More species of woolly bats whisper in Southeast Asia’s rainforests

Joe Chun-Chia Huang — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 17:55:13 +0000

Kerivoula hardwickii from Thailand

The insectivorous Woolly bats (Genus Kerivoula) are only found in the Old World tropics, including Southeast Asia. Species of the genus are characterized by small body size (2.5-13 gram), funnel-shaped ears, very high-pitched echolocation, and their fidelity to forests. Despite the great species richness recorded in Thailand, a recent study led by Dr. Bounsavane Douangboubpha reveals there are more species then we knew in the country. By comparing morphological data and barcoding DNA, the authors indicate there are possibly several species under the names of some of the seven most common Kerivoula species in Southeast Asia. In addition, detailed description of morphology, echolocation, and distribution in Thailand of all studied species are also included in the study, providing useful information for further researchers. The findings are published in the latest issue of Mammalia journal by Boun and his collaborators, including three SEABCRU committee members.

Original Citation: Bounsavane Douangboubpha, Sara Bumrungsri, Chutamas Satasook , Warapond Wanna ,Pipat Soisook and Paul J.J. Bates. 2015. Morphology, genetics and echolocation calls of the genus Kerivoula (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae: Kerivoulinae) in Thailand. Mammalia.

Please contact bounsavanhd at yahoo dot com for a copy.

Kerivoula krauensis spreads its wings — range extended to southern Thailand

Bounsavane Douangboubpha — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 20:21:03 +0000

In August 2013, a bat research team of Prince of Songkla Universityin collaboration with the staff of the Hala-Bala Wildlife Research Station have undertook a bat survey in the Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary, Narathiwat Province, Thailand. In the survey, an adult male of K. krauensis was captured by harp trap set in the patch of forest understorey. This is the first record of this species outside of its known location, Krau Wildlife Research, Peninsular Malaysia, and represents a range extension northwards of 254 km. This discovery suggests that the species it more widespread than previous thought, but also confirm that it appear to live in very low population densities in comparison to other Kerivoula.

Bounsavane Douangboubpha, Sara Bumrungsri, Pipat Soisook, Sunate Karapan & Paul J J Bates (2014). The discovery of Kerivoula krauensis in southern peninsular Thailand provides new information on the distribution and conservation status of this data deficient species. Songklanakarin Journal of Science and Technology 36: 577-582. The article can be downloaded here.

Kerivoula krauensis records from Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary, Narathiwat Province, Thailand.

Distribution map of K. krauensis from Thailand (black circle) and Malaysia (black star).

SEABCRU » Kerivoula

More species of woolly bats whisper in Southeast Asia’s rainforests

Kerivoula krauensis spreads its wings — range extended to southern Thailand