute the first comparative analysis of bat salivary proteins and suggest that this novel source of data will prove useful in answering both functional and evolutionary questions.
Keywords: Chaerephon pumilus; Chiroptera; diet; Epomophorus labiatus; Epomophorus minor; Ernährungsweise; Ethiopia; Fledermäuse; Mammalia; Molossidae; Mops condylurus; Myotis tricolor; Nahrung; Neoromicia nanus; Northeast Africa; proteins; Pteropodidae; saliva; Vespertilionidae

Capture meridionale de la barbastelle d’Europe (Barbastella barbastellus) et de la pipistrelle commune (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) au Maroc - Fonderflick, J.; Grosselet, M.; Pade, P. (Mammalia, 1999)
Keywords: Barbastella barbastellus; Chiroptera; Hypsugo savii; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus schreibersii; Morocco; North Africa; Pipistrellus pipistrellus; Vespertilionidae

Checklist: Mammals of Mkomazi - Eltringham, S. K.; Morley, R. J.; Kingdon, J.; Coe, M. J.; McWilliam, N. C. (Mkomazi: The Ecology, Biodiversity and Conservation of a Tanzanian savanna, 1999)
Keywords: Chiroptera; East Africa; Eidolon helvum; Epomophorus cf. wahlbergi; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros caffer; Mammalia; Molossidae; Nycteridae; Nycteris thebaica; Pteropodidae; Rousettus aegyptiacus; Tadarida aegyptiaca; Tanzania

On a collection of bats (Chiroptera) from Kikwit, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Van Cakenberghe, V.; De Vree, F.; Leirs, H. (Mammalia, 1999)
The collection of vertebrates made in Kikwit in the aftermath of the 1995 Ebola haemorrhagic fever epidemic included 538 bat specimens, representing 18 species. This collection contains large numbers of a very common species, Chaerephon pumila, but also of Chaerephon ansorgei, which was not yet reported in such large numbers. Other rather common African bat species - e.g. Pipistrellus nanus - are represented with two specimens only. Surprisingly, some rare species were found to be present in the collection: e.g. Casinycteris argynnis, Miniopterus minor, Myopterus whitleyi, especially when the limited time over which the collection is made, is considered. For each of the species, measurements are presented - either in detail or in summary - and comparisons are made with the dimensions found in the literature. The distribution of the species in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is discussed based on literature data. For most species, information on reproductive data is given.
See Leirs et al. 1999
Keywords: [Neoromicia nana] Pipistrellus nanus; [Neoromicia] Eptesicus somalicus; [Neoromicia] Eptesicus tenuipinnis; Casinycteris argynnis; Central Africa; Chaerephon ansorgei; Chaerephon pumila [pumilus]; Chiroptera; Congo (Kinshasa); distribution; Ebola; ecology; Epomops franqueti; Faunistik; Fledermäuse; Mammalia; Megaloglossus woermanni; Micropteropus pusillus; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus minor; Molossidae; Mops condylurus; Mops nanulus; Mops niveiventer; Mops thersites; morphology; Myopterus whitleyi; Myotis bocagii; Nycteridae; Nycteris hispida; Pteropodidae; Scotophilus dinganii; species richness; systematics; taxonomy; Vegetation; Vespertilionidae

Conservation status of African fruit bats (Mammalia, Megachiroptera) - Bergmans, W. (International Seminar on Species Conservation - The IUCN Red List Categories Discussed, 1999)
Keywords: Africa; Artenzahl; Casinycteris; Chiroptera; conservation; distribution; ecology; endemic; Epomophorus; Mammalia; Micropteropus; Myonycteris; Plerotes; Pteropodidae; Pteropus; Rousettus; Scotonycteris; Verbreitung

Could bats act as reservoir hosts for Rift Valley fever virus? - Oelofsen, M. J.; Van der Ryst, E. (Onderstepoort J. Vet. Res., 1999)
The inter-epizootic reservoir host of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) remains unknown, although the namaqua rock rat, Aethomys namaquensis, as well as bats have been implicated. Bats can be asymptomatically infected with rabies, as well as several arboviruses; the possibility that they can act as host for RVFV therefore exists. To examine this possibility, 350 different samples (brain, liver, salivary glands and brown fat) obtained from 150 bats (comprising seven species) were tested for RVFV antigen using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). None of the samples tested positive, but the ELISA proved to have limited sensitivity (>=10^3 TCID50/ml). In order to determine whether bats could be infected with RVFV, one Miniopterus schreibersii and two Eptesicus capensis bats were inoculated by the oral or intramuscular route with 100 ml and 30 ml, respectively, of a RVFV suspension with a titre of 10^6 TCID50/ml. None of the bats developed any clinical signs. A low concentration of RVFV antigen was found in the liver and urine of M. schreibersii, but not in brain tissue. A third E. capensis bat was inoculated by the intramuscular route and sacrificed on day 18. A low level of antigen was detected in the brown fat. These results demonstrate that bats can be infected with RVFV, and that further studies should be done to determine the potential of different bat species to act as reservoir hosts for RVFV during inter-epizootic periods.
Keywords: [Cistugo lesueuri] Myotis leasuri; [Neoromicia] Eptesicus capensis; Chiroptera; Cistugidae; infectiology; infectious diseases; Laephotis wintoni; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus schreibersii; Molossidae; Myotis tricolor; reservoir hosts; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus clivosus; Rodentia; South Africa; Tadarida aegyptiaca; Vespertilionidae; virology

Diets of breeding peregrine and lanner falcons in South Africa - Jenkins, A. R.; Avery, G. M. (Journal of Raptor Research, 1999)
The diets of breeding peregrine (Falco peregrinus) and lanner (F. biarmicus) falcons in South Africa were determined from the analysis of prey remains collected at nest sites and through direct observations to determine the regional variation in peregrine falcon prey and to measure diet overlap, and the potential for competition between peregrine falcons and sympatric congeners. Direct observations suggested that remains under-sampled small prey by about 10% and over-sampled large prey by about 8%. Peregrine and lanner falcons preyed mostly on birds. Pigeons and Streptopelia doves comprised the bulk (38-66% by frequency 68-85% by mass) of the peregrine falcon prey in each of three study areas. Columbids were supplemented by starlings (mostly European starling [Sturnus vulgaris]) on the Cape Peninsula, sandgrouse (Pterocles spp.) and swifts (Apus spp.) on the Orange River, and mousebirds (Colius spp.) in the Soutpansberg. Cape Peninsula peregrine falcons had the least diverse diet, the narrowest feeding niche and they took the largest proportion of juvenile birds. Peregrine falcons on the Orange River had the broadest feeding niche and preyed mainly on ’commuter’ species rather than sedentary residents. Lanner Falcons in the Soutpansberg took mainly terrestrial or cursorial species, particularly young chickens (Gallus gallus, 40%; 37%) and charadriids, but columbids were also important. The diets of sympatric peregrine and lanner falcons overlapped by about 35%. Peregrines falcons concentrated their foraging on woodland and cliff-dwelling prey, while lanner falcons took mainly open-country species. Close-neighboring pairs of congeners did not obviously affect the food-niche parameters of either species suggesting that they were not actively competing for food.
Keywords: Aves; Chiroptera; competition; diet; Falco biarmicus; Falco peregrinus; Falconidae; food; Mammalia; Molossidae; niche overlap; predation; Pteropodidae; reproduction; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus hildebrandtii; Rodentia; Sauromys petrophilus; seasonality; South Africa; Tadarida aegyptiaca; Vegetation

Echolocation calls of twenty southern African bat species - Taylor, P. J. (S. Afr. J. Zool., 1999)
Echolocation data and sonograms are reported for twenty southern African bat species from 13 localities, recorded with the Pettersson D980 time-expansion bat detector. Data for eight species have not previously been reported. For seven species, two or more individuals were analysed in a range of situations, including hand-held, tethered and free-flying (in a room and in different natural habitats). Sonograms, and seven echolocation call parameters agreed, with a few exceptions, with published data for individual species. Although intraspecific variation in echolocation call structure was documented, species tended to have recognisable ’vocal signatures’, particularly when dominant frequency and harmonic structure were considered. The latter variables are readily retrieved by time expansion detectors, but not by frequency division or heterodyne detectors. Although generally they should be interpreted with caution, recordings from room-flown (five species) and hand-held (six species) bats obtained during this study matched, reasonably closely, additional recordings and observations of naturally flying individuals of the same species, using time expansion and heterodyne bat detectors. In four species, recordings obtained from a known species flying in a room or hand-held enabled the accurate, a posteriori species identification of unknown call sequences obtained during subsequent general recordings from bat feeding areas.
Keywords: [Mops] Tadarida midas; [Neoromicia nana] Pipistrellus nanus; [Neoromicia] Eptesicus capensis; [Neoromicia] Eptesicus melckorum; acoustic monitoring; bat detectors; Chaerephon ansorgei; Chaerephon chapini; Chaerephon nigeriae; Chaerephon pumilus; Chiroptera; Cloeotis percivali; echolocation; Emballonuridae; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros caffer; Hipposideros commersoni [vittatus]; intraspecific variation; Kerivoula argentata; Laephotis botswanae; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus schreibersii; Molossidae; Mops condylurus; Myotis tricolor; Nycteridae; Nycteris grandis; Nycteris thebaica; Nycteris woodi; Nycticeinops schlieffenii; Otomops martiensseni; Pipistrellus kuhlii [hesperidus]; Pipistrellus rueppellii; Pipistrellus rusticus; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus clivosus; Rhinolophus darlingi; Rhinolophus denti; Rhinolophus hildebrandtii; Rhinolophus landeri; Rhinolophus simulator; Rhinolophus swinnyi; Scotophilus dinganii; Scotophilus viridis; South Africa; Tadarida aegyptiaca; Tadarida fulminans; Taphozous mauritianus; Vespertilionidae; Zimbabwe

Ecology of Marburg and Ebola viruses: Speculations and directions for future research - Monath, T. P. (J. Inf. Dis., 1999)
Marburg and virulent Ebola viruses are maintained in hosts that are rare and have little contact with humans or do not readily transmit virus. Bats (particularly solitary microchiropteran species) are leading contenders as reservoir hosts. Virus transfer to humans occurs by contact with the primary reservoir or via an intermediate animal that acquired infection from the reservoir and is, in turn, hunted by humans. An interesting possibility is that filoviruses may be arthropod or plant viruses, with non-blood-feeding arthropods transmitting the virus to intermediate hosts or humans during oral ingestion or envenomation. Paradoxically, in Africa, Ebola virus disease has high lethality and high seroprevalence as determined by the IFA test. If the seroreactivity is confirmed by more specific tests, then the Ebola virus serogroup in Africa probably contains an antigenically cross-reactive, enzootic, nonpathogenic agent(s). Such viruses may have separate life cycles or may give rise to virulent strains by mutation.
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; ecology; Filoviridae; infectious diseases; parasitism; review; virology

The Egyptian Vespertilio pipistrellus aegyptius Fischer 1829, a nomen dubium (Mammalia, Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) - Kock, D. (Senckenbergiana biol., 1999)
All relevant references to Vespertilio pipistrellus var. beta aegyptius Fischer 1829 render evidence that it is not a senior synoym of Pipistrellus deserti Thomas 1902, but has to be treated as nomen dubium. It cannot convincingly be identified with any Saharo-Sindian vespertilionid species known from or likely to occur in Egypt, the Sudan or in the Middle East.
Keywords: Chiroptera; distribution; Egypt; Fledermäuse; Mammalia; North Africa; Pipistrellus aegyptius; Pipistrellus deserti; systematics; taxonomy; Verbreitung; Vespertilionidae

The evolutionary history and diversity of Australian mammals - Archer, M.; Arena, R.; Bassarova, M.; Black, K.; Brammall, J.; Cooke, B.; Creaser, P.; Crosby, K.; Gillespie, A.; Godthelp, H.; Gott, M.; Hand, S. J; et al. (Australian Mammalogy, 1999)
Palaeodiversity and relationships of all groups of Australian mammals are reviewed. The fossil record spanning this time is of variable quality. ’Dark Ages’ about which nothing is known in terms of Australian mammal evolution include the late Triassic to late Jurassic, late Cretaceous to late Paleocene and middle Eocene to middle Oligocene. Very little is known about the early Cretaceous and late Miocene. The late Oligocene to middle Miocene record documents the highest levels of biodiversity known for the continent, comparable to that which characterises the lowland rainforests of Borneo and Brazil. Order Monotremata spans at least the last 110 million years and includes four families. The enigmatic Ausktribosphenos from 115 million-year-old sediments in Victoria may represent an archaic monotreme, specialised peramurid or previously undocumented order of mammals but is unlikely to represent a placental as suggested in the initial description. Order Microbiotheria is represented in the early Eocene ( 55 mya) by two genera similar in morphology to early Eocene taxa from Argentina. Order Peramelemorphia spans the early Eocene to Holocene and includes at least five families. Order Dasyuromorphia spans at least the late Oligocene to Holocene and includes at least three families. Other dasyuromorphian-like marsupials are indeterminate in terms of family-level affinities. Order Notoryctemorphia spans the early Miocene to Holocene with one family. Order Yalkaparidontia spans the late Oligocene to middle Miocene with one genus. Order Diprotodontia spans the late Oligocene to Holocene, represented throughout by three major groups: Phalangerida (eight families), Vombatomorphia (seven families) and Macropodoidea (at least three families). A possible placental condylarth (Tingamarra) has been recorded from the early Eocene. An archaeonycteridid bat (Australonycteris) is known from the early Eocene. Among bats, the late Oligocene to middle Miocene is dominated by rhinolophoids, many of which have European, Asian and African affinities. Mystacinids, megadermatids, hipposiderids and molossids are well-represented in the Oligocene to Miocene deposits. Vespertilionids are uncommon in the Oligocene to Miocene but become more diverse in the Pliocene to Holocene. Emballonurids and rhinolophids appear for the first time in the Plio-Pleistocene. Pteropodids are unknown prior to the Holocene. Murids span the early Pliocene to Holocene. In the oldest assemblage at Riversleigh, one undescribed lineage resembles archaic forms otherwise only known from the fossil records of Africa and Eurasia.
Keywords: Australia; Chiroptera; fossils; Mammalia; palaeontology

First Australian Pliocene species of Hipposideros (Microchiroptera: Hipposideridae) - Hand, S. J; Godthelp, H. (Rec. West. Aust. Mus., 1999)
A new Australian Pliocene hipposiderid is described on the basis of maxillary fragments representing at least four individuals recovered from Rackham’s Roost Site, Riversleigh World Heritage property, Lawn Hill National Park, northwestern Queensland. Hipposideros winsburyorum sp. nov. is distinguished from all other Hipposideros species (and all other hipposiderids) by its very large, round infraorbital foramen. Dentally, it shares most similarities with members of the diverse and widespread Hipposideros bicolor group of Hill (1963) as well as Hipposideros megalotis of East Africa and the extinct H. (Syndesmotis) vetus lineage from the middle Miocene of Morocco and Pliocene of France.
Keywords: Australia; Chiroptera; fossils; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros winsburyorum sp. nov.; palaeontology; Pliocene; Queensland; Riversleigh; systematics; Tertiary

Identification of Ebola virus sequences present as RNA or DNA in organs of terrestrial small mammals of the Central African Republic - Morvan, J. M.; Deubel, V.; Gounon, P.; Nakouné, E.; Barrière, P.; Murri, S.; Perpète, O.; Selekon, B.; Coudrier, D.; Gautier-Hion, A.; Colyn, M.; Volekhov, V. (Microbes and Infection, 1999)
The life cycle of the Ebola (EBO) virus remains enigmatic. We tested for EBO virus in the organs of 242 small mammals captured during ecological studies in the Central African Republic. EBO virus glycoprotein or polymerase gene sequences were detected by reverse transcription PCR in RNA extracts of the organs of seven animals and by PCR in DNA extract of one animal. Neither live virus nor virus antigen was detected in any organ sample. Direct sequencing of amplicons identified the virus as being of the Zaire/Gabon subtype. Virus-like nucleocapsids were observed by electron microscopy in the cytoplasm of the spleen cells of one animal. The animals belonged to two genera of rodents (Muridae; Mus setulosus, Praomys sp1 and P. sp2) and one species of shrew (Soricidae; Sylvisorex ollula). These preliminary results provide evidence that common terrestrial small mammals living in peripheral forest areas have been in contact with the EBO virus and demonstrate the persistence of EBO virus RNA and DNA in the organs of the animals. Our findings should lead to better targeting of research into the life cycle of the EBO virus.
Keywords: Central Africa; Central African Republic; Chiroptera; Dzanga-Sangha National Park; Ebola; Epomophorus gambianus; Epomops franqueti; Filoviridae; Hipposideridae; Hypsignathus monstrosus; infectious diseases; Mammalia; Megaloglossus woermanni; Micropteropus pusillus; Myonycteris torquata; Pteropodidae; Rousettus aegyptiacus; Vespertilionidae

Lavia frons - Vonhof, M. J.; Kalcounis, M. C. (Mammalian Species, 1999)
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Lavia frons; Megadermatidae; review

Mops midas - Dunlop, J. (Mammalian Species, 1999)
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Fledermäuse; Molossidae; review

