Cistugo seabrae, Thomas, 1912

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Cistugidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 710-715 : 714

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Angolan Wing-gland Bat

Cistugo seabrae

French: Cistugo d’/ Angola / German: Angola-Mausohr / Spanish: Ratonero cistugo de Angola

Other common names: Angolan Hairy Bat, Seabra’s Wing-gland Bat

Taxonomy. Cistugo seabrae Thomas, 1912 ,

“Mossamedes [= Mocamedes],” south-western Angola.

Specific epithet is sometimes misspelled seabrai . Because ofits unique wing glands, seabrae was originally included in its own genus Cistugo but later considered a subgenus of Myotis . Karyological studies further showed that it differed from all Myotis by having higher chromosome number (2n = 50) and all acrocentric autosomal complement (FN = 48). Molecular reconstructions based on several mitochondrial and nuclear genes not only supported distinctness of Cistugo at the generic level but also showed that it deserved familial-level divergence. Phylogenetically, Cistugidae is basal to Vespertilionidae radiation and only contains two species, C. seabrae and C. lesueur that are very closely related and possibly conspecific. Monotypic.

Distribution. Endemic to SW Africa; known to occurin scattered areas from type locality on SW coast of Angola S across W Namibia to N parts of Northern Cape Province in South Africa.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 40-54 mm, tail 32-40 mm, ear 10-13 mm, hindfoot 5-6 mm, forearm 30-1-35-4 mm; weight 2:5— 4.2 g. Tibia lengths are 12:2—-13-9 mm, and wingspans are 200-220 mm. The Angolan Wing-gland Batis very small, without noseleaf and tail nearly entirely enclosed in interfemoral membrane (only one-half of last vertebra protruding from uropatagium). Ears are rounded, relatively large, and not funnel-shaped, reaching nose tip when held forward; outer margin is deeply notched at mid-height. Tragus is straight, elongated (reaching ear notch) with relatively broad base (c.2-8 mm), andtapering toward tip; frontal margin is straight; and external parts are distinctly convex. Wing membraneis attachedto base oftoe. Uropatagiumis essentially naked, bordered by elongated and unkeeled calcar reaching halfwayto tail tip. Hindfoot is very small, less than one-halfoftibia length. Thumb is short, without thickened structure at its base and bearing small claw. Penis is very short (c. 3 mm) and cylindrical. Dorsal pelageis moderately dense, yellowish brown, orange-brown, or grayish brown, with hair bases much darker, blackish. Ventral pelageis lighter, beige, or cream-colored, with darker bases near root ofhairs. Naked parts ofskin (face, ears, and membranes) are dark brown. As detailed in the original description, the Angolan Wing-gland Bat resembles small species of Myotis byits general bodytype, tragus shape, and dentition, but presenceof 2-3 translucent glands close to distal parts offorearm of each wing is unique to Cistugo . In the Angolan Wing-gland Bat, these glands are locatedcloseto radius, but their exact locations on plagiopatagium arevariable. Skull size 1s diminutive (greatest lengths 12:2-13-2 mm), with weak dentition (uppertooth rowlength 4-8-5-5 mm) and no apparent sagittal or occipital crests. Condylo-incisive length is usually less than 12: 6 mm. Presence of two equally small upper premolars, the second being variably intruded into tooth row, distinguishes Cistugo from most vespertilionid bats; in Myotis species, first upper premolar is proportionally larger than second. Other similarsized vespertilionids, such as small Neoromicia , have onlya single small upper premolar and also possess rounded tips to tragus. Lower canine has distinct lingual ridge that extends nearlyto tip, which is unique to Cistugo bats. All lower molars are myotodont, as in Myotis .

Habitat. Rocky habitats; arid and semiarid regions with sparse vegetation, but often near open water; and anthropogenic habitats such as citrus orchards or shade trees in villages, mostly below elevations of 1000 m.

Food and Feeding. Angolan Wing-gland Bats are insectivorous, but exact diet composition is unknown. Wing morphology and echolocation characteristics are typical of a bat feeding on the edge ofcluttered habitats. Angolan Wing-gland Bats fly low aboveground and close to vegetation, apparently to glean small insects from leaves.

Breeding. Litter size of the Angolan Wing-gland Bat is likely one young, as in other related species, but no precise data on patterns of reproduction are known.

Activity patterns. Angolan Wing-gland Bats are nocturnal and seenflying shortlyafter sunset, suggesting relatively early night-time activity. They have been observed resting in an unused building at midnight, indicating that main periods of hunting activityin early and late night are interspersed byresting, as is typical of other insectivorous bats. Roosting habits of Angolan Wing-gland Bats are largely unknown, but caves orcrevices are likely their natural roosting sites. Some captured bats were active during austral winter, suggesting that they might not hibernate. Echolocationcalls are typical of lowduty echolocating bats, with strongly FM initial component terminating with short CF component. Call parameters (mean + SD) recorded in Northern Cape Province of South Africa are: peak frequencyof 48-5 + 0-7 kHz, bandwidth of 24-4 + 10-8 kHz, and duration of 3-1 + 0-7 milliseconds.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCNRed List. Angolan Wing-gland Bats are known fromscattered localities distributed overa large area covering habitats that are not likely to be impacted by anthropogenic changes, except very locally where mining operations can threaten their survival. Although they are rare in museumcollections, some populations can be locally common, for examplein orchards bordering largerivers. The Angolan Wing-gland Bat has not been reported in anylegally protected area.

Bibliography. Bickham et al. (2004), Eick et al. (2005), Gunnell et al. (2017), Herselman & Norton (1985), Hood & Smith (1984), Kearney (2013k), Kearney & Van Schalkwyk (2009), Lack et al. (2010), Monadjem, Jacobs & Griffin (2017), Rautenbach et al. (1993), Schoeman & Jacobs (2008), Seamark & Kearney (2006), Seamark et al. (2012), Shortridge (1942), Simmons (2005), Stadelmann, Jacobs et al. (2004), Thomas (1912a).

Figures

Plate 54 Wing-gland Bats Species Accounts

Plate 54 Species Accounts

Distribution. Endemic to SW Africa; known to occurin scattered areas from type locality on SW coast of Angola S across W Namibia to N parts of Northern Cape Province in South Africa .