The clear‑winged woolly bat (Kerivoula pellucida) is a small insectivorous species of vesper bat in the family Vespertilionidae, subfamily Kerivoulinae. It is native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia and is characterized by its nearly translucent wing membranes and dense, woolly fur.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Chiroptera
- Family: Vespertilionidae
- Subfamily: Kerivoulinae
- Genus: Kerivoula
- Species: K. pellucida
- Authority: (Thomas, 1915)
Physical description
The clear‑winged woolly bat is among the smallest members of the genus Kerivoula. Adults typically have a forearm length of 30–34 mm and weigh 4–6 g. The dorsal pelage is dark brown to reddish‑brown, while the ventral side is lighter. The hallmark of the species is its wing membrane, which is unusually thin and lacks the typical brownish pigmentation found in most bats, giving the wings a nearly transparent appearance. The ears are moderately sized and rounded, and the tragus is pointed, typical of Kerivoula species.
Distribution and habitat
Kerivoula pellucida occurs in the Malaysian Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, and possibly parts of southern Thailand and Java. It inhabits lowland and hill dipterocarp forests, preferring primary or lightly disturbed forest stands. Roost sites include foliage clusters, dead leaves, hollow bamboo stems, and occasionally small tree cavities situated between 5 and 30 m above ground.
Behavior and ecology
The species is insectivorous, foraging close to the forest understory and over small water bodies where it captures a variety of aerial insects such as moths and dipterans. Like other Kerivoula bats, it employs high‑frequency echolocation calls that are adapted for detecting prey in cluttered vegetation. Roosting colonies are generally small, ranging from solitary individuals to groups of fewer than ten. Reproductive data are limited, but observations suggest that females may give birth to a single offspring once per year, timed with periods of higher insect abundance.
Conservation status
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) currently lists the clear‑winged woolly bat as Least Concern. Although the species is considered relatively widespread within its range, ongoing deforestation and habitat fragmentation for timber extraction and agricultural expansion pose potential threats. Conservation actions recommended include preservation of primary forest habitats and monitoring of population trends.
References
- Thomas, O. (1915). Descriptions of new mammals from the Malay Peninsula. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, 16(94), 366‑371.
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Kerivoula pellucida assessment.
Note: Information presented reflects the consensus of peer‑reviewed taxonomic and conservation literature up to 2024.
