30-520: Craseonycteridae Hipposideridae Pteropodidae Rhinopomatidae Rhinolophidae Megadermatidae The Yinpterochiroptera (or Pteropodiformes ) is a suborder of the Chiroptera , which includes taxa formerly known as megabats and five of the microbat families: Rhinopomatidae , Rhinolophidae , Hipposideridae , Craseonycteridae , and Megadermatidae . This suborder is primarily based on molecular genetics data. This proposal challenged
60-405: A protein supplement, particularly when they are breeding. Examples of insectivores include different kinds of species of carp , opossum , frogs , lizards (e.g. chameleons , geckos ), nightingales , swallows , echidnas , numbats , anteaters , armadillos , aardvarks , pangolins , aardwolfs , bats , and spiders . Even large mammals are recorded as eating insects; the sloth bear
90-790: A British partner, John E. Hill , in classifying bats of Thailand; after Thonglongya died suddenly in February 1974, Hill formally described the species, giving it the binomial name Craseonycteris thonglongyai in honour of his colleague. As a microchiropteran species, Kitti's hog-nosed bat plays a crucial ecological role in its habitat, primarily as an insectivore. This species preys predominantly on small flying insects, including mosquitoes, moths, and beetles. By controlling insect populations, particularly those of agricultural pests and disease vectors, Kitti's hog-nosed bat contributes to ecosystem balance and human well-being. Furthermore, its presence in cave ecosystems may also influence nutrient cycling and
120-487: A distinctive swollen, pig-like snout with thin, vertical nostrils. Its ears are relatively large, while its eyes are small and mostly concealed by fur. In the jaw, the premaxillae are not fused with surrounding bones, and the coronoid process is significantly reduced. Its teeth are typical of an insectivorous bat. The dental formula is 1:1:1:3 in the upper jaw and 2:1:2:3 in the lower jaw, with large upper incisors. The bat's upperparts are reddish-brown or grey, while
150-474: A significant effect on the species as a whole, since many small colonies exist in hard-to-access locations, and only a few major caves were disturbed. Another potential risk is the activity of local monks, who have occupied roost caves during periods of meditation. Currently, the most significant and long-term threat to the Thai population could be the annual burning of forest areas, which is most prevalent during
180-488: A single offspring. Although the bat's status in Myanmar is not well known, the Thai population is restricted to a single province and may be at risk of extinction . Its potential threats are primarily anthropogenic , and include habitat degradation and the disturbance of roosting sites. Kitti's hog-nosed bat is small at about 29 to 33 mm (1.1 to 1.3 in) in length and 2 g (0.071 oz) in mass, hence
210-742: A small part of their nutrient intake and in others it might be an indispensable source of nutrients. As a rule, however, such animal food, however valuable it might be as a source of certain critically important minerals, is not the plants' major source of energy , which they generally derive mainly from photosynthesis. Insectivorous plants might consume insects and other animal material trapped adventitiously. However, most species to which such food represents an important part of their intake are specifically, often spectacularly, adapted to attract and secure adequate supplies. Their prey animals typically, but not exclusively, comprise insects and other arthropods . Plants highly adapted to reliance on animal food use
240-589: A unique reproductive strategy characteristic of microchiropterans. Females of this species typically give birth to a single offspring per reproductive event, with births occurring during the dry season between March and May. Maternity colonies composed of a small number of females are formed within cave roosts, providing communal protection and thermoregulatory benefits for nursing offspring. Male mating behaviors, such as courtship vocalizations and scent marking, have been documented in captive populations, indicating potential sexual selection mechanisms. Kitti's hog-nosed bat
270-541: A variety of mechanisms to secure their prey, such as pitfalls, sticky surfaces, hair-trigger snaps, bladder-traps, entangling furriness, and lobster-pot trap mechanisms. Also known as carnivorous plants , they appear adapted to grow in places where the soil is thin or poor in nutrients, especially nitrogen , such as acidic bogs and rock outcroppings. Insectivorous plants include the Venus flytrap , several types of pitcher plants , butterworts , sundews , bladderworts ,
300-435: A very large part of the animal biomass in almost all non-marine, non-polar environments. It has been estimated that the global insect biomass is in the region of 10 kg (one billion tons) with an estimated population of 10 (one billion billion, or quintillion ) organisms. Many creatures depend on insects as their primary diet, and many that do not (and are thus not technically insectivores) nevertheless use insects as
