The
New Zealand
New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...
lesser short-tailed bat (''Mystacina tuberculata'') is a small-sized omnivorous mammal
endemic
Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsew ...
to the islands of New Zealand. It is one of two extant and three overall terrestrial mammal species unique to New Zealand. The NZ lesser short-tailed bat's closest relative, ''M. robusta'', was last seen in 1965 and is presumed extinct due to intense predation from ship rats introduced in the last few centuries. These bats are also commonly referred to as pekapeka, their
Te Reo Māori name. Lesser short-tailed bats have unique adaptations that differentiate them from bats found in other parts of the world. For example, they are fully capable of moving along the ground to search for food, and the males sing to attract partners, taking turns to do so. Lesser short-tailed bats are a vulnerable species, so extensive conservation work and research are being done to prevent extinction.
Taxonomy and evolution
Taxonomic classification
''Mystacina tuberculata'' are members of the suborder
Yangochiroptera
Yangochiroptera, or Vespertilioniformes, is a suborder of Chiroptera that includes most of the microbat families, except the Rhinopomatidae, Rhinolophidae, Hipposideridae, and Megadermatidae. These other families, plus the megabats, are seen ...
and have recently been placed in the superfamily
Noctillionoidea. They are members of the family
Mystacinidae
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Mystacinidae is a family of unusual bats, the New Zealand short-tailed bats. There is one living genus, '' Mystacina'', with two species, one of which could have possibly become extinct in the 1960s. They are medium-sized bats, about in ...
, which contains the single genus ''
Mystacina
''Mystacina'' is the sole surviving genus of the family Mystacinidae. The New Zealand lesser short-tailed bat is the only member of this group confirmed to survive today, since the closely related New Zealand greater short-tailed bat
The New Z ...
''. Within ''Mystacina'' are the two closely related species, ''M. tuberculata'' and ''M. robusta''. As it is likely that ''M. robusta'' has gone extinct, ''M. tuberculata'' is the only confirmed extant species within the genus and the family. The placement of this species within taxonomies and phylogenetic trees was previously a hotly debated topic. The current standing within the superfamily Noctillionoidea is the result of DNA sequencing and analysis. In opposition to this, some scientists believe physical similarities indicate Mystacinidae falls under the superfamily
Vespertilionoidea
Vespertilionoidea is a superfamily of bats containing five families: Cistugidae, Miniopteridae, Molossidae, Natalidae, and Vespertilionidae. It is one of three superfamilies in the suborder Yangochiroptera, the others being Noctilionoidea
Noc ...
. The phylogenetic position of this species has had a variety of other suggested propositions, including within the
Phyllostomidae (Leaf-nosed bats) or the
Emballonuridae
Emballonuridae is a family of microbats, many of which are referred to as sac-winged or sheath-tailed bats. They are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. The earliest fossil records are from the Eocene.
Descr ...
(sac-winged and sheath-tailed bats). While this species is considered to have subspecies, some sources refer to the species as one unit. The
New Zealand Department of Conservation
The Department of Conservation (DOC; Māori: ''Te Papa Atawhai'') is the public service department of New Zealand charged with the conservation of New Zealand's natural and historical heritage.
An advisory body, the New Zealand Conservation Au ...
recognises three subspecies. These are divided by the region each inhabits; northern (''Mystacina tuberculata aupourica''), central (''Mystacina tuberculata rhyacobi''), and southern (''Mystacina tuberculata tuberculata'').
Evolutionary history
It has been suggested that the Mystacinidae originated on the Australian continent
and that the superfamily Noctillionoidea originated on
Gondwana
Gondwana () was a large landmass, often referred to as a supercontinent, that formed during the late Neoproterozoic (about 550 million years ago) and began to break up during the Jurassic period (about 180 million years ago). The final stages ...
. When Gondwana split into smaller continents, the superfamily members became geographically isolated. This isolation led to millions of years of unique evolutionary history for each family. It has been estimated that Mystacinidae first became a distinct family between 68-35 million years ago.
Twenty million years ago, two genera emerged from the family; ''Mystacina'' and ''
Icarops
''Icarops'' is an extinct, possibly paraphyletic genus of mystacine bat with three described species. The genus is known from fossils found at Riversleigh, north-western Queensland, Bullock Creek, Northern Territory, and Lake Ngapakaldi to La ...
''. Fossils of ''Icarops'' have been found throughout Australia, indicating the now-extinct species was once well dispersed there.