Intraspecific variation in wingspan and echolocation call flexibility might explain the use of different habitats by the insectivorous bat, Miniopterus schreibersii (Vespertilionidae: Miniopterinae) - Jacobs, D. S. (Acta Chiropterologica, 1999)
On the basis of its long narrow wings, Schreibers’ long-fingered bat (Miniopterus schreibersii) has been characterized as a species, which uses rapid flight in open spaces. Until now, observations of the foraging behavior of this species have supported this view. However, its long narrow wings are combined with relatively low wing loading suggesting that it might be capable of the slow manoeuvrable flight characteristic of species that forage within dense vegetation (i.e. in clutter). At De Hoop Nature Reserve in South Africa, M. schreibersii were trapped in dense vegetation as well as in open areas, prompting my investigation into the morphological basis for the ability of this species to use both kinds of space. The wing parameters and echolocation calls of individuals that were captured in open areas were compared with those that were captured in clutter. Bats captured in clutter had shorter wingspans and therefore lower aspect ratios than individuals captured in open space. A shorter wingspan enables greater manoeuvrability in the confined spaces associated with clutter. In accordance with theoretical predictions, individuals flying in open space used echolocation calls of longer duration and lower mean maximum frequency than individuals flying within clutter. The longer, lower frequency echolocation calls used by bats in open spaces increases the range at which they detect insect prey, which should allow more time to react at the rapid flight speeds used in open space. The use of both open and cluttered spaces in this species thus appears to be based on intraspecific variation in wingspan and individual flexibility in echolocation calls.
Keywords: Chiroptera; clutter; echolocation; foraging; habitat use; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus natalensis; South Africa; Vegetation; wing morphology

Nycteris thebaica - Gray, P. A.; Fenton, M. B.; Van Cakenberghe, V. (Mammalian Species, 1999)
Keywords: Africa; behaviour; Chiroptera; diet; distribution; ecology; Fledermäuse; identification key; Mammalia; morphology; Nahrung; Nycteridae; Nycteris thebaica; reproduction; review; systematics; taxonomy

Rousettus egyptiacus - Kwiecinski, G. G.; Griffiths, T. A. (Mammalian Species, 1999)
Keywords: Africa; behaviour; Chiroptera; distribution; ecology; identification key; Mammalia; morphology; Pteropodidae; review; Rousettus aegyptiacus; systematics; taxonomy

Mammals of Ghana, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia - Grubb, P.; Jones, T. S.; Davies, A. G.; Edberg, E.; Starin, E. D.; Hill, J. Edwards (The Trendine Press, 1999)
Keywords: Chiroptera; distribution; Faunistik; Fledermäuse; Mammalia; morphology; Pteropodidae; species richness; systematics; taxonomy; Verbreitung; West Africa

Mammals of the eastern Niger Delta (Rivers and Bayelsa States, Nigeria): An environment affected by a gas-pipeline - Angelici, F. M.; Grimod, I.; Politano, E (Folia Zool., 1999)
A study of the ecology and distribution of the mammal fauna in the Niger Delta region of southeastern Nigeria (Port Harcourt territory, Rivers, and Bayelsa States) was conducted as part of a larger environmental project withgas and oil production industries. Mammalian biodiversity at ten study localities was assessed by means of standardized transects, mammal trapping, interviews, sightings, and other signs of presence. Twenty-six species were recorded for the first time in the study area and six species recently found by previous authors, were confirmed. The study localities varied significantly in terms of both abundance and species diversity, dominance and evenness indices. Generally these differences can be attributed to differences in environmental characteristics. Primary and secondary rainforest, both dryand swamp types, housed significantly more species than mangroves. In terms of conservation, we found the mammal fauna of this area remarkably important. According to recent IUCN criteria, the presence of two Critically Endangered (CR) species (Panthera pardus, Tragelaphus spekii), and five Endangered (EN) species (Potamogale velox, Cercopithecus sclateri, Cercocebus torquatus, Procolobus badius epieni, Trichechus senegalensis) was also noteworthy.
Keywords: Chiroptera; Epomophorus gambianus; Epomops franqueti; Fledermäuse; Mammalia; Megaloglossus woermanni; Molossidae; Mops thersites; Nycteridae; Nycteris hispida; Pteropodidae; Scotonycteris zenkeri; Scotophilus viridis; Vespertilionidae; West Africa

Metabolism and thermoregulation of individual and clustered long-fingered bats, Miniopterus schreibersii, and the implications for roosting - Brown, C. R. (S. Afr. J. Zool., 1999)
Oxygen consumption of individual long-fingered bats, Miniopterus schreibersii, was measured at air temperatures (Ta) between 2 and 42°C and that of clusters of four and six bats between 5 and 30°C. BMR of individuals was estimated to be 2.29 ml O2 g-1 h-1 between 34 and about 38°C. M. schreibersii showed two different responses to Ta either maintaining body temperature (Tb) by increasing metabolic rate, or allowing Tb to fall close to ambient temperature and conserving energy (torpor). Euthermic clusters of four and six bats had lower rates of mass-specific oxygen consumption and lower thermal conductances than individuals at equivalent temperatures and torpid clusters maintained a greater temperature differential between Tb and Ta. Lowest rates of metabolism were measured for euthermic bats at air temperatures higher than those available to them in their natural roost in summer, so typical roost temperatures result in metabolic rates that are about 2.4-3.1 times estimated BMR. Roost temperatures of M. schreibersii in South Africa are substantially higher in winter than are generally accepted as being suitable for hibernation but these do not substantially affect torpid metabolic rates, which are low and independent of ambient temperature below 22°C. Clearly at least some species of insectivorous bats are capable of hibernating at temperatures generally considered to be too warm for this activity.
Keywords: basal metabolic rate; Chiroptera; clustering; day roosts; hibernation; microclimate; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus schreibersii; physiology; South Africa; temperature; thermoregulation; torpor

Microfaunal remains from a modern East African raptor roost: Patterning and implications for fossil bone scatters - Stewart, K. M.; Leblanc, L.; Matthiesen, D. P.; West, J. (Paleobiology, 1999)
Fish eagles (genus Haliaeetus) potentially have contributed the bones of their prey to many late Cenozoic concentrations of vertebrate microfossils. To evaluate possible biases in the taxa and skeletal elements preserved in assemblages accumulated by fish eagles, which could affect paleoecological and evolutionary interpretations derived from Cenozoic microfaunal localities, a sample of 1883 bones accumulated by modern African fish eagles (H. vocifer) was collected from a roost near Lake Turkana, Kenya. Characteristics of the bone assemblage include (1) taxonomic composition dominated by fish; (2) diverse but small-sized and ecologically restricted animals including inshore fish, aquatic birds, very small nocturnal mammals (which may have been contributed by other raptors), and small reptiles (possible predators on the roost); (3) poor survivorship for specific categories of skeletal elements; (4) considerable bone breakage for all but the smallest animals; and (5) a distinctive pattern of postcranial fragmentation for bird and mammal elements. The fish eagle element profile has some similarities to those of other diurnal raptors, but its cumulative signature can be distinguished from those of other bone accumulators and includes characteristics that would also be manifest in fossil assemblages. Examination of fossil microfaunas from the Plio-Pleistocene localities of Kanapoi (Kenya), Inolelo (Tanzania), and Olduvai Gorge (Tanzania) shows that the patterns of element preservation for Kanapoi and Inolelo do not match those of the Lake Turkana fish eagle roost. Nonetheless, some aspects of the Olduvai Gorge FLKN assemblage show taxonomic and skeletal similarites. In light of the selective choices of prey by fish eagles, the fauna recovered from Olduvai Gorge FLKN might not accurately reflect faunal diversity or patterns of abundance at this locality during the Pleistocene. Because fish eagles of the genus Haliaeetus are found on three continents, have a fossil record extending to the Miocene, and deposit bones in a habitat conductive to preservation, the taxa preserved at many other late Cenozoic microfaunal sites also might be biased. Therefore, taphonomic profiles of late Cenozoic microfaunal assemblages should be compared against the taphonomic profiles typical of fish eagle roosts before faunal characterizations of sites are applied in analyses of paleoecological evolution.
Keywords: Amphibia; Aves; Chiroptera; diet; East Africa; food; fossils; Haliaeetus vocifer; Kenya; Lagomorpha; Mammalia; palaeontology; Pisces; predation; Reptilia; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus sp.; Rodentia; Soricidae; taphonomy

Molecular phylogeny and morphological homoplasy in fruitbats - Álvarez, Y.; Juste B., J.; Tabarés, E.; Garrido-Pertierra, A.; Ibáñez, C.; Bautista, J. M. (Mol. Biol. Evol., 1999)
The present study evaluates the evolutionary framework of the Old World fruitbats based on the cytochrome b and 16S rRNA mitochondrial gene sequences from a wide range of taxa. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that morphology-based subfamilies and most suprageneric groups are nonnatural assemblages. They also support the existence of an endemic African clade of fruitbats. The discrepancy between the evolutionary relationships yielded by molecular and morphological data sets may be, at least in part, explained by the recurrent retention of primitive morphology (Rousettus-like) across different lineages. The maintenance of primitive characters in different groups of flying foxes, as well as morphological convergence in nectar-feeding bats and possibly also in short-muzzle bats, may have led to high levels of homoplasy, resulting in misleading taxonomic arrangements. This may be particularly so with respect to high taxonomic levels based on morphological characters.
Keywords: Aethalops; Africa; Asia; Balionycteris; Chiroptera; Cynopterus; distribution; Dobsonia; Eidolon; Eonycteris; Epomophorus; Epomops; evolution; Lissonycteris; Macroglossus; Mammalia; Megaerops; Megaloglossus; Melonycteris; Micropteropus; molecular genetics; morphology; Myonycteris; Nyctimene; phylogeny; Pteropodidae; Pteropus; Syconycteris; systematics; taxonomy; Verbreitung; zoogeography

Morcegos da Guiné-Bissau: Um Contributo para o seu Conhecimento - Rainho, A.; Franco, C. (IUCN & ICN, 1999)
Keywords: Chiroptera; conservation; distribution; ecology; Faunistik; Fledermäuse; Guinea Bissau; habitat preferences; Mammalia; Pteropodidae; species richness; Vegetation; Verbreitung; West Africa

Notes on the bats of the Reserve Naturelle Integrale d’Andohahela and surrounding areas of southeastern Madagascar - Goodman, S. M. (Fieldiana: Zoology n.s., 1999)
Four bat species were collected in the Reserve Naturelle Integrale d’Andohahela: Rousettus madagascariensis, Miniopterus manavi, Mormopterus jugularis, and Myotis goudoti. With the exception of Mormopterus, all were obtained in the humid forest portions of the reserve (parcel 1); Mormopterus was netted in an area of spiny bush vegetation (parcel 2). The humid forest species are broadly distributed across the island and occur in both forested and disturbed areas. An analysis of the forest-dwelling bat faunas known from several eastern humid forest sites indicates that species richness is low and that there is little change in the community across this region, which covers about 12° of latitude.
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros commersonii; Madagascar; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus manavi; Molossidae; Mormopterus jugularis; Myotis goudoti; Pteropodidae; Rousettus madagascariensis; Vespertilionidae

Phylogeography of African fruitbats (Megachiroptera) - Juste B., J.; Álvarez, Y.; Tabarés, E.; Garrido-Pertierra, A.; Ibáñez, C.; Bautista, J. M. (Mol. Phylog. Evol., 1999)
Joint sequences from the mitochondrial cytochrome b and 16S rRNA genes of a wide representation of Megachiroptera were employed to evaluate the traditional taxonomic arrangement of African fruitbats and to examine their origins and evolutionary relationships. The resulting phylogenetic hypotheses are inconsistent with the previously established morphology-based subdivisions of Megachiroptera at the suprageneric level. Findings indicate the existence of an African clade, which appears to be formed by two endemic clades: the epomophorines and the myonycterines. According to our topologies, the genus Rousettus is monospecific in mainland Africa. Its traditional subgenera Stenonycteris and Lissonycteris appear closer to the myonycterines than to Rousettus. Topologies also indicate that the African genus Eidolon is not phylogenetically related to any other African fruitbat. It would seem that the arrival of fruitbats in Africa was a complex process involving at least three independent colonization events. One event took place probably in the Miocene via forested corridors that connected the African and Asian rain forest blocks, as for other groups of mammals. The resulting lineage diversified into most of the extant African fruitbats. Related to this clade, the Rousettus species group is thought to have arrived in Africa in more recent times, possibly by progressive displacement from the East through India. Finally, the present topologies suggest an independent colonization of Africa by ancestors of Eidolon.
Keywords: Africa; biogeography; Chiroptera; distribution; evolution; genetics; Mammalia; phylogeny; Pteropodidae; radiation; speciation; systematics; taxonomy

Predictions of mammal diversity on four land masses - Medell{\'ın, R. A.; Soberón, J. (Conserv. Biol., 1999)
Knowledge about the number of living species fundamental to the practice of conservation biology, but we are far from knowing the number of species even for relatively well-known groups such as mammals. We analyzed a database that contained information on the year of description, distribution, size class, and taxonomic order of each known mammalian species. Our goal was to predict the size class, order, and number of mammalian species on each of four land masses-America, Eurasia, Africa, Oceania. We constructed cumulative functions of species described versus year of description, and we fitted a logarithmic model to calculate instantaneous rates of species description in 1992 and 2032 and to estimate the number of species to be described in each group in the 40-year interval. Africa and Eurasia bad the highest absolute number of species today and the greatest number of species expected to be described in species-rich orders (except for Rodentia, in which the highest number of known and expected species was in the American land mass). Per unit area, Oceania had the highest number of known species and the greatest number of species expected to be described. Our estimates, based on the historical patterns of species accumulation, place the total number of mammalian species in the year 2032 at 4875, which is 247 more than in 1992. The majority of the new species will be small (<100g) and will be in the orders Insectivora, Chiroptera, and Rodentia. Our analyses will help identify particular groups and land masses for which field surveys, conservation efforts, and taxonomic study deserve particular attention.
Keywords: accumulation curves; body size; Chiroptera; extrapolation; insectivory; Mammalia; Rodentia; species descriptions; species richness; systematics; taxonomy

Problems with the identification of southern African Chaerephon (Molossidae), and the possibility of a cryptic species from South Africa and Swaziland - Taylor, P. J. (Acta Chiropterologica, 1999)
Examination of recent collections of bats from KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa) and Swaziland, provisionally referred to Chaerephon cf. pumilus, reveals considerable variability in pelage colour (either greyish-brown or reddish-brown) and certain diagnostic characters of the skull and teeth from previous keys, in particular the degree of emargination of the anterior edge of the palate and the length of the maxillary toothrow. Based on the previously used key for southern African Molossidae, some specimens show diagnostic characters attributed to Chaerephon ansorgei and C. nigeriae, but in other characters, such as colour, forearm length, skull size, and relative mandible thickness, they clearly do not belong to either of these species. The obtained results suggest that the previously widely used key is inadequate for southern African Chaerephon, and a cryptic species, closely related to C. pumilus but with a partially or completely emarginated palatal condition, slightly larger forearm and skull size, better developed postaural crest, and high frequency of reddish-brown-coloured individuals, may occur in South Africa and Swaziland. A more extensive review is required to determine the relationships of this cryptic form to other African forms of the highly variable C. pumilus species-complex. A revised key to southern African Chaerephon species is presented.
Keywords: Chaerephon ansorgei; Chaerephon nigeriae; Chaerephon pumilus; Chiroptera; distribution; Faunistik; Fledermäuse; identification key; Mammalia; Molossidae; South Africa; Swaziland; systematics; taxonomy; Verbreitung

Reproductive ecology of Commerson’s leaf-nosed bats Hipposideros commersoni (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae) in South-Central Africa: Interactions between seasonality and large body size; and implications for conservation - Cotterill, F. P. D.; Fergusson, R. A. (S. Afr. J. Zool., 1999)
The annual cycle and reproductive ecology of a large population of Commerson’s leaf-nosed bats, Hipposideros commersoni, was studied in central Zimbabwe. The influence of the extremely large body size of this microchiropteran, interrelating with a seasonal, tropical environment, was the central theme of this study. Adaptive responses to seasonal environmental changes differed between reproducing adults of the sexes. Reproductive females dispersed twice during the annual cycle, while in contrast adult males reduced activity during the cool, dry season. A polygynous mating system was characterised by breeding males defending demarcated territories within the daylight roost. Synchronized parturitions within maternity roosts (in late October) created a hot, humid microclimate which facilitated rapid post-natal development of neonates. The large body size of H. commersoni is suggested to have evolved in response to different selective agents, including: Availability of large, hard shelled arthropods as prey; energetic constraints; and availability of fat reserves to ’ride out’ inclement periods when food is limiting. Sexual selection may be the ultimate cause of a large body size. The conservation of H. commersoni is discussed given the history and pressures for guano exploitation of their breeding caves and the keystone role of these large bats in transferring nutrients and energy into the cavernicolous ecosystems where they roost and breed.
Keywords: activity patterns; caves; Chiroptera; diet; ecology; energetics; evolution; Fledermäuse; foraging; habitat preferences; Hangplätze; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros vittatus; Mammalia; mating systems; morphology; reproduction; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus simulator; roosting behaviour; seasonality; social organization; Southern Africa; Zimbabwe

Resource use by two morphologically similar insectivorous bats (Nycteris thebaica and Hipposideros caffer) - Bowie, R. C. K.; Jacobs, D. S.; Taylor, P. J. (S. Afr. J. Zool., 1999)
Studies of morphologically dissimilar insectivorous bats have lead to the conclusion that morphology is the prime correlate of habitat use, and consequently of diet. This has lead to the prediction that morphologically similar bats should have similar diets. We examined the diet and morphology of two morphologically similar species, the slit-faced bat, Nycteris thebaica, and Sundevall’s leaf-nosed bat, Hipposideros caffer, in the context of this prediction. Although both species foraged in the same habitat, they had distinctly different diets. The diet of N. thebaica consisted mainly of non-volant prey, primarily orthopterans and arachnids, and the diet of H. caffer, mainly of moths. Differences in wing design between the two taxa were small. The only significant difference was in aspect ratio. There were no differences in wing loading and wingtip shape ratio between the two species. The flying abilities reported for these two species are very similar, suggesting that these small differences in wing design do not translate into differences in flying ability, and cannot explain the dietary differences between these two species. On the other hand, there are marked differences in their prey detection systems which correspond to differences in their diets. H. caffer uses echolocation to detect the flapping wings of insect prey, whereas N. thebaica depends on prey-generated sounds (fluttering or scuffling) to locate its targets.
Keywords: behaviour; Beutespektrum; Chiroptera; diet; echolocation; ecology; Fledermäuse; foraging; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros caffer; Mammalia; Nahrung; Nahrungsspektrum; Nycteridae; Nycteris thebaica; prey detection; prey selection; South Africa; wing morphology

