Wrinkle-lipped free-tailed bat
| Wrinkle-lipped free-tailed bat | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Molossidae |
| Genus: | Chaerephon |
| Species: | C. plicatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Chaerephon plicatus Buchanan, 1800 | |
| Synonyms | |
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The wrinkle-lipped free-tailed bat (Chaerephon plicatus) is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.
Taxonomy and etymology
It was described as a new species in 1800 by Scottish scientist Francis Buchanan-Hamilton. Buchanan-Hamilton initially placed it into the genus Vespertilio, with the scientific name Vespertilio plicatus.[2] Its species name "plicatus" is Latin for "folded," possibly referencing its wrinkled lips or its folded ears.
Description
Its forearm length is 40–50 mm (1.6–2.0 in). Its fur is dark brown. Its dental formula is 1.1.2.32.1.2.3 for a total of 30 teeth.[3]
Range and habitat
Its range includes several countries and regions in South and Southeast Asia, including Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. It has been documented at elevations up to 950 m (3,120 ft).[1]
Conservation
As of 2014, it is evaluated as a least-concern species by the IUCN—its lowest conservation priority. It met the criteria for this classification because it has a wide geographic range; its range includes protected areas, its population size is large; and it is unlikely to be experiencing rapid population decline. However, some local populations may be threatened by overharvesting for bushmeat, habitat loss via deforestation, cave disturbance, and persecution of its roosts due to the perception that it is a pest.[1]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 Csorba, G.; Bumrungsri, S.; Francis, C.; Bates, P.; Ong, P.; Gumal, M.; Kingston, T.; Heaney, L.; Balete, D.; Molur, S. & Srinivasulu, C. (2014). "Chaerephon plicatus". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2014: e.T4316A67361960. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T4316A67361960.en. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
- ↑ Buchanan, Francis (1800). "XXVII. Description of the Vesperilio plicatus". Transactions of the Linnean Society of London. 5: 261–263.
- ↑ Smith, Andrew T.; Xie, Yan; Hoffmann, Robert S.; Lunde, Darrin; MacKinnon, John; Wilson, Don E.; Wozencraft, W. Chris, eds. (2010). A Guide to the Mammals of China. Princeton University Press. p. 352. ISBN 1400834112.