It is unknown when the species within this genera (''I. aenae'', ''I. breviceps'', and ''I. paradox'') became extinct.
''Mystacina'' migrated from Australia to New Zealand, settling as the first mammals on these islands. Based on fossil evidence, this genus was definitely in New Zealand during the
Miocene
The Miocene ( ) is the first geological epoch of the Neogene Period and extends from about (Ma). The Miocene was named by Scottish geologist Charles Lyell; the name comes from the Greek words (', "less") and (', "new") and means "less recen ...
. Therefore we know that ''Mystacina'' became a distinct genus around 20 million years ago and travelled from Australia to New Zealand anywhere from approximately 5.3 - 20 million years ago. This assumes that ''Icarops'' did not migrate to New Zealand, and that the colonisation event occurred after the genera became distinct. It is unclear when ''M. tuberculata'' and ''M. robusta'' became distinct species.
Distribution and range
Lesser short-tailed bats have been found in a few populations dispersed around the country. There are populations on both of the main islands, as well as various surrounding islands. There are a few key populations currently known. There is one on
Little Barrier Island
Little Barrier Island, or Hauturu in Māori language (the official Māori title is ''Te Hauturu-o-Toi''), lies off the northeastern coast of New Zealand's North Island. Located to the north of Auckland, the island is separated from the mainla ...
(Hauturu), one near the top of the North Island, seven in the central area of the North Island, and one on the south-eastern side of the North Island. There are at least two on the mainland of the South Island; and one on Codfish island further south. The bats can live at a wide range of altitudes, from sea level to high up among the forest-covered mountains.
''M. tuberculata'' prefer to live in untouched forest settings. However, they have been reported in various habitats, such as farmland and shrubland.
Anatomy and physiology
The lesser short-tailed bats appear similar to their microbat relatives. They are small in size, and typically weigh between once fully grown.
They have relatively large ears compared to their head and body sizes, which face forward to assist with echolocation. Lesser short-tailed bats also have relatively large nostrils that face outwards, allowing these animals to use olfaction to guide their movements. Their eyes are small and their vision is relatively weak, justifying their reliance on sound and olfactory senses. These features are common throughout Chiroptera.
Their wings are relatively smaller than those of other bat species. Because of this, they have reduced agility, and cannot fly as fast. Despite this, they are still very capable of flight; just less so than other bat species. Each bat is covered in a layer of thick fur that ranges in colour from light brown to dark brown. The underbelly is typically a lighter colour than the rest of the body. At the posterior end of their bodies are short yet strong hindlegs, useful in their terrestrial locomotion. The relatively short stubby tails are what gives this species its common name. At the top centre of each forelimb, the thumb extends outwards. This, as well as their toes, are equipped with nails referred to as basal talons. Having distinct talons further enables movement along the ground, and are useful when climbing trees.
Basal talons are not seen in other Chiropteran species.
Torpor
One of the key adaptations the lesser short-tailed bats have is entering a state of torpor. Torpor allows for continued survival during periods of physiological stress, such as when the air temperature drops during winter. During this state, the bats are inactive and only essential body functions are operating to reduce energy expenditure. Entering torpor slows the body’s metabolic rate down, yet it is different from hibernation, as the periods are much shorter and repetitive.
The duration of torpor is usually a few to several hours at a time, and the bats will enter this state several times within a season. Torpor is utilised throughout the year, but in particular during winter, where they also enter into this state for longer each time.
Foraging and diet
Preferred foods
![Huhu beetle 07](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/Huhu_beetle_07.jpg)
New Zealand lesser short-tailed bats are omnivores. Their diet consists of various food items, typically including insects, other small invertebrates, fruit, and flower parts.
In general, they prefer to consume insects when possible. One study found traces of moths, spiders, and
huhu beetles present in their
guano
Guano (Spanish from qu, wanu) is the accumulated excrement of seabirds or bats. As a manure, guano is a highly effective fertilizer due to the high content of nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium, all key nutrients essential for plant growth. G ...
.
Another study found that these bats are capable of consuming half their body weight in moths.
An average body weight of equates to of moths eaten per day. The bats consume include nectar and pollen, the latter of which is believed to provide them with protein.
However, there has been speculation and debate on whether the bats consume the pollen intentionally or if the pollen found in their guano was actually ingested by their prey.
