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Beelzebub's tube-nosed bat
Beelzebub's tube-nosed bat (Murina beelzebub), also Beelzebub bat or demon bat, is a species in the vesper bat family Vespertilionidae, found in the Greater Mekong region of Southeast Asia, specifically the Quảng Trị and Gia Lai provinces of Vietnam.[2] They have tube-shaped nostrils (hence the name) which assist them with their feeding.[3] Discovery and etymologyThe Beelzebub bat is one of 126 new species found in the Greater Mekong region described in 2011.[4] The holotype was collected in November 2007 in Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve, which is located in Vietnam.[3] There were two other tube-nosed bats found in Southeast Asia in 2011: Ashy-gray tube-nosed bat (Murina cineracea) and Walston's tube-nosed bat (Murina walstoni).[3][5][6] All three species are small for bats and M. beelzebub is medium-sized for a Murina bat.[3] These three new tube-nosed bats were discovered by a team from the Hungarian Natural History Museum (HNHM) and Fauna and Flora International (FFI).[7] Vespertilionid bats have many cryptic species. Eight new species of vesper bats were found in Southeast Asia between 2005 and 2009. The use of DNA technology has proved very useful in differentiating between the various species of Murina.[3][8] Based on its morphology, it was placed into the suilla species group of the genus Murina. Members of the suilla group include:[3]
It was named "Beelzebub" and "demon" because of its coloration and fierce behavior, alluding the use of the term "Beelzebub" as reference to the underworld in Christian texts.[9] DescriptionThis bat is small enough to fit in a person's hand, weighing 5.3 and 6.0 grams (0.19 and 0.21 oz). Its nostrils are tube-shaped.[3] Its color pattern is unique for the regional habitat: a white underbelly, black head, and dark back.[8] It lacks the golden guard hairs so common in other members of the genus Murina.[3] Its behavior tends to "flight" before "fight" and it is also quite shy, avoiding human contact. However, if captured they can be very fierce.[10] Its forearm is approximately 33.7 mm (1.33 in) long. Its tail is 40.6 mm (1.60 in) long, and its hind foot is 7.7 mm (0.30 in) long. Its ears are 13.8 mm (0.54 in) long, and its tragus is 7.9 mm (0.31 in) long. Its dental formula is 2.1.2.33.1.2.3, for a total of 34 teeth.[3] Biology and ecologyAs of 2013, there are still few details known about them and their ecology.[3][11] Like other members of its genus, it is insectivorous.[3] Range and habitatIt lives in tropical forests of the Greater Mekong Subregion. It has been documented in Kon Ka Kinh National Park and Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve, both of which are in Vietnam.[3] It is suspected there are many more species of bats yet to be discovered in the region.[11] It has been captured at elevations of 400 m (1,300 ft) and 1,600 m (5,200 ft) above sea level.[3] ConservationThey are threatened by habitat loss via deforestation.[7][12] As it is a relatively new species, it has not yet been evaluated by the IUCN. See also Wikimedia Commons has media related to Murina beelzebub. References
Further reading
Information related to Beelzebub's tube-nosed bat |
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