314.

Fly River Woolly Bat

Kerivoula muscina

French: Kérivoule de Fly River / German: Fly-RiverWollfledermaus / Spanish: Querivoula de Fly River

Other common names: Fly River Trumpet-eared Bat

Taxonomy. Kerivoula muscina Tate, 1941,

Lake Daviumbu, 6 miles [= 9- 7 km] above mouth of Strickland River, middle Fly River, Western Division [= Province], Papua [New Guinea]; altitude approximately 20 meters.”

Phylogenetic position of Kerivoula muscina 1s uncertain because it has not been included in any genetic studies. Monotypic.

Distribution. Papua New Guinea lowlands, although it is likely present on Papua Province side of New Guinea as well.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 35-43 mm, tail 327- 44 mm, ear 13-14 mm, hindfoot 7-8 mm, forearm 32-36 mm; weight 4-5- 4 g. Fur is long and woolly. Dorsal pelage is pale buffy brown (hairs with pale or medium gray brown bases and pale yellowish brown tips); venteris typically pale gray-brown. Pair of orange, subcutaneous, fatty nodes occurs on forehead between eyes. Membranes and ears are blackish brown, and ears are covered in glandular bumps. Ears are large and virtually naked, with convex anterior margins, rounded tips, and concavity just below tips on posterior borders; tragus is narrow and tall, with virtually straight anterior margin except for very slight convexity near tip, and has concave posterior margin with small hooked basal lobe. Wings are attached at base of outertoes, and sparse fringe of hairs occurs on posterior margin of uropatagium. Skull is similar to that of Hardwicke’s Woolly Bat (K. hardwick), but I? is narrow, and entire dentition is lighter built.

Habitat. Primarily lowland rainforests to hill forests and some disturbed habitats from sea level up to elevations of ¢. 1600 m.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. A lactating female and two male Fly River Woolly Bats were captured roosting together in April.

Activity patterns. The Fly River Woolly Bat roosts in tree hollows and under large leaves.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Fly River Woolly Bat is known to roost alone or in groups of up to three individuals.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Fly River Woolly Bat is difficult to survey but is widespread and likely common throughout its distribution. Habitat destruction from logging and agriculture are major threats, especially because it is usually found in pristine habitats in lowland areas.

Bibliography. Aplin & Armstrong (2017b), Bonaccorso (1998), Flannery (1995b), Flannery & Seri (1990), Tate (1941e).