Fig 1
Fig 2
Fig 3
Fig 4
Fig 5
Fig 6
Fig 7
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Order : CHIROPTERA
Family : Vespertilionidae
Species : Myotis
spp.
Forearm Length :
3.5-4.3 cm
Weight : 5.0-12.5 grams
A number of species of
Myotis possess enlarged or modified feet which appear to have evolved to
pluck insects and small fish from the surface of waterbodies such as lakes, ponds, large
rivers, small streams and mangrove inlets.
These bats are most easily observed at dusk as they patrol the margins of
such waterbodies, generally flying less than a metre above the water's
surface. Small flying insects often emerge at this time, and these bats take
full advantage of the abundant prey to feed intensively at dusk before
dispersing.
Roosts are typically located near the water's edge - in caves, rock crevices
and possibly treeholes. Some species have adapted to roost in the shelter of
man-made structures such as low bridges, covered drains and road culverts.
The examples from Singapore shown here are probably all Myotis horsfieldii
(Horsfield's Myotis), based on specimens held in the Zoological Reference
Collection at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum.
Francis (2019) lists 7 species of Large-footed Myotis present on the
mainland of Southeast Asia (Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia,
Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore). Other species inhabit insular Southeast
Asia (Philippines, Indonesia etc.).
Fig 1 : An adult Large-footed Myotis with a youngster clinging to its back.
They have grey to olive-grey fur on their back and sides, and light
grey to white fur on the belly.
Fig 2 : Example patrolling a slow-flowing river at dusk. Their
mouths are open as they emit their echolocation signal.
Fig 3 : Close-up of the head and pointed snout.
Fig 4 : Man-made structures, such as these twin concrete culverts next to a
reservoir in Singapore, provide perfect roosting locations for bats such as Myotis
horsfieldii.
Fig 5 : Roosting group in a man-made drainage tunnel; these examples have
medium brown fur on their back and sides, and buff fur on the belly.
Fig 6 : One of the large feet can be seen in this example clinging to the
ceiling of a concrete structure.
Fig 7 : Example leaving its waterside roost at dusk.
All photos from Singapore.
References :
Francis, C.M. 2019. A Field Guide to the Mammals of South-east Asia. Second
Edition. Bloomsbury Publishing. 416 pp.
Kingston, T., Lim B.L., Zubaid, A., 2006. Bats of Krau Wildlife
Reserve. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
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