Small Bent-Winged Bat (Miniopterus pusillus)
Morphological Description
· Dark brown, paler below. ·Forearm length 39 - 43 mm (Shek 2006). · Each
wing has a highly developed second phalanx of the third finger. · Body
mass 7-10g. · Smaller than M. fuliginosus. Very little is known of
the life history of this bat and more research need to be carried out
Distribution
This widespread species is distributed from patchy records in South Asia, into
much of mainland Southeast Asia, and part of Insular Southeast Asia. In South
Asia, it has been recorded from India (Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Nicobar
Islands) and Nepal (Western Nepal) (Aul and Vijayakumar 2003, Korad et al. 2007,
Molur et al. 2002, Vanitharani 2006). In China it has been recorded from Hong
Kong, Guangdong, Hainan and Yunnan (Smith and Xie 2008). In mainland Southeast
Asia, it ranges from southern Myanmar, through Thailand
(including the island of Terutau), Lao PDR, Vietnam and northern
Cambodia. In Insular Southeast Asia the species has been recorded from Indonesia
(Java Sulawesi, West Timor, Ambon, Seram and Batjan) and possibly from East
Timor. In South Asia it has been recorded up to an elevation of 1,200 m asl
(Molur et al. 2002).
Habitat
In South Asia, little is known about the habitat or ecology of this
species except that this species roosts in limestone caves, under culverts, in
crevices in trees in colonies comprising up to 700 individuals (Molur et al.
2002). On the Nicobar Islands, it is observed to roosts in forest caves in large
numbers (Aul and Vijaykumar 2003). In Myanmar it has been recorded roosting in
limestone caves, and in both degraded forest and agricultural areas (P. Bates
pers. comm.).
Systems: Terrestrial
Emergence and flight pattern
Narrow wings and a high wing loading and aspect ratio mean that
this species flies rapidly and is not very manoeuvrable.
Foraging behaviour
Little known.
Echolocation calls
Not known.
Major Threat(s):
In Southeast Asia there are no major threats to this species.
In South Asia, this species is threatened by habitat loss, largely through
commercial logging and the conversion of land to agricultural use. It is also
threatened by disturbance and loss of roosting sites by humans (Molur et al.
2002).
Conservation Actions:
In South Asia, although there are no direct conservation measures in place, the species has been recorded from protected areas in India like Kalakkad-Mundunthurai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu (Vanitharani 2006). It has been recorded from a number of protected areas in Southeast Asia. In South Asia, studies are needed into the distribution, abundance, reproduction and ecology of this species. Populations of this species should be monitored to record changes in abundance and distribution (Molur et al. 2002).