Black-bearded tomb bat

The black-bearded tomb bat (Taphozous melanopogon) is a species of sac-winged bat. It is found in South and South East Asia.

black-bearded tomb bat
male with prominent black beard
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Emballonuridae
Genus: Taphozous
Species:
T. melanopogon
Binomial name
Taphozous melanopogon
Temminck, 1841
Black-bearded Tomb Bat range
Synonyms
  • Taphozous bicolor Temminck, 1841
  • Taphozous phillipenensis Waterhouse, 1845
  • Taphozous solifer Hollister, 1913

Taxonomy and etymology

It was described as a new species in 1841 by Dutch zoologist Coenraad Jacob Temminck. The holotype was collected on Java.[2] Its species name "melanopogon" comes from Ancient Greek "mélās" meaning "black" and "pṓgōn" meaning "beard."[3]

Description

The black-bearded tomb bat has a forearm length of 55–68 mm (2.2–2.7 in). It has a small "beard", or a tuft of black fur on its chin. Its fur is blackish-brown, with individual hairs white at the base.[4]

Biology and ecology

The black-bearded tomb bat is highly colonial, forming large aggregations of up to 15,000 individuals while roosting. These roosts are located in temples, ruins, or caves. It is a seasonal breeder; young are born after a gestation length of 120–125 days. The typical litter size is one individual, though twins have been documented.[4]

Range and habitat

This species ranges widely throughout Asia and Southeast Asia. Its range includes the following countries: Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. It has been documented at elevations up to 800 m (2,600 ft) above sea level.[1]

See also

References
  1. Phelps, K.; Csorba, G.; Bumrungsri, S.; Helgen, K.; Francis, C.; Bates, P.; Gumal, M.; Balete, D.S.; Heaney, L.; Molur, S.; Srinivasulu, C. (2019). "Taphozous melanopogon". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T21461A22110277.
  2. Temminck, C. J. (1841). "Monographies de mammalogie". 2. G. Dufour et E. d'Ocagne, 1841: 287–289. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. Srinivasulu, C (2019). South Asian mammals: an updated checklist and their scientific names. p. 125. ISBN 978-0-429-88089-6. Retrieved 2019-08-30.
  4. Smith, Andrew T; Xie, Yan; Hoffmann, Robert S; Gemma, Federico (2013). Mammals of China. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0-691-15427-5.
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