330-414: Is entomophage , which can also refer to the human practice of eating insects . The first vertebrate insectivores were amphibians . When they evolved 400 million years ago, the first amphibians were piscivores , with numerous sharp conical teeth, much like a modern crocodile . The same tooth arrangement is however also suited for eating animals with exoskeletons , thus the ability to eat insects
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#1732776800981360-563: Is a large web of skin between the hind legs (the uropatagium ) which may assist in flying and catching insects, although there are no tail bones or calcars to help control it in flight. Kitti's hog-nosed bat occupies limestone caves along rivers within dry evergreen or deciduous forests. In Thailand, it is restricted to a small region of the Tenasserim Hills in Sai Yok District , Kanchanaburi Province , within
390-540: Is an extension of piscivory. At one time, insectivorous mammals were scientifically classified in an order called Insectivora . This order is now abandoned, as not all insectivorous mammals are closely related. Most of the Insectivora taxa have been reclassified; those that have not yet been reclassified and found to be truly related to each other remain in the order Eulipotyphla . Although individually small, insects exist in enormous numbers. Insects make up
420-587: Is not known whether the two populations are reproductively isolated . Despite its restricted geographical range and specialized habitat requirements, Kitti's hog-nosed bat exhibits remarkable genetic diversity within its populations. Molecular analyses using microsatellite markers have revealed moderate levels of genetic differentiation among cave roosts in Thailand and Myanmar, suggesting historical isolation and limited gene flow between populations. Kitti's hog-nosed bat roosts in caves in limestone hills, far from
450-618: Is perhaps the largest insectivore. Insects also can be insectivores; examples are dragonflies , hornets , ladybugs , robber flies , and praying mantises . Insectivory also features to various degrees amongst primates , such as marmosets , tamarins , tarsiers , galagos and aye-aye . There is some suggestion that the earliest primates were nocturnal , arboreal insectivores. Insectivorous plants are plants that derive some of their nutrients from trapping and consuming animals or protozoan . The benefit they derive from their catch varies considerably; in some species, it might include
480-443: Is the only extant species in the family Craseonycteridae, which is grouped in the superfamily Rhinolophoidea as a result of molecular testing. Based on this determination, the bat's closest relatives are members of the families Hipposideridae and Rhinopomatidae . Kitti's hog-nosed bat was unknown to the world at large prior to 1974. Its common name refers to its discoverer, Thai zoologist Kitti Thonglongya . Thonglongya worked with
510-506: Is the smallest species of bat and arguably the world's smallest mammal by body length (the Etruscan shrew is regarded as the smallest by body mass). It has a reddish-brown or grey coat, with a distinctive pig-like snout. Colonies range greatly in size, with an average of 100 individuals per cave. The bat feeds during short activity periods in the evening and dawn, foraging around nearby forest areas for insects. Females give birth annually to
540-464: Is the suborder that would replace Yinpterochiroptera. Suborder Yinpterochiroptera (Pteropodiformes) Craseonycteridae Kitti's hog-nosed bat ( Craseonycteris thonglongyai ), also known as the bumblebee bat , is a near-threatened species of bat and the only extant member of the family Craseonycteridae . It occurs in western Thailand and southeast Myanmar , where it occupies limestone caves along rivers. Kitti's hog-nosed bat
570-808: The drainage basin of the Khwae Noi River . While Sai Yok National Park in the Dawna Hills contains much of the bat's range, some Thai populations occur outside the park and are therefore unprotected. Since the 2001 discovery of a single individual in Myanmar, at least nine separate sites have been identified in the limestone outcrops of the Dawna and Karen Hills outside the Thanlwin , Ataran , and Gyaing Rivers of Kayin and Mon States . The Thai and Myanmar populations are morphologically identical, but their echolocation calls are distinct. It
600-600: The waterwheel plant , brocchinia and many members of the Bromeliaceae . The list is far from complete, and some plants, such as Roridula species, exploit the prey organisms mainly in a mutualistic relationship with other creatures, such as resident organisms that contribute to the digestion of prey. In particular, animal prey organisms supply carnivorous plants with nitrogen, but they also are important sources of various other soluble minerals, such as potassium and trace elements that are in short supply in environments where
