Bats are one of the major components of the indigenous mammalian fauna of Madagascar, in addition to tenrecs, lemurs, euplerid carnivores, and nesomyine rodents. Forty-six bat species have so far been recorded on Madagascar, of which thirty-six occur only on the island. However, new species continue to be discovered, causing the number of species to rise rapidly; for example, Nick Garbutt's Mammals of Madagascar (2007) listed only 36 species.Garbutt, 2007, p. 59 Most Malagasy bats have their origins in nearby mainland Africa, but on at least three occasions—Pipistrellus raceyi, Pteropus rufus, and the species pair Emballonura atrata–E. tiavato—bats have colonized Madagascar from Asia.Bates et al., 2006, p. 321
Taxonomic classification The following bat genera and families include species found on Madagascar (all species counts are for Madagascar only): Family Pteropodidae (3 endemic species) Genus Eidolon (1 endemic species) Genus Pteropus (1 endemic species) Genus Rousettus (1 endemic species) Family Hipposideridae (6 endemic species) Genus Hipposideros (1 extinct endemic species) Genus Macronycteris (2 endemic species) Genus Paratriaenops (2 endemic species) Genus Triaenops (2 endemic species, one of which is extinct) Family Emballonuridae (2 endemic, 2 non-endemic species) Genus Coleura (1 non-endemic species) Genus Emballonura (2 endemic species) Genus Taphozous (1 non-endemic species) Family Nycteridae (1 endemic species) Genus Nycteris (1 endemic species) Family Myzopodidae (2 endemic species) Genus Myzopoda (2 endemic species) Family Molossidae (5 endemic, 3 non-endemic species) Genus Chaerephon (2 endemic, 1 non-endemic species) Genus Mops (1 endemic, 1 non-endemic species) Genus Mormopterus (1 endemic species) Genus Otomops (1 endemic species) Genus Tadarida (1 non-endemic species) Family Miniopteridae (9 endemic, 2 non-endemic species) Genus Miniopterus (9 endemic, 2 non-endemic species) Family Vespertilionidae (8 endemic, 4 non-endemic species) Genus Hypsugo (1 non-endemic species) Genus Myotis (1 endemic species) Genus Neoromicia (3 endemic species) Genus Pipistrellus (1 endemic, 1 non-endemic species) Genus Scotophilus (3 endemic, 1 non-endemic species)
Key Scientific nameScientific name of the speciesClassifiedYear when the species was formally described and classified, as well as the binomial authority of the speciesDistributionGeographic distribution of the species. Abbreviations used are S, south; N, north; E, east; W, west; C, central; SW, southwest; etcetera.ForearmRange in forearm length of adult members of the species, in metric and English unitsConservation statusConservation status of the species, per IUCN as of 2008, except as indicated. "Not evaluated" is used to indicate that no IUCN status assessment is available.
Family Pteropodidae Pteropodidae are a diverse family, with 186 species recognized in 2005,Wilson and Reeder, 2005, p. xxix which occurs across the tropical regions of the Old World. They include the largest bats, but also some smaller species, and are mostly diurnal and frugivorous. Three species are known from Madagascar; each is classified in its own genus and is most closely related to species from outside Madagascar.Nowak, 1994, pp. 48–49; Garbutt, 2007, p. 59 Scientific nameClassifiedDistributionForearmConservation statusReferencesEidolon dupreanum1866, PollenMadagascar only115 to 130 mm (4.5 to 5.1 in)VulnerableSimmons, 2005, p. 321; Garbutt, 2007, p. 62; Andriafidison et al., 2008aPteropus rufus1803, E. GeoffroyMadagascar only155 to 175 mm (6.1 to 6.9 in)VulnerableSimmons, 2005, p. 343; Garbutt, 2007, p. 60; Andriafidison et al., 2008bRousettus madagascariensis1928, G. GrandidierMadagascar only; absent in SW65 to 75 mm (2.6 to 3.0 in)Near threatenedSimmons, 2005, p. 348; Garbutt, 2007, p. 64; Andriafidison et al., 2008c
