11.

Madagascar Slitfaced Bat

Nycteris madagascariensis

French: Nyctére de Madagascar / German: Madagaskar-Schlitznase / de Madagascar

Other common names: Malagasy Slit-faced Bat

Taxonomy. Nycteris madagascariensis G. Grandidier, 1937,

“vallée du Rodo,” Madagascar.

Nycteris madagascariensis belongs to the macrotis group. It was previously considered conspecific with N. macrotis . Monotypic.

Distribution. Known only from type locality in N Madagascar.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 45 mm,tail 54 mm, ear 27 mm, forearm 50-52 mm.

No specific data are available for hindfoot measurement and body weight. The Madagascar Slit-faced Batis small, with short rounded wings. Longitudinal cleft runs along top of muzzle, covering noseleaves. Fur is long and fluffy, grayish brown dorsally, and slightly lighter ventrally. Ears are long.

Habitat. No information.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. No information.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List. The Madagascar Slit-faced Bat is known only from two individuals captured in June 1910 at the type locality, and it has not been recorded since. Given its restricted known distribution and the fact that Madagascar has been relatively well surveyed for bats,it is likely either extinct or highly endangered.

Bibliography. Goodman (2011), Grandidier (1937).