297.

Hardwicke’s Woolly Bat

Kerivoula hardwickii

French: Kérivoule de Hardwicke / German: Hardwicke-Wollfledermaus / Spanish: Querivoula de Hardwicke

Other common names: Common Woolly Bat, Hardwicke's Forest Bat

Taxonomy. Vespertilio hardwickii Horsfield, 1824,

Java, Indonesia.

Kerwoula hardwickii previously included populations now attributed to K. depressa, K. malpasi, K. crypta, K. furva, and K. dongduongana from throughout South Asia and South-east Asia. These species, along with K. kachinensis, K. krauensis, K. titania, and K. minuta, comprise the hardwickii species group, with K. titania occupying the most basal position in the clade. Genetic data places K. hardwickuisister to K. © ahi Genetic and morphological data support recognition of K. depressa, K. furva, and K. dongduongana as distinct species, and limited biogeographical data support recognition of K. erypta and K. malpasi (although they might be conspecific). Distribution of K. hardwickii is ends in South-east Asia at ¢.16” N, which leaves it allopatric with K. furva . Additional studies are needed to further differentiate species in the hardwickii group with genetic and morphological data. Monotypic.

Distribution. S Thailand, S Laos, S Vietnam (including Con Son I), Cambodia, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, Mentawai Is (Siberut and Sipora), Borneo, Banggi I, Java, Kangean I, Bali I, Nusa Penida I, Lombok I, Sumba I, Sulawesi, Peleng I, Karakelang I, and Philippines (Lubang, Palawan, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Bohol, and Mindanao Is) including some offshore Is.

Descriptive notes. Head-body c. 39-41 mm, tail 35-50 mm, ear 9-15 mm, hindfoot 5-7- 10 mm, forearm 26- 5-36 mm; weight 2-9- 6 g. Fur is smooth, thick, and silky. Dorsal pelage is generally deep brown (hairs dark-based with pale gray or brown tips); venter is paler and grayer; and overall, pelage is lighter than in the Dark Woolly Bat ( K. furva). Young are grayer. Membranes are brown and semi-translucent, and other bare parts are brown. Ears are funnel-shaped, and fold extends from base of ear to halfway up posterior margin; tragus is long and pointed, with distinct basal notch, and curves slightly outward at tip. Wings are attached at base of toes, and calcar is well developed and curved. Thickened smooth pad occurs at base of thumbs used for gripping. Skull is broadly similar to that of the Dark Woolly Bat but with proportionally higher braincase; skull is domed unlike in the Flatskulled Woolly Bat ( K. depressa). Dental formula for all species of Kerivoulais 12/3, C1/1,P 3/3, M 3/3 (x2) = 38. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 26 and FN = 46 or 48 (Borneo).

Habitat. Various forest habitats, including tropical primary forests; dry forests; hill forests; lowland, montane, and ridge-top mossy forests; and peat bogs and heath forests (Borneo) at elevations of 60-1600 m.

Food and Feeding. Hardwicke’s Woolly Bats are highly maneuverable but slow fliers and likely forage by aerial hawking near water.

Breeding. A lactating Hardwicke’s Woolly Bat was caught inJanuary in Peninsular Malaysia.

Activity patterns. Hardwicke’s Woolly Bat reportedly roosts in foliage, tree hollows, houses, and pitcher plants. In Borneo, the pitcher plant Nepenthes hemsleyana ( Nepenthaceae) is somewhat mutualistic/symbiotic with Hardwicke’s Woolly Bat; they gain high-quality roosts and give nutrients to plants by defecating in pitchers. Although this benefits both organisms, it might cause the pitcher to wilt faster, which might be energetically costly for the plant. In southern Thailand, call is weak and steep FM sweep, with average start frequency of 169-6 kHz, end frequency of 90-7 kHz, peak frequency of 118-3 kHz, duration of 3-2 milliseconds, and interpulse interval of 15-6 milliseconds. In another study in southern Thailand, average start frequency was 125-7 kHz, end frequency was 104-5 kHz, peak frequency was 114-8 kHz, duration was 0-6 milliseconds, and interpulse interval was 16-1 milliseconds.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Hardwicke’s Woolly Bat probably roosts alone or in small groups.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Hardwicke’s Woolly Bats are widespread and relatively common, and they do not seem to face any major threats. They might be locally threatened by deforestation from logging and agriculture.

Bibliography. Bates, Struebig et al. (2007), Douangboubpha et al. (2016), Esselstyn, Widmann & Heaney (2004), Hasan & Abdullah (2011), Heaney et al. (2016), Hughes et al. (2011), Khan (2008), Khan et al. (2010), Kuo Haochih et al. (2017), Leong & Lim (2009), Lim et al. (2015), Rosell-Ambal, Tabaranza, Heaney, Molur & Srinivasulu (2008), Schoner et al. (2017), Tu Vuong Tan et al. (2018), Yu Wenhua et al. (2018).