The orange leaf-nosed bat (Rhinonicteris aurantia) is a bat in the family Hipposideridae.[3] It is the only living species in the genus Rhinonicteris[3] which is endemic to Australia, occurring in the far north and north-west of the continent. They roost in caves, eat moths, and are sensitive to human intrusion.
A small bat weighing 7–11 grams that resides in large colonies of subterranean environs, usually caves and abandoned mines. The colour of the fur is variable between individuals, brownish, a reddish orange shade, lemon-yellow or white.[4][5] The forearm measurement range from 42 to 46.[4] A complex structure—a characteristic of some bats referred to as 'nose-leaf'—is broad and flattened at the base, with a central gap, similar to a horseshoe-shape of related species. The top of the leaf-shaped structure is scalloped, and the nasal pits deeply recessed, an opening behind this structure leads from an enlarged secretory gland.[4] The noseleaf does not have by any forwardly projecting parts at the deep cleft of the lower section.[5] The ears, which are smaller than similar species, are sharply pointed at the top.[4]
The measurements for the head and body combined are 43 to 53 millimetres.[5]
Taxonomyedit
Rhinonicteris aurantia is a species of bat, currently allied to the family Hipposideridae that groups some 'leaf-nosed bats'. The first description was published by John Edward Gray in 1845, placing the species in genus Rhinolophus.[2][6] The syntype for the species in located at the British Museum of Natural History, the note stating it was collected at Port Essington "near the hospital".[6] Gould elucidates the type's collection as an animal shot from the air by Dr. Sibbald of the Royal Navy.[7][6]
A western form is distinguished from the northern population, superficially similar yet genetically distinct, this remote group in is identified separately for its conservation status assessment as the Pilbara form and may be a separate taxon.[4][5]
The genus name published as Rhinonycteris Gray, J.E. 1866 has been regarded as a later correction by Gray, but this has also been determined to be an unjustified emendation.[8][6] The specific epithet has also taken the spelling "aurantius", likewise considered incorrect in this generic combination.[7][3] Common names include the orange leaf-nosed bat, and the golden or orange horseshoe bat.[6]
Distributionedit
The range of Rhinonicteris aurantia is across the north of the continent—the Top End and Kakadu—which encompasses the northernmost part of the Northern Territory, and extends into of Western Australia and north-west Queensland. A geographically separate population is found in the Pilbara region of the north-west.[4] The westernmost point of the distribution range is around Derby, Western Australia and extends from here to the east at Lawn Hill, Queensland.[5]
One site noted for its large colony, numbering in the thousands, is located at Tolmer Falls in the Lichfield National Park. A preference is also given to larger sites amongst the Kimberley limestone caves, where the largest colonies of the species occur. At Tunnel Creek the bat is found co-habiting and hunting with several other bat species.[4]
The habit of flying close to the ground sees the species collected by the grille of road trains, frequently transporting them en route from Katherine to the north of the state.[4]
Ecologyedit
As with many bats in arid regions, they are insectivores.[4]R. aurantia is found in large caves cohabiting with others bat species. These include the yellow-lipped Vespadelus douglasorum, northern bentwing Miniopterus orianae, the western cave bat and ghost bat Macroderma gigas.[4] The preferred cave environ is warm and humid, other opportunities for roosting sites include tree hollows. The colony may number in the thousands, but the individuals also cluster in groups of twenty and over.[9]
The diet of insects includes various beetles, weevils, bugs, wasps and ants, but the common prey is moths. They venture out several times during their night-time hunting activities.[9]
A new species of parasite, Opthalmodex australiensis,[10] was found on a specimen of the bat, this minute organism seems to occur in the eye as a low grade infestation and subsist on epithelial tissue.[11] Another organism, Chiroptella geikiensis, a species of the chigger family Trombiculidae was discovered on specimens of this bat.[12][13]
Illustration of "Rhinolophus aurantius". Gould and H. C. Richter, 1863
The colony may desert a site if intruded upon by visitors, the species is noted as even more susceptible to human activities near their roosts than other bats. Direct threats include destruction of habitat by mining, clearing for agriculture and pastoralism that results in the loss of food resources.[9]
A species describing fossil material found at the Riversleigh site in Northern Queensland, Brachipposideros nooraleebus, closely resemble this species.[14] The only described species of the genus is based on Miocene fossils also found at Riversleigh.[15]
The conservation status of the species is least concern.[1] The population identified as the Pilbara form is vulnerable to extinction.[5]
Referencesedit
^ abArmstrong, K.; Reardon, T.; Woinarski, J.; Burbidge, A.A. (2017). "Rhinonicteris aurantia". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T19589A21998626. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T19589A21998626.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
^ abGray, J.E. 1845. Description of some new Australian animals. Appendix. pp. 405-411 in Eyre, E.J. (ed.). Journals of Expeditions of Discovery into Central Australia and Overland from Adelaide to King George's Sound in the Years 1840-1; sent by the colonists of South Australia, with the sanction and support of the Government: including an account of the manners and customs of the Aborigines and the state of their relations with Europeans. London : T. & W. Boone Vol. 1. [405].
