Isalo serotine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Isalo serotine |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Vespertilionidae |
| Genus: | Laephotis |
| Species: |
L. malagasyensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Laephotis malagasyensis (Peterson, Eger, and Mitchell, 1995)
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| Collection localities of Laephotis malagasyensis | |
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| Synonyms | |
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The Isalo serotine (Laephotis malagasyensis) is a type of vesper bat found only on the island of Madagascar. It belongs to a group of bats called Laephotis. This special bat is only known to live near the Isalo National Park in the southwestern part of Madagascar. It has been found in areas close to rivers.
Scientists first discovered a specimen of this bat in 1967. It was first thought to be a type of Eptesicus somalicus (now called Neoromicia somalica). However, after more bats were found in 2002 and 2003, scientists realized it was a completely different species. Because it lives in such a small area and its home is at risk, the Isalo serotine is listed as "vulnerable" by the IUCN Red List. This means it needs protection.
The Isalo serotine is a fairly small bat. Its forearm, which is part of its wing, is about 30 to 32 mm (1.2 to 1.3 in) long. It weighs between 3.9 to 9 g (0.1 to 0.3 oz). Its fur is dark brown on its back and a mix of light brown and gray underneath. The bat's ears are thin and you can see through them. It also has short lower leg bones, called tibias.
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What Does the Isalo Serotine Look Like?
The Isalo serotine is a small bat, similar to a "pipistrelle" bat. It is a bit larger than another bat called Neoromicia somalica. The fur on its back is long and dark brown. On its belly, the fur is a mix of gray and light brown hairs. The fur gets lighter towards its tail.
This bat's fur is darker than N. somalica but lighter than another bat called L. matroka. Its brown ears are thin and somewhat see-through. Inside its ear, there's a small flap called a tragus. This flap helps the bat hear. The tragus of the Isalo serotine is similar to N. somalica, but it might be a little narrower.
The Isalo serotine has a short tibia, which is the bone in its lower leg. This is shorter compared to two other Laephotis bat species found in Madagascar.
How Its Skull Is Different
The skull of the Isalo serotine is a bit smaller than that of L. matroka. Its braincase, which holds the brain, and its palate, the roof of its mouth, are narrower. Compared to N. somalica, the Isalo serotine's skull is wider.
It also has a more developed ridge on its lacrimal bone, which is near the eye. The roof of its mouth is wider. The bones at the front of its head, called frontal bones, have a small dip and are a bit swollen on the sides. The bones behind its ears, called mastoid bones, are smaller. Also, parts of its lower jaw, called the coronoid and angular processes, stick out more.
How It Uses Echolocation
Like many bats, the Isalo serotine uses echolocation to find its way around and hunt. This means it sends out sounds and listens for the echoes. Its echolocation call has two parts. First, the sound frequency drops quickly, then it changes more slowly.
Each call lasts about 3.6 to 6.3 milliseconds (ms), with an average of 4.9 ms. The time between two calls is usually 34.2 to 94.4 ms, averaging 69.1 ms. The highest frequency of its call averages 79.8 kHz, and the lowest averages 40.5 kHz. The sound is strongest at a frequency of 45.7 kHz.
Where Does the Isalo Serotine Live?
The Isalo serotine is only found near the Isalo National Park in southwestern Madagascar. This area is about 2000 km2 (800 sq mi) in size. The very first bat specimen was caught in 1967. It was found in a special net, called a mistnet, placed near a river in a dry grassland area with palm trees.
Scientists initially thought this first bat was found near a village called Marinday. However, later research suggested it might have come from near Ilakaka instead. In 2002 and 2003, more Isalo serotine bats were found inside Isalo National Park. These bats were also caught in mistnets near rivers or in woodlands close to rivers.
Because this bat lives in such a small area, and its home is threatened by habitat destruction, it is listed as "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List. Scientists recommend more research to learn about where these bats sleep (their roosts) and what they eat. This information can help protect them better.
 | Bessie Coleman |
 | Spann Watson |
 | Jill E. Brown |
 | Sherman W. White |
