Indochinese Thick-thumbed Bat

Glischropus bucephalus

French: Pipistrelle bucéphale / German: Indochina-Dickdaumenfledermaus / Spanish: Pipistrela de Indochina

Taxonomy. Glischropus bucephalus Csorba, 2011,

“Seima Biodiversity Conservation Area, Mondolkiri Province, Cambodia, 12°15'44N 107°03’49E, 360 m a.s.l.”

Glischropus appears to be embedded within Pipustrellus, making Pipistrellus paraphyletic. This species appears to be sister to a clade that includes G. aquilus and G. tylopus, being morphologically closest to G. aquilus . Throughout its range, most specimens of this species were originally attributed to G. tylopus . Monotypic.

Distribution. Indochina N of the Isthmus of Kra as indicated by specimens in E & S Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 40-48 mm, tail 38-43 mm, ear 9-6-12-2 mm, forearm 32:1-35-7 mm; weight 4-4-9 g. The Indochinese Thick-thumbed Bat is significantly larger than the Common Thick-thumbed Bat ( Glischropus tylopus) and the Javan Thickthumbed Bat ( G. javanus). Forearm length is the best indicator to distinguish this species from the Common Thick-thumbed Bat. Pelage is reddish yellow without any banding both dorsally and ventrally. Ears are moderately sized for the genus, being rounded and dark brown. Tragusis relatively narrow with a broadly rounded tip and is angled slightly forward. Plagiopatagium is attached to base of toes, while calcar has a well-developed lobe supported by central cartilage. Thumb has a large pinkish pad, characteristic of the genus, which is oval in shape and ¢. 3 mm in length. Frontal region of skull is elevated, and braincaseis relatively globose;sagittal crest is weak but present; lambdoid crests are moderately developed;tips of four upper incisors are situated almost in a straight line; lower molars are nyctalodont. Dental formula for all members ofthe genus is12/3, C1/1,P2/2, M 3/3 (x2) =34.

Habitat. The area ofthe type locality comprised grasslands, secondary deciduous dipterocarp forest and some evergreen hill forest, including many large stands of giant bamboo throughout. The Indochinese Thick-thumbed Bat is generally found in forested areas throughout its range. It has been recorded primarily from lowland regions at elevations of 100-360 m.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. Like other species in the genus, the Indochinese Thick-thumbed Bat probably roosts in dead bamboo stalks, rock crevices, and banana leaves, when available.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Not assessed on The IUCN Red List. The Indochinese Thickthumbed Bat is widespread, although it is apparently rare since itis rarely captured. Further research is needed on its ecology, and the threats it faces.

Bibliography. Borisenko & Kruskop (2003), Csorba (2011), Csorba et al. (2015).