Arabian trident bat
The Arabian trident bat (Asellia arabica) is a species of Old World leaf-nosed bat found in the Middle East.[1]
| Arabian trident bat | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Hipposideridae |
| Genus: | Asellia |
| Species: | A. arabica |
| Binomial name | |
| Asellia arabica Benda, Vallo, & Reiter, 2011 | |
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| Range map | |
Taxonomy and etymology
The Arabian trident bat was described as a new species in 2011. It was distinguished as a result of a taxonomic split in the trident bat, A. tridens. The holotype had been collected in 2005 in the Al Mahrah Governorate of Yemen. Its species name "arabica" is derived from the Arabian Peninsula where it is found.[2]
Description
Its forearm length is approximately 46.5 mm (1.83 in). The fur of its back is beige or a pale, brownish-gray. The fur may have a yellowish or faint rusty tint. Its belly fur is paler than its back fur. Its flight membranes are also a pale, brownish-gray.[2]
Range and habitat
It is found in the Middle East, with documented occurrence in southwestern Oman and southeastern Yemen.[1]
Conservation
As of 2017, it is evaluated as a data deficient species by the IUCN. It meets the criteria for this classification because it was only discovered relatively recently, and thus little is known about its biology and ecology. Additionally, there is no estimate of its population size.[1]
References
- Benda, P. (2017). "Asellia arabica". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T80222726A95642180. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T80222726A95642180.en.
- Benda, Petr; Vallo, Peter; Reiter, Antonín (2011). "Taxonomic Revision of the Genus Asellia(Chiroptera: Hipposideridae) with a Description of a New Species from Southern Arabia". Acta Chiropterologica. 13 (2): 245–270. doi:10.3161/150811011X624749.