Greater Asiatic yellow bat
The greater Asiatic yellow bat (Scotophilus heathii) is a species of vesper bat.[2]
| Greater Asiatic yellow bat | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Vespertilionidae |
| Genus: | Scotophilus |
| Species: | S. heathii |
| Binomial name | |
| Scotophilus heathii Horsfield, 1831 | |
It is found in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.[1]
Like many bats, females have delayed ovulation, with the ability to store sperm. This makes them particularly of interest to biologists. Studies have shown that seasonal changes in hormones allow them to deposit fat before the onset of winter.[3]
It is named after Josiah Marshall Heath, who presented the type specimen to the Zoological Society of London.[4]
Description
Head and body length is 8–9 cm. Forearms 6–7 cm. Wingspan 40 cm. Weight 48–52 g.
Adults are yellowish bronze brown above and bright yellow to reddish below. Wing membrane is blackish brown. Short and dense fur except on neck. Muzzle is blunt, naked, and dark. Tragus is crescent-shaped and separated from the posterior margin of the pinna by a conspicuous notch. Long tailed. Young are dark grayish brown.
Culture
Known as මහ කහ වවුලා (Maha kaha wawula meaning "greater yellow bat") in Sinhala.
References
- Srinivasulu, B.; Srinivasulu, C. (2019). "Scotophilus heathii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T20067A22031528. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T20067A22031528.en. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
- Simmons, N.B. (2005). "Order Chiroptera". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 466. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
- Srivastava, R. K.; Krishna, A. (2008-01-17). "Seasonal adiposity, correlative changes in metabolic factors and unique reproductive activity in a vespertilionid bat, Scotophilus heathi". Journal of Experimental Zoology Part A: Ecological Genetics and Physiology. 309A (2): 94–110. doi:10.1002/jez.440. PMID 18203145.
- Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2009). The Eponym Dictionary of Mammals. Maryland: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 182. ISBN 978-0-8018-9304-9.