Paremballonura atrata (Peters, 1874)

Bonaccorso, Frank, 2019, Emballonuridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 350-373 : 362

28 . Peters’s Sheath-tailed Bat

Paremballonura atrata

French: Emballonure de Madagascar / German: Östliche Madagaskar-reischwanzfledermaus / Spanish: Embalonuro de Peters

Taxonomy. Emballonura atrata Peters, 1874 ,

“ aus dem Innern von Madagascar [= interior of Madagascar ].”

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. E Madagascar, from Maroantsetra S to Tolagnaro (= Fort Dauphin), including Nosy Mangabé and Sainte Marie I.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 45-49 mm, tail 18-20 mm, ear 15-19 mm, hindfoot C.6 mm, forearm 37—41 mm; weight 5—7-1 g. Dorsal fur of Peters’s Sheathtailed Bat is uniformly dark slate-gray to black; venter is slightly paler than dorsum. Snout is quite pointed and extends well beyond lower lip. Ears are prominent, broad, and rounded, with distinct indentation near tips. Inner surface of pinna is heavily ribbed. Tragus is longer than broad, with rounded smooth margin. Eyes are large, with dark brown irises. Flight membranes are dark black-brown.

Habitat. In or near to humid rainforest forests from sea level to elevations of C.900 m.

Food and Feeding. Peters’s Sheath-tailed Bat forages for insects within 8 m of the ground along forest edges and low over rivers.

Breeding. Gestation of Peters’s Sheath-tailed Bats occurs in November, and females have one embryo. An observation of copulation in a limestone cave was reported from March.

Activity patterns. Peters’s Sheath-tailed Bats roost in caves and small rock crevices and below exposed tree roots. In eastern central highlands, it also roosts in village houses. The species exclusively uses twilight zones near cave entrances.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Colony size rarely exceeds 30 individuals and more typically is 3-10 individuals; however, groups of 80—120 can occur. Peters’s Sheath-tailed Bat occurs in caves with Rufous Trident Bats (Triaenops menamend), Major’s Long-fingered Bats (Miniopterus majori), Lesser Long-fingered Bats ( M.fraterculus ), and Glen’s Long-fingered Bats (M gleni)— all of which inhabit deeper dark areas of caves.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Peters’s Sheath-tailed Bat is relatively widespread in eastern Madagascar. Its population is decreasing, and its status should be periodically reviewed given that it is collected for bushmeat in eastern Madagascar and forest clearing for expanding agriculture threatens foraging and roosting sites. Peters’s Sheath-tailed Bat is protected in Parc National de Mantadia, Parc National de Midongy du Sud, and a network of protected sites around Baie de Antogil. It likely does not require specific conservation action as long as intact humid forests are protected, but local populations should be monitored at roosting sites.

Bibliography. Garbutt (2007), Goodman, Cardiff et al. (2006), Goodman, Puechmaille, Hizem et al. (2012), Jenkins et al. (2007), Kofoky et al. (2007), Monadjem, Cardiff et al. (2017 a), Randrianandrianinà st al. (2006).

Peters, 1867

Figures

On following pages: 22. New Guinea Sheath-tailed Bat (Emballonura furati); 23. Beccari's Sheath-tailed Bat (Emballonura beccarti); 24. Large-eared Sheath-tailed Bat (Emballonura dianae); 25. Seri'sSheath-tailed Bat (Emballonura sertii); 26. Pacific Sheath-tailed Bat (Emballonura semicaudata); 27. Western Sheath-tailed Bat (Paremballonura tiavato); 28. Peters's Sheath-tailed Bat (Paremballonura atrata); 29. African Sheath-tailed Bat (Coleura afra); 30. Seychelles Sheath-tailed Bat (Coleura seychellensis); 31. Madagascar Sheath-tailed Bat (Coleura kibomalandy); 32. Dark Sheath-tailed Bat (Mosia nigrescens); 33. Chestnut Sac-winged Bat (Cormura brevirostris); 34. Gray Sac-winged Bat (Balantiopteryx plicata); 35. Thomas's Sac-winged Bat (Balantiopteryx io); 36. Ecuadorian Sac-winged Bat (Balantiopteryx infusca).

Distribution. E Madagascar, from Maroantsetra S to Tolagnaro (= Fort Dauphin), including Nosy Mangabé and Sainte Marie I.