| Citation |
Bonaccorso, F. & Reardon, T. 2008. Miniopterus magnater. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008: e.T13566A4173040. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T13566A4173040.en. Downloaded on 05 August 2019. |
Description |
RANGE DESCRIPTION
This species appears to be widely distributed from Myanmar in the west (recorded from Hpo-an and Mawlamyine; Bates et al. 2000), through southern China (including Hainan Island) and much of Southeast Asia, as far east as the island of New Guinea. Within this range it has been recorded from many island localities including Sumatra (a single locality; Indonesia), western Java (Indonesia), northern Borneo (Sabah, Malaysia and Kalimantan, Indonesia), Timor (East Timor and Indonesia), and Seram (Indonesia). A number of records of Miniopterus schreibersii have been reidentified as Miniopterus magnater (T. Reardon pers. comm.). It has been recorded from sea level to 2,100 m asl, but this is not clear given identification problems.
DESCRIPTION
The population abundance of this species is not known.
HABITAT AND ECOLOGY
This is a cave roosting species, often found roosting with other bat species. It possibly forms large colonies. It has been recorded foraging generally above the canopy in primary and secondary tropical forest, and also close to human settlements. Bonaccorso (1998) and Payne et al. (1985) noted that they may be seen hawking insects around street lights, but this is not certain given identification problems.
CONSERVATION ACTIONS
This species is present in a number of protected areas. Hendrichsen et al. (2001) recorded it in Viet Nam at Pu Mat National Park, Cuc Phuong National Park, and at Toong Ching. The urgent priority with this species is to resolve Miniopterus taxonomy and identification in order to understand the distribution, abundance, habitat requirements, ecology, and threats to it. There is a need to protect important roosting and foraging sites of this species. |
