Murina cyclotis
Common name: Dobson’s Tube-nosed Bat
Murina cyclotis is the largest of the four species of Murina recorded for Krau Wildlife Reserve
Murina cyclotis. Look a the tubular nostrils a key characteristic of the Murina
Distribution of Murina cyclotis
Physical Description
Nose: The Murina are called the “tube-nosed” bats because they have very distinctive tubular nostrils.
Ears: Rounded with a sharply pointed tragus within.
Look at the rounded ear and pointed tragus
Tail: The tail is very long and the tail membrane large, and at each ankle, there is a thin rod of cartilage called a calcar, to which the tail membrane is attached, which helps the bat control the position of the membrane in flight. Soft fine hairs cover the tail membrane. The bat uses the large tail membrane partly to help it brake during flight, but it also acts as a sort of scoop that helps the bat to catch insects. After successfully catching an insect, he will duck his head down and grab it from the tail membrane scoop with his mouth.
Fur: The fur of Murina cyclotis is long and soft, and on the upperparts and head it is orangy-brown, although the fur on the underparts is paler, grayish-white. The fur tends to extend to the parts of the wing membrane closest to the body, and there is a thick covering of fine hairs on the tail membrane as well.
The fur is long and soft in Murina cyclotis. Notice the fine fur that covers the tail membrane
Wings: The wings are blackish brown and broad, and Murina are unusual in that they seem to be able to hover in flight, a bit like a humming bird. The thumbs are also large in this species, and the bat seems to be quite good at using the long thumbs with the sharp claws on the end for climbing.
Size: Although it doesn’t look very big, Murina cyclotis is actually the largest species of Murina we catch in the reserve, with an average forearm of about 36 mm, and an average weight of about 8.5 g.
Ecology
This bat is found mainly in rainforest ranging from lowland, hill and montane terrain. Unfortunately, we know very little about Murina cyclotis. We don’t know where it roosts, but with the long fluffy fur we might guess that it roosts in places that are relatively exposed, possibly in clusters of leaves, as the long fur might help keep off rain and keep the bat warm. We did try to radio-track one individual a few years ago, but we never managed to find it after it had been released.
Where it can be found
Sri Lanka, India, China, Mayanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra, Philippines and Lesser Sunda Islands.
