The cryptic woolly bat, also known as the flat-headed woolly bat (Kerivoula crypta), is a species of vesper bat found in southern India and Sri Lanka.[1]
| Cryptic woolly bat | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Vespertilionidae |
| Genus: | Kerivoula |
| Species: | K. crypta
|
| Binomial name | |
| Kerivoula crypta Wroughton and Ryley, 1913
| |
Taxonomy edit
It was described as a new species in 1913 by Robert Charles Wroughton and Kathleen V. Ryley. The holotype had been collected in 1912 by Guy C. Shortridge in Shimoga, India.[2]
Kerivoula crypta was traditionally considered synonymous with Kerivoula hardwickii (Hardwicke's woolly bat) until a 2018 genetic study revealed that K. hardwickii actually represented a species complex of bat species that appeared similar but differed genetically.[3][4]
Description edit
The cryptic woolly bat is similar in appearance to Hardwicke's woolly bat. Unlike Hardwicke's woolly bat, individual hairs on its body are uniform in color (vs. bicolored). The fur on its belly is slightly lighter than that on its back. Its flight membranes lack fur, with the wing membrane attaching to the hind limb at the base of the first toe. The tragus is long and gradually tapering to a sharp point.[2]
The head and body length is approximately 41–45 mm (1.6–1.8 in) and the forearm length is about 33–34.7 mm (1.30–1.37 in).[2]
Range and habitat edit
The cryptic woolly bat is native to southern India and Sria Lanka. It is found at a range of elevations, encompassing both lowland and montane habitats.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c Tu, V.; Furey, N.; Csorba, G. (2021). "Kerivoula crypta". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T154196297A154196362. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T154196297A154196362.en. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
- ^ a b c Wroughton, R. C.; Ryley, K. V. (1913). "Scientific results from the Mammal Survey. Part III". The Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society: 14–15.
- ^ Tan Tu, Vuong; Hassanin, Alexandre; Furey, Neil M.; Truong Son, Nguyen; Csorba, Gábor (2018). "Four species in one: Multigene analyses reveal phylogenetic patterns within Hardwicke's woolly bat, Kerivoula hardwickii-complex (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) in Asia" (PDF). Hystrix the Italian Journal of Mammalogy. 29 (1). doi:10.4404/hystrix-00017-2017.
- ^ "Kerivoula crypta". ASM Mammal Diversity Database. American Society of Mammalogists. Retrieved 12 December 2023.