The pygmy long-eared bat (''Nyctophilus walkeri'') is a

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 famili ...

, found in the north of the Australian continent. An insectivorous flying hunter, they are one of the tiniest mammals in Australia, weighing only a few grams and one or two inches long.

Taxonomy

''Nyctophilus walkeri'' is a species of genus ''

Nyctophilus ''Nyctophilus'' is a genus of the vespertilionids or vesper bats. They are often termed Australian big-eared bats or long-eared bats, as the length of their ears often greatly exceeds that of the head. This genus occurs in the New Guinean- Aus ...

'', long-eared microbats allied to the common and diverse bat family

Vespertilionidae 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 famili ...

. The description was published by Oldfield Thomas in 1892, and continued to be widely recognised by subsequent authorities. The type specimen was collected at the

Adelaide River The Adelaide River is a river in the Northern Territory of Australia. Course and features The river rises in the Litchfield National Park and flows generally northwards to Clarence Strait, joined by eight tributaries including the west branc ...

in the Northern Territory. The collector of the specimen was noted by the author,

marine engineer Marine engineering is the engineering of boats, ships, submarines, and any other marine vessel. Here it is also taken to include the engineering of other ocean systems and structures – referred to in certain academic and professional circl ...

and entomologist James John Walker, and the epithet ''walkeri'' proposed to commemorate his extensive field collections. The description of Thomas nominated this as the third species of the genus, comparing it to his earlier description for ''

Nyctophilus microtis The New Guinea long-eared bat (''Nyctophilus microtis'') is a small species of bat. It is found only in Papua New Guinea. Taxonomy The description of the species was published by Oldfield Thomas in 1888, recognising the affinity with ''Nycto ...

'', published in 1888. The type for the genus, once regarded as monotypic, was '' Nyctophilus timoriensis'', named as the Australian long-eared bat. Other names for the species include Territory long-eared bat and little Northern Territory bat.

Description

The smallest of the genus, they weigh and have a tibia that is . The measurement of the head and body of the type, an adult female preserved in alcohol, is around in length. The light colour of the fur is fawn at the back and creamy at the ventral side. The wings are brown, the much darker shade of the

membrane A membrane is a selective barrier; it allows some things to pass through but stops others. Such things may be molecules, ions, or other small particles. Membranes can be generally classified into synthetic membranes and biological membranes. ...

is intersected with paler skin over the bats arm and finger bones.

Distribution and habitat

They are found in the north of Western Australia in the Kimberley region and across the

Top End The Top End of Australia's Northern Territory is a geographical region encompassing the northernmost section of the Northern Territory, which aside from the Cape York Peninsula is the northernmost part of the Australian continent. It covers a ra ...

of the continent. They are common at the

Drysdale River National Park Drysdale River National Park is a national park in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, northeast of Perth. The park lies about south of Kalumburu and west of Wyndham. The park is the largest and least accessible in the Kimberley, w ...

and the

Mitchell River National Park (Western Australia) Mitchell River National Park is a national park in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, northeast of Perth. The park adjoins the northern boundary of the Prince Regent National Park. The nearest towns are Derby, to the southwest, as wel ...

(Mitchell Plateau). They are also recorded in the eastern state of

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , establishe ...

at Lawn Hill Gorge in the

Boodjamulla National Park Boodjamulla National Park, formerly known as Lawn Hill National Park, is a national park in the Shire of Burke, Queensland, Australia. The Riversleigh World Heritage Area is a World Heritage Site within the park. The park lies on the traditiona ...

, noisily occupying the Livingstonia palms while roosting. The habitat is rocky outcrops close to open or flowing water or in dense associated vegetation of '' Pandanus'', '' Melaleuca'', and ''

Livistona ''Livistona'' is a genus of palms, the botanical family Arecaceae, native to southeastern and eastern Asia, Australasia, and the Horn of Africa. They are fan palms, the leaves with an armed petiole terminating in a rounded, costapalmate f ...

'' woodlands or forest.

Ecology

One of four species of ''Nyctophilus'' found in its range, and along with the mangrove dwelling '' Pipistrellus westralis'' and northern cave'' Vespadelus caurinus'' bat species, amongst the smallest mammals in Australia. Little is known of the habits of the pygmy long-eared bat, it is recorded in association with permanent water at the nearby riparian vegetation. The species has the ability for slow and manoeuvrable flight, which gives a fluttering appearance while foraging over water or in densely vegetated environs. The diet is beetles, wasps and bugs. Pastoral and agricultural activities threaten the habitat of the species, changes in land use that reduce refuge and foraging opportunities by degradation of the vegetation. It is classified as least concern in Queensland and the Northern Territory state conservation listings.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q1832072 Bats of Australia Mammals of Western Australia Mammals of the Northern Territory Nyctophilus Mammals described in 1892 Taxonomy articles created by Polbot Taxa named by Oldfield Thomas