^ abcSimmons, 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. 378. ISBN978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
^ abcdefghijRichards, G.C.; Hall, L.S.; Parish, S. (photography) (2012). A natural history of Australian bats : working the night shift. CSIRO Pub. pp. 12, 16, 17, 18, 42, 48, 157. ISBN9780643103740.
^ abcde"Species Rhinonicteris aurantia (J.E. Gray, 1845)". Australian Faunal Directory. Australian Government. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
^ abGould, John (1863). The mammals of Australia. Vol. 3. Printed by Taylor and Francis, pub. by the author. pp. pl.35 et seq.
^Gray, John Edward (1866). "A revision of the genera of Rhinolophidae, or horseshoe bats". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. 1866: 81–83. ISSN 0370-2774.
^ abc"Orange Leaf-nosed Bat, Scientific name: Rhinonicteris aurantius". The Australian Museum. 2018-10-12. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
^"Ophthalmodex australiensis". Atlas of Living Australia. Australian Government. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
^Woeltjes, A. G. W.; Lukoschus, F. S. (1981). "Parasites of Western Australia XIV Two new species of Ophthalmodex Lukoschus and Nutting (Acarina: Prostigmata: Demodicidae) from the eyes of bats". Records of the Western Australian Museum. 9 (3): 307–313. ISSN 0312-3162.
^Lee Goff, M. (1979). "Species of chigger (Acari Trombiculidae) from the orange horseshoe bat Rhinonicteris aurantius". Records of the Western Australian Museum. 8 (1): 93–96. ISSN 0312-3162.
^Halliday, R. B. (1998). Mites of Australia: A Checklist and Bibliography. Csiro Publishing. p. 2093. ISBN9780643105898.
^Hand, Suzanne J. (1993). "First skull of a species of Hipposideros (Brachipposideros) (Microchiroptera: Hipposideridae). from Australian Miocene sediments". Memoirs of the Queensland Museum. 33: 179–192. ISSN 0079-8835.
^Foley, Nicole M.; Thong, Vu Dinh; Soisook, Pipat; Goodman, Steven M.; Armstrong, Kyle N.; Jacobs, David S.; Puechmaille, Sébastien J.; Teeling, Emma C. (February 2015). "How and Why Overcome the Impediments to Resolution: Lessons from rhinolophid and hipposiderid Bats". Molecular Biology and Evolution. 32 (2): 313–333. doi:10.1093/molbev/msu329. PMC4769323. PMID 25433366.
November 03, 2023
orange, leaf, nosed, orange, leaf, nosed, rhinonicteris, aurantia, family, hipposideridae, only, living, species, genus, rhinonicteris, which, endemic, australia, occurring, north, north, west, continent, they, roost, caves, moths, sensitive, human, intrusion,. The orange leaf nosed bat Rhinonicteris aurantia is a bat in the family Hipposideridae 3 It is the only living species in the genus Rhinonicteris 3 which is endemic to Australia occurring in the far north and north west of the continent They roost in caves eat moths and are sensitive to human intrusion Orange leaf nosed batConservation statusLeast Concern IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classificationDomain EukaryotaKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass MammaliaOrder ChiropteraFamily RhinonycteridaeGenus RhinonicterisSpecies R aurantiaBinomial nameRhinonicteris aurantia Gray 1845 2 Orange leaf nosed bat range Contents 1 Description 2 Taxonomy 3 Distribution 4 Ecology 5 ReferencesDescription editA small bat weighing 7 11 grams that resides in large colonies of subterranean environs usually caves and abandoned mines The colour of the fur is variable between individuals brownish a reddish orange shade lemon yellow or white 4 5 The forearm measurement range from 42 to 46 4 A complex structure a characteristic of some bats referred to as nose leaf is broad and flattened at the base with a central gap similar to a horseshoe shape of related species The top of the leaf shaped structure is scalloped and the nasal pits deeply recessed an opening behind this structure leads from an enlarged secretory gland 4 The noseleaf does not have by any forwardly projecting parts at the deep cleft of the lower section 5 The ears which are smaller than similar species are sharply pointed at the top 4 The measurements for the head and body combined are 43 to 53 millimetres 5 Taxonomy editRhinonicteris aurantia is a species of bat currently allied to the family Hipposideridae that groups some leaf nosed bats The first description was published by John Edward Gray in 1845 placing the species in genus Rhinolophus 2 6 The syntype for the species in located at the British Museum of Natural History the note stating it was collected at Port Essington near the hospital 6 Gould elucidates the type s collection as an animal shot from the air by Dr Sibbald of the Royal Navy 7 6 A western form is distinguished from the northern population superficially similar yet genetically distinct this remote group in is identified separately for its conservation status assessment as the Pilbara form and may be a separate taxon 4 5 The genus name published as Rhinonycteris Gray J E 1866 has been regarded as a later correction by Gray but this has also been determined to be an unjustified emendation 8 6 The specific epithet has also taken the spelling aurantius likewise considered incorrect in this generic combination 7 3 Common names include the orange leaf nosed bat and the golden or orange horseshoe bat 6 Distribution editThe range of Rhinonicteris aurantia is across the north of the continent the Top End and Kakadu which encompasses the northernmost part of the Northern Territory and extends into of Western Australia and north west Queensland A