The role of amateurs in the growth of bat conservation and research in South Africa - Taylor, P. J. (S. Afr. J. Zool., 1999)
During the 1980s and 1990s, Britain experienced an unprecedented increase in scientific and public interest in bat conservation, culminating in 90 ’bat groups’ by 1992. In South Africa, bats are poorly protected or unprotected, and most of the country’s 54 species are poorly known. With the formation of bat interest groups in Kwa-Zulu-Natal and Gauteng in 1994 and 1995, the British ’bat group’ conservation model was applied in a South African context. The primary aim of South African bat groups has been to promote bats, bat research and bat conservation through public participation and education, and the training of amateur ’bat workers’ by scientists. I evaluate the success of this approach, based on activities of the Durban Bat Interest Group (DBIG) over four years (1994-1997 inclusive), and on estimates of media impact available for 1994-1996 inclusive. The number of public activities increased by between 14% and 44% per year. Some 12 million South Africans have been exposed to a positive message about bats. A database containing 316 bat roost visit records from 239 individual bat roosts (mostly in buildings) has been compiled. Two species of bats were recorded for the first time in South Africa. Conservation efforts have focussed on a roof-dwelling species restricted to the Durban area, the large-eared free-tailed bat (Otomops martiensseni); this species and one other, the short-eared trident bat, Cloeotis percivali, have recently been protected in terms of provincial legislation.
Keywords: Chiroptera; conservation; South Africa

The role of roosts as hotspots in court-displaying Hypsignathus monstrosus - Gordon, T. T. (Bat Research News, 1999)
Keywords: Chiroptera; Côte d’Ivoire; Hypsignathus monstrosus; Ivory Coast; Pteropodidae; Ta{\"ı National Park; West Africa

The role of the fruit bat, Eidolon helvum, in seed survivorship and germination in Milicia excelsa, a threatened West African hardwood - Taylor, D. A. R.; Kankam, B. O.; Wagner, M. R. (Bat Research News, 1999)
Keywords: Chiroptera; Eidolon helvum; Ghana; iroko; Pteropodidae; seed dispersal; West Africa

Roost habitat evaluation and distribution of bats (Chiroptera) in the Durban Metropolitan Region - Taylor, P. J.; Cheney, C.; Sapsford, C. (Durban Mus. Novit., 1999)
Based on data collected between 1994 and 1998 by a number of volunteers, distribution patterns and roost habitat preferences within the Durban Metropolitan Region (DMR) were investigated for 16 species of bats for which one or more roosts were visited during the study. Notwithstanding sampling biases, house roosts (’anthrophilic’) were most commonly recorded, followed by tree roosts (’phytophilic’) and underground cave-like roosts (’lithophilic’). Estimates of roost entrance height, facing direction and colony size varied widely within and between species. Species distribution patterns of roosts within the DMR were compared with individual specimen records of bats collected during a rabies scare in 1980/1981. The highest density of roosts was recorded in the Berea suburb close to the city centre, on the slopes of a prominent ridge featuring a number of older double-storey houses (suitable for house-roosting species) and tall exotic trees (suitable for tree-roosting species). The six species which were most frequently recorded in roosts visited in residential areas of Durban were: Epomophorus wahlbergi (29 roosts), Taphozous mauritianus (28 roosts), Chaerephon pumila (26 roosts), Otomops martiensseni (24 roosts), Scotophilus dinganii (14 roosts), and Tadarida aegyptiaca (five roosts). Analysis of spatial aggregation of roosts for five species revealed clumped patterns in four cases, and a random distribution in the fifth. Observed differences in distribution patterns between species could be explained by sampling biases, inter-specific competition, differing habitat requirements, and differing abilities of different species and families of bats to withstand colder temperatures by means of hibernation and torpor.
Keywords: Chaerephon pumilus; Chiroptera; day roosts; Emballonuridae; Epomophorus wahlbergi; Molossidae; Otomops martiensseni; Pteropodidae; roosting; Scotophilus dinganii; South Africa; Tadarida aegyptiaca; Taphozous mauritianus; urban ecology; Vespertilionidae

Säugetiere des Südlichen Afrika. Eine Illustierte Enzyklopädie - Mills, M. G. L.; Hess, L. (Könemann Verlagsgesellschaft, 1999)
Keywords: Botswana; Chiroptera; Mammalia; Mozambique; Namibia; Southern Africa; Zimbabwe

A search for Ebola virus in animals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Cameroon: Ecologic, virologic, and serologic surveys, 1979-1980 - Breman, J. G.; Johnson, K. M.; Van Der Groen, G.; Robbins, C. B.; Szczeniowski, M. V.; Ruti, K.; Webb, P. A.; Meier, F.; Heymann, D. L.; Ebola Virus Study Teams, (J. Inf. Dis., 1999)
More than 30 years after the first outbreak of Marburg virus disease in Germany and Yugoslavia and 20 years after Ebola hemorrhagic fever first occurred in central Africa, the natural history of filoviruses remains unknown. In 1979 and 1980, animals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Cameroon were collected during the dry season near the site of the 1976 Ebola hemorrhagic fever epidemic. The study objectives were to identify local animals and search for evidence of Ebola virus in their tissues. A total of 1664 animals representing 117 species was collected, including >400 bats and 500 rodents. Vero and CV-1 cells and IFA and RIA were used for virus and antibody detection, respectively. No evidence of Ebola virus infection was found. This study was limited in time and animal collections and excluded insects and plants. Long-term, prospective, multidisciplinary comparative studies will yield more information than will repeat short forays on the ecology of filoviruses.
See Richman et al. 1982
Keywords: Cameroon; Central Africa; Chaerephon chapini; Chaerephon major; Chiroptera; Congo (Kinshasa); distribution; ecology; Eidolon helvum; Emballonuridae; Epomops franqueti; Fledermäuse; Glauconycteris sp.; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros commersoni; Hipposideros cyclops; Hipposideros ruber; Hypsignathus monstrosus; infectious diseases; Kerivoula lanosa; Mammalia; Megaloglossus woermanni; Molossidae; Mops condylurus; Mops congicus; Mops nanulus; Mops thersites; Myonycteris torquata; Myotis bocagii; Neoromicia nana; Neoromicia rendalli; Neoromicia tenuipinnis; Nycteridae; Nycteris sp.; Pteropodidae; Saccolaimus peli; Scotophilus sp.; species richness; Taphozous mauritianus; Verbreitung; Vespertilionidae; virology

Search for the Ebola virus reservoir in Kikwit, Democratic Republic of the Congo: Reflections on a vertebrate collection - Leirs, H.; Mills, J. N.; Krebs, J. W.; Childs, J. E.; Akaibe, D.; Woollen, N.; Ludwig, G.; Peters, C. J.; Ksiazek, T. G. (J. Inf. Dis., 1999)
A 3-month ecologic investigation was done to identify the reservoir of Ebola virus following the 1995 outbreak in Kikwit, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Efforts focused on the fields where the putative primary case had worked but included other habitats near Kikwit. Samples were collected from 3066 vertebrates and tested for the presence of antibodies to Ebola (subtype Zaire) virus: All tests were negative, and attempts to isolate Ebola virus were unsuccessful. The investigation was hampered by a lack of information beyond the daily activities of the primary case, a lack of information on Ebola virus ecology, which precluded the detailed study of select groups of animals, and sample-size limitations for rare species. The epidemiology of Ebola hemorrhagic fever suggests that humans have only intermittent contact with the virus, which complicates selection of target species. Further study of the epidemiology of human outbreaks to further define the environmental contact of primary cases would be of great value.
See Van Cakenberghe et al. 1999
Keywords: Casinycteris argynnis; Central Africa; Chaerephon ansorgei; Chaerephon pumilus; Chiroptera; Congo (Kinshasa); Epomops franqueti; Megaloglossus woermanni; Micropteropus pusillus; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus minor; Molossidae; Mops condylurus; Mops nanulus; Mops niveiventer; Mops thersites; Myopterus whitleyi; Myotis bocagii; Neoromicia nanus; Neoromicia somalicus; Neoromicia tenuipinnis; Nycteridae; Nycteris hispida; Pteropodidae; Scotophilus dinganii; Vespertilionidae

Seasonal and daily variation in blood and urine concentrations of free-ranging Angolan free-tailed bats (Mops condylurus) in hot roosts in southern Africa - Buffenstein, R.; Maloney, S. K.; Bronner, G. N. (S. Afr. J. Zool., 1999)
Urine and plasma concentrations and haematocrits were measured in free-ranging Angolan free-tailed bats (Mops condylurus) inhabiting thermally-challenging roosts in the Komatipoort region of South Africa. Samples were collected in both autumn and summer, from bats caught emerging from roosts before feeding (pre-feeding), and those returning after foraging (post-prandial). Post-prandial bats exhibited higher body fluid concentrations, but lower haematocrits, than individuals caught prior to feeding, reflecting raised excretory mineral and nitrogenous loads and replenishment of body water pools during nocturnal foraging. Pre-feeding concentrations of both urine (2637 ± 506 mOsm/kg; n = 16) and plasma (331.5 ± 25.9mOsm/kg; n = 24) were significantly higher in summer than autumn (urine: 2157 ±454mOsm/kg; n = 8; plasma: 294.5 ± 35.2 mOsm/kg; n = 18) reflecting the greater dehydration stresses within hotter roost microclimates, and a moderate kidney concentrating ability in this species. Haematocrits of pre-feeding animals were not, however, influenced by season and in both instances exceeded 53%, indicative of the higher oxygen carrying capacity needed for sustained flight in volant insectivores and also the defense of the rheological properties of blood. The ability of Mops condylurus to withstand a thermally-challenging roost milieu reflects, in part, its tolerance to dehydration, rather than the maintenance of water balance through exceptional renal concentrating ability.
Keywords: behaviour; blood; Chiroptera; day roosts; ecology; Fledermäuse; foraging; habitat preferences; Mammalia; metabolism; Molossidae; Mops condylurus; physiology; roosting behaviour; South Africa; urine

Seed dispersal and potential forest succession in abandoned agriculture in tropical Africa - Duncan, R. S.; Chapman, C. A. (Ecological Applications, 1999)
Natural forest succession on human-disturbed lands is often slow because the resources necessary for succession are depleted. In such landscapes, forest succession may be dependent on arrival of seeds from off-site, many of which are dispersed by fruit-eating animals. We studied bat and bird seed dispersal in a deforested agricultural area adjacent to Kibale National Park, Uganda. Seed rain was monitored for 6 mo in short (<0.5 m) and tall (2-5 m) grassland, and below short (1-3.5 m), medium (3.5-10.0 m), and tall (>=10.0 m) isolated trees within grassland. Seed rain (numbers of seeds and seed species) under trees of all heights was greater than in short or tall grasslands. Bats dispersed seeds mostly below tall trees, while birds dispersed seeds mostly below both tall and midsized trees. More seeds and seed species were dispersed under tall trees than below short trees. Within 150 m of the forest there was no relationship between the seed rain under trees and the distance to the forest edge. Nearly half of the >11 200 seeds collected were from hemiepiphytic Ficus that are unable to grow from the ground. One-third of collected seeds were from shrubs, and most of the remainder were from trees. Nearly all tree and shrub seeds collected (>99%) were species typically found in disturbed grassland, not in forest. These results suggest that in this African region, forest succession may proceed very slowly on degraded lands.
Keywords: animal-plant interactions; Aves; behaviour; Chiroptera; deforestation; disturbance; East Africa; ecology; Ficus; figs; foraging; forest regeneration; forest succession; frugivory; habitat preferences; Kibale-National Park; Pteropodidae; seed dispersal; Uganda; Vegetation

Small mammal survey in Ankasa and Bia protected areas - Holbech, L. H.; ULG Consultants Ltd., (Protected Areas Development Programme, 1999)
Project No. 6 ACP/GH 045
Keywords: behaviour; biodiversity; Chiroptera; conservation; distribution; ecology; Faunistik; Fledermäuse; Ghana; habitat preferences; Mammalia; Pteropodidae; Rodentia; species richness; Verbreitung; West Africa

Survival tactics within thermally-challenging roosts: Heat tolerance and cold sensitivity in the Angolan free-tailed bat, Mops condylurus - Bronner, G. N.; Maloney, S. K.; Buffenstein, R. (S. Afr. J. Zool., 1999)
We studied roost microclimates, thermal preferences and temperature-related variation in body temperatures and flight abilities of M. condylurus from three roosts in man-made structures in South Africa. Roosts were characterized by marked spatio-temporal variability in ambient temperature and relative humidity on a daily and seasonal basis. Microclimates were thermally challenging, being very hot (>40°C) for several hours daily in summer and autumn, and cold (<10°C) for much of the night in winter. Thermal preference tests revealed that the bats actively selected temperature zones (35°-42°C) in which basal metabolic rate could be maintained, and above the minimum necessary for sustained flight. This presumably allowed them to minimize energy costs of thermoregulation without compromising reproductive activity or their ability to avoid predators. Bats displayed pronounced heat tolerance and hyperthermia in response to prolonged experimental exposure to high temperatures (40°C). They also exhibited cold-sensitivity, characterized by hypothermia and entry into torpor, when exposed to ambient temperatures below the thermal neutral zone. This response to low ambient temperatures would conserve energy in cold periods when the high energetic costs of foraging may not be met owing to reduced insect availability. We hypothesize that this broad roosting tolerance has energetic, ecological and evolutionary benefits that outweigh attendant disadvantages, which are largely compensated for by an unusual physiology.
Keywords: Chiroptera; day roosts; humidity; microclimate; Molossidae; Mops condylurus; physiology; South Africa; temperature; thermal preference; thermoregulation; torpor

Thermoregulation in the Angolan free-tailed bat Mops condylurus: A small mammal that uses hot roosts - Maloney, S. K.; Bronner, G. N.; Buffenstein, R. (Physiological & Biochemical Zoology, 1999)
The Angolan free-tailed bat (Mops condylurus) uses roosts that often exceed 40°C, an ambient temperature (Ta) that is lethal to many microchiropterans. We measured the physiological responses of this species at Ta’s from 15° to 45°C. Torpor was commonly employed during the day at the lower Ta, but the bats generally remained euthermic at night, with a mean body temperature (Tb) of 35.2°C. Metabolic rate reflected the pattern of Tb, increasing with falling Ta at night but decreasing during the day. Metabolic rate and evaporative losses were lower in torpid than in euthermic bats. Body temperature increased at each Ta>35°C and was 43°C at Ta of 45°C. At Ta of 40°C bats increased dry thermal conductance and evaporative heat loss compared to lower Ta. At 45°C dry thermal conductance was lower than at 40°C and evaporative heat loss was 132% of metabolic heat production. At high Ta there was only a slight increase in metabolic rate despite the employment of evaporative cooling mechanisms and an increase in Tb. Collectively our results suggest that M. condylurus is well suited to tolerate high Ta, and this may enable it to exploit thermally challenging roost sites and to colonise habitats and exploit food sources where less stressful roosts are limiting.
Keywords: Chiroptera; energetics; metabolic rate; Molossidae; Mops condylurus; South Africa; thermoregulation; torpor

An assessment of the Lower Pleistocene micromammalian fauna from Swartkrans members 1-3, Gauteng, South Africa - Avery, D. M. (Geobios, 1998)
An assessment of the micromammalian fauna from Swartkrans Cave, Gauteng, South Africa reveals the presence of at least 29 species, comprising four insectivores, four bats, three elephant-shrews and 18 rodents. Proodontomys cookei seems to be the only definitely extinct taxon represented. All the other taxa may be modern and require re-analysis using current taxonomic methods. A review of the status of Lower Pleistocene micromammalian taxonomy in South Africa indicates the need for a complete revision. This, in turn, brings with it the opportunity to develop species definitions that apply equally to fossil and extant material. It is argued that such an approach is essential if the fossil data are to aid our understanding of the history of biodiversity and endemism. The present paper begins the exercise by providing a general background for future detailed studies of the individual taxa.
Keywords: Chiroptera; Eptesicus cf. hottentotus; fossils; Mammalia; Myotis cf. tricolor; palaeontology; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus sp.; South Africa; Vespertilionidae