Nectar is consumed as the sugars provide a good, uncomplicated source of energy. Lesser short-tailed bats are an important pollinator species within New Zealand through their consumption of flowers (either by ingestion or secondarily through their prey). Researchers found that these bats will carry large quantities of pollen from a select few plant species, such as ''Collospermum microspermum'' and ''Dactylanthus taylorii'' (the Wood rose). Ensuring conservation of the lesser short-tailed bats may also ensure conservation of the plant species they pollinate.
Foraging methods
One of the defining features of New Zealand lesser short-tailed bats is their ability to forage both in the air and on the ground. Their ability to forage on the ground is unusual for a bat species. However, New Zealand’s early geographic separation around 80 million years ago meant the islands developed free from predators. Without predators, the lesser short-tailed bat evolved to survive in both aerial and ground habitats. Like other bats, in the air, they catch food by using echolocation to detect the location of prey. The lesser short-tailed bats forage on the ground by moving around on their limbs, sourcing prey by using olfaction.
The species has several adaptations that aid in their search for food on the ground. For example, when on the ground, individuals will fold in their wings to utilise them as forelimbs—all four limbs in quadrupedal locomotion. In addition, they have talons specialised in helping them dig down among leaf litter and dirt layers for prey.
While moving about terrestrially, the bats walk similarly to other four-legged animals. New Zealand lesser short-tailed bats have an increased sense of smell compared with other bats, as seen in their relatively larger and rounder nostrils.
Although, like other bats, they are not blind they are not heavily reliant on visual hunting, with cues like scent and sound being much more critical. Foraging on the ground can be used to dig up insects and spiders, collect flowers or fallen fruit, and collect other stationary forms of food. Foraging in the air is often associated with hunting flying insects, such as moths. During heavy rain foraging is uncommon, and during lighter rain foraging activity increases slightly.
Echolocation
Like other microbats, these bats employ
echolocation when flying. Lesser short-tailed bats emit sounds in the range of 20-40
kHz
The hertz (symbol: Hz) is the unit of frequency in the International System of Units (SI), equivalent to one event (or cycle) per second. The hertz is an SI derived unit whose expression in terms of SI base units is s−1, meaning that on ...
. Each call lasts between seven to nine milliseconds. Echolocation does not work as efficiently while foraging on the ground, because the echoes can be disrupted by the forest floor and anything occupying this space. Another reason echolocation does not work when foraging on the ground is that the echoes bouncing back can interrupt the new echoes being sent out, causing confusion for the animal and preventing the system from working correctly. This issue does not occur when the bats are mid-air, as the sound has more distance to travel, and fewer objects could disrupt the signal or cause confusion.
Life cycle and social systems
Social systems and mating behaviour
Lesser short-tailed bats form
fission-fusion societies. This means populations will congregate at certain times, separate, and recongregate later. Where these animals group together are known as roosts. For roosting, they prefer to find trees with large internal cavities, where they create their ‘home’. A roosting site will contain multiple trees within the same general vicinity. The number of individuals present at a roosting site vary greatly, with some colonies consisting of hundreds or thousands of individual bats.
[Collier, K. (2020). Attributes of Social Organisation and Male Singing Behaviour in the Lesser Short-Tailed Bat, Mystacina tuberculata (Doctoral dissertation, ResearchSpace@ Auckland).]
Male bats attempt to attract a mate during the spring and summer months before mating begins, which is usually during autumn (March-May in New Zealand). Like many other species, the males attract mates at night by using vocal calls. The males will sing from one of the roosting trees within the colony for several minutes. Multiple males will aggregate at this same roost, taking turns singing.
[Collier, K. (2020). Attributes of Social Organisation and Male Singing Behaviour in the Lesser Short-Tailed Bat, Mystacina tuberculata (Doctoral dissertation, ResearchSpace@ Auckland).] This behaviour is classified as a
lek breeding system. In this type of mating, sexual selection occurs, as the males signal to potential females in the hopes they will be impressed and mate with the male. Lek breeding is how the male bats ‘prove their worth’. The mating events that follow are non-monogamous, and males have been observed to mate with multiple different females.
While lek breeding systems are observed throughout the animal kingdom, they are rare in bats and have only been observed in one other species.
Early life and life cycle
![Southern short-tailed bats, Mystacina tuberculata](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e5/Southern_short-tailed_bats%2C_Mystacina_tuberculata.jpg)
Lesser short-tailed bat pups become active within a day of being born. For the first two days, they are hairless, with underdeveloped teeth, wings, and ears.
