Miniopterus africanus, Sanborn, 1936

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Miniopteridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 674-709 : 704-705

23.

African Long-fingered Bat

Miniopterus africanus

French: Minioptére dAfrique / German: Ostafrika-Langflugelfledermaus / Spanish: Minidptero de Africa

Other common names: African Bent-winged Bat

Taxonomy. Miniopterus africanus Sanborn, 1936 ,

“Sanford’s Ranch, Mulo, northwest of Addis Ababa, Shoa District, Ethiopia. Altitude 8,000 feet [= 2438 m].”

Miniopterus africanus was considered a subspecies in the inflatus complex due to its size. Recent genetic analyses confirmed it as a distinct species. Monotypic.

Distribution. E Africa in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya. Few individuals have actually been confirmed genetically, and therefore distribution is still quite uncertain.

Descriptive notes. Forearm 48-4-50-5 mm, hindfoot 11 mm. The African Long-fingered Batis pale grayish brown, being very light fuscous to near clove-brown dorsally; bases of hairs are fuscous, with light tips. Chin and throat are dark where worn. Rest of underparts is light brown; hairs are fuscous basally, with gray tips. There are a few light gray hairs in pubic region. The African Long-fingered Batis a gray form, whereas the Greater Long-fingered Bat ( M. inflatus ) is reddish black, and they have subtle differences in dorsal profile of skull.

Habitat. Open thorn scrub and grasslands with scattered acacias, semi-desert grassland with areas of Acacia (Fabaceae) scrub and volcanic caves, and a gorge with Acacia and broadleaved scrub and limestone caves at elevations of 1000-3300 m. One individual was observed flying 6-8 m aboveground along widely spaced acacia trees in open thorn scrub and grassland. In Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia, many individuals were observed hunting over forest openings and near canopy esdge. Individuals considered to be African Long-fingered Bats from the Rift Valley in Kenya live in more arid habitats than Greater Long-fingered Bats.

Food and Feeding. Based on wing morphology, the African Long-fingered Bat presumably forages for flying insects by moderately fast hawking in open, uncluttered places including clearings, above trees, and over water.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. The African Long-fingered Batis thought to be mainly nocturnal. It uses caves as daytime roosts.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List.

Bibliography. Agnelli et al. (1990), Funaioli & Lanza (1968), Happold, M. (2013bn), Juste et al. (2007), Largen et al. (1974), Musila et al. (2019), Peterson et al. (1995), Sanborn (1936), Schlitter (2004), Yalden et al. (1996).

Figures

18. Villiers’s Long-fingered Bat (Miniopterus villiersi), 19. Greater Long-fingered Bat (Miniopterus inflatus), 20. Newton's Long-fingered Bat (Miniopterus newtoni), 21. Least Long-fingered Bat (Miniopterus minor), 22. Sandy Long-fingered Bat (Miniopterus arenarius), 23. African Long-fingered Bat (Miniopterus africanus), 24. Natal Long-fingered Bat (Miniopterus natalensis), 25. Mozambican Long-fingered Bat (Muniopterus mossambicus), 26. Lesser Long-fingered Bat (Miniopterus fraterculus), 27. Aellen’s Long-fingered Bat (Miniopterus aelleni), 28. Griveaud’s Long-fingered Bat (Miniopterus griveaudi), 29. Glen’s Long-fingered Bat (Miniopterus gleni), 30. Madagascar Long-fingered Bat (Manaopterus brachytragos), 31. Montagne d’Ambre Long-fingered Bat (Minaiopterus ambohitrenss), 32. Major’s Long-fingered Bat (Miniopterus majori), 33. Eger’s Long-fingered Bat (Miniopterus egent), 34. Manavil Long-fingered Bat (Miniopterus manai), 35. Sororcula Long-fingered Bat (Miniopterus sororculus), 36. Peterson’s Long-fingered Bat (Miniopterus petersoni), 37. Mahafaly Long-fingered Bat (Miniopterus mahafaliensis), 38. Griffiths’s Long-fingered Bat (Miniopterus griffiths)

Distribution. E Africa in Eritrea , Ethiopia , Somalia , and Kenya . Few individuals have actually been confirmed genetically, and therefore distribution is still quite uncertain.