Bat assemblages in Tanzanian coastal forests - Cockle, A.; Kock, D.; Stublefield, L.; Howell, K. M.; Burgess, N. D. (Mammalia, 1998)
Bat species lists were compiled in 17 small coastal forests of Tanzania, eastern Africa, between 1990 and 1992. Forty-six bat species were recorded, with up to 15 species in a single forest. Eight forests were sufficiently studied for comparisons to be made on species frequencies and species diversity. Regional diversity was 2.74, and local diversities ranged between 1.55 to 1.97. Many species were remarkably unevenly distributed. Records of biogeographical significance for Tanzania were: confirmations of Myotis tricolor, Tadarida brachyptera, Myonycteris relicta, Rhinolophus deckenii and Kerivoula africana, and first records of Scotophilus nigrita alvenslebeni, Hipposideros cyclops and Cloeotis percivali.
Keywords: [Glauconycteris argentata] Chalinolobus argentatus; [Glauconycteris variegata] Chalinolobus variegatus; [Lissonycteris] Rousettus angolensis; [Mops brachypterus] Tadarida brachyptera; [Neoromicia nana] Pipistrellus nanus; [Neoromicia somalica] Eptesicus somalicus; [Neoromicia] Eptesicus capensis; [Neoromicia] Eptesicus rendalli; allopatric; biodiversity; Cardioderma cor; Chiroptera; Cloeotis percivali; Coleura afra; communities; community ecology; conservation; distribution; East Africa; ecology; Eidolon helvum; Emballonuridae; Epomophorus labiatus minor; Epomophorus wahlbergi; Fledermäuse; forest islands; habitat preferences; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros caffer; Hipposideros commersoni; Hipposideros cyclops; Hipposideros ruber; island biogeography; Kerivoula africana; Lavia frons; Mammalia; Megadermatidae; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus minor; Molossidae; Myonycteris relicta; Myotis bocagei hildegardeae; Myotis tricolor; Nycteridae; Nycteris aurita; Nycteris grandis; Nycteris hispida; Nycteris macrotis; Nycteris thebaica; Otomops martiensseni; Pipistrellus sp. 1; Pipistrellus sp. 2; Pteropodidae; Pteropus seychellensis comorensis; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus deckenii; Rhinolophus hildebrandtii; Rhinolophus landeri; Rhinolophus sp. 1 (cf. swinnyi) [maendeleo]; Rhinolophus sp. 2; Rousettus aegyptiacus leachi; Scotoecus hirundo; Scotophilus dinganii; Scotophilus nigrita alvenslebeni; Scotophilus viridis; species richness; sympatric; Tadarida aegyptiaca; Tanzania; Taphozous hildegardae [hildegardeae]; Triaenops persicus afer; Vegetation; Verbreitung; Vespertilionidae; zoogeography

Bats and the loss of tree canopy in African woodlands - Fenton, M. B.; Cumming, D. H. M.; Rautenbach, I. L.; Cumming, G. S.; Cumming, M. S.; Ford, G.; Taylor, R. D.; Dunlop, J.; Hovorka, M. D.; Johnston, D. S.; Portfors, C. V.; Kalcounis, M. C.; et al. (Conserv. Biol., 1998)
We studied the activity patterns, abundance, diversity, and diets of bats, along with the abundance of nocturnal volant insects, at 30 sites in Miombo woodland in northern Zimbabwe. The woodland at 50% of the sites had been disturbed by high elephant densities to the extent that the tree canopy was greatly reduced. The tree canopy was intact at the other sites. Intact and impacted sites differed significantly in tree (> 3 m tall; > 15 cm basal diameter) and shrub (1-3 m tall; < 1 m tall) diversity and cover. At each site we used ultraviolet lights to sample insects and mist nets and bat detectors to sample bats. To assess their diets we collected and analyzed feces from captured bats. We caught 343 bats representing the families Pteropodidae (1 species), Vespertilionidae (11 species), and Molossidae (3 species). The molossids and vespertilionids are all aerial feeders taking airborne insects. Bat species richness, abundance, and activity were greater at intact than at impacted sites, but these differences were statistically significant only at adjacent sites (< 5 km apart) not at more distant intact and impacted sites (> 20 km apart). At the adjacent sites we caught a significantly greater proportion of small (< 10 g) bats at intact than at impacted sites. These data and a significantly greater proportion of Scotophilus species (> 10 g) caught during the early evening at intact than at impacted sites suggested that the removal of canopy trees affected roost availability for the bats. Although larger species may have commuted between intact and impacted sites, smaller species did not. In contrast, the availability of prey did not appear to have been significantly affected by the removal of the canopy trees, as indicated by the light-trap catches of insects and the bats’ diets. Most bats ate mainly beetles and moths, the most abundant insects sampled at the ultraviolet lights. Our findings suggest that aerial-feeding bats such as vespertilionids and molossids do not appear to be useful indicators of disturbance in this habitat, even in the face of significant loss of tree canopy.
Keywords: abundance; activity patterns; behaviour; biodiversity; Chaerephon nigeriae; Chaerephon pumilus; Chiroptera; communities; conservation; distribution; ecology; Epomophorus wahlbergi; Fledermäuse; foraging; habitat disturbance; habitat preferences; Insecta; Loxodonta africana; Mammalia; miombo woodland; Molossidae; Mops condylurus; Neoromicia capensis; Neoromicia melckorum; Neoromicia nana; Neoromicia zuluensis; Nycticeinops schlieffenii; Pipistrellus kuhlii [hesperidus]; Pipistrellus rueppellii; Pipistrellus rusticus; Proboscidea; Pteropodidae; savannas; Scotophilus borbonicus; Scotophilus dinganii; Southern Africa; species richness; trees; Vegetation; Vespertilionidae; Zimbabwe

Biogeography and floral evolution of baobabs (Adansonia, Bombacaceae) as inferred from multiple data sets - Baum, D. A.; Small, R. L.; Wendel, J. F. (Syst. Biol., 1998)
The phylogeny of baobab trees was analyzed using four data sets: chloroplast DNA restriction sites, sequences of the chloroplast rpl16 intron, sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear ribosomal DNA, and morphology. We sampled each of the eight species of Adansonia plus three outgroup taxa from tribe Adansonieae. These data were analyzed singly and in combination using parsimony. ITS and morphology provided the greatest resolution and were largely concordant. The two chloroplast data sets showed concordance with one another but showed significant conflict with ITS and morphology. A possible explanation for the conflict is genealogical discordance within the Malagasy Longitubae, perhaps due to introgression events. A maximum-likelihood analysis of branching times shows that the dispersal between Africa and Australia occurred well after the fragmentation of Gondwana and therefore involved overwater dispersal. The phylogeny does not permit unambiguous reconstruction of floral evolution but suggests the plausible hypothesis that hawkmoth pollination was ancestral in Adansonia and that there were two parallel switches to pollination by mammals in the genus.
Keywords: Africa; biogeography; Chiroptera; evolution; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Madagascar; Mammalia; molecular genetics; phylogeny; pollination; Sphingidae

A case of snake predation upon bats in northern Morocco: Some implications for designing bat grilles - Hammer, M.; Arlettaz, R. (J. Zool. (Lond.), 1998)
During a study of North African mouse-eared bats in Morocco in August 1993 (Arlettaz et al., 1997) some accidental observations on chiropterophagy by the snake Coluber hippocrepis were made. This adds a new species to the list of bat-eating serpents documented so far (for a general review see Schätti, 1984). In addition, our observations lead to some recommendations for the construction of bat grilles at underground sites to minimize predation risk by snakes or other predators upon bats.
Keywords: Chiroptera; Coluber hippocrepis; conservation; diet; ecology; Fledermäuse; Hangplätze; Mammalia; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus schreibersii; Morocco; Myotis myotis; Nahrung; North Africa; predation pressure; Reptilia; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus ferrumequinum; roosting behaviour; Serpentes; Vespertilionidae

Cimicidae and Polyctenidae from Malawian Chiroptera (Insecta: Hemiptera) - Kock, D.; Happold, D. C. D.; Happold, M. (Senckenbergiana biol., 1998)
Cacodmus villosus, C. sparsilis, Aphrania cf. barys (Cimicidae) and Adroctenes horvathi (Polyctenidae) are recorded from Malawi, Central Africa. All except C. villosus are first records for Malawi. The known distribution and host associations for the four species are listed and discussed. One host, Pipistrellus rusticus was parasitised by both C. villosus and C. sparsilis simultaneously. Pipistrellus rusticus, Scotoecus albigula (hosts of C. sparsilis) and Eptesicus melckorum (host of Aphrania cf. barys) are new hosts for the Cimicidae, and Rhinolophus fumigatus and R. blasii are new hosts for the Polyctenidae and for Adroctenes horvathi.
Keywords: [Neoromicia] Eptesicus melckorum; Adroctenes horvathi; Aphrania cf. barys; Cacodmus sparsilis; Cacodmus villosus; Chiroptera; Cimicidae; distribution; ectoparasites; Fledermäuse; Hemiptera; host species; Insecta; Malawi; Mammalia; parasitism; Pipistrellus rusticus; Polyctenidae; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus blasii; Rhinolophus fumigatus; Scotoecus albigula; Southern Africa; systematics; taxonomy; Vespertilionidae

Compromises: Sound frequencies used in echolocation by aerial-feeding bats - Fenton, M. B.; Portfors, C. V.; Rautenbach, I. L.; Waterman, J. M. (Can. J. Zool., 1998)
Hunting aerial-feeding bats, species that take airborne prey (usually flying insects), use echolocation to detect, track, and assess targets. The echolocation calls of aerial-feeding bats at sites in Canada (British Columbia and Ontario), Mexico, Brazil, and Zimbabwe were significantly dominated by frequencies between 20 and 60 kHz, although at the more tropical locations some aerial-feeding bats used echolocation calls with most energy <20 or >60 kHz. The impact of frequency specific attenuation, perhaps combined with frequency-specific, hearing-based defenses of some insects, suggests that by using echolocation calls <20 kHz, bats could both extend the effective range of echolocation and make their calls less conspicuous to insect ears. Bats using calls >60 kHz would be less conspicuous to the insects. We found two patterns of echolocation-call behaviour. Most adjacent echolocation calls, and all that were dominated by sounds >20 kHz, showed large (80%) overlap in bandwidth. The other pattern involved much less overlap in bandwidth (0-30%) between adjacent calls and was evident in the calls of the molossid Tadarida midas, which used echolocation calls dominated by sounds <20 kHz. This behaviour would allow the echolocating bat to extend its effective range of perception by separating in frequency the echoes returning from adjacent calls.
Keywords: [Chaerephon pumilus] Tadarida pumila; [Chaerephon] Tadarida nigeriae; [Mops condylurus] Tadarida condylura; [Mops] Tadarida midas; [Neoromicia nana] Pipistrellus nanus; [Neoromicia] Eptesicus capensis; [Nycticeinops schlieffenii] Nycticeius schlieffeni; Brazil; Canada; Central America; Chiroptera; Mexico; Molossidae; North America; Pipistrellus rusticus; Scotophilus borbonicus; Scotophilus viridis; South America; Southern Africa; Vespertilionidae; Zimbabwe

The current status of Livingstone’s flying fox (Pteropus livingstonii) in the Federal Islamic Republic (RFI) of the Comores - Trewhella, W. J.; Reason, P. F.; Clark, K. M.; Garrett, S. R. T. (Phelsuma, 1998)
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Comoros; conservation; ecology; Indian Ocean; population size; Pteropodidae; Pteropus livingstonii; roost counts; threatened species

Distributional patterns and conservation status of mammals of Swaziland, southern Africa - Monadjem, A. (Koedoe, 1998)
Distributional patterns (mapped at the quarter-degree square scale) of species richness of 121 species of mammals recorded from Swaziland were examined in relation to the distribution of protected areas (reserves), privately-owned ranches and six vegetation types. The richness of mammal species was highest in the NE and NW, and lowest in the SW areas of Swaziland. Total mammal species richness was positively and highly significantly correlated with the presence of reserves. Similar patterns were shown by artiodactyls, rodents and carnivores. Total mammal species richness, as well as for most mammalian orders, was positively correlated with moist grassveld and moist savanna vegetation types but negatively correlated with dry grassveld. Mammal species richness, especially for the larger species, was very low on Swazi Nation Land, which covers about 60 % of the country. The mammalian fauna of the high-lying areas (Highveld) was distinct from that of the low-lying areas (Lowveld). The Middleveld region supported elements of both Highveld and Lowveld species. A large proportion (87.6 %) of Swaziland’s mammal species have been recorded from reserves. Two species (Alcelaphus lichtensteini and Lycaon pictus) no longer occur in Swaziland. For effective conservation of Swaziland’s mammals, the issue of how to maintain viable populations on Swazi Nation Land will have to be addressed.
Keywords: conservation; distribution; Mammalia; protected areas; Southern Africa; species richness; Swaziland

Effects of bat-bands and banding on a population of Pipistrellus nanus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in Malawi - Happold, D. C. D.; Happold, M. (Z. Säugetierk., 1998)
This study provides information about the effects of flanged metal bat-bands, and the procedures associated with banding and frequent censusing, on a population of Pipistrellus nanus, a particularly small vespertilionid bat. The bats were censused at their roosts in a banana plantation, at intervals of approximately two weeks, for 10 months; 120 bats were banded and 75 were recaptured (447 recaptures). The best data came from a cohort of 64 adults (banded during the first six censuses), 25 of which were recaptured 9-15 times. Band-status (the effect of the band on the bat) was recorded each time a bat was captured. We recognised four classes of band-status ranging from class 1 (band-free with no injuries, observed on 66% of occasions) to class 4 (band-immobile with an unhealed wound, observed on 11% of occasions). Analyses of the results showed that (a) the majority of bats were in class 1 on most occasions, but some had injuries (classes 2-4) which often improved or deteriorated unpredictably; (b) the band-status changed in relation to time after banding, following an unexplained pattern; (c) band-status was not affected by seasonal changes in climate, or by the sex of the bat; (d) banding did not affect flight and foraging, or mass, or "survival" in the population; and (e) roosting behaviour was not adversely affected. Bats banded when we were inexperienced (census 1) were more prone to injuries than bats banded when we had improved our banding technique. Banding enabled us to study the social behaviour and reproduction of this species and we believe that the results justified banding one small population of this common, widespread species. We predict that other species of small vespertilionids may respond similarly to banding, but extrapolation to species in other families is probably not justified. We recommend that flanged bat-bands should be fitted as loosely as possible, that new bat-banders should be trained by experienced banders, and that banding of bats is permitted only when there are very good scientific reasons for the banding and when harm to individual bats and populations is likely to be minimal.
Keywords: behaviour; Chiroptera; conservation; Fledermäuse; Malawi; marking; methods; Neoromicia nana; Southern Africa; Vespertilionidae; wing bands

Female reproduction in two species of tropical horseshoe bats (Rhinolophidae) in Zimbabwe - Cotterill, F. P. D. (J. Mamm., 1998)
Female reproduction was studied in sympatric populations of two species of African horseshoe bats in a seasonal tropical environment of central Zimbabwe. Both Rhinolophus simulator and its largest African congener, R. hildebrantii, were monotocous and monestrous, and reproduction was highly seasonal. In 3 consecutive years, R. simulator gave birth consistently later (15-20 days) than R. hildebrantii, and early embryonic development was retarded in the smaller R. simulator. Copulations occurred during June and July of the cool-dry season, and both species gave birth to single offspring during separate synchronized periods of parturition at the start of the wet season. Lactation in both species coincided with the period of maximal rainfall, but the weaning period of R. hildebrantii was distinctly long.
Keywords: Chiroptera; reproduction; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus hildebrandtii; Rhinolophus simulator; Southern Africa; Zimbabwe

Chaerephon pumilus - Bouchard, S. (Mammalian Species, 1998)
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Molossidae; review

Eptesicus bottae (Mammalia, Chiroptera) auf der Insel Rhodos - von Helversen, O. (Bonn. zool. Beitr., 1998)
Botta’s serotine Eptesicus bottae (PETERS, 1869), a bat species which in recent years has been shown to be widespread over the coastal areas of Anatolia (Spitzenberger 1994) was recorded for the first time on the Greek island of Rhodos. External morphological differences allow to separate this species from Eptesicus serotinus (SCHREBER, 1774); the smaller bottae has narrower wings and a different shape of the penis. As the East Mediterranean E. bottae anatolicus FELTEN, 1971 are much larger than Asian E. bottae it may be doubted that the North-African form isabellinus (TEMMINCK, 1840) really belongs to E. serotinus, as assumed by most authors; their measurements are nearer to Anatolian bottae. Eptesicus bottae does not seem to be a rare species on Rhodos; these bats hunt regularly over the dry coastal plains of the southcoast of the island. Their echolocation calls are described; search phase calls are QCF calls with an end-frequency of about 28 kHz and a duration of 14 ± 2 ms, approach phase calls are shorter and more FM, but also mostly end at a frequency of 28 kHz.
Keywords: Chiroptera; distribution; echolocation; Eptesicus isabellinus; Eptesicus serotinus; Europe; Fledermäuse; foraging; Greece; Mammalia; morphology; North Africa; systematics; taxonomy; Verbreitung; Vespertilionidae

Katacamilla Papp, 1978, a genus of Camillidae (Diptera: Schizophora) associated with the dung of bats, birds and hyraxes in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula - Barraclough, D. A. (African Entomology, 1998)
Katacamilla Papp, 1978, hitherto a monotypic genus of Camillidae known only from Namibia, is revised to include five species from Africa and the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula. The revision is based on more than 400 specimens. The placement of Katacamilla in the Camillidae is confirmed. A revised diagnosis of the genus is given. Katacamilla is distinguished from all other camillid genera by at least 10 character states, six of which are autapomorphies. A key to the species is presented. Illustrations of head profiles, male forefemur and terminalia are provided for all species. Katacamilla cavernicola Papp is redescribed from three Namibian localities. Four new species are described: K. braacki from northeastern South Africa, K. ctenidia from northern Nigeria, K. gallagheri from eastern Oman and K. procavia from central Namibia. Katacamilla cavernicola is known only from caves, where it exhibits both parietal and troglophilic habitat preferences; it has been reared from dung of the rock pigeon, Columba guinea Linnaeus (parietal), and of the common slit-faced bat, Nycteris thebaica Geoffroy (troglophilic). Katacamilla braacki has been collected in close association with dung of the Egyptian fruit bat, Rousettus aegyptiacus (Geoffroy), in a troglophilic habitat. Katacamilla procavia has been reared from the dung of the rock hyrax, Procavia capensis (Pallas), taken from the shelter of a rocky overhang. Katacamilla ctenidia and K. gallagheri are probably associated with the dung of birds and/or small mammals in relatively exposed habitats. A preliminary cladistic analysis suggests that the clade comprising the bat-associated (cavernicolous) sister species, K. cavernicola and K. braacki, is the most highly derived in the genus and, consequently, that association with bats is a recent specialization.
See Braack 1989, Churchill et al. 1997
Keywords: Africa; Arabian Peninsula; Camillidae; caves; Chiroptera; Diptera; identification key; Insecta; Katacamilla braacki sp. nov.; Katacamilla ctenidia sp. nov.; Katacamilla gallagheri sp. nov.; Katacamilla procavia sp. nov.; Namibia; Nigeria; Nycteridae; Nycteris thebaica; Oman; Pteropodidae; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus denti; Rousettus aegyptiacus; South Africa

