''Macroderma'' is a genus of microbats, present in the fossil record and as one extant species. They have existed in Australia since the
early Miocene
The Early Miocene (also known as Lower Miocene) is a sub-epoch of the Miocene Epoch made up of two stages: the Aquitanian and Burdigalian stages.
The sub-epoch lasted from 23.03 ± 0.05 Ma to 15.97 ± 0.05 Ma (million years ago). It was prece ...
.
Taxonomy
The description to the genus was published in a revision of chiropterans by Gerrit Smith Miller Jr. in 1906, separating the type species from it placement in the genus ''
Megaderma
''Megaderma'' is a genus of bat in the family Megadermatidae. It contains two living species:
* Lesser false vampire bat (''Megaderma spasma'')
* Greater false vampire bat (''Megaderma lyra'')
''Megaderma lyra'' has a larger wingspan than ''Me ...
''.
The taxonomic placement is to family
Megadermatidae
Megadermatidae, or false vampire bats, are a family of bats found from central Africa, eastwards through southern Asia, and into Australia. They are relatively large bats, ranging from 6.5 cm to 14 cm in head-body length. They have lar ...
of the suborder Microchiroptera.
The name ''Macroderma'' combines the Greek words ''macros'' (large) and ''derma'' (skin), due to the large size of their partially conjoined ears.
* ''
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 ...
'' Dobson, 1880 the only living species, a large predatory carnivore referred to as the Australian false vampyre or ghost bat
* ''
Macroderma godthelpi
''Macroderma godthelpi'' is a species of bat known from fossil material found in Australia, one of the larger carnivorous megadermatid family of the order Chiroptera. They resembled the modern species ''Macroderma gigas'', known as a false vampir ...
'', a fossil taxon describing the earliest and smallest species
* '' Macroderma koppa''
Hand
A hand is a prehensile, multi-fingered appendage located at the end of the forearm or forelimb of primates such as humans, chimpanzees, monkeys, and lemurs. A few other vertebrates such as the koala (which has two opposable thumbs on each "h ...
, Dawson & Augee, 1988. a fossil species that existed in the
Pliocene
The Pliocene ( ; also Pleiocene) is the epoch in the geologic time scale that extends from 5.333 million to 2.58
* '' Macroderma malugara'' S. J. Hand, 1996.
The genus describes an extant and fossil species that are endemic to Australian and known to have existed in the
early Miocene
The Early Miocene (also known as Lower Miocene) is a sub-epoch of the Miocene Epoch made up of two stages: the Aquitanian and Burdigalian stages.
The sub-epoch lasted from 23.03 ± 0.05 Ma to 15.97 ± 0.05 Ma (million years ago). It was prece ...
. Descriptions of new species have emerged from excavations of specimens in caves at the southern part of the continent, along with sub-fossil remains at several sites. The extensive fossil record of the
Riversleigh fauna Riversleigh fauna is the collective term for any species of animal identified in fossil sites located in the Riversleigh World Heritage Area.
Faunal zones
The presence of the Riversleigh in the Oligo-Miocene has been exceptionally well preserved ...
has provided the most material and sequential evidence of ''Macroderma'' species, including their middens and associations with other bats, although this is restricted to the fossiliferous
karst
Karst is a topography formed from the dissolution of soluble rocks such as limestone, dolomite, and gypsum. It is characterized by underground drainage systems with sinkholes and caves. It has also been documented for more weathering-resistant ro ...