Finlayson's cave bat (''Vespadelus finlaysoni'') is a species of

vesper bat Vespertilionidae is a family of microbats, of the order Chiroptera, flying, insect-eating mammals variously described as the common, vesper, or simple nosed bats. The vespertilionid family is the most diverse and widely distributed of bat familie ...

found only in

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

Taxonomy

The description of ''Vespadelus finlaysoni'' was first published in 1987, separated as a new species in a revision of the genus '' Eptesicus''. The population had been included with ''

Vespadelus pumilus The eastern forest bat (''Vespadelus pumilus'') is a species of vesper bat Vespertilionidae is a family of microbats, of the order Chiroptera, flying, insect-eating mammals variously described as the common, vesper, or simple nosed bats. The ...

'', then placed as ''Pipistrellus'' (''Vespadelus'') ''pumilis'' in 1993 and 1994 revisions, but reëlevated to species status in 1997. The publication in conservation listings had used the name ''Eptesicus finlaysoni'', synonymous with the later combination. The

holotype A holotype is a single physical example (or illustration) of an organism, known to have been used when the species (or lower-ranked taxon) was formally described. It is either the single such physical example (or illustration) or one of several ...

was collected at Cossack, Western Australia. This specimen, an adult male, was obtained from the roof of the Customs House (altitude 5

metres asl Height above mean sea level is a measure of the vertical distance (height, elevation or altitude) of a location in reference to a historic mean sea level taken as a vertical datum. In geodesy, it is formalized as ''orthometric heights''. The comb ...

) by N.L. McKenzie on 7 August 1984 and deposited at the Western Australian Museum (WAM M22407). Common names have included the inland—or Finlayson's—cave bat, or little cave eptesicus and little brown bat. The epithet and appellation is given for the South Australian field researcher and mammalogist

H. H. Finlayson Hedley Herbert Finlayson (1895–1991) was an Australian mammalogist, author and photographer. Associated with the South Australian Museum, he is recognised for his extensive surveys and research on mammals in Central Australia and systematically ...

, noted for his research in the regions inhabited by the species.

Description

A small microbat, weighing 3 to 7 grams with a forearm length of 30 to 37 millimetres. The fur at the back is dark brown, the ventral side is a lighter shade. The brown of the dorsal side becomes blackish in parts and is tinged with red, the colour of the skin is also very dark. The bare parts of the face and the wing membranes are dark in colour. The face is typically unadorned, lacking distinguishing features, and they superficially resemble many of the species of the genus. The glans penis is pointed toward the end and rod-shaped. The measurements of ''V. finlaysoni'' for the head and body combined are 34 to 46 mm, forearm precisely 29.8 to 36.7 mm, tail 31 to 42 mm long, and the ear from the notch to tip is 9 to 13 mm; the average weight is 4.3 g for a measured range of 2.8 to 6.3 grams. The penis morphology and reddish colour of the fur distinguish ''Vespadelus finlaysoni'' from similar species. Resembling the northern species ''

Vespadelus caurinus The northern cave bat (''Vespadelus caurinus'') is a vesper bat that occurs throughout most of Australia. Description A species of ''Vespadelus'', smaller insectivorous microbats, which are tiny in size and often dwell in caves. The weight ran ...

'', this species is however larger and their range does not intersect. The flight of the species is fluttery and rapid, sharply turning as it forages over water.

Biology

''Vespadelus finlaysoni'' form colonies that occupy caves or cavities with rocky terrain, and will take residence in abandoned mining operations. They forage for prey near water. They may be observed cohabiting with other bats, species of '' Saccolaimus'' (sheathtail bats), or with the ghost bat ''

Macroderma gigas The ghost bat (''Macroderma gigas'') is a species of bat found in northern Australia. The species is the only Australian bat that preys on large vertebrates – birds, reptiles and other mammals – which they detect using acute sight and heari ...

'' which also known to prey on this bat. The species reproduces with single or twin births. The maternal season is most of the year in the north of the range, becoming restricted in the south to November to December. The bats are insectgivorous.

Range and habitat

''Vespadelus finlaysoni'' is a widely distributed species of the genus ''Vespadelus''. They are found across the west and central regions of the Australian continent. The species is closely associated with rocky outcrops and ranges. They occur inland from the coast in the west, across the arid interior to tropical grasslands at

Cape York Peninsula Cape York Peninsula is a large peninsula located in Far North Queensland, Australia. It is the largest unspoiled wilderness in northern Australia.Mittermeier, R.E. et al. (2002). Wilderness: Earth’s last wild places. Mexico City: Agrupación ...

. They roost in caves, cliffs, or other suitable crevices.

Conservation

The species is listed as least concern in Queensland and Northern Territory state conservation listings.

References

External links

Image of the type specimen's skull
{{Taxonbar, from=Q303147 Bats of Australia Vespadelus Mammals of Western Australia Mammals of South Australia Mammals of the Northern Territory Mammals described in 1987 Taxa named by Darrell Kitchener