27-429: The western small-footed bat ( Myotis ciliolabrum ), also known as the western small-footed myotis , is a species of vesper bat native to North America. Western small-footed bats are relatively small bats, having a total length of 8 to 10 cm (3.1 to 3.9 in), and a wingspan of about 24 cm (9.4 in). They weigh just 4 to 5 g (0.14 to 0.18 oz), with females being larger than males. Their fur
54-528: A million individuals. Species native to temperate latitudes typically hibernate to avoid cooler weather, while a few of the tropical species employ aestivation as a method of evading extremes of climate. Vespertilioninae Myotinae Kerivoulinae Murininae The four subfamilies of Vespertilionidae separate the presumably related taxa, tribes, and genera of extant and extinct taxa. The subfamilial treatments, based on morphological, geographical, and ecological comparisons have been recombined since
81-487: A range of flight techniques. The wing surface is extended to the lower limbs, and the tails of this family are enclosed in an interfemoral membrane . Some are relatively slow-flying genera, such as Pipistrellus , that manipulate the configuration of their broader wing shape and may give a fluttery appearance as they forage and glean. Others are specialised as long-winged genera, such as Lasiurus and Nyctalus , that use rapid pursuit to capture insects. The size range of
108-448: Is no longer included following its move to the separate family Cistugidae . Miniopterinae is additionally no longer recognized as a subfamily, as it was elevated to family status. A 2021 study attempted to resolve the systematic relationships among the pipistrelle-like bats of sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar, with systematic inferences based on genetic and morphological analyses of more than 400 individuals across all named genera and
135-582: Is slow but maneuverable, and they often feed close to water or to rocky bluffs. Their echolocation calls vary in different parts of their range, but have been recorded as lasting 1-3 milliseconds, with a sweep of 60 down to 40 kHz in Washington state. They often roost during the day in caves, but may also be found in smaller crevices, artificial structures, or under loose bark. Males typically roost alone, but females may gather into small groups of up to nineteen individuals when nursing young. They hibernate during
162-684: Is the classification published by the American Society of Mammalogists . Other authorities raise three subfamilies more: Antrozoinae (which is here the separate family of pallid bats ), Tomopeatinae (now regarded as a subfamily of the free-tailed bats ), and Nyctophilinae (here included in Vespertilioninae). Four subfamilies are recognized by Mammal Species of the World (2005), the highly diverse Vespertilioninae are also separated as tribes. Newer or resurrected genera are noted. The genus Cistugo
189-437: Is the most diverse and widely distributed of bat families, specialised in many forms to occupy a range of habitats and ecological circumstances, and it is frequently observed or the subject of research. The facial features of the species are often simple, as they mainly rely on vocally emitted echolocation. The tails of the species are enclosed by the lower flight membranes between the legs. Over 300 species are distributed all over
216-514: Is thought to have originated somewhere in Laurasia , possibly North America. A recently extinct species, Synemporion keana , is known from the Holocene of Hawaii . All species are carnivorous and most are insectivores , exceptions are bats of genera Myotis and Pizonyx that catch fish and the larger Nyctalus species known to capture small passerine birds in flight. The dentition of
243-677: Is usually best seen when resting. A special ring of cartilage slides up or down the tail vertebrae by muscular action to stretch or retract the tail membrane. This gives many species a degree of fine tuning in their flight maneuvers to rival their day-flying ecological equivalents, such as swifts , swallows , and martins . As a result, these animals include the fastest-flying of all bat species among their number. The dental formula of free-tailed bats varies between species: 1.1.1-2.2-3 1-3.1.2.3 Free-tailed bats are usually grey, brown, or black in color, with some exceptions. They range from 4 to 12 cm (1.6 to 4.7 in) in length, excluding
270-409: Is yellowish-brown in color, with paler, sometimes white, underparts. The muzzle and chin are black, as are the 11 to 16 mm (0.43 to 0.63 in) long ears. The tail is 3 to 5 cm (1.2 to 2.0 in) in length, but is almost entirely enclosed within the uropatagium , with only the tip extending beyond it. As the common name indicates, the feet are unusually small, being about half the length of
297-430: The blunt-eared bat ). This study used genetic data to create a phylogeny , which contrasted from previous phylogenies constructed using morphological data. Traits that were previously used to group species, such as having a flat skull, were shown to have no relation to evolutionary relationship, meaning that flat-headedness evolved multiple times within the family. Of the 16 genera of Molossinae, 15 were used to create
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#1732873275268324-434: The tibia . The bats have a wing aspect ratio of 6.1 and a wing loading of 6.7 N/m, which are both relatively low values for bats. They are very similar in appearance to the closely related California myotis , with which they share some of their range; the two species can be distinguished in that the latter does not have the black "face mask" of the small-footed species. Western small-footed bats are found across much of
351-496: The uropatagium —the membrane that connects the base of the tail to the hind legs. Another common name for some members of this group, and indeed a few species from other families, is mastiff bat . The western mastiff bat ( Eumops perotis ), a large species from the southwestern United States and Mexico with wings over 0.5 m (1.6 ft) across, is perhaps one of the best known with this name. They are widespread, being found on every continent except Antarctica. The tail
