Chiroptera and Lagomorpha

Question 1

Basic Info-Bats

Answer 1

• Is the 2nd largest mammalian order
• Have economic and conservation issues
• Found on all continents except Antarctica

Question 2

Fossil Record-Bats

Answer 2

• Evolved from arboreal, shrew-like insectivores
• Earliest fossil record from Eocene
• All are probably entirely monophyletic
• Suggests bats could fly and use echolocation in Eocene

Question 3

Wing Morphology

Answer 3

• Forelimb modified for flight
• Wing membrane supported by elongated metacarpals digits 2-5
• Flight membranes highly elastic and fast healing
• Slow, flutter fliers, and can hover

Question 4

Basic Morphology-Bats

Answer 4

• Sternum keeled and clavicle present
• Hind limbs small
• Knees directed outward and backward
• Most have uropatagium

Question 5

Ears-Bats

Answer 5

• Many shapes and sizes

- Some have tragus or antitragus

Question 6

Noses-Bats

Answer 6

• Rhinolophus
• Hipposideros: noseleaf
• Murina: tubular nostrils

Question 7

Echolocation

Answer 7

• Emit high freq. to discern info like size, distance, and movement
• Enlarged cochlea region
• Constant Freq. signal used for cruising in open
• Freq. Modulation used for prey and closed in environments

Question 8

What are the 2 suborders of Chiroptera?

Answer 8

• Megachioptera has one family (Pteropodidae) and are Old World bats
• Microchiroptera has 17 families and different bats with evolutionary stratgies

Question 9

Suborder: Megachioptera

Answer 9

• Known as flying foxes
• Distribution: Ethiopia, Middle East, Oreintal, Australia, and Cook Islands
• Frugivores and nectivores
• Don’t hibernate
• Some pollinate and seed disperse

Question 10

Megachioptera Characteristics

Answer 10

• Wing span up to 2 meters
• Mostly nocturnal
• One echolocates, Roussettus, while other use vision
• No nose of facial ornaments
• Pinna is simple
• Low reproductive rate
• Gestation is 100-125 days

Question 11

How is Echolocation Used?

Answer 11

Ultrasonic sounds produced in larynx and emitted thru nose or mouth. This enables then to fly at night.

Question 12

Suborder: Microchiroptera

Answer 12

• Use echolocation
• Many are heterothermic and hibernate
• Pinna often complex
• nose or facial ornaments present
• 2nd digit w/o claw, enclosed by wing membrane

Question 13

2 Major Families in Colorado-Bats

Answer 13

• Vespertilionidae

- Molossidae

Question 14

Big Free-Tailed Bat

Answer 14

• Habitat: rocky or canyon country w/ crevices to roost
• Breeding: breed in midwinter, young born june/july, females form nursery
• Diet: moths

Question 15

Economic and Conservation

Answer 15

• Threatened for human consumption in Africa and the Pacific
• Farmers kill from them destroying plantation
• Speculated Flying Fox in danger of paralysis tick

Question 16

What are the 2 Families in Lagomorpha?

Answer 16

• Leporidae (rabbits and hares)

- Ochotonidae (pika)

Question 17

Lagomorpha

Answer 17

• Means hare shaped
• Look like rodents, but actually resemble primates more
• Cheek teeth and incisors ever growing
• Dental formula of 2/1, 0/0, 3/2, 2-3/3=26-28 teeth

Question 18

Fossil Record: Lagomorpha

Answer 18

• Earliest fossil in late Paleocene to early Eocene
• Leporids appear late Eocene and spread in northern hemisphere
• Pikas appear in Oligocene in E. Asia

Question 19

How do they differ from Rodents?

Answer 19

• 4 incisors in upper jaw
• Almost wholly herbivorous
• Males scrotum in front of penis
• No baculum

Question 20

Pika- Ochotona princeps

Answer 20

Animals are small and exist in rocky out-crops and store large hay piles to feed on throughout the winter.

Question 21

Rabbits and Hares

Answer 21

• Rabbits have shorter ears and legs, and are smaller in size. Have altricial young
• Hares usually bigger in size and have longer legs and ears. Have precocial young