| Citation |
Rosell-Ambal, G., Tabaranza, B., Pennay, M., Thomson, B., Reardon, T., Kingston, T. & Sinaga, U. 2008. Miniopterus australis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008: e.T13562A4163633. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T13562A4163633.en. Downloaded on 05 August 2019. |
Description |
RANGE DESCRIPTION
This widespread species ranges from the Philippines through the island of Java (Indonesia), Borneo (Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia), Sulawesi (Indonesia), Timor (East Timor and Indonesia), the Moluccan Islands (Indonesia), the Aru Islands (Indonesia), the island of New Guinea (Indonesia and Papua New Guinea), the Bismarck Archipelago (Papua New Guinea), the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia to eastern Australia, including several Torres Strait Islands. It occurs throughout the Philippines except Babuyan/Batanes group with specimens recorded from Bongao, Bohol, Capiz, Catanduanes, Guimaras, Leyte, Luzon (Bulacan, Kalinga (Heaney et al. 2004), and Rizal provinces), Mindanao (Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Maguindanao, and Zamboanga del Norte provinces), Negros, Panay, Polillo, and Siquijor (Heaney et al. 1998) being found from sea level to about 925 m asl (Heaney et al. 1998; Esselstyn et al. 2004; Heaney et al. 2004). The species has also been recorded from Samar (J. C. Gonzales pers. comm. 2006), Cebu (Paguntalan pers. comm. 2006) and on Isarog at 1,450 m asl (Sedlock unpubl. data). It ranges from sea level up to 1,500 m asl in New Guinea. Given that specimens of this species may have been misidentified as another species, it may be found to range more widely than is currently known (T. Reardon pers. comm.).
DESCRIPTION
It is generally a common species. Maternity colonies of hundreds of thousands of individuals may be encountered (Flannery 1995). In the Philippines, the species is common in appropriate habitat with caves (Heaney et al. 1998). It is also common in Sabah and elsewhere in Indonesia.
HABITAT AND ECOLOGY
This species roosts in colonies in caves and tunnels, and may also be found roosting in tree holes. It forages for insects in rainforest, Meleleuca swamps and dry sclerophyll forests (Strahan 1995; Flannery 1995; Bonaccorso 1998). It has a gestation period of about four and a half weeks after which a single young is born. The species may migrate seasonally.
In the Philippines, the species is often dependent on caves (Heaney et al. 1998, Esselstyn et al. 2004) where it forages over the canopy in secondary and primary lowland areas, including agricultural areas (Heaney et al. 1991; Lepiten 1995; Rickart et al. 1993; Sanborn 1952; Taylor 1934). It has also been documented in montane forest on Luzon (Heaney et al. 2004).
CONSERVATION ACTIONS
In view of its wide range, it is presumed to be present in a number of protected areas. |