Family Hipposideridae Hipposideridae are a moderately diverse family—81 species were listed in 2005—and occur across the Old World tropics. Insectivorous, cave-roosting, and characterized by an elaborate noseleaf, they have often been united with the horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus; absent from Madagascar) into a single family Rhinolophidae, but are currently classified separately. Six species, all endemic, are known from Madagascar, of which four are extant. Macronycteris commersoni is the largest non-pteropodid bat of Madagascar and the extinct Hipposideros besaoka was even larger. The other species belong to the closely related genera Triaenops and Paratriaenops; the latter was split from Triaenops in 2009 and is restricted to Madagascar and the western Seychelles.Nowak, 1994, p. 110; Garbutt, 2007, pp. 68–69; Samonds, 2007; Benda and Vallo, 2009 Scientific nameClassifiedDistributionForearmConservation statusReferencesHipposideros besaoka2007, SamondsAnjohibe, NW Madagascar only–ExtinctSamonds, 2007, pp. 49ff., 62Macronycteris commersoni1813, E. GeoffroyMadagascar only83 to 97 mm (3.3 to 3.8 in)Near threatenedSimmons, 2005, p. 369; Garbutt, 2007, p. 69; Andriafidison et al., 2008fMacronycteris cryptovalorona2016, Goodman et al.Madagascar only80 to 81 mm (3.1 to 3.2 in)Not evaluatedGoodman et al., 2016Paratriaenops auritus1912, G. GrandidierN and NW Madagascar only44 to 51 mm (1.7 to 2.0 in)VulnerableAs Triaenops auritus.Simmons, 2005, p. 378; Ranivo and Goodman, 2007, p. 964, appendix 2; Benda and Vallo, 2009, p. 34; Andriafidison et al., 2008oParatriaenops furcula1906, TrouessartW and SW Madagascar only42 to 49 mm (1.7 to 1.9 in)Least concernAs Triaenops furculus.Simmons, 2005, p. 378; Ranivo and Goodman, 2007, p. 964, appendix 2; Benda and Vallo, 2009, p. 34; Andriafidison et al., 2008pTriaenops goodmani2007, SamondsAnjohibe, NW Madagascar only–ExtinctSamonds, 2007, pp. 46ff., 62Triaenops menamena2009, Goodman and RanivoN, W, and S Madagascar only46 to 56 mm (1.8 to 2.2 in)Least concernAs Triaenops rufus.Ranivo and Goodman, 2007, appendix 3; Goodman and Ranivo, 2009, p. 54; Benda and Vallo, 2009, p. 34; Andriafidison et al., 2008q
Family Emballonuridae With 51 species (2005), Emballonuridae are a moderately diverse family. Found in tropical and subtropical regions across the world, they are characterized by a tail that extends beyond the uropatagium (tail membrane), but may be retracted into a sheath. Four species are known from Madagascar, of which two are endemic and two others are shared with mainland Africa.Walker, 1994, pp. 87–88; Garbutt, 2007, p. 64 Scientific nameClassifiedDistributionForearmConservation statusReferencesColeura afra1852, PetersAnkarana, N Madagascar; Sub-Saharan Africa; Yemen45 to 55 mm (1.8 to 2.2 in)Least concernSimmons, 2005, p. 386; Garbutt, 2007, p. 66; Goodman et al., 2008a; Mickleburgh et al., 2008cEmballonura atrata1836, Eydoux and GervaisE Madagascar onlyc. 37 to 40 mm (1.5 to 1.6 in)Least concernGoodman et al., 2006a; Garbutt, 2007, p. 65; Jenkins et al., 2008aEmballonura tiavato2006, Goodman et al.N and W Madagascar only35 to 41 mm (1.4 to 1.6 in)Least concernGoodman et al., 2006a; Garbutt, 2007, p. 66; Jenkins et al., 2008bTaphozous mauritianus1818, E. GeoffroyMadagascar and other W Indian Ocean islands; Sub-Saharan Africa58 to 64 mm (2.3 to 2.5 in)Least concernSimmons, 2005, p. 384; Garbutt, 2007, p. 67; Hutson et al., 2008c