geographically separate population is found in the Pilbara region of the north west 4 The westernmost point of the distribution range is around Derby Western Australia and extends from here to the east at Lawn Hill Queensland 5 One site noted for its large colony numbering in the thousands is located at Tolmer Falls in the Lichfield National Park A preference is also given to larger sites amongst the Kimberley limestone caves where the largest colonies of the species occur At Tunnel Creek the bat is found co habiting and hunting with several other bat species 4 The habit of flying close to the ground sees the species collected by the grille of road trains frequently transporting them en route from Katherine to the north of the state 4 Ecology editAs with many bats in arid regions they are insectivores 4 R aurantia is found in large caves cohabiting with others bat species These include the yellow lipped Vespadelus douglasorum northern bentwing Miniopterus orianae the western cave bat and ghost bat Macroderma gigas 4 The preferred cave environ is warm and humid other opportunities for roosting sites include tree hollows The colony may number in the thousands but the individuals also cluster in groups of twenty and over 9 The diet of insects includes various beetles weevils bugs wasps and ants but the common prey is moths They venture out several times during their night time hunting activities 9 A new species of parasite Opthalmodex australiensis 10 was found on a specimen of the bat this minute organism seems to occur in the eye as a low grade infestation and subsist on epithelial tissue 11 Another organism Chiroptella geikiensis a species of the chigger family Trombiculidae was discovered on specimens of this bat 12 13 nbsp Illustration of Rhinolophus aurantius Gould and H C Richter 1863The colony may desert a site if intruded upon by visitors the species is noted as even more susceptible to human activities near their roosts than other bats Direct threats include destruction of habitat by mining clearing for agriculture and pastoralism that results in the loss of food resources 9 A species describing fossil material found at the Riversleigh site in Northern Queensland Brachipposideros nooraleebus closely resemble this species 14 The only described species of the genus is based on Miocene fossils also found at Riversleigh 15 The conservation status of the species is least concern 1 The population identified as the Pilbara form is vulnerable to extinction 5 References edit a b Armstrong K Reardon T Woinarski J Burbidge A A 2017 Rhinonicteris aurantia IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017 e T19589A21998626 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2017 2 RLTS T19589A21998626 en Retrieved 16 November 2021 a b Gray J E 1845 Description of some new Australian animals Appendix pp 405 411 in Eyre E J ed Journals of Expeditions of Discovery into Central Australia and Overland from Adelaide to King George s Sound in the Years 1840 1 sent by the colonists of South Australia with the sanction and support of the Government including an account of the manners and customs of the Aborigines and the state of their relations with Europeans London T amp W Boone Vol 1 405 a b c 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 378 ISBN 978 0 8018 8221 0 OCLC 62265494 a b c d e f g h i j Richards G C Hall L S Parish S photography 2012 A natural history of Australian bats working the night shift CSIRO Pub pp 12 16 17 18 42 48 157 ISBN 9780643103740 a b c d e f Menkhorst P W Knight F 2011 A field guide to the mammals of Australia 3rd ed Melbourne Oxford University Press p 146 ISBN 9780195573954 a b c d e Species Rhinonicteris aurantia J E Gray 1845 Australian Faunal Directory Australian Government Retrieved 31 December 2018 a b Gould John 1863 The mammals of Australia Vol 3 Printed by Taylor and Francis pub by the author pp pl 35 et seq Gray John Edward 1866 A revision of the genera of Rhinolophidae or horseshoe bats Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1866 81 83 ISSN 0370 2774 a b c Orange Leaf nosed Bat Scientific name Rhinonicteris aurantius The Australian Museum 2018 10 12 Retrieved 31 December 2018 Ophthalmodex australiensis Atlas of Living Australia Australian Government Retrieved 4 January 2019 Woeltjes A G W Lukoschus F S 1981 Parasites of Western Australia XIV Two new species of Ophthalmodex Lukoschus and Nutting Acarina Prostigmata Demodicidae from the eyes of bats Records of the Western Australian Museum 9 3 307 313 ISSN 0312 3162 Lee Goff M 1979 Species of chigger Acari Trombiculidae from the orange horseshoe bat Rhinonicteris aurantius Records of the Western Australian Museum 8 1 93 96 ISSN 0312 3162 Halliday R B 1998 Mites of Australia A Checklist and Bibliography Csiro Publishing p 2093 ISBN 9780643105898 Hand Suzanne J 1993 First skull of a species of Hipposideros Brachipposideros Microchiroptera Hipposideridae from Australian Miocene sediments Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 33 179 192 ISSN 0079 8835 Foley Nicole M Thong Vu Dinh Soisook Pipat Goodman Steven M Armstrong Kyle N Jacobs David S Puechmaille Sebastien J Teeling Emma C February 2015 How and Why Overcome the Impediments to Resolution Lessons from rhinolophid and hipposiderid Bats Molecular Biology and Evolution 32 2 313 333 doi 10 1093 molbev msu329 PMC 4769323 PMID 25433366 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Orange leaf nosed bat amp oldid 1138590473, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
