119.

Malagasy Serotine

Neoromicia matroka

French: Vespere de Madagascar / German: MadagaskarZwergfledermaus / Spanish: Neoromicia de Madagascar

Other common names: Matroka Bat

Taxonomy. Vespertilio matroka Thomas & Schwann, 1905,

Ambositra, Betsileo, Madagascar.

Alternatively treated in Eptesicus or Nycterikaupius but here placed in Neoromicia based on bacular morphology. Previously considered a synonym of N. capensis . Monotypic.

Distribution. Madagascar.

Descriptive notes. Head-body c. 46— 54 mm, tail 28-36 mm, ear 10-14 mm, forearm 29-35 mm; weight c. 9 g. Pelage of theMalagasy Serotine is dense and soft, dorsally dark brown, ventrally brownish gray, paler on abdomen. Ears are triangular with rounded tips; tragus is less than one-half ear length and wider at mid-height, with convex posterior margin and rounded tip. Wings are very dark. Baculum is 2-3— 2-4 mm long, with distal end flattened and deflected ventrally; two lateral flanges may be more or less developed. I? is unicuspid, although there is a weak lateral flange that terminates below tip, sometimes giving impression of a second cusp; I° is small and unicuspid; only upper premolar (P?) is in contact with C.

Habitat. Around humid forests, open agricultural areas, and anthropogenic grassland. [t appears to be mainly restricted to the eastern highlands at elevations of970-1300 m.

Food and Feeding. Malagasy Serotines feed on Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Trichoptera, Homoptera, and Arachnida .

Breeding. One lactating female and one with enlarged mammae were caught in Ambalavao, Fianarantsoa Province.

Activity patterns. The Malagasy Serotine has been netted emerging from buildings.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The [UCN Red List.

Bibliography. ACR (2006, 2017), Allen (1939), Bates et al. (2006), Hayman & Hill (1971), Koopman (1993), Menu (1987), Peterson et al. (1995), Rakotondramanana et al. (2015), Rasoanoro et al. (2015), Russ, Bennett et al. (2003), Simmons (2005).