Taxonomic and ecological notes on some poorly known bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) from Meghalaya, India

The chiropteran diversity of Meghalaya State is very high with 65 reported species.  Taxonomic and ecological information on many of these bat species, however, are scant or largely outdated.  We reinforce the records on five poorly known bat species in Meghalaya, viz., Megaerops niphanae, Myotis pi...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Uttam Saikia, Adora Thabah, Manuel Ruedi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society 2020-02-01
Series:Journal of Threatened Taxa
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/article/view/5264
Description
Summary:The chiropteran diversity of Meghalaya State is very high with 65 reported species.  Taxonomic and ecological information on many of these bat species, however, are scant or largely outdated.  We reinforce the records on five poorly known bat species in Meghalaya, viz., Megaerops niphanae, Myotis pilosus, Kerivoula kachinensis, Miniopterus magnater, & Miniopterus pusillus, critically evaluate their taxonomic assignment, and provide detailed morphometric data for further comparisons.  For three of these species, we also provide echolocation call data that are reported for the first time in India.  Together, these new data highlight the need for a more robust and critical examination of the rich bat fauna existing in the foothills of the Himalaya.
ISSN:0974-7893
0974-7907