Marovaza yellow bat
The Marovaza yellow bat or Marovaza house bat (Scotophilus marovaza) is a species of bat found in Madagascar.
| Marovaza yellow bat | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Vespertilionidae |
| Genus: | Scotophilus |
| Species: | S. marovaza |
| Binomial name | |
| Scotophilus marovaza Goodman, Ratrimomanarivo & Randrianandrianina, 2006 | |
 | |
| Range of the Marovaza house bat | |
Taxonomy and etymology
It was described as a new species in 2006.[2] The holotype was collected in Marovaza, Madagascar, which inspired its species name.[1]
Description
It is relatively small for its genus.[2] Its forearm is approximately 43.5 mm (1.71 in) long.[3]
Biology and ecology
It has been found roosting in the palm-leave thatching of small huts. It roosts singly or in small colonies of up to five individuals.[1] It navigates and locates prey via echolocation; its calls have a frequency of maximum energy of 43.8–48 kHz and a maximum frequency of 58–72.6 kHz. Echolocation pulses last 6–8 seconds.[3] Individuals can be infected with Leptospira.[4]
Range and habitat
The Marovaza house bat is endemic to western Madagascar. It is currently known from lowland areas of 5–200 m (16–656 ft) above sea level.[1]
Conservation
As of 2017, it is evaluated as a least-concern species by the IUCN.[1]
References
- Monadjem, A.; Cardiff, S.G.; Rakotoarivelo, A.R.; Jenkins, R.K.B.; Ratrimomanarivo, F.H. (2017). "Scotophilus marovaza". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T136774A22034361. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T136774A22034361.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- Goodman, Steven M; Ratrimomanarivo, Fanja H; Randrianandrianina, Félicien H (2006). "A new species of Scotophilus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from western Madagascar". Acta Chiropterologica. 8: 21–37. doi:10.3161/1733-5329(2006)8[21:ANSOSC]2.0.CO;2. S2CID 84247988.
- Kofoky, Amyot F; Randrianandrianina, Felicien; Russ, Jon; Raharinantenaina, Irma; Cardiff, Scott G; Jenkins, Richard K. B; Racey, Paul A (2009). "Forest Bats of Madagascar: Results of Acoustic Surveys". Acta Chiropterologica. 11 (2): 375–392. doi:10.3161/150811009X485602. S2CID 85333490.
- Gomard, Yann; Dietrich, Muriel; Wieseke, Nicolas; Ramasindrazana, Beza; Lagadec, Erwan; Goodman, Steven M; Dellagi, Koussay; Tortosa, Pablo (2016). "Malagasy bats shelter a considerable genetic diversity of pathogenic Leptospirasuggesting notable host-specificity patterns". FEMS Microbiology Ecology. 92 (4): fiw037. doi:10.1093/femsec/fiw037. PMID 26902801.