Lesser Short-nosed Fruit Bat

discussion

Taxonomic note Campbell et al. (2004) noted that bats currently referred to Cynopterus brachyotis represent two distinct species, nicknamed ‘ Forest’ and ‘ Sunda’ but the appropriate scientific nomenclature for these species has not yet been worked out. Lao specimens represent the ‘ Sunda’ form of this species.

A checklist of bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) from Lao PDR

distribution

Distribution Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia, Vietnam, S China, Malaysia, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Borneo, Sumatra, Sulawesi, Magnole, Sanana, Sangihe Islands, Talaud Islands and adjacent small islands. Distribution in Lao PDR (Fig. 4): Champasak Province: Houay Kadan (ROM collection); Ban Tahin, Dong Khanthung proposed NBCA; 5 km west of ‘ km 20 ’, Dong Khanthung (CMF field record); Vientiane Province: Pha Hom (Ban Phahom) (FES collection).

A checklist of bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) from Lao PDR

discussion

Remarks In our study area, the C. brachyotis- like bats exhibit two distinct morphological forms. One has ears with a straight or slightly notched posterior edge, and has a larger body size; the ears of the other morph have a curved margin to the posterior edge and body size is smaller (Table 2). The two morphs also differed in habitat use; whereas the larger morph was usually abundant in disturbed habitats but rare within forested habitats, the capture rate of the small morph was generally high in all surveyed habitats. Notably, in contrast to the irritable and noisy behaviors of other Cynopterus species, most individuals of the small Cynopterus were generally calm and silent either in nets or during processing. Campbell et al. (2004) described five cytochrome b lineages of C. brachyotis complex in South and Southeast Asia, two of which were from the Sunda Shelf and described as Forest and Sunda lineages. The two Sunda Shelf C. brachyotis lineages also differ in body size and habitat use; C. brachyotis Forest lineage has a smaller forearm length (FA = 54.3 – 63.7 mm) and is associated with forest, contrasting with the larger C. brachyotis Sunda lineage (FA = 60.0 – 70.0 mm) associ

A recent bat survey reveals Bukit Barisan Selatan Landscape as a chiropteran diversity hotspot in Sumatra

distribution

New records Lampung Province: Kuyung Arang Village, Lombok Village, Sidodadi Village, Sukabanjar Village, Sukaraja Forest, Sukaraja Village, Sumberjaya Village, Sumber Rejo Village.

A recent bat survey reveals Bukit Barisan Selatan Landscape as a chiropteran diversity hotspot in Sumatra