Family Nycteridae Nycteridae is a small family of 16 species (2005) in a single genus found in Africa and east to the Sunda Islands. They are characterized by a groove on their face and are insectivorous. A single, poorly known species has been recorded from Madagascar.Walker, 1994, pp. 101–102; Garbutt, 2007, p. 68 Scientific nameClassifiedDistributionForearmConservation statusReferencesNycteris madagascariensis1937, G. GrandidierN Madagascar only50 to 52 mm (about 2.0 in)Data deficientSimmons, 2005, p. 393; Garbutt, 2007, p. 68; Hutson et al., 2008a
Family Myzopodidae
This family, characterized by suction disks on the hand and feet, is unique to Madagascar. (It does, however, have a fossil record in Africa extending from the late Eocene to the Pleistocene.) A single species has historically been recognized, but eastern and western populations were classified as separate species in 2007.Garbutt, 2007, p. 72; Goodman et al., 2007 Scientific nameClassifiedDistributionForearmConservation statusReferencesMyzopoda aurita1878, Milne-Edwards and GrandidierE Madagascar only46 to 49 mm (1.8 to 1.9 in)Least concernSimmons, 2005, p. 394; Garbutt, 2007, p. 72; Goodman et al., 2007; Jenkins et al., 2008cMyzopoda schliemanni2007, Goodman et al.W Madagascar only45 to 49 mm (1.8 to 1.9 in)Least concernGarbutt, 2007, p. 73; Goodman et al., 2007; Jenkins et al., 2008d
Family Molossidae This diverse family of 100 species (2005) occurs across the world in tropical regions. The tail conspicuously projects from the uropatagium and the wings are long. Eight species are known from Madagascar, four of which are endemic.Garbutt, 2007, pp. 80–84 Scientific nameClassifiedDistributionForearmConservation statusReferencesChaerephon atsinanana2010, Goodman et al.E Madagascar37 to 42 mm (1.5 to 1.7 in)Goodman et al., 2010c, pp. 1–2, table 2Chaerephon jobimena2004, Goodman and CardiffMadagascar only45 to 48 mm (1.8 to 1.9 in)Least concernGoodman and Cardiff, 2004, table 1; Garbutt, 2007, p. 82; Andriafidison et al., 2014Chaerephon leucogaster1870, A. GrandidierW Madagascar; Sub-Saharan Africa; Mayotte33 to 38 mm (1.3 to 1.5 in)Not evaluatedGoodman and Cardiff, 2004, p. 227; Simmons, 2005, p. 434; Mickleburgh et al., 2008b; Ratrimomanarivo et al., 2009, table 1; Goodman et al., 2010b, p. 128Mops leucostigma1918, G.M. AllenMadagascar only42 to 45 mm (1.7 to 1.8 in)Least concernAs Tadarida leucostigma.Simmons, 2005, p. 442; Garbutt, 2007, p. 83; Andriafidison et al., 2008nMops midas1843, SundevallMadagascar; Sub-Saharan Africa; Saudi Arabia62 to 63 mm (2.4 to 2.5 in)Least concernAs Tadarida midas.Simmons, 2005, p. 442; Garbutt, 2007, p. 83; Jenkins et al., 2008eMormopterus jugularis1865, PetersMadagascar only37 to 40 mm (1.5 to 1.6 in)Least concernSimmons, 2005, p. 445; Garbutt, 2007, p. 80; Andriafidison et al., 2008jOtomops madagascariensis1953, DorstMadagascar only59 to 65 mm (2.3 to 2.6 in)Least concernSimmons, 2005, p. 447; Garbutt, 2007, p. 84; Andriafidison et al., 2008kTadarida fulminans1903, ThomasMadagascar; Sub-Saharan Africa north to Kenya57 to 60 mm (2.2 to 2.4 in)Least concernSimmons, 2005, p. 450; Garbutt, 2007, p. 81 Cotterill et al., 2008
Family Miniopteridae This family contains a single genus, Miniopterus, with 19 species recognized in 2005,Simmons, 2005, pp. 519–522 which was classified in Vespertilionidae until recently.Miller-Butterworth et al., 2007, p. 1553 Insectivorous and characterized by long fingers, the species are all quite similar, leading to a confused classification. On Madagascar, four species were recognized as recently as 2007, but systematic research has led the number to increase to eleven, of which nine are restricted to Madagascar and two shared with the Comoros.Garbutt, 2007, pp. 77–80; subsequent revisions cited below