Microchiroptera

The Microchiroptères constitute a sub-order of the Chiroptères or Chauves-Souris. They are also called " Bats insectivores" , " Bats which use the écholocation" , " Small Bald people-Souris" or " True Bald people-Souris". All these names are however unsuited because all Microchiroptères are not Insectivore S and some are larger than smallest Mégachiroptères.

The distinctive characters of Microchiroptères compared to Mégachiroptères are:

  • Microchiroptères use the echolocation, contrary to Mégachiroptères.

  • Microchiroptères do not have claws with the index of the forefeet.
  • the ears of Microchiroptères do not form a closed ring: the edges are separate one of the other at the base of the ear.
  • Microchiroptères do not have undercoat: they have only thick hairs or are Glabre S.

The majority of Microchiroptères are Insectivore. Some of the largest species drive out Oiseaux, Lézard S, Grenouille S and even of the Poisson S. There exists, in South America of Microchiroptères which nourish large Sang Mammifères, called Chauves-Souris vampires . Microchiroptères make between 4 and 16 cm length.

Echolocation

The Bats are the most known examples of animals utlisant the echolocation. All Microchiroptères use it. Only Mégachiroptère known to use it is kind Roussette ( Roussettus ), although its system of echolocation is different from that of Microchiroptères. The system of echolocation of the Bats is often called biosonar .

Microchiroptères generate ultrasounds via their Larynx. This sound is emitted by their nose and their mouth. The frequency of emission varies between 14.000 to 100.000 Hertz, well beyond what the human Oreille can perceive (the average human ear perceives the sounds between 20 Hz and 20000 Hz). A group of emitted vocalizations makes it possible to explore the environment.

Some Mite S developed a protection against the Bats. They are able to hear the ultrasounds emitted by these last, which enables them to flee or stop the beat of their wings to hide their characteristic echo which would be likely to make them be detected. To counter this parade, the Bats can cease emitting their ultrasounds with the approach of their prey in order to avoid being located!

Protection

  • All the species of bats present in France are completely protected by the Ministerial decree of April 17th, 1981 relating to environmental protection.

  • Since 1979, of the international level, the Convention of Bonn and the Convention of Bern require of the contracting states to ensure the protection of all the species of bats described in the appendices, as well as the protection of the lodgings of reproduction and hibernation.

  • In 1992, the Directive " Habitat - Fauna - Flore" ask the countries European Community the strict protection of all the species of chiroptères (they appear in appendix IV), as well as the designation of Special Zones of Conservation for the 12 species appearing in appendix II.

  • 19 species are classified in the red list of the fauna threatened of France and 13 species are present on the world red list.

Classification

This classification is that established by Simmons and Geisler (1998):

Super-family of the Emballonuroidea

  • Family of the Emballonuridae, Gervais, 1856 (Bag-winged beats S gold Sheath-tailed beats S)
Super-family of the Rhinopomatoidea
  • Family of the Rhinopomatidae, Bonaparte, 1838 (Foam-tailed beats S)
  • Famille of the Craseonycteridae, Hill, 1974 (Bumblebee Bat gold Kitti' S Hog-nosed Bat)
Super-family of the Rhinolophoidea
  • Family of the Rhinolophidae, Gray, 1825 (Horseshoe beats S)
  • Famille of the Nycteridae, Van der Hoeven, 1855 (Hollow-faced beats S gold Slit-faced beats S)
  • Famille of the Megadermatidae, H. Allen, 1864 (false-vampires)
Super-family of the Vespertilionoidea
  • Family of the Vespertilionidae, Gray, 1821 (Vesper beats S gold Evening beats S)
Super-family of the Molossoidea
  • Family of the Molossidae, Gervais, 1856 (Free-tailed beats S)
  • Famille of the Antrozoidae (Pallid beats S)
Super-family of the Nataloidea
  • Family of the Natalidae, Gray, 1866 (Funnel-eared beats S)
  • Famille of the Myzopodidae, Thomas, 1904 (Sucker-footed beats S)
  • Famille of the Thyropteridae, Miller, 1907 (Disk-winged beats S)
  • Famille of the Furipteridae, Gray, 1866 (Smoky beats S)
Super-family of the Noctilionoidea
  • Family of the Noctilionidae, Gray, 1821 (Bulldog beats S gold Fisherman beats S)
  • Famille of the Mystacinidae, Dobson, 1875 (New Zealand shorts-tailed beats S)
  • Famille of the Mormoopidae, Koch, 1862-63 (Ghost-faced beats S gold Moustached beats S)
  • Famille of the Phyllostomidae, Gray, 1825 (Leaf-nosed beats S)

External bonds

  • Bat World Sanctuary
  • Illustrated Identification key to the beat off Europe ( see " Recent publications" )

Sources

  • Yves Tupinier: acoustic universe of the chiroptères of Europe Company linnéenne of Lyon, 1996,
  • Michel Barataud: Ballades in inaudible the Sitelle, 1996,

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