Emballonuridae

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Emballonuridae
Pacific sheath-tailed bat (Emballonura semicaudata)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Superfamily: Emballonuroidea
Family: Emballonuridae
de Castelnau
, 1855
Type genus
Emballonura
Temminck, 1838
Genera

See Text

Emballonuridae is a

subtropical regions around the world. The earliest fossil records are from the Eocene.[1][2]

Description

The emballonurids include some of the smallest of all bats, and range from 3.5 to 10 cm in body length. They are generally brown or grey, although the species of genus

echolocation to sense the surrounding environment and their prey; the signals of some species are unusual in being audible to humans.[3]

Possession of the postorbital processes, the reduced, noncontacting premaxillaries, and rather simple shoulder and elbow joints, which is similar to

pteropodids, makes them rather a primitive group. However, they are more advanced in the reduction of the second digit phalanges and the flexion of the third digit proximal phalanges over the metacarpal dorsal side.[2]

The wing surface extends between the legs, a membrane known as a

propatagium), which are open to the air and may release pheromones to attract mates. Other species have throat glands which produce strong-smelling secretions.[5] They have the dental formula

Dentition
1-2.1.2.3
2-3.1.2.3

These bats generally prefer to roost in better-illuminated areas than other species of bats. Their dwellings can often be found in hollow trees and entryways to caves or other structures. Some species, such as the genus Taphozous, live in large colonies, but others are solitary. Species living away from the tropics may enter periods of torpor or extended hibernation during colder months.[5]

Emballonurids feed mainly on insects and occasionally on fruit. Most of these bats catch their meals while flying.

The common name for some groups, 'sheath-tailed bats', is sometimes noted as sheathtails.[3]

Distribution

Found in the

Neotropics, Afrotropics, southern Asia, Australia and South Pacific islands.[2]

Classification

Family Emballonuridae

References

  1. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0
    . Retrieved 28 September 2009.
  2. ^
    ISBN 0-7216-9009-2
    .
  3. ^
    ISBN 9780643098145
    .
  4. ISBN 0207144540
    .
  5. ^
    ISBN 0-87196-871-1
    .
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