Nycteris macrotis, Dobson, 1876

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Nycteridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 374-386 : 385

10.

Large-eared Slit-faced Bat

Nycteris macrotis

French: Nyctere de Dobson / German: GroRRohrige Schlitznase / orejudo

Other common names: \ Vinson's Slit-faced Bat (vinsoni)

Taxonomy. Nycteris macrotis Dobson, 1876 ,

Sierra Leone.

Nycteris macrotis belongs to the macrotis group. Taxon vinsoni, previously classified as a distinct species, is considered here conspecific with N. macrotis . Some confusion exists over taxonomic relationships in this group, and several subspecies have been described but none clearly delineated. Taxonomic relationships of West African and East African populations need to be investigated; they might represent cryptic species. Nycteris macrotis needs urgent revision and might change with future studies. Monotypic.

Distribution. Widely distributed in tropical Africa from Senegal in W to Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, and Tanzania (including Unguja I in Zanzibar Archipelago) in the E, S to NW Angola, S DR Congo, NE Botswana, N Zimbabwe, and C Mozambique.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 60-70 mm, tail 45-65 mm, ear 27-34 mm, hindfoot 10-14 mm, forearm 40-55 mm; weight 15-18 g. The Large-eared Slit-faced Batis small, with short rounded wings. Longitudinal cleft runs along top of muzzle, covering noseleaves. Fur is long and fluffy, pale reddish brown to grayish brown dorsally, and slightly lighter ventrally. Orange morph also exists that is bright orange dorsally and ventrally. Ears are very long. Wing membranes are dark brown and free of hairs. There are obvious sexual differences in pelage. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 40 and FNa = 74 in Somalia. Echolocation call is multiharmonic and involves a steep FM sweep with peak frequencies at 29 kHz, 49 kHz, 70 kHz, and 89 kHz.

Habitat. Wide variety of tropical savanna and forest habitats including miombo woodland with Isoberlinia and Brachystegia (both Fabaceae ), lowland rainforest, coastal forest, forest-savanna mosaic, riverine forest, and grassland savanna from sea level to elevations of ¢. 2200 m.

Food and Feeding. The Large-eared Slitfaced Bat eats various insects including orthopterans, beetles, and termites.

Breeding. In Malawi and Tanzania, there is some evidence suggesting two birth peaks of Large-eared Slitfaced Bats during the year, but this requires confirmation. Litter size is one.

Activity patterns. The Large-eared Slitfaced Bat roosts during the day in sheltered structures including hollow trees, caves, road culverts, and abandoned buildings.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Large-eared Slitfaced Bat roosts singly or in small groups, but one roost in Senegal had ¢.100 individuals.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. “Vinson'’s Slitfaced Bat,” included here as part of the Large-eared Slit-faced Bat, has been assessed and classified as Data Deficient (as N. vinsoni).

Bibliography. Cockle et al. (1998), Cotterill & Happold (2013e), Griffiths (1994, 1997), Largen et al. (1974), Monadjem, Richards & Denys (2016), Monadjem, Schoeman et al. (2010), Monadjem, Taylor et al. (2010), Rosevear (1965), Smithers & Lobéao Tello (1976), Thomas et al. (1994), Van Cakenberghe & De Vree (1985), Verschuren (1957 1982), Whitaker & Black (1976).

Figures

1. Bates’s Slit-faced Bat (Nycteris arge), 2. Intermediate Slitfaced Bat (Nycteris intermedia), 3. Dwarf Slit-faced Bat (Nycteris nana), 4. Dja Slitfaced Bat (Nycteris major), 5. Malayan Slit-faced Bat (Nycteris tragata), 6. Javan Slit-faced Bat (Nycteris javanica), 7. Andersen’s Slit-faced Bat (Nycteris aurita), 8. Large Slitfaced Bat (Nycteris grandis), 9. Hairy Slitfaced Bat (Nycteris hispida), 10. Large-eared Slit-faced Bat (Nycteris macrotis), 11. Madagascar Slitfaced Bat (Nycteris madagascariensis), 12. Parisi’s Slitfaced Bat (Nycteris parisii), 13. Wood's Shitfaced Bat (Nycteris wood), 14. Gambian Slitfaced Bat (Nycteris gambiensis), 15. Egyptian Slitfaced Bat (Nycteris thebaica)

Distribution. Widely distributed in tropical Africa from Senegal in W to Sudan , Ethiopia , Somalia , Kenya , and Tanzania (including Unguja I in Zanzibar Archipelago) in the E, S to NW Angola , S DR Congo , NE Botswana , N Zimbabwe , and C Mozambique .