Balionycteris seimundi

Balionycteris seimundi is a species of megabat found in Malaysia.

Balionycteris seimundi
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Pteropodidae
Genus: Balionycteris
Species:
B. seimundi
Binomial name
Balionycteris seimundi
Kloss, 1921

Taxonomy

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Balionycteris seimundi was described in 1921 by C. Boden Kloss. He noted it as a subspecies of spotted-winged fruit bat, with a scientific name of Balionycteris maculata seimundi. The holotype had been collected by Eibert Seimund, who became the epithet for the name seimundi. Seimmund had collected the holotype in Pahang, Malaysia.[2] Later genetic studies showed that there was a larger-than-expected genetic distance of 12% between B. m. seimundi and B. m. maculata, which was used to justify its elevation to a full species.[1][3][4]

Description

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Balionycteris seimundi is a small megabat, weighing only 10–15 g (0.35–0.53 oz). It has a forearm length of 40–45 mm (1.6–1.8 in). Its fur is blackish brown on its back and somewhat paler on its underside.[5]

Range and habitat

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Balionycteris seimundi is widely distributed in Peninsular Malaysia. Its range likely includes other countries in Southeast Asia, including Thailand and Indonesia (Sumatra and the Riau Archipelago).[1] They roost in small groups in palm trees, termite nests, epiphytic ferns, and, occasionally, caves.[5] Its habitat includes lowland rainforests at elevations from sea level to 1,500 m (4,900 ft) above sea level.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Tan, P. (2021). "Balionycteris seimundi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T84454980A84454984. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T84454980A84454984.en. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  2. ^ Kloss, C. B. (1921). "XII: Seven New Malaysian Mammals". Journal of the F. M. S. Museums. 10: 229.
  3. ^ Khan, Faisal Ali Anwarali (2008-04-23). Diversification of Old World Bats in Malaysia: An Evolutionary and Phylogeography Hypothesis tested through the Genetic Species Concept (MSc thesis). Texas Tech University. p. 37.
  4. ^ Lim, Voon-Ching; Ramli, Rosli; Bhassu, Subha; Wilson, John-James (2017). "A checklist of the bats of Peninsular Malaysia and progress towards a DNA barcode reference library". PLOS ONE. 12 (7): e0179555. Bibcode:2017PLoSO..1279555L. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0179555. PMC 5526618. PMID 28742835.
  5. ^ a b Francis, Charles (2019). Field Guide to the Mammals of South-East Asia (2nd ed.). Bloomsbury. p. 220. ISBN 978-1-4729-3499-4.