Tube-nosed insectivorous bat
Tube-nosed insectivorous bat
©Michael Mathieson
Common name: Tube-nosed insectivorous bat
Scientific name: Murina florium
Animal group: Insectivorous bat
Conservation status: This species is listed as 'Vulnerable' in Queensland (Nature Conservation Act 1992).
Distribution: This species occurs within the wet tropics, and from one site further north in the Iron Range, which may represent another species. The southern and northern limits to its distribution are not well known. The distribution of this species extends through New Guinea and eastern Indonesia.
Description: A bat with highly distinctive tubular nostrils extending from the end of the nose. The nostril tubes are proportionately smaller than those of Nyctimene species, but they point sideways in a similar fashion. The function of this nostril arrangement has not been examined. M. florium has long grizzly fur that continues from the body to cover most of the tail membrane and the bones of the wings and legs. Other unusual features of this bat are the attachment of wing membranes to the end of the outer toes, longer than usual thumbs, and deep notches in the rear margin of the ear. Body Weight: 7.9-9.1g.
Behaviour: Nocturnally active. Has been observed to produce a distinctive audible call in the hand and in flight. This call has a lower frequency and longer duration than normal echolocation call, and appears to have a social function. Its presence can be determined by this distinctive call. When roosting, it wraps its wings around itself but away from its chest, as distinct from most vespertilionids, which hold their wings at side. Additional cover is provided by tail membrane, which is curled over the rearwards section of wings. The function of this posture may be to prevent fur from becoming soaked with rain, and reduce heat loss. Has flight and echolocation characteristics typical of species that glean insects from close surfaces and in air at close range, these being slow, butterfly-like flight and faint echolocation call.
Habitat: Recorded from a range of rainforest types, and from rainforest with emergent Eucalytpus grandis, at altitudes from near sea level to 1200 m.
Threatening processes: Threatening processes impacting on this species have not been examined but it is suspected that forest clearing, fragmentation and predation by feral cats (due to low roosts and low flight) affect it.
Recovery actions:
- Resolve identity of the specimen from Iron Range.
- Examine extent of distribution with field surveys and GIS search for suitable habitat.
- Prevent further fragmentation of habitat by conserving existing corridors linking habitat.
Further information:
Duncan, A., Baker, G.B. and Montgomery, N. (Eds.). (1999) The Action Plan for Australian Bats. Environment Australia, Canberra.
Churchill, S. (1998) Australian bats. New Holland, Sydney.
Richards, G.C., Hall, L.S., Helman, P.M., & Churchill, S.K. (1982) First discovery of a species of the rare tube-nosed insectivorous bat (Murina) in Australia. Aust. Mamm. 5:149-151.
Richards, G.C. Coles, R.B. & Spencer, H.J. (1995) Tube-nosed insect bat Murina florium. In : The Mammals of Australia. (Ed. Strahan, R.), pp. 510-511. Reed Books : Chatswood, NSW.
Schulz, M. & Hannah, D. (1996) Notes on the tube-nosed insect bat Murina florium (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) from the Atherton Tableland, north-eastern Queensland, Australia. Mammalia 60:312-316.
Schulz, M. & Hannah, D. (1998) Relative abundance, diet & roost selection of the tube-nosed insect bat, Murina florium, on the Atherton Tablelands, Australia. Wildl. Res. 25:261-271.
Last updated: 31 August 2006