Micropteropus pusillus - Owen-Ashley, N. T.; Wilson, D. E. (Mammalian Species, 1998)
Keywords: Africa; behaviour; Chiroptera; distribution; ecology; identification key; Mammalia; Micropteropus pusillus; morphology; Pteropodidae; review; systematics; taxonomy; Verbreitung

Immunocytochemical identification of endocrine cells in the pancreas of the fruit bat, Rousettus aegyptiacus - Michelmore, A. J.; Keegan, D. J.; Kramer, B. (General & Comparative Endocrinology, 1998)
The fruit bat, Rousettus aegyptiacus, is able to absorb large amounts of glucose in very short periods of time. This ability is partly reflected by the structure of the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas. The aim of this study was to confirm preliminary histochemical studies of the bat pancreas and to identify and quantitate endocrine cells by immunocytochemical techniques in order to understand the ability of the bat to absorb these large amounts of glucose. Endocrine cells were distributed in islets throughout the gland and also occurred as discrete cells in the exocrine ducts. Three-dimensional reconstruction and quantitation showed that the endocrine component of the pancreas occupied 9.1% of the total volume. This is far more than that reported in any other species. Four endocrine cell types were demonstrated. Insulin (beta) cells (51.4%) were located throughout the islet and extended between the glucagon (alpha) cells (30.6%). Somatotostatin (delta) cells (8.8%) and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) cells (17.1%) were irregularly scattered throughout the islets. While the percentage of alpha, beta, and delta cells was similar to that in other species, the percentage of PP cells was higher. The high percentage of endocrine tissue found in the pancreas of the fruit bat may reflect metabolic adaptations involved in the absorption of the high carbohydrate diet of this animal.
Keywords: Chiroptera; diet; endocrine pancreas; frugivory; glucose absorption; immunocytochemistry; physiology; Pteropodidae; Rousettus aegyptiacus

In the Minotaur’s labyrinth: The phylogeny of the bat family Hipposideridae - Bogdanowicz, W.; Owen, R. D. (Bat Biology and Conservation, 1998)
Keywords: Africa; allopatric; Anthops; Asellia; Aselliscus; Asia; biodiversity; biogeography; Chiroptera; chromosomes; Cloeotis; Coelops; evolution; Fledermäuse; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros; karyotypes; Mammalia; morphology; Oriental Region; Paracoelops; paraphyletic; phylogeny; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus; Rhinonicteris; sibling species; speciation; species richness; sympatric; systematics; taxonomy; Triaenops; zoogeography

Plerotes anchietae (Seabra, 1900) in Malawi, Central Africa (Mammalia: Chiroptera) - Kock, D.; Burda, H.; Chitaukali, W. N.; Overton, M. J. (Z. Säugetierk., 1998)
Keywords: Chiroptera; distribution; ecology; habitat preferences; Malawi; Mammalia; morphology; Plerotes anchietae; Pteropodidae; Southern Africa; systematics; taxonomy

Taphozous hildegardeae - Colket, E.; Wilson, D. E. (Mammalian Species, 1998)
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Emballonuridae; review; Taphozous hildegardeae

Le Mont Nimba. Réserve de Biosphère et Site du Patrimoine Mondial (Guinée et Côte d’Ivoire). Initiation à la Géomorphologie et à la Biogéographie - Lamotte, M. (UNESCO Publishing, 1998)
Le traits principaux de la géologie et de la géomorphologie du Nimba /Le climat /Le mont Nimba, carrefour ouest-africains des flores /état actuel de la végétation du Nimba /La faune et le peuplement animal du Nimba /Bibliographie générale du Nimba
Keywords: altitude; biodiversity; climate; conservation; Côte d’Ivoire; distribution; ecology; elevation; endemic; fauna; Faunistik; flora; geology; Guinea; habitat preferences; Ivory Coast; Liberia; Mount Nimba; mountains; plants; rainforests; review; species richness; Vegetation; West Africa; zoogeography

Mammal distributions in the western Mediterranean: The role of human intervention - Dobson, M. (Mammal Rev., 1998)
The natural distribution of the 17 non-flying mammal species occurring wild in both the Maghreb (north-west Africa) and Iberia (south-west Europe) is considered. It is concluded that only four species - Red Fox Vulpes vulpes, Wild Boar Sus scrofa, Wild Cat Felis silvestris and Otter Lutra lutra - are native to both regions, while another three -Red Deer Cervus elaphus, Brown Bear Ursus arctos and Aurochs Bos primigenius - were native to North Africa until the mid-Holocene but have probably died out naturally. Algerian Hedgehog Atelerix algirus, Barbary Ape Macaca sylvanus, Genet Genetta genetta and Egyptian Mongoose Herpestes ichneumon are widely accepted as introductions to Europe from North Africa. The remaining six species, and Red Deer now found in Africa; were also probably introduced - Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus, Weasel Mustela nivalis, Wood Mouse Apodemus sylvaticus and Lesser White-toothed Shrew Crocidura russula from Europe to Africa; Algerian Mouse Mus spretus from Africa to Europe; Savi’s Pygmy Shrew Suncus etruscus perhaps from the eastern Mediterranean to both Iberia and the Maghreb.There are two Maghrebi species which, although not found in Europe, are more closely related to Palaearctic than to Afrotropical species: Garden Dormouse Eliomys melanurus, probably native to north-west Africa, although possible augmentation of the natural population cannot be ruled out, and Whitaker’s Shrew Crocidura whitakeri, a North African endemic.Removal of so many species of European provenance from the list of mammals native to north-west Africa should not be considered to weaken its position as part of the Palearctic zoogeographical region. Bats and other, non-mammalian, taxa illustrate the clear faunal relationship between the Maghreb and south-west Europe, whilst emphasizing its distinction from subsaharan Africa.
Keywords: biodiversity; Biotopwahl; Chiroptera; distribution; Europe; Faunistik; Fledermäuse; human introduction; introduced species; Maghreb; Mammalia; Mediterranean; North Africa; Palaearctic; species richness; Verbreitung; zoogeography

New distributional records for three microchiropteran bats (Vespertillionidae, Rhinolophidae) from the Free State Province, South Africa - Watson, J. P. (S. Afr. J. Wildl. Res., 1998)
Distributional data on three microchiropteran species (Myotis lesueuri (Roberts, 1919), Eptesicus hottentotus (A. Smith, 1833) and Rhinolophus denti Thomas, 1904), recorded in the Free State Province for first time, are presented. In all three cases these comprise range extensions for the species.
Keywords: [Cistugo] Myotis lesueuri; Chiroptera; Cistugidae; distribution; Eptesicus hottentotus; Faunistik; Fledermäuse; habitat preferences; Mammalia; morphology; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus denti; South Africa; systematics; taxonomy; Vespertilionidae

Notes on the bats of the Reserve Speciale d’Anjanaharibe-Sud, Madagascar - Goodman, S. M. (Fieldiana: Zoology n.s., 1998)
Three bat species were collected in the Reserve Speciale d’Anjanaharibe-Sud at 650 m: Rousettus madagascariensis, Myotis goudoti, and Miniopterus fraterculus. These species are broadly distributed across the island in both forested and disturbed areas.
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Madagascar; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus fraterculus; Myotis goudoti; Pteropodidae; Rousettus madagascariensis; Vespertilionidae

Phenetic analysis of Old World Myotis (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) based on dental characters - Godawa-Stormark, J. (Acta theriol., 1998)
Similarities between 42 taxa of genus Myotis were studied based on 11 dental characters. The most primitive conditions were found in subgenus Leuconoe and in most taxa of subgenus Selysius. No clear differences between subgenera Leuconoe and Selysius were found. Only Myotis altarium, M. ikonnikovi, M. mystacinus, and M. hosonoi were found to be distinct from the 13 species studied within subgenus Selysius. The subgenus Myotis was distinct from the other subgenera in having the most derived conditions.
Keywords: [Cistugo seabrae] Myotis seabrai; [Cistugo] Myotis lesueuri; Afghanistan; Austria; Borneo; Bulgaria; Burma; Cambodia; China; Chiroptera; cluster analysis; Czechoslovakia; dental morphology; discrete state characters; Ethiopia; France; Germany; Greece; Hungary; India; Indonesia; Italy; Japan; Java; Malawi; Malaysia; Mongolia; Myotis adversus; Myotis altarium; Myotis annectans; Myotis ater; Myotis bechsteinii; Myotis blythii; Myotis bombinus; Myotis brandtii; Myotis capaccinii; Myotis chinensis; Myotis dasycneme; Myotis daubentonii; Myotis emarginatus; Myotis fimbriatus; Myotis formosus; Myotis frater; Myotis hermani; Myotis horsfieldii; Myotis hosonoi; Myotis ikonnikovi; Myotis longipes; Myotis macrodactylus; Myotis macrotarsus; Myotis montivagus; Myotis morrisi; Myotis muricola; Myotis myotis; Myotis mystacinus; Myotis nattereri; Myotis pequinius; Myotis ricketti; Myotis ridleyi; Myotis rosseti; Myotis scotti; Myotis sicarius; Myotis siligorensis; Myotis tricolor; Myotis welwitschii; Nepal; Netherlands; Niger; Philippines; Poland; Russia; Slovenia; South Africa; Spain; Sulawesi; Sumatra; Sweden; Switzerland; Taiwan; Thailand; Tibet; Uganda; Vespertilionidae; Vietnam

Reproduction in the little free-tailed bat Chaerephon pumila (Microchiroptera: Molossidae) in Swaziland - Monadjem, A. (Durban Mus. Novit., 1998)
The reproductive condition of male and female Chaerephon pumila, collected monthly over a ten-month period at Mlawula Nature Reserve (northeastern Swaziland), was assessed. Date of conception was estimated using foetal weight. Peak conceptions occurred in September, November and January with expected parturition in November, January and March. These results suggest the presence of a postpartum oestrus but conclusive evidence is lacking. Male testicular weight was highest between October and January with a sharp decline in February, which may have been exaggerated by the inadvertent inclusion of juvenile specimens.
Keywords: Chaerephon pumilus; Chiroptera; Molossidae; reproduction; Southern Africa; Swaziland

Sexual size dimorphism and natural history traits are correlated with intersexual dietary divergence in royal pythons (Python regius) from the rainforests of southeastern Nigeria - Luiselli, L.; Angelici, F. M. (Ital. J. Zool., 1998)
Food habits of the royal python (Python regius) were studied in some localities of southeastern Nigeria by means both of faeces analysis and forced regurgitation of living individuals. Female pythons were significantly longer than the males. Both sexes preyed exclusively upon birds and mammals, but there were significant intersexual differences in terms of dietary, composition. Males preyed more frequently upon birds (70.2% of the total number of prey items) whereas females preyed more frequently upon mammals (66.7% of the total number of prey items). There was an apparent ontogenetic change in the diet of both sexes: specimens shorter than 70 cm total length preyed almost exclusively upon small sized birds (nestlings and immature), whereas the longer specimens (> 100 cm total length) preyed almost entirely upon small mammals. We suggest that the two sexes are different in terms of their main natural history traits (males being more arboreal than females), and that this behavioural difference can explain the observed intersexual differences in dietary composition.
Keywords: [Galago] Galagoides demidoff; Aves; Chiroptera; diet; Epomophorus sp.; Mammalia; Megaloglossus woermanni; Nigeria; predation; prey; Primates; Pteropodidae; Python regius; Reptilia; Rodentia; Serpentes; sexual size dimorphism; Soricidae; West Africa

Small mammal diversity in the Kakum National Park in Ghana - Yeboah, S. (Ghana Journal of Science, 1998)
During a 7-month period, a checklist of small mammals in the Kakum National Park, a small forest park in the Central Region of Ghana, was compiled. A total of 178 individuals of 16 species of small terrestrial mammals were caught. This represents 43 per cent of all the species of small terrestrial mammals in Ghana, and about 60 per cent of the forest-dwelling species. Records of other mammals sighted are also presented. Only three species of fruit bats were caught. Insectivorous bats were poorly represented. The Obengkrom area of the Kakum National Park was found to be the richest in small terrestrial mammals as compared with the Mfuom and Antwikwaa areas. Shannon’s diversity indices for small terrestrial mammals ranged from 1.14 to 3.08 (Simpson’s index from 0.45 to 0.84) for the three study areas. Population density for small rodents ranged from 120 to 288 animals per ha. The study reports the first record of Hybomys univittatus west of Nigeria in West Africa. The distribution of Chromolaena odorata was found to influence the species diversity of small terrestrial mammals in forest clearings. The higher the cover the lower the species diversity.
Keywords: Carnivora; Chiroptera; Ghana; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros abae; Hipposideros beatus; inventory; Mammalia; Megaloglossus woermanni; Myonycteris leptodon [torquata]; Nycteridae; Nycteris arge; Nycteris nana; Pholidota; Pteropodidae; Rodentia; Scotonycteris ophiodon; Soricidae; survey; West Africa

Small mammals along an elevational gradient in Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Uganda - Kerbis Peterhans, J. C.; Kityo, R. M.; Stanley, W. T.; Austin, P. K. (The Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Uganda. Exploration, Environment & Biology. Conservation, Management and Community Relations, 1998)
Keywords: Albertine Rift; altitude; Central Africa; Chiroptera; elevational gradients; Mammalia; mountains; Rodentia; Ruwenzori Mts.; Soricomorpha; Uganda

The species diversity, distribution and conservation of Namibian mammals - Griffin, M. (Biodiver. Conserv., 1998)
Namibia’s extant mammal fauna of 250 species represents about 75% of the southern African region’s species richness, 83% of generic richness and 98% of familial richness. Fourteen species are presently recognized as endemic (75% or more of the global population occurring within Namibian borders). These endemics occur in the Namib Desert, pro-Namib transition zone and adjoining escarpment, and are primarily rupicolous. The Namibian endemic mammal fauna is characterized by the monotypic Petromuridae, and the rodent genera Gerbillurus and Petromyscus. The distribution of smaller species has probably not changed significantly over the past 200 years, but species such as lion and plain zebra have undergone range reductions of 95% or more, and five species are listed as recently extinct. Approximately 50% of all Namibian mammal species are provisionally listed as ’secure’. However, due to patchy data, 94 species (38%) are classified as under possible or probable threat. Nineteen species (8%) are classified as under definite threat. Over 13% of Namibia is set aside by the state for conservation purposes. Ninety-five percent of mammal species occur in at least one park, over 80% occur in three or more parks, and 59 species (28%) occur in ten or more parks, although for most species nothing is known of their population viability there. Major threats to mammals in Namibia are invasive aliens, including the risk of genetic pollution, and habitat alteration, especially wetland degradation.
Keywords: biogeography; Chiroptera; conservation; endemism; Mammalia; Namibia; Southern Africa; species richness

Systematics of African Nycteris (Mammalia: Chiroptera). Part III. The Nyteris thebaica group - Van Cakenberghe, V.; De Vree, F. (Bonn. zool. Beitr., 1998)
In this paper, the systematics of the African N. thebaica group is discussed. Based on multi- and univariate statistical tests, two species are retained within this group: N. thebaica, which occurs over almost the entire African continent and the Arabian Peninsula, and N. gambiensis, which is limited to West Africa. Based on literature data, the species status of N. vinsoni is confirmed. Literature data, measurements and lists of material examined are presented for each of these species. Unfortunately, even the vast amount of specimens available for this study is still insufficient to decide definitely the status of forms such as brockmani and damarensis, which at present are considered synonyms of N. thebaica.
Keywords: Africa; allopatric; Chiroptera; distribution; evolution; Faunistik; Fledermäuse; habitat preferences; Mammalia; morphology; Nycteridae; Nycteris brockmani; Nycteris damarensis; Nycteris gambiensis; Nycteris thebaica; Nycteris vinsoni; revision; sibling species; speciation; species richness; sympatric; systematics; taxonomy; zoogeography

Taxonomic notes on dark-winged house bats of the genus Scotoecus Thomas 1901, in Malawi - Taylor, P. J.; van der Merwe, M. (Durban Mus. Novit., 1998)
Keywords: Chiroptera; distribution; Fledermäuse; Malawi; Mammalia; morphology; Scotoecus albigula; Scotoecus albofuscus; Scotoecus hindei [hirundo]; Scotoecus hirundo; Southern Africa; systematics; taxonomy; Vespertilionidae

