Dalat Tube-nosed Bat – Murina harpioloides – Kruskop & Eger, 2008

Science name: Murina harpioloides – Kruskop & Eger, 2008

Taxonomic:  Animalia>> Chordata>> Mammalia>> Chiroptera >> Vespertilionidae >> harpioloides

Species status: Endemic ; IUCN status: EN (Endangered Species)

Description: 

Physical Characteristics: Size and Weight: Murina harpioloides is a small-sized bat species. The exact body size and weight are not fully documented, but it shares characteristics with other Murina species, typically being small and lightweight to allow agile flight in dense forest canopies.

Distinctive Features: One of the most distinctive physical features of Murina harpioloides is its tube-like nose, a unique adaptation that enhances its echolocation abilities. This tube-nosed structure allows the bat to navigate its environment more effectively, helping it locate prey and avoid obstacles.

Fur and Coloration: The bat has short, dense fur that is typically brown or grayish-brown in color. The fur helps the bat blend into its surroundings and provides insulation in the cooler mountain climate.

Distribution and habitat:

Range: Murina harpioloides is currently only known from the Dalat Plateau in Vietnam, particularly in Lam Dong Province. The bat is found at elevations between 1,400 to 1,800 meters above sea level. It may also potentially inhabit forested areas in neighboring provinces like Dak Lak and Khanh Hoa, although this has not been confirmed.

Habitat:
This species is primarily found in mountainous, mixed subtropical forests. These areas are typically moist throughout the year, without a pronounced dry season, creating a suitable habitat for this bat species. The forests where Murina harpioloides reside are rich in biodiversity and provide ample shelter and food sources.

Behaviour and ecology: 

Diet: Like many other Murina species, Murina harpioloides is believed to be insectivorous, feeding on a variety of insects. It uses echolocation to hunt for prey, detecting insects mid-flight or plucking them from foliage. Its diet likely consists of small flying insects, including beetles and moths, which are abundant in its forest habitat.

Living Habits:
This bat is nocturnal and roosts in the forests during the day. Its roosting behavior and colony size are not well documented, but it is believed to prefer secluded locations like tree hollows or dense foliage. These roosts provide protection from predators and harsh environmental conditions.

Activity Patterns:
Murina harpioloides is most active at night when it forages for food. It likely covers considerable distances each night, navigating through the forest using echolocation to locate its prey. Little is known about its movement patterns, but it likely forages close to the ground or within the forest canopy, similar to other species in its genus.

Breeding Season:
The exact breeding season of Murina harpioloides is unknown. However, a young individual with not fully ossified wing bones was once captured in April, suggesting that births may occur in March, possibly following a gestation period in the early months of the year.

Gestation and Birth:
Females likely give birth to a single offspring each year. The newborns are entirely dependent on their mothers for nourishment and protection during their early life stages. The mother cares for the young bat until it is capable of flying and foraging independently.

Independence:
Young bats are believed to become independent within a few months after birth. They learn essential survival skills, such as hunting and navigation, from their mothers before venturing out on their own.

Conservation and status: 

IUCN Red List Category and Criteria:

Murina harpioloides is currently listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List under criteria B1ab(i,iii). This classification is due to its limited distribution, restricted to a small area in the Dalat Plateau, and the ongoing decline in the extent and quality of its habitat.

Population Trend:
The population of Murina harpioloides is decreasing, mainly due to habitat loss. The number of mature individuals and population size have not been fully documented, but habitat degradation continues to pose a significant threat to its survival.

Threats:
The primary threat to Murina harpioloides is habitat loss, especially deforestation in the subtropical forests of the Dalat Plateau. Logging, agricultural expansion, and human settlement encroachment are all contributing to the reduction of suitable habitats for this species.