378-524: The closest relatives to the family are the free-tailed bats of family Molossidae . The monotypic genus Tomopeas , represented by the blunt-eared bat ( Tomopeas ravum ), is acknowledged as the potentially closest link between the Vespertilionidae and Molossidae, as it is the most basal member of the Molossidae and has intermediate characteristics of both families. The grouping of these subfamilies
405-684: The family is 3 to 13 cm (1.2 to 5.1 in) in head and body length; this excludes the tail, which is itself quite long in many species. They are generally brown or grey in colour, often an indiscriminate appearance as a 'little brown bat', although some species have fur that is brightly colored, with reds, oranges, and yellows all being known. The patterns of the superficial appearance include white patches or stripes that may distinguish some species. Most species roost in caves, although some make use of hollow trees , rocky crevices, animal burrows , or other forms of shelter. Colony sizes also vary greatly, with some roosting alone, and others in groups up to
432-440: The family varies between species; the dental formula of the family is: They rely mainly on echolocation to navigate and obtain food, but they lack the elaborate nose appendages of microbats that focus nasal emitted ultrasound . The ultrasound signal is usually produced orally, and many species have large external ears to capture and reflect sound, enabling them to discriminate and extract information. The vespertilionids employ
459-525: The inclusion of the phylogenetic implications of molecular genetics ; only the Murininae and Kerivoulinae have not been changed in light of genetic analysis. Subfamilies that were once recognized as valid, such as the Nyctophilinae , are considered dubious, as molecular evidence suggests they are paraphyletic in their arrangements. Within the concept Yangochiroptera , an acknowledged cladistic treatment,
486-459: The majority of described African pipistrelle-like bat species, with a focus on previously unstudied samples of East African bats. The study proposed a revision of the pipistrelle-like bats in East Africa and described multiple new genera and species. Family Vespertilionidae Molossidae Molossinae Tomopeatinae The Molossidae , or free-tailed bats , are a family of bats within
513-459: The only bat family that withstands the elevation. They are widespread, being found on every continent except Antarctica. They are typically found in caves, abandoned mines, or tunnels. The family's scientific name comes from the type genus Molossus , which in turn is from the Molossus breed of dogs. The family's common name is derived from a length of "free" tail, projecting beyond the end of
540-438: The order Chiroptera. The Molossidae is the fourth-largest family of bats, containing about 110 species as of 2012. They are generally quite robust, and consist of many strong-flying forms with relatively long and narrow wings with wrinkled lips shared through their genus. Their strong flying form allows them to fly 60 miles per hour using tail winds and at altitudes over 10,000 feet. This makes them unique among bats, as they are
567-462: The phylogeny (left), with researchers unable to include Peters's flat-headed bat , the only member of Platymops . The results of this study showed that Chaerephon is paraphyletic , forming a clade with Mops . There was strong support for Old World and New World clades. While the genus Tadarida has one New World species, the Mexican free-tailed bat , the genus itself has its origins in
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#1732873275268594-528: The suborder Microchiroptera , the families of microbats separated from the flying foxes and fruit bats of the megabat group Megachiroptera . The treatments of bat taxonomy have also included a placement amongst the Vespertilioniformes , or Yangochiroptera , as suborder Vespertilionoidea . Molecular data indicate the Vespertilionidae diverged from the Molossidae in the early Eocene period. The family
621-553: The tail, and can weigh from 8 to 220 g (0.28 to 7.76 oz), depending on species. They are insectivorous , and catch their food on the wing. While some species roost in small groups in hollow trees or rocky crevices, some cave-dwelling species form vast colonies of up to 50 million individuals. Molecular sequence data support the monophyly of the Molossidae as a whole, but not that of many of its genera, such as Chaerephon , Mops , Mormopterus , and Tadarida . The grouping of Chaerephon minus C. jobimena plus Mops
648-555: The western half of North America, from southern British Columbia and Saskatchewan in the north down to Baja California , Zacatecas , and Nuevo León in the south. Within this region, they are most common arid and semiarid habitats, such as deserts and badlands, but may be found in pine or juniper forests, especially at higher elevations. They are found from 300 to 3,300 m (980 to 10,830 ft). Two subspecies are recognised: Western small-footed bats are nocturnal and insectivorous, feeding on moths, beetles, and flies. Their flight
675-403: The winter, typically alone. The bats give birth to a single young between June and July. The young are hairless and born, and have been recorded as weighing 1.1 g (0.039 oz). Vesper bat Vespertilionidae is a family of microbats, of the order Chiroptera , flying, insect-eating mammals variously described as the common, vesper, or simple nosed bats. The vespertilionid family
702-481: The world, on every continent except Antarctica . It owes its name to the genus Vespertilio , which takes its name from a word for bat, vespertilio , derived from the Latin term vesper meaning 'evening'; they are termed "evening bats" and were once referred to as "evening birds". (The term "evening bat" also often refers more specifically to one of the species, Nycticeius humeralis .) They are allied to
729-473: Was found to be monophyletic, as was Otomops . Cheiromeles Mormopterus Sauromys Tadarida Tadarida Myopterus Chaerephon Chaerephon Mops Otomops Nyctinomops Neoplatymops Cynomops Molossops Promops Molossus Eumops A 2012 study attempted to show the relationships of genera within the subfamily Molossinae (the other subfamily of Molossidae, Tomopeatinae, only contains
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