Ultrastructure of the binary parotid glands in the free-tailed bat, Tadarida thersites. I. Principal parotid gland. - Nagato, T.; Tandler, B.; Phillips, C. J. (Anatomical Record, 1998)
Background: Many species of bats have two sets of submandibular glands, principal and accessory. The accessory gland may resemble the principal one but more often shows wide morphological divergence. The free-tailed bat, Tadarida thersites, is very unusual in that it has two sets of parotid glands rather than binary submandibular glands. We studied the ultrastructure of the principal parotid gland to establish a baseline for comparison with the accessory parotid. Methods: Two specimens of adult free-tailed bats, one male and one female, were live-trapped in western Kenya. Parotid glands were fixed for electron microscopy using a protocol expressly designed for field fixation and then embedded by conventional means. Results: Histologically, the principal parotid is a typical serous gland. The secretory granules of the endpiece cells have an unusual substructure in that they contain variable numbers of lucent halos and one or several spherules. Intercalated duct cells contain a significant number of dense, serous-like granules. Striated ducts have the usual basal configuration of mitochondria and folded plasma membranes, but the supranuclear cytoplasm contains many small, dense granules, so that these ducts resemble the granular convoluted tubules found in the submandibular glands of many families of rodents. The apices of the duct cells have a peculiar contour-the luminal surfaces obliquely invaginate into the apical cytoplasm, so that in thin section the luminal membranes appear to be underlaid by a layer of vacuoles. Conclusion: Although the principal parotid gland of the free-tailed bat shows some distinctive, species-specific ultrastructural features, it basically is similar to the parotid gland in two other molossid bats, Tadarida brasiliensis and Molossus molossus. The distinctive features in the principal parotid gland of T. thersites might relate to its feeding on hard-bodied insects and perhaps to the production of lysozyme.
Keywords: Chiroptera; East Africa; Kenya; Molossidae; Mops thersites

Ultrastructure of the binary parotid glands in the free-tailed bat, Tadarida thersites. II. Accessory parotid gland. - Tandler, B.; Nagato, T.; Phillips, C. J. (Anatomical Record, 1998)
Background: Many bat species have an extra set of major salivary glands. In some species, the accessory glands are quite similar to the principal one, but in others they may be radically different. Accessory glands usually are associated with the submandibular gland, but the free-tailed bat, Tadarida thersites, also has an accessory parotid gland. In the present study, we compared the accessory parotid gland with its principal counterpart. Methods: Salivary glands were removed from two specimens of free-tailed bats, one of each sex, that had been live-trapped in western Kenya and immersion-fixed in a specially formulated mixture designed for field fixation. Once back in the laboratory, the tissue was further prepared for electron microscopy by conventional means. Results: The secretory endpieces consist of serous tubules composed of typical serous cells that contain numerous dense granules. In contrast, the intralobular duct system shows a radical departure from normal. These ducts are enormous in caliber, their lumina measuring greater than 100 mum in diameter. They appear to arise by amalgamation of the homologues of intercalated and striated ducts into macroducts. The walls of the macroducts consist of intermingled patches of simple cuboidal and simple columnar epithelia that occasionally include a tuft cell and are underlaid by an almost continuous layer of myoepithelium. A few cells have some modified basal striations, but most cells display a cytological organization that differs radically from either of their two putative ancestral cell types. Both tall and short epithelial macroduct cells have a paranuclear collection of ovate mitochondria and aggregates of what presumably are peroxisomes. Macroduct cells in both the female and male are pervaded by a system of tubular smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER). In the female, the SER gives rise to membranous whorls that consist of numerous plies. As the macroducts approach their termini, a single row of small dense secretory granules appears just beneath their luminal surface. At the lobular periphery, the ducts taper down to become excretory ducts of normal dimensions. Conclusions: An accessory parotid gland occurs in T. thersites, but apparently is absent in the related species, T. brasiliensis. The ultrastructural data are consistent with a possible steroidogenic function, although other features of the gland might relate to the elaboration of a secretory product associated with feeding on chitinous beetles. The macroducts conceivably function as reservoirs of preformed saliva.
Keywords: Chiroptera; East Africa; Kenya; Molossidae; Mops thersites

African bats: Evolution of reproduction patterns and delays - Bernard, R. T. F.; Cumming, G. S. (Quart. Rev. Biol., 1997)
Patterns of reproduction in African bats can be compared in three taxon-based groups: fruit bats (Megachiroptera), freetailed bats (Microchiroptera: Molossidae) and the nonmolossid Microchiroptera. In the fruit bats and nonmolossid Microchiroptera there is a trend from either seasonal or a seasonal polyestry, with prolonged or continuous spermatogenesis in the tropics, towards seasonal monestry and seasonal spermatogenesis at more temperate latitudes. Reproductive delays (sperm storage, delayed implantation and delayed development) are rare at tropical latitudes, but are the norm in the nonmolossid Microchiroptera away from the tropics. The molossids are mostly polyestrous at tropical and temperate latitudes, although the duration of the reproductive season decreases with increasing latitude. The molossids appear to have escaped the constraints that affect reproduction of the other Microchiroptera. We propose that this may be due to their flight capabilities and foraging behavior, which give them access to year-round food, and to the thermal characteristics of their roosts. We suggest that the ancestral reproductive pattern of the Chiroptera was probably aseasonal or seasonal polyestry, as seen in extant tropical species, and therefore that reproductive cycles have evolved from the polyestrous to the monestrous condition. Short periods of reproductive delay occur in some species of tropical bats; we suggest that these reproductive delays originally were not adaptations to temperate latitudes but rather to the long dry season, which is characteristic of African tropical latitudes. With the move away from the tropics, selective pressures, acting on the timing of lactation and spermatogenesis, would have ensured that these processes continued to occur in the warm wet season, and that the length of the reproductive delay increased. This model accommodates the probable evolutionary origin of bats and links the evolution and development of reproductive delays to the differences in climate that occur with changes in latitude. There is evidence that mate choice and sperm competition may be important to modern bats, but we believe that they need not be invoked as causal factors in the evolution of reproductive delays, which can be adequately explained using purely energetic arguments.
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; day roosts; delayed development; delayed implantation; ecology; Fledermäuse; foraging; latitude; Mammalia; Molossidae; monoestry; polyoestry; Pteropodidae; reproduction; review; seasonality; sperm storage; spermatogenesis; temperate; tropical

African histoplasmosis: A review - Gugnani, H. C.; Muotoe-Okafor, F. A. (Revista Iberoamericana de Micologia, 1997)
African histoplasmosis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum var. duboisii is an important deep mycosis endemic in Central and West Africa and in the island of Madagascar. The disease is characterized by presence of granulomatous lesions in the skin, subcutaneous tissues and bones. Lungs and other internal organs are rarely involved. The natural reservoir of the etiological agent has only been recently discovered in a bat cave in Nigeria. The status of asymptomatic infection is not certain. Investigations on skin and serum reactivity have suggested frequent prevalence of asymptomatic infections due to H. capsulatum var. duboisii among the residents in the vicinity of the cave microfocus of the fungus. The exact portal of entry into the body is not known, but inhalation into the lungs and direct inoculation in the skin have been incriminated. Laboratory diagnosis is confirmed by in vitro conversion into large yeast forms (8-15 mum in diameter) and by the demonstration of these forms within giant cells of tissues of experimentally infected animals. There are no major clean-cut physiological differences between the two varieties, viz. capsulatum and duboisii. The cell wall of H. capsulatum var duboisii contains a glucan with beta 1-4 linkages in addition to a galactomannan shared with H. capsulatum var. capsulatum. Like the var. capsulatum var. duboisii has marked proteinase and collagenase activities in both mycelial and yeast forms, suggesting a possible pathogenic role for these enzymes. Both varieties have a common exoantigen. The yeast form of H. capsulatum var. duboisii contains the antigen found in the serotype 1,4 of var. capsulatum. A monoclonal antibody test has been developed that can recognize some epitopes in H. capsulatum var. capsulatum but not in the var. duboisii. There is need to develop specific serological diagnosis for the disease. Also there should be greater international awareness about African histoplasmosis. Amphotericin B and several antimycotic azoles like ketoconazole, itraconazole and fluconazole have been successfully employed for treatment.
Keywords: Africa; fungal infections; infectious diseases; Nigeria

Bat community patterns on the Accra Plains of Ghana, West Africa - Decher, J. (Z. Säugetierk., 1997)
Bat communities were sampled with mist nets at eight localities on the Accra Plains and two localities in the Northern Region of Ghana. I encountered five species of fruit bats (Pteropodidae) and 26 species from seven families of Microchiroptera in a total of 252 bats netted. Glauconycteris poensis, Hipposideros cyclops, and H. abae were caught only in sacred groves protected by traditional law, whereas Taphozous perforatus was netted only near rocky cliffs in the legally protected Shai Hills Resource Reserve. Myonycteris torquata and Myotis bocagei were caught only at the edge of experimental forest plots in the northeastern part of the Accra Plains near the lower Volta River. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between canopy cover and bat species abundance and diversity. Relatively open savanna at Shai Hills located close to bodies of water apparently had the greatest diversity and abundance of bats. The diversity of bats on the Accra Plains slightly exceeded published data from other savanna regions in West Africa.
Keywords: [Chaerephon pumilus] Tadarida pumila; [Chaerephon] Tadarida nigeriae; [Mops condylurus] Tadarida condylura; [Neoromicia] Eptesicus capensis; [Neoromicia] Eptesicus guineensis; [Neoromicia] Eptesicus rendalli; allopatric; Artenzahl; behaviour; biodiversity; Chiroptera; communities; conservation; Dahomey Gap; distribution; ecology; Eidolon helvum; Emballonuridae; Epomophorus gambianus; Epomops franqueti; Faunistik; first record; Fledermäuse; foraging; Ghana; Glauconycteris poensis; Glauconycteris variegata; guilds; habitat preferences; Hangplätze; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros abae; Hipposideros beatus [caffer]; Hipposideros commersoni; Hipposideros cyclops; Hipposideros ruber; Lavia frons; Mammalia; Megadermatidae; Micropteropus pusillus; migration; Molossidae; morphology; Myonycteris torquata; Myotis bocagei; Nycteridae; Nycteris hispida; Nycteris macrotis; Nycticeinops schlieffenei [schlieffenii]; Pipistrellus aegyptiacus; Pipistrellus nanulus; Pteropodidae; reproduction; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus landeri; roosting behaviour; Scotoecus albofuscus; Scotophilus dinganii; Scotophilus leucogaster; Scotophilus viridis nigritellus; sympatric; Taphozous perforatus; Vegetation; Vespertilionidae; West Africa

Bat predation by small carnivores in a central African rainforest - Hutterer, R.; Ray, J. C. (Z. Säugetierk., 1997)
Fragments of four species of bats (Mops cf. spurrelli, Nycteris arge, Hipposideros cyclops, H. ruber) were identified in scats of small carnivores collected in a tropical rainforest of Central African Republic. For all four species the Dzanga forest constitutes the second locality record in this country. Genets (Genetta servalina) and long-nosed mongoose (Herpestes naso) were identified as the predator species. Bats occurred in only 0.4% of the scats analyzed. The few examples refer to bat species which roost solitarily or in small groups. Their presence in the scats can be attributed to chance encounters. Large bat colonies seem to be rare or inaccessible in the study area.
Keywords: Beutespektrum; Carnivora; Central Africa; Central African Republic; Chiroptera; day roosts; ecology; Fledermäuse; Genetta servalina; habitat preferences; Herpestes naso; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros cyclops; Hipposideros ruber; Mammalia; Molossidae; Mops spurrelli; Nycteridae; Nycteris arge; predation pressure; prey selection; roosting behaviour

Cave utilisation by Namibian bats: Population, microclimate and roost selection - Churchill, S. K.; Draper, R.; Marais, E. (S. Afr. J. Wildl. Res., 1997)
Ten caves in central Namibia were searched for cave bats during May and June 1996. Up to seven species were found sharing a single cave. Different species of bats were found to select roost sites with significantly different microclimates, based on temperature and relative humidity. Bats were using these caves as over-wintering sites and were selecting either cool microclimates in which to enter daily torpor or warm microclimates to enable them to remain active with minimal energy expenditure. Hipposideros commersoni was observed to remain inactive at the roost for days without entering torpor or leaving the cave to forage. This large bat appears to over-winter by relying on its considerable fat store at this southern limit of its distribution. Roost behaviour, colony size and roost location within the cave was examined for each of the nine bat species encountered.
Keywords: Aves; behaviour; caves; Chiroptera; colony size; day roosts; hibernation; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros caffer; Hipposideros commersoni [vittatus]; humidity; microclimate; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus inflatus [natalensis?]; Miniopterus schreibersii; Namibia; Nycteridae; Nycteris thebaica; predation; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus clivosus; Rhinolophus darlingi; Rhinolophus denti; Rhinolophus fumigatus; Southern Africa; Strigiformes; temperature; torpor; Tyto alba

Conservation of mammals on a tobacco farm on the highlands of Malawi - Happold, D. C. D.; Happold, M. (Biodiver. Conserv., 1997)
The natural vegetation of the Shire Highlands of Malawi has become fragmented because of human activities. As a consequence, some species of mammals have become locally extinct and the population numbers and geographical ranges of other species have declined. This study investigated the species richness of mammals on a commercial tobacco farm, and the importance of remnants of natural vegetation on farms for the conservation of mammals. The farm covered 180 ha and supported 44 species of mammals (equivalent to 66% of the species known to occur in the Shire Highlands at a similar altitude, and 24% of the total mammalian fauna of Malawi). Most of the species were bats (22 species) and rodents (13 species). The largest remnants of natural ’miombo’ woodland supported more species and more individuals than smaller remnants. The high species richness was due, in part, to the variety of different habitats on the farm (’miombo’ woodland, riverine forest, grassland, swamp, streams and dams), as well as to good conservation practices. The farm is especially important for the conservation of 13 species which are rare and/or have limited geographical ranges in Malawi. It is suggested that well-managed farms which contain remnants of natural vegetation can play a significant role in the conservation of mammals, and other vertebrates, in Central Africa.
Keywords: [Chaerephon pumilus] Tadarida pumila; [Mops condylurus] Tadarida condylura; [Neoromicia nana] Pipistrellus nanus; [Neoromicia somalica] Eptesicus somalicus; [Pipistrellus grandidieri] Eptesicus flavescens; agriculture; biodiversity; Chiroptera; communities; conservation; distribution; ecology; Epomophorus gambianus [crypturus]; Epomophorus labiatus; Epomophorus wahlbergi; farmland; habitat preferences; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros commersoni [vittatus]; Laephotis botswanae; land use; Malawi; Mammalia; Molossidae; Myotis bocagii; Myotis welwitschii; Nycteridae; Nycteris hispida; Nycteris thebaica; Pipistrellus kuhlii [hesperidus]; Pteropodidae; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus blasii; Rhinolophus fumigatus; Rhinolophus simulator; Rodentia; Scotoecus hirundo; Scotophilus dinganii; Scotophilus viridis; Shire Highlands; Southern Africa; species richness; Triaenops persicus [afer]; Vegetation; Verbreitung; Vespertilionidae

Conservation, small mammals, and the future of sacred groves in West Africa - Decher, J. (Biodiver. Conserv., 1997)
This article considers the conservation of relict natural habitat in West Africa, especially habitat preserved in traditional sacred groves. Government-sanctioned conservation is contrasted with local grassroots efforts of conservation. Evidence for the ecological value of sacred groves is based on results of a field study of small mammal communities conducted on the Accra Plains of Ghana and on published sources on the conservation and use of sacred groves from various countries. The study employed standard mark-and-recapture techniques for the sampling for terrestrial small mammals, and mist netting for the sampling of bat communities. Pragmatic approaches combining conservation and sustainable use are considered, as are traditional values that have preserved the sacred groves in the past for up to several hundred years in some cases. In part because these groves shelter unique small mammal and plant communities, traditional values and protection mechanisms should be integrated into the newly emerging cultural and religious contexts. The issues encountered during this study reveal that effective conservation involving local peoples requires a concerted interdisciplinary effort.
Keywords: biodiversity; Chiroptera; communities; conservation; Dahomey Gap; distribution; ecology; Eidolon helvum; Faunistik; Fledermäuse; Ghana; habitat preferences; land use; Mammalia; plants; Pteropodidae; rainforests; Rodentia; sacred forests; sacred groves; Soricomorpha; species richness; sympatric; Vegetation; Verbreitung; West Africa; zoogeography

Cranial shape in fruit, nectar, and exudate feeders: Implications for interpreting the fossil record - Dumont, E. R (American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 1997)
At least 29 species of fossil primates have been referred to fruit, nectar, and/or exudate feeding dietary niches. Many studies have detailed the morphological correlates of fruit feeding in comparison to insectivory and folivory. In contrast, few studies have sought to differentiate the morphological correlates of fruit feeding from those of nectar and exudate feeding. This study investigates the differences between fruit, nectar, and exudate feeders using 22 cranial and dentary shape variables representing 28 species of living marsupials, bats, and primates. Discriminant function analysis is used to investigate the differences between these dietary categories using both the complete data set and a reduced data set composed of variables that might reasonably be available from fragmentary fossil material. The success rates of post-hoc classifications are 94 and 88%, respectively. These results demonstrate that it is possible to discriminate among fruit, nectar, and exudate feeders among fossil taxa with a reasonable degree of certainty using the data and techniques outlined here. Nectar feeders exhibit a unique combination of features that are associated with reduced masticatory strength and their role as pollination agents. Exudate feeder skulls and dentaries exhibit a combination of features that reflect the high stresses encountered by the anterior dentition through bark gouging behavior. Fruit feeders are morphologically diverse, exhibiting cranial and mandibular shape values that overlap with both nectar and exudate feeders. It is suggested that this diversity reflects the variety of physical properties represented among fruits, and the tendency for individual frugivore species to specialize on particular fruits.
Keywords: Acrobates pygmaeus; Anoura geoffroyi; Artibeus jamaicensis; Callithrix jacchus; Caluromys philander; Carollia perspicillata; Cebuella pygmaea; Centurio senex; Cercartetus nanus; Chiroptera; Choeronycteris mexicana; Eidolon helvum; Epomophorus gambianus; Erophylla sezekorni; Euoticus elegantulus; Glossophaga soricina; Leptonycteris nivalis; Macroglossus minimus; Marsupialia; Megaloglossus woermanni; Microcebus murinus; Micropteropus pusillus; Perodicticus potto; Petaurus breviceps; Phyllostomidae; Platyrrhinus helleri; Primates; Pteropodidae; Pygoderma bilabiatum; Rousettus aegyptiacus; Saguinus fuscicollis; Sturnira lilium; Syconycteris australis

