Demonic tube-nosed fruit bat

The demonic tube-nosed fruit bat (Nyctimene masalai) is a species of bat in the family Pteropodidae. It is endemic to Papua New Guinea. The holotype specimen was collected in 1979 on New Ireland, in the Bismarck Archipelago. It was described as a new species in 1983.[2] The range of the species may extend to other islands, however the extent of the range is not presently known.[1]

Demonic tube-nosed fruit bat
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Pteropodidae
Genus: Nyctimene
Species:
N. masalai
Binomial name
Nyctimene masalai
Smith & Hood, 1983[2][3]
Demonic tube-nosed fruit bat range

Taxonomy and etymology

Based on its morphology, it was placed into the cephalotes species group of its genus when it was described. Species groups are hypotheses of evolutionary relationships, so it is thought that the demonic tube-nosed fruit bat is most closely related to the other members of the species group:

More recently, others have placed it in the albiventer species group. Other members of the albiventer group included in this study were:

The specific epithet comes from the Tolai word "masalai", which Smith and Hood translate as "forest demon or devil".[2]: 7  Some sources place the demonic tube-nosed fruit bat as synonymous with the common tube-nosed fruit bat, Nyctimene albiventer.[6]

Description
An example of the long, tubular nostrils in Nyctimene major

Bats of the Nyctimene genus are distinguished by their elongated, tubular nostrils.[7] Individual bats are 94–103 mm (3.7–4.1 in) long. They weigh 45.2–52.3 g (1.59–1.84 oz). The forearm is 63.5–67.5 mm (2.50–2.66 in) long. The back is mottled reddish-brown, with a thin, 5 mm (0.20 in) black stripe running from the back of the head to the base of the tail. Hairs on the dorsal side of the body are long, at 8–9 mm (0.31–0.35 in) long. The ventral side is grayish-white with a yellowish-brown tint. The flight membranes are dark brown. The wings have pale yellowish-brown spots, while the ears have white spots. The forearm also has large white splotches. The nostrils are whitish.[2] Its snout is short and narrow and its dental formula is 1.1.3.10.1.3.2, for a total of 24 teeth.[7]

Biology

Its diet consists of fruit.[8]

Range and status

So far, it is only known from New Ireland, in the Bismarck Archipelago, which is part of Papua New Guinea. It is possible that its range includes other islands in the Bismarck Archipelago, though this is currently unconfirmed.[1] Members of this species identified so far have been found at 0–10 m (0–33 ft) above sea level.[2]

It is currently evaluated as data deficient by the IUCN. Previously in 1996, the IUCN had assessed this species as vulnerable. There has been little research regarding this species, and its population trend and geographic range are unknown. It is unknown if there are any threats to this species.[1]

References
  1. Leary, T.; Helgen, K. (2020). "Nyctimene masalai". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T14959A22008122. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T14959A22008122.en. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  2. Smith, James Dale; Hood, Craig S. (1983). "A New Species of Tube-nosed Fruit Bat (Nyctimene) from the Bismarck Archipelago, Papua New Guinea". Occasional Papers. The Museum. Texas Tech University. 81: 1–14.
  3. Simmons, N.B. (2005). "Order Chiroptera". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 331. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
  4. Kitchener, D. J.; Packer, W. C.; Maryanto, I (1993). "Taxonomic status of Nyctimene (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) from the Banda, Kai and Aru Islands, Maluku, Indonesia–implications for biogeography" (PDF). Records of the Western Australian Museum. 16 (3): 399–417. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  5. Bergmans, W. (2001). "Notes on distribution and taxonomy of Australasian bats. I. Pteropodinae and Nyctimeninae (Mammalia, Megachiroptera, Pteropodidae)". Beaufortia. 51 (8): 119–152. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  6. Helgen, K.; Bonaccorso, F. (2008). "Nyctimene masalai". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008: e.T14959A4483409. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T14959A4483409.en.
  7. Andersen, Knud (1912). Catalogue of the Chiroptera in the collection of the British Museum. Vol. 1 (2nd ed.). London: British Museum (Natural History). Department of Zoology . [Mammals]. p. 788. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.8322. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
  8. Dumont, E. R.; Nicolay, C. W. (2006). "Cross-sectional geometry of the dentary in bats". Zoology. 109 (1): 66–74. doi:10.1016/j.zool.2005.08.004. PMID 16377164.

Further reading
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