The pups are capable of flying within roughly four weeks. Six weeks post-birth, they leave the maternity roosts they were raised in. After a few months they have reached their adult body size.
The pups are born in summer (December-February in New Zealand). During this summer birthing period, the dispersed individuals will regroup, forming a large colony. Pups will feed first on milk produced by their mothers. Each mother will give birth to a single pup per season. The result of this is higher maternal investment per offspring, however the non-monogamous mating system results in low paternal investment. The pups are raised in special sections of the colony’s roosting site dedicated to maternal activities. Other female bats will group at these maternal roosts and aid in the rearing of pups.
There are no records of the average lifespan of lesser short-tailed bats. Other bats within the suborder Yangochiroptera have been observed to live for upwards of thirty years, which is unexpected for their small body sizes. During spring/summer, male bats attract a female mate. These pairs will mate during autumn. During autumn and winter, the bats will disperse into smaller colony groups while the female bats are pregnant. Then, when it becomes summer again the bats regroup into a larger colony and the pups are born. Around autumntime, the pups have reached physical maturity. It is unclear at what age they reach sexual maturity.
Human impacts and conservation
Threats
Currently, NZ lesser short-tailed bats are classified as
Vulnerable by the
IUCN
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN; officially International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) is an international organization working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natu ...
, with the number of individuals observed as declining over time. The introduction of mammalian predators has had a massive impact on the species’ numbers. Since the colonisation of New Zealand and the introduction of three key rat species the endemic bat populations have experienced a reduction in numbers.
Polynesian rat
The Polynesian rat, Pacific rat or little rat (''Rattus exulans''), known to the Māori as ''kiore'', is the third most widespread species of rat in the world behind the brown rat and black rat. The Polynesian rat originated in Southeast Asia, a ...
s (''R. exulans'') were one of the bat’s main predators up until the 19th century, when the introduction of the
black rat
The black rat (''Rattus rattus''), also known as the roof rat, ship rat, or house rat, is a common long-tailed rodent of the stereotypical rat genus ''Rattus'', in the subfamily Murinae. It likely originated in the Indian subcontinent, but is n ...
(''R. rattus'') and the
brown rat
The brown rat (''Rattus norvegicus''), also known as the common rat, street rat, sewer rat, wharf rat, Hanover rat, Norway rat, Norwegian rat and Parisian rat, is a widespread species of common rat. One of the largest muroids, it is a brown o ...
(''R. norvegicus'') led to heavier predation. Before mammalian predators colonised New Zealand, the lesser short-tailed bat was preyed on by predatory birds, such as the
laughing owl
The laughing owl (''Ninox albifacies''), also known as ''whēkau'' or the white-faced owl, was an endemic owl of New Zealand. Plentiful when European settlers arrived in New Zealand, its scientific description was published in 1845, but it was l ...
.
Another common predator of these bats are common house cats, which will catch the bats as they fly out of their roosting sites. The bat roosts are very vulnerable, as they contain more potential prey within a single area. If these roosts were found by a predator, they could experience mass mortality events; in one incident, 102 lesser short-tailed bat deaths were caused by a single house cat in central North Island.
![DoC Emblem Logo](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f5/DoC_Emblem_Logo.svg)
Another cause for their decline is increased use of the land for anthropogenic activities, such as logging and agriculture. These activities can often result in negative consequences for the local ecosystem, such as
forest fragmentation
Habitat fragmentation describes the emergence of discontinuities (fragmentation) in an organism's preferred environment (habitat), causing population fragmentation and ecosystem decay. Causes of habitat fragmentation include geological processes ...
. For native animals in New Zealand, fragmentation poses threats such as reduced genetic diversity. However, it is possible that the lesser short-tailed bats will not be affected by forest fragmentation, as the species has been observed to show behavioural plasticity, through the ability to change/occupy different habitats.
Current conservation plans
The current state of conservation for lesser short-tailed bats is being managed by the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC). The recovery plan in place since the late 1990’s involves a multi-pronged approach of different actions to take to prevent this species from further endangerment. Some of the detailed actions include creating new bat populations on the various predator-free islands around New Zealand, surveying the mainlands to identify areas that require extra conservation efforts, and potentially creating a captive population.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:New Zealand Lesser Short-Tailed Bat
Endemic fauna of New Zealand
Mammals described in 1843
Taxa named by John Edward Gray
Mystacinidae
Mammals of New Zealand
Endemic mammals of New Zealand
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