The diet of Pteropus voeltzkowi, an endangered fruit bat endemic to Pemba Island, Tanzania - Entwistle, A. C.; Corp, N. (Afr. J. Ecol., 1997)
The diet of the Pemba flying fox Pteropus voeltzkowi, a species endemic to the island of Pemba off Tanzania, was investigated. Faecal pellets, ejecta and dropped fruits were collected from under roosts to facilitate dietary analysis. This was supplemented by data from local villagers and school students. The main component of the diet was mango (Mangifera indica), but bats also ate breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis), figs (Ficus spp.), flowers, leaves, and other fruit. Pollen from at least five plant species was also found in faecal pellets. Pteropus voeltzkowi may be one of the only species on the island that disperses larger seeds. The germination rate of bat-ingested seeds was higher than that for seeds from ripe fruit, and this appeared to be linked to selective ingestion of viable seeds by bats.
Keywords: animal-plant interactions; behaviour; Chiroptera; conservation; diet breadth; distribution; East Africa; ecology; food distribution; foraging; frugivory; habitat preferences; Indian Ocean; island biogeography; Mammalia; Nahrung; Nahrungsspektrum; Nahrungswahl; Pemba; Pteropodidae; Pteropus voeltzkowi; seed dispersal; Tanzania; Vegetation

The diets of two high-flying bats from Africa - Rydell, J.; Yalden, D. W. (J. Zool. (Lond.), 1997)
The diets of two fast-flying, aerial-hawking bats from north-east Africa (Ethiopia) were investigated by means of faecal analysis. Otomops martiensseni (Molossidae; c. 35 g body mass), which is remarkably specialized morphologically with very long, narrow wings and large ears, and which uses low frequency echolocation (10 kHz), feeds almost exclusively (97% by volume) on moths, mostly of large species. The smaller (20 g) Taphozous perforatus (Emballonuridae) also has long, narrow wings but short ears and is less morphologically extreme than Otomops. It feeds on moths (56%), but also on many other insect groups such as Isoptera (14%), Coleoptera (10%), Orthoptera (8%), as well as Hemiptera, Neuroptera, Hymenoptera and Diptera. Otomops martiensseni, in particular, appears to be a highly specialized moth predator.
Keywords: Africa; Beutespektrum; Chiroptera; diet; echolocation; ecology; Emballonuridae; Ethiopia; feeding habits; Fledermäuse; foraging; insectivory; Mammalia; Molossidae; morphology; Nahrung; Nahrungsspektrum; Otomops martiensseni; prey selection; Rwanda; Taphozous perforatus

Ebola-Virus in Fledermäusen - Gebhardt, U. (Naturw. Rsch., 1997)
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; Ebola; epidemics; Filoviridae; Fledermäuse; hosts; infectious diseases; parasitism; Primates

Elephants, woodlands and biodiversity in southern Africa - Cumming, D. H. M.; Fenton, M. B.; Rautenbach, I. L.; Taylor, R. D.; Cumming, G. S.; Cumming, M. S.; Dunlop, J. M.; Ford, A. G.; Hovorka, M. D.; Johnston, D. S.; Kalcounis, M. C.; Mahlanga, Z.; et al. (S. Afr. J. Sci., 1997)
When elephant densities exceed approximately 0.5 per km2, savanna woodlands are generally converted to shrublands or grasslands. The impact of such elephant-mediated habitat change on biodiversity in African game reserves has seldom been measured. We examined species richness of woody plants, birds, bats, mantises and ants in reserves where elephants had destroyed the miombo woodland and in adjacent but intact miombo woodlands outside the reserves. Species richness of woodland birds and ants was significantly lower where elephants had removed the tree canopy. Our findings may have important policy implications for conserving biodiversity in many African reserves in the face of rapidly growing elephant populations (approximately 5% per annum). The problem is further compounded by international public pressures against reducing elephant densities within game reserves while, outside these protected areas, savanna woodlands and their associated faunas are being lost to agriculture. Where then will refugia for habitat-sensitive species exist if not within the region’s largest protected areas?
Keywords: abundance; animal-plant interactions; Aves; behaviour; biodiversity; Chiroptera; communities; conservation; degradation; density; distribution; ecology; Formicidae; grasslands; habitat preferences; Hymenoptera; Loxodonta africana; Mammalia; miombo woodland; South Africa; species richness; Vegetation; Verbreitung; woody plants

Environmental change, extinction and human activity: Evidence from caves in NW Madagascar - Burney, D.; James, H.; Grady, F. V.; Rafamantanantsoa, J.-G.; Ramilisonina,; Wright, H.; Cowart, J. (J. Biogeogr., 1997)
In the last 2000 years, changes on the island of Madagascar have resulted in the modification of key environments and the extinction of nearly all large native animals. Humans have long been suspected as the primary cause of this ecological catastrophe, but the exact mechanisms of the island’s rapid transformation and the role of natural factors such as climate change remain uncertain. Caves in northwestern Madagascar are helping researchers to disentangle these factors, by providing many types of datable information concerning the past in close physical proximity. U-series dated pollen spectra from the caverns of Anjohibe provide a 40,000-year record of vegetation in the vicinity. Bone deposits from caves in the region provide new site records for extinct taxa, including Babakotia radofilai Godfrey et al. 1990, Plesiorycteropus madagascariensis Filhol 1895, and Mullerornis sp. Several extant taxa that were present in the region in the late Holocene are now locally extinct. Archaeological evidence from the caves suggests little or no human activity in the vicinity or interaction with the fauna at these sites until recent centuries.
Keywords: Africa; archaeology; Aves; caves; Chiroptera; Eidolon dupreanum; extinction; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros commersonii; human impact; Indian Ocean; Madagascar; Mammalia; palaeontology; paleobiogeography; Pteropodidae; Rousettus madagascariensis; Triaenops furculus

Evolutionary relationships among the African fruit bats: Rousettus egyptiacus, R. angolensis, and Myonycteris - Juste B., J.; Ibáñez, C.; Machordom, A. (J. Mamm., 1997)
Genetic relationships among Rousettus egyptiacus, R. angolensis, Myonycteris torquata, and M. brachycephala were studied based on a starch-gel electrophoretic analysis of 31 presumptive loci encoding 22 enzymatic systems. Data were analyzed by both phenetic and phylogenetic procedures, considering both allele and loci as characters. All of the analyses (both quantitative and qualitative) showed a high level of concordance in establishing R. (Lissonycteris) angolensis, M. torquata, and M. brachycephala as a monophyletic group. Nevertheless, none of the analyses was clearly able to identify sister groups among these taxa. Based on the evidence generated here and from previous independent datasets, the maintenance of Lissonycteris within the genus Rousettus is not sustainable.
Keywords: Africa; allozymes; Chiroptera; evolution; genetics; Gulf of Guinea; island biogeography; Lissonycteris angolensis; Mammalia; Myonycteris brachycephala; Myonycteris torquata; Phygetis; phylogeny; Pteropodidae; Rousettus aegyptiacus; São Tomé; speciation; systematics; taxonomy

Facultative storage of spermatozoa by the female Geoffroy’s horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus clivosus) - Wessels, K. J.; van der Merwe, M. (Can. J. Zool., 1997)
The winter breeding biology of Rhinolophus clivosus on the Gauteng Highveld, South Africa (25°S), was investigated. In contrast with a previous study in Natal (29°S), spermatozoa were not found to be stored in the uterine lumen and glands, since the spermatozoa were phagocytosed by polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the uterus. Only 25% of the females collected contained spermatozoa in their uterotubal junctions and oviducts, where the spermatozoa were oriented towards the epithelium with their heads parallel to one another, an arrangement that is characteristic of sperm-storage sites. The uteri of 66% of the females were infiltrated by large numbers of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, most probably in response to recent inseminations. The results indicate that only 25% of the females retained spermatozoa in their reproductive tracts for an undetermined length of time, whereas 66% of the females were most likely inseminated but did not store spermatozoa for the duration of the winter (May to August). In contrast with R. clivosus in Natal, females of this species on the Gauteng Highveld do not uniformly store spermatozoa for prolonged periods and sperm storage seems to be the responsibility of the males. This illustrates the divergent geographic variability in the reproduction of this species.
Keywords: Chiroptera; Fledermäuse; Mammalia; physiology; reproduction; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus clivosus; seasonality; South Africa; sperm storage

High-altitude pursuit of insects by echolocating bats - Fenton, M. B.; Griffin, D. R. (J. Mamm., 1997)
Bat detectors on helium-filled kite balloons revealed echolocating bats active at altitudes <= 600 m above the ground over Brachystegia woodland in the Sengwa Wildlife Research Area, Zimbabwe. Feeding buzzes indicated that bats were actively foraging to 600 m. At least seven species of bats were detected, including six molossids and one emballonurid.
Keywords: activity patterns; altitude; behaviour; Beuteortung; Chiroptera; communities; diet; distribution; echolocation; ecology; elevation; Emballonuridae; Faunistik; Fledermäuse; food distribution; foraging; habitat preferences; Mammalia; Molossidae; Mops; morphology; Nahrung; Otomops martiensseni; Southern Africa; species richness; Tadarida; Taphozous; Verbreitung; Zimbabwe

Coleura afra - Dunlop, J. (Mammalian Species, 1997)
Keywords: Africa; behaviour; Chiroptera; Coleura afra; distribution; ecology; Emballonuridae; identification key; morphology; review; systematics; taxonomy

Rhinolophus landeri - Brown, K. M.; Dunlop, J. (Mammalian Species, 1997)
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; review; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus landeri

Mammalogy in the Republic of Guinea: An overview of research from 1946 to 1996, a preliminary check-list and a summary of research recommendations for the future - Barnett, A. A.; Prangley, M. L. (Mammal Rev., 1997)
The mammal fauna of Guinea is one of the least well-known in West Africa. This review has been prepared to bring together the scattered literature, and in the hope of stimulating research and identifying topics, geographical localities and habitats where knowledge is most limited. It covers some 411 biological publications, attempting to review all relevant material concerning terrestrial and freshwater aquatic mammals of Guinea published between 1946 and July 1996. Veterinary papers and those on domestic or introduced species have been excluded, as have those on Cetacea. Taxonomic literature is considered only insofar as it is relevant to biogeographical matters. The paper is divided into two parts: the first reviews information on the biology, ecology, natural history and biogeography of Guinea’s mammals; the second part looks at threats, conservation measures and laws, and summarizes recommendations for future research. A preliminary check-list and a list of suggested priorities for future mammalogical research are provided.
Keywords: biodiversity; checklist; Chiroptera; conservation; distribution; ecology; Faunistik; Guinea; habitat preferences; Mammalia; Primates; species richness; Vegetation; West Africa; zoogeography

The mammals of Kilimanjaro - Grimshaw, J. M.; Cordeiro, N. J.; Foley, C. A. H. (J. East Afr. nat. Hist., 1997)
This paper presents an up to date account of 154 mammal species recorded on Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, and the surrounding area, from 1883 to the present, when 128 species are known to occur. Old records are reviewed and several new records added, while four recorded species have been excluded. One species, the black rhinoceros, is reported to have become extinct; another, the klipspringer, does not now occur in the area. Evidence for its alleged former presence and extinction is assessed. Red deer, introduced to Kilimanjaro during the German colonial period, is now extinct on the mountain. Other reported extinctions and colonisations of mammal species on Kilimanjaro are discussed and 19 marginal species or taxa for which further information is needed are mentioned for completeness.
Keywords: [Lissonycteris] Rousettus angolensis; [Neoromicia nana] Eptesicus tenuipinnis; [Neoromicia nana] Pipistrellus nanus; Cardioderma cor; Chaerephon ansorgei; Chaerephon bemmeleni cistura [cisturus]; Chaerephon pumilus; checklist; Chiroptera; East Africa; Eidolon helvum; Emballonuridae; Epomophorus labiatus; Epomophorus wahlbergi; Glauconycteris poensis; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros caffer; Lavia frons; Mammalia; Megadermatidae; Mimetillus moloneyi; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus schreibersii; Molossidae; Mount Kilimanjaro; Nycteridae; Nycteris hispida; Nycteris thebaica; Pteropodidae; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus clivosus; Rhinolophus fumigatus; Rhinolophus landeri; Rousettus aegyptiacus; Rousettus lanosus; Scotophilus dinganii; Tadarida fulminans; Tadarida ventralis; Tanzania; Taphozous mauritianus; Vespertilionidae

Mammals recorded in the QwaQwa National Park (1994-1995) - Avenant, N. L. (Koedoe, 1997)
Distribution, relative abundance, and habitat preferences of mammals were studied in the newly proclaimed QwaQwa National Park (QQNP) and compared with those of the adjacent 33 year-old Golden Gate Highlands National Park, a nearby protected area in the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg, Lesotho, and the rest of the Free State Province. In total, 53 mammal species were recorded inside the park and the probability of another 14 likely inhabitants, discussed. The fact that the QQNP contains ca. 70 % of mammalian fauna recorded in the Free State and between five and 10 Red Data species stresses the importance of this park and the necessity for correct management of this ca. 21 000 ha conservation area. The low small mammal numbers, variety, and mean diversity found on 17 transects in the QQNP is attributed to previous human habitation and activities – some of which are still present in the park.
Keywords: Chiroptera; Cistugidae; Cistugo lesueuri; distribution; Mammalia; Molossidae; Myotis tricolor; Neoromicia capensis; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus capensis; South Africa; Tadarida aegyptiaca; Vespertilionidae

New distribution records of bats in KwaZulu-Natal - Kearney, T. C.; Taylor, P. J. (Durban Mus. Novit., 1997)
New distribution records are documented for four species of Microchiroptera, including two which are new to South Africa (Scotoecus albofuscus (Thomas 1890) and Eptesicus rendalli (Thomas 1889)), one which is new to KwaZulu-Natal (Laephotis cf. wintoni Thomas 1901), and one which represents a significant range extension within KwaZulu-Natal (Pipistrellus anchietai (Seabra 1900)).
Keywords: [Neoromicia] Eptesicus rendalli; Chiroptera; distribution; Faunistik; Fledermäuse; Laephotis cf. wintoni; Mammalia; morphology; Pipistrellus anchietai [anchietae]; Scotoecus albofuscus; South Africa; systematics; taxonomy; Verbreitung; Vespertilionidae

A new perspective on the zoogeography of the sibling mouse-eared bat species Myotis myotis and Myotis blythii: Morphological, genetical and ecological evidence - Arlettaz, R.; Ruedi, M.; Ibáñez, C.; Palmeirim, J. M.; Hausser, J. (J. Zool. (Lond.), 1997)
The actual geographic distribution of the two sibling mouse-eared bat species Myotis myotis and Myotis blythii, which occur widely sympatrically in the western Palaearctic region, remains largely controversial. This concerns particularly the specific attribution of marginal populations from the Mediterranean islands and from adjacent areas of North Africa and Asia, which are morphologically intermediate between continental M. myotis and M. blythii from Europe. This study attempts to clarify this question by using four different approaches: cranial morphology, external morphology, genetics and trophic ecology. The three latter methods show unambiguously that North Africa, Malta, Sardinia and Corsica are presently inhabited by monospecific populations of M. myotis. In contrast, cranial morphometrics do not yield conclusive results. These results contradict all recent studies, which attribute North African and Maltese mouse-eared bats to M. blythii and consider that Sardinia and Corsica harbour sympatric populations of the two species. As concerns south-eastern populations, doubts are also expressed about the attribution of the subspecific taxon omari which may actually refer to M. myotis instead of M. blythii. Protein electrophoresis is presently the only absolute method available for determining M. myotis and M. blythii throughout their distribution ranges. However, species identification may be approached by relying on less sophisticated morphometrical methods as presented in this study. Species-specific habitat specializations are probably responsible for the differences observed between the geographic distributions of M. myotis and M. blythii, as they provide a logical groundwork for a coherent model of speciation for these two bat species.
Keywords: allopatric; allozymes; biogeography; Chiroptera; Corsica; distribution; ecology; Europe; evolution; Fledermäuse; genetics; habitat preferences; Mammalia; morphology; Myotis blythii; Myotis myotis; North Africa; Sardinia; sibling species; speciation; species richness; sympatric; systematics; taxonomy; Verbreitung; Vespertilionidae; zoogeography