630-533: The Yinpterochiroptera-Yangochiroptera classification system. Researchers have created a relaxed molecular clock that estimates the divergence between Yinpterochiroptera and Yangochiroptera around 63 million years ago. The most recent common ancestor of Yinpterochiroptera, corresponding to the split between Rhinolophoidea and Pteropodidae (Old World Fruit bats), is estimated to have occurred 60 million years ago. The first appearance of
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#1732776800981660-537: The bat forages within fields of cassava and kapok or around the tops of bamboo clumps and teak trees, within one kilometre of the roosting site. The wings seem to be shaped for hovering flight, and the gut contents of specimens include spiders and insects that are presumably gleaned off foliage. Nevertheless, most prey is probably caught in flight. Main staples of the bat's diet include small flies ( Chloropidae , Agromyzidae , and Anthomyiidae ), hymenopterans , and psocopterans . Kitti's hog-nosed bat suggest
690-546: The bat's breeding season. In addition, the proposed construction of a gas pipeline from Myanmar to Thailand may have a negative impact. Threats to the Myanmar population are not well known. In 2007, Kitti's hog-nosed bat was identified by the Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered project as one of its Top 10 "focal species". Insectivore An insectivore is a carnivorous animal or plant that eats insects . An alternative term
720-423: The common name of " bumblebee bat". It is the smallest species of bat and may be the world's smallest mammal, depending on how size is defined. The main competitors for the title are small shrews ; in particular, the Etruscan shrew may be lighter at 1.2 to 2.7 g (0.042 to 0.095 oz) but its body is longer, measuring 36 to 53 mm (1.4 to 2.1 in) from its head to the base of the tail. The bat has
750-476: The distribution of guano-dependent organisms. As of the species' review in 2019, Kitti's hog-nosed bat is listed by the IUCN as near-threatened , with a downward population trend. Soon after the bat's discovery in the 1970s, some roosting sites became disturbed as a result of tourism, scientific collection , and even the collection and sale of individuals as souvenirs . However, these pressures may not have had
780-484: The entrance. While many caves contain only 10 to 15 individuals, the average group size is 100, with a maximum of about 500. Individuals roost high on walls or roof domes, far apart from each other. Bats also undertake seasonal migration between caves. Kitti's hog-nosed bat has a brief activity period, leaving its roost for only 30 minutes in the evening and 20 minutes at dawn. These short flights are easily interrupted by heavy rain or cold temperatures. During this period,
810-499: The plants flourish. This gives them a decisive advantage over other plants, whereas in nutrient-rich soils they tend to be out-competed by plants adapted to aggressive growth where nutrient supplies are not the major constraints. Technically these plants are not strictly insectivorous, as they consume any animal that they can secure and consume; the distinction is trivial, however, because not many primarily insectivorous organisms exclusively consume insects. Most of those that do have such
840-401: The term Yinpterochiroptera was in 2001, in an article by Mark Springer and colleagues. As an alternative to the subordinal names Yinpterochiroptera and Yangochiroptera , some researchers use the terms Pteropodiformes and Vespertilioniformes, basing the names on the oldest valid genus description in each group, Pteropus and Vespertilio . Under this new proposed nomenclature, Pteropodiformes
870-487: The traditional view that megabats and microbats form monophyletic groups of bats . Further studies are being conducted, using both molecular and morphological cladistic methodology, to assess its merit. The term Yinpterochiroptera is constructed from the words Pteropodidae (the family of megabats) and Yinochiroptera (a term proposed in 1984 by Karl F. Koopman to refer to certain families of microbats). Recent studies using transcriptome data have found strong support for
900-594: The underside is generally paler. The wings are relatively large and darker in colour, with long tips that allow the bat to hover. The second digit of the wing is made of a single short phalanx. And the humerus has an increased number of locking tubercles on its head and beyond. There is a considerable fusion in the axial skeleton, concerning the thoracic (three posterior vertebrae), lumbar (two posterior) and sacral (all) sections. The bat has particularly slender legs, with rather thin fibula . Despite having two caudal vertebrae , Kitti's hog-nosed bat has no visible tail. There
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