| Black-bearded tomb bat | |
|---|---|
%2c_male_with_prominent_black_beard_2.jpg) | |
| male with prominent black beard | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Emballonuridae |
| Genus: | Taphozous |
| Species: | T. melanopogon |
| Binomial name | |
| Taphozous melanopogon Temminck, 1841 | |
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| Black-bearded Tomb Bat range | |
| Synonyms | |
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Theblack-bearded tomb bat (Taphozous melanopogon) is a species ofsac-winged bat found inSouth andSouth East Asia.
It wasdescribed as a new species in 1841 by Dutch zoologistCoenraad Jacob Temminck. Theholotype was collected onJava.[2] Itsspecies name "melanopogon" comes fromAncient Greek "mélās" meaning "black" and "pṓgōn" meaning "beard".[3]
The black-bearded tomb bat has a forearm length of 55–68 mm (2.2–2.7 in). It has a small "beard", or a tuft of black fur on its chin. Its fur is blackish-brown, with individual hairs white at the base.[4]
The black-bearded tomb bat is highlycolonial, forming large aggregations of up to 15,000 individuals while roosting. These roosts are located in temples, ruins, or caves. It is aseasonal breeder; young are born after a gestation length of 120–125 days. The typical litter size is one individual, though twins have been documented.[4]
This species ranges widely throughout Asia and Southeast Asia. Its range includes the following countries:Brunei,Cambodia,China,India,Indonesia,Laos,Malaysia,Myanmar,Philippines,Singapore,Sri Lanka,Thailand,Timor-Leste, andVietnam. It has been documented at elevations up to 800 m (2,600 ft) above sea level.[1]