New records of bats (Chiroptera: Mammalia) from Malawi, east-central Africa, with an assessment of their status and conservation - Happold, M.; Happold, D. C. D. (J. nat. Hist., 1997)
This paper reports 97 new species-locality records of bats from Malawi. Of particular interest are four species of bats (Rhinolophus swinnyi, Triaenops persicus, Eptesicus flavescens, Tadarida nigeriae) which have not been recorded previously from Malawi. The relative status of bats in Malawi was estimated and the species were placed in five categories ranging from ’rarely-recorded’ to ’very commonly-recorded’. Of the 59 species of bats known to occur in Malawi, 28 are rarely-recorded in Malawi. The relative status and species-locality records of bats were analysed to assess which species, and which localities, need special conservation effort. Seventeen species which are rare throughout their ranges in Africa as well as being rarely-recorded or seldom-recorded in Malawi, are considered to require special effort. Checklists of bats are given for 11 localities, including Liwonde NP in the Upper Shire Valley (29 spp.), two localities on the Shire Highlands (28, 22 spp.), Thyolo on the boundary between the Shire Highlands and Phalombe Plain (22 spp.), and Chiromo in the Lower Shire valley (30 spp.), which have particularly rich bat faunas. Localities in need of urgent conservation effort include Ntchisi FR in the Central Region, and Chiromo. Ninety-two percent of the species of bats known to occur in Malawi have been recorded from the Southern Region. Most of these species will probably continue to survive in southern Malawi provided that the National Parks (especially Liwonde NP) are maintained and well-managed, and there is no further destruction of the indigenous vegetation at Chiromo and Thyolo, and on the Shire Highlands.
Keywords: [Chaerephon pumilus] Tadarida pumila; [Chaerephon] Tadarida nigeriae; [Mops condylurus] Tadarida condylura; [Neoromicia nana] Pipistrellus nanus; [Neoromicia] Eptesicus capensis; [Neoromicia] Eptesicus melckorum; [Neoromicia] Eptesicus rendalli; [Neoromicia] Eptesicus zuluensis; [Nycticeinops] Nycticeius schlieffenii; [Pipistrellus grandidieri] Eptesicus flavescens; biodiversity; Chiroptera; conservation; distribution; ecology; Eidolon helvum; Emballonuridae; Epomophorus labiatus; Epomophorus wahlbergi; Faunistik; Fledermäuse; Glauconycteris variegata; habitat preferences; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros commersoni [vittatus]; Hipposideros ruber; Kerivoula argentata; Laephotis botswanae; Malawi; Mammalia; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus fraterculus; Miniopterus schreibersii; Molossidae; Myotis bocagei; Myotis tricolor; Myotis welwitschii; Nycteridae; Nycteris grandis; Nycteris hispida; Nycteris macrotis; Nycteris thebaica; Pipistrellus kuhlii [hesperidus]; Pipistrellus rueppellii; Pteropodidae; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus blasii; Rhinolophus clivosus; Rhinolophus fumigatus; Rhinolophus hildebrandti; Rhinolophus simulator; Rhinolophus swinnyi; Rousettus aegyptiacus; Scotoecus albofuscus; Scotoecus hirundo; Scotophilus dinganii; Scotophilus viridis; Southern Africa; species richness; systematics; Taphozous mauritianus; taxonomy; Triaenops persicus [afer]; Vespertilionidae

Noteworthy records of bats from the Central African Republic - Lunde, D. P.; Beresford, P. (Bat Research News, 1997)
Keywords: [Casinycteris] Casinycertis argynnis; [Glauconycteris] Chalinolobus beatrix; Central Africa; Central African Republic; Chiroptera; Epomops franqueti; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros commersoni gigas; Hipposideros cyclops; Myotis bocagei; Nycteridae; Nycteris hispida; Pteropodidae; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus alcyone; Vespertilionidae

Noteworthy records of small mammals from Ghana with special emphasis on the Accra Plains - Decher, J.; Schlitter, D. A.; Hutterer, R. (Ann. Carn. Mus., 1997)
In this paper we describe new or additional records of four species of shrews (Soricidae), nine species of bats (Hipposideridae, Vespertilionidae, Molossidae), and one species of rodent (Muridae) from Ghana. These records add to our knowledge of the distribution of small mammals in Ghana especially those occurring on the Accra Plains. A zoogeographic explanation for these distributional data is sought in the context of the Dahomey Gap phenomenon.
Keywords: [Neoromicia] Eptesicus capensis; [Neoromicia] Eptesicus guineensis; biogeography; Chiroptera; Dahomey Gap; ecology; Faunistik; Fledermäuse; Glauconycteris variegata; habitat preferences; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros abae; Mammalia; Molossidae; morphology; Myotis bocagei; Nycticeinops schlieffeni; Otomops martiensseni; Pipistrellus aegyptius; Pipistrellus nanulus; Scotoecus albofuscus; species richness; systematics; taxonomy; Vegetation; Vespertilionidae; West Africa; zoogeography

Old World fruitbat phylogeny: Evidence for convergent evolution and an endemic African clade - Hollar, L. J.; Springer, M. S. (Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA, 1997)
Knud Andersen (1912, Catalogue of the Chiroptera in the Collections of the British Museum: I. Megachiroptera, British Museum of Natural History, London) divided Old World fruitbats (family Pteropodidae) into the rousettine, cynopterine, epomophorine, eonycterine, and notopterine sections. The latter two sections comprise the subfamily Macroglossinae; members of this subfamily exhibit specializations for nectarivory (e.g., elongated, protrusible, brushy tongues) and cluster together in cladistic analyses based on anatomical characters. Other evidence, including single-copy DNA hybridization, suggests that macroglossines are either paraphyletic or polyphyletic; this implies that adaptations for pollen and nectar feeding evolved independently in different macroglossine lineages or were lost in nonmacroglossines after evolving in a more basal common ancestor. Hybridization data also contradict Andersen’s phylogeny in providing support for an endemic African clade that includes representatives of three of Andersen’s sections. Here, we present complete mitochondrial 12S rRNA and valine tRNA gene sequences for 20 pteropodids, including representatives of all of Andersen’s sections, and examine the aforementioned controversies. Maximum likelihood, minimum evolution, and maximum parsimony analyses all contradict macroglossine monophyly and provide support for an African clade that associates Megaloglossus and Lissonycteris and those two with Epomophorus. In conjunction with the DNA hybridization results, there are now independent lines of molecular evidence suggesting: (i) convergent evolution of specializations for nectarivory, at least in Megaloglossus versus other macroglossines, and (ii) a previously unrecognized clade of endemic Africa taxa. Estimates of divergence time based on 12S rRNA and DNA hybridization data are also in good agreement and suggest that extant fruitbats trace back to a common ancestor 25 million to 36 million years ago.
see Kirsch et al. 1995, Springer et al. 1995
Keywords: 12S rRNA; Africa; Asia; Chiroptera; distribution; ecology; Macroglossinae; Mammalia; Megaloglossus; molecular genetics; morphology; phylogeny; Pteropodidae; speciation; systematics; taxonomy; zoogeography

Origins of horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus, Rhinolophidae) in southern Africa: Evidence from allozyme variability - Maree, S.; Grant, W. S. (Journal of Mammalian Evolution, 1997)
Morphological analyses indicate that horsehose bats in the genus Rhinolophus constitute a monophyletic group which most likely originated in southeastern Asia but which presently inhabits Oriental, Australian, Palaearctic, and Ethiopian zoogeographical provinces. Ten species occur in southern Africa, but it is uncertain which species represent dispersals from Eurasia through North Africa and which have resulted from speciation in Africa. Analyses of 34 allozyme encoding loci in these 10 species and in 2 southern African species of leafnose bats in the sister genus Hipposideros reveal the presence of at least three lineages of Rhinolophus in southern Africa. One lineage includes R. clivosus, R. darlingi, R. fumigatus, and R. hildebrandtii, all of which, except R. clivosus, are endemic to sub-Saharan Africa. Rhinolophus blasii is genetically allied with, but distinct from this group, and appears to be a recent migrant from another lineage centered on the Mediterranean. A third lineage, including at least R. capensis, R. denti, R. simulator, and R. swinnyi, is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa. The phylogenetic position of R. landeri is uncertain, most likely because of the small sample size used to estimate allelic frequencies for this species. The biochemical genetic definitions of these lineages largely agree with previous morphological analyses of Rhinolophus species. Divergences between species within two lineages (R. clivosus, R. darlingi, R. fumigatus, and R. hildebrandtii; and R. capensis, R. denti, R. simulator, and R. swinnyi) appear to reflect two bursts of speciation in the Plio-Pleistocene period within Africa.
Keywords: allopatric; allozymes; biodiversity; Chiroptera; distribution; endemic; evolution; Fledermäuse; genetics; Hipposideridae; Hipposideros caffer; Hipposideros commersoni [vittatus]; Malawi; Mammalia; phylogeny; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus blasii; Rhinolophus capensis; Rhinolophus clivosus; Rhinolophus darlingi; Rhinolophus denti; Rhinolophus fumigatus; Rhinolophus hildebrandtii; Rhinolophus landeri; Rhinolophus simulator; Rhinolophus swinnyi; South Africa; Southern Africa; speciation; species richness; sympatric; systematics; taxonomy; zoogeography

Peripheral blood characteristics of gravid Schreibers’ long-fingered bats, Miniopterus schreibersii natalensis (Microchiroptera: Vespertilionidae). - Viljoen, M.; van der Merwe, M.; Bower, G.; Levay, P. F.; Grobler, A. S. (S. Afr. J. Sci., 1997)
The high erythrocyte count of bats is generally considered an adaptation for the high metabolic requirements of flight. The results from 24 gravid Schreibers’ long-fingered bats, used in this experiment, showed a high erythrocyte count (11.04 ± 0.72 x 10^12 l-1) of small cells (mean cell volume = 51.23 ± 0.86 fl) and a resultant haemoglobin concentration of 18.35 ± 1.11 g dl-1. There were indications of two different erythrocyte populations present in the circulation and a degree of polychromasia was observed in 50% of smears. Two haemoglobin components were consistently seen on Paragon alkaline haemoglobin gels, and the haemoglobin electrophoretic mobility was markedly lower than that of human blood. Lymphocytes represented the largest percentage (54.9%) of white blood cells. Neutrophils demonstrated overt hypersegmentation, with their granules, if present, not staining with either Wright’s stain or haematoxylin and eosin. We conclude that haemoglobin concentration rather than erythrocyte counts should be taken as a reflection of oxygen carrying capacity as the high count of smaller erythrocytes represents diffusion and haemorrheological, rather than oxygen-carrying adaptations.
Keywords: blood; Chiroptera; erythrocyte counts; haematology; haemoglobin; Miniopteridae; Miniopterus natalensis; oxygen carrying capacity; physiology; South Africa

Phylogenetic position of the bat Nycteris javanica (Chiroptera: Nycteridae) - Griffiths, T. A. (J. Mamm., 1997)
Eleven of the thirteen species of bats within the family Nycteridae are African and two are Southeast Asian in distribution. Dissection of the hyoid apparatus and musculature of the Southeast Asian bat Nycteris javanica and analysis of other non-hyoid morphology reveal that it shares five derived morphological characters with the previously described species N. tragata, also from southeastern Asia. In particular, the two Asian species share a morphologically distinctive post-laryngeal chamber that is different in shape from that of other nycterids. Cladistic analysis suggests that N. javanica and N. tragata are more closely related to each other than either is to any African species of nycterid.
Keywords: Africa; Asia; Chiroptera; evolution; Fledermäuse; hyoid apparatus; Mammalia; morphology; Nycteridae; Nycteris javanica; phylogeny; speciation; species richness; systematics; taxonomy; zoogeography

Prey diversity and selectivity of the African fish eagle: Data from a roost in northern Kenya - Stewart, K. M.; Matthiesen, D. P.; Leblanc, L.; West, J. (Afr. J. Ecol., 1997)
A total of 1872 bones from a fish eagle roost at Lake Turkana, Kenya was identified and analysed to provide data on fish eagle prey and diet. The approach of this study complements field observation studies in that it provides a long-term analysis and quantification of the diet, rather than short qualitative observations. The study found that, at least where fish is relatively abundant, fish eagles are both selective and opportunistic: selective in taking preferred fish in much greater proportions than natural availability, and also in avoiding unwanted fish regardless of abundance, but opportunistic in taking certain other species in proportion to their availability. They also show considerable selection in size and habitat preferences of prey. Non-fish prey forms a considerable proportion of the diet, and probably represents both opportunistic hunting, possibly when conditions for fishing are poor, and killing of other predators robbing fish eagle nests.As well as describing and quantifying the fish eagle diet at Lake Turkana, data from this study suggest that further study is needed to quantify the impact of fish eagle predation on Clarias lazera, a rare, but valuable species to the Lake Turkana fishery. The study of bird roost prey remains also provides baseline data for studies of fossil microfaunal accumulations. Scatters of bones under fish eagle roosts are common in eastern Africa, and undoubtedly contribute to many of the fossil bone accumulations recovered. One of us (DM) has noted that the taxonomic and skeletal composition of the Koobi Fora roost bears a great resemblance to some of the clusters she is analysing from Olduvai Gorge. Further similar studies will provide additional data on bird roost accumulations.
Keywords: Amphibia; Aves; Chiroptera; diet; East Africa; food; Haliaeetus vocifer; Kenya; Lagomorpha; Mammalia; Pisces; predation; prey; Reptilia; Rhinolophidae; Rhinolophus sp.; Rodentia; roost; Soricidae

Rainfall, food abundance and timing of parturition in African bats - Cumming, G. S.; Bernard, R. T. F. (Oecologia, 1997)
We used published results from studies in Africa to test the hypothesis that the timing of parturition in the Chiroptera is constrained by rainfall. Comparison of year-round rainfall and insect data at various latitudes showed that insect abundance peaks approximately a month after peak rainfall. A similar comparison of parturition time to rainfall showed that with the possible exception of the molossids, the Microchiroptera commonly give birth a month before peak rainfall. With an average 6-week lactation period in the Microchiroptera, the timing of parturition is such that young bats are weaned just before the period of maximum insect abundance. We suggest that the needs of the young in this post-weaning period may be more important than the energetic demands of lactation on the mother in determining the timing of parturition on an evolutionary scale. A similar conclusion is implied for the African Megachiroptera, but there is insufficient information on their reproduction to adequately test the main hypothesis for these bats.
Keywords: Africa; Chiroptera; ecology; evolution; Fledermäuse; food distribution; foraging; insectivory; Mammalia; Nahrung; phenology; precipitation; Pteropodidae; rainfall; reproduction; resource availability; seasonality; Vegetation

Reproductive pattern in the female Angolan free-tailed bat, Tadarida (Mops) condylura (Microchiroptera: Molossidae), in the eastern Transvaal, South Africa - Vivier, L.; van der Merwe, M. (J. Zool. (Lond.), 1997)
The reproductive pattern in the female Angolan free-tailed bat, Tadarida (Mops) condylura (A. Smith, 1833), was studied at two localities in the eastern Transvaal during the period 1988-1990. Reproduction in female T. condylura was seasonally polyoestrous. Females displayed a bimodal reproductive pattern, with reproductive activity extending from early September to early May, followed by reproductive quiescence from May to August. The interval between the two reproductive cycles was marked by a postpartum oestrus with adult females becoming pregnant one to three weeks after parturition while still nursing their young. Females become sexually mature during their first year with some only undergoing one pregnancy. Gestation and lactation periods were 85 days and 50-60 days, respectively. Females displayed dextral dominance with regard to the morphology and function of the ovary and uterus.
Keywords: Chiroptera; ecology; Fledermäuse; gestation; lactation; Mammalia; mating systems; Molossidae; Mops condylurus; morphology; physiology; post-partum oestrus; reproduction; seasonal polyoestry; seasonality; South Africa

Science and the conservation of bats - Fenton, M. B. (J. Mamm., 1997)
The conservation implications of some recent advances in our knowledge about the ecology and behavior of bats are presented. A central question facing bat biologists is the relative importances of roosts and food as limiting factors in the population biology of bats. There is no reason to presume that the answer is the same for all species and the available data suggest intraspecific variation. This question is important for either conservation or behavior and ecology. Eavesdropping on the species-specific echolocation calls of bats has allowed documentation of distribution and habitat use by some bats although variability of calls complicates this picture. Radiotracking and surveys have produced data on use of space by bats. Although foraging areas and roosts are vital resources for bats, the associations between species of bats and habitats are not always clear. The mobility of bats and the low cost of flight together blur the link between bats and particular habitats. Radiotracking demonstrates how mobility gives bats access to mosaics of habitats, partly reflecting their size and flight characteristics, and the scale of habitat availability. For some species, access to mosaics of habitats for foraging is critical. Activities of humans influence the habitats available to bats and can generate feeding and roosting opportunities. The use that roosting bats make of buildings is an obvious example of bats benefitting from activities of humans. Another is bats feeding in the concentrations of insects at lights. In promoting the conservation of bats, it is important to consider people’s perceptions of these animals, which are colored by the impact of bats on public health. Public interest in bats has vastly outstripped scientific research about them, presenting interesting challenges and opportunities for bat biologists.
Keywords: Chiroptera; conservation

Small mammals and the herpetofauan of the Kakum National Park - Yeboah, S. (Facing the Storm. Five Years of Research in and around Kakum National Park, Ghana, 1997)
Keywords: Amphibia; Carnivora; Chiroptera; distribution; Faunistik; Fledermäuse; Ghana; Hybomys univittatus; Insectivora; Mammalia; Pholidota; Pteropodidae; Reptilia; Rodentia; Scotonycteris ophiodon; Soricidae; species richness; Verbreitung; West Africa

Sperm storage in a seasonally reproducing African vespertilionid, the banana bat (Pipistrellus nanus) from Malawi - Bernard, R. T. F.; Happold, D. C. D.; Happold, M. (J. Zool. (Lond.), 1997)
Spermatogenesis in the banana bat (Pipistrellus nanus) from southern Malawi began in the hot, wet season (February to April) and spermatozoa were released to the cauda epididymides at the beginning of the cool, dry season (May). Mating occurred between mid-June and early July, in the middle of the cool, dry season. After mating, spermatozoa were stored by the female until ovulation in August and by the male until at least September. The period of female sperm storage effectively lengthened the reproductive cycle so that early spermatogenesis occurred during the second half of one hot, wet season and births at the beginning of the following hot, wet season. During the period of sperm storage, males and females roosted together and group membership was labile, suggesting that the mating system may be promiscuous (both males and females mating with more than one partner) and that sperm competition may occur. The similarity between the chronology of reproduction in Malawi, Kenya, and South Africa leads us to propose that sperm storage occurs at all three localities.
Keywords: behaviour; Chiroptera; day roosts; ecology; Fledermäuse; Malawi; Mammalia; mating systems; morphology; Neoromicia nana; physiology; roosting behaviour; seasonal reproduction; seasonality; Southern Africa; sperm storage; Vespertilionidae