Species New to Science's Journal

[Mammalogy • 2014] Rediscovery of the New Guinea Big-eared Bat Pharotis imogene from Central Province, Papua New Guinea

New Guinea Big-eared Bat Pharotis imogene from near Oio Village, live animal showing erect ears (scale, ear length from base of tragus = 24.0 mm).

photo Catherine Hughes | DOI: 10.3853/j.2201-4349.66.2014.1632

Abstract

The New Guinea Big-eared Bat Pharotis imogene has not been reported since the first and only specimens were collected in 1890 and the species was presumed extinct. We document the capture of one individual of the species from the coastal district of Abau, in Central Province, Papua New Guinea, 120 km east of the only previous known locality at Kamali. We recommend that field surveys be urgently undertaken to assess the conservation status of the species.

Keywords: Pharotis; Chiroptera; Vespertilionidae; bat conservation; endemic species; New Guinea

live Pharotis imogene captured near Oio Village, the Central Province, Papua New Guinea, taken July 2012 illustrating characteristic large ears and tragus (scale, forearm length = 39.6 mm).

photo J. Broken-Brow

Hughes, Catherine, Julie Broken-Brow, Harry Parnaby, Steve Hamilton, and Luke K.-P. Leung. 2014. Rediscovery of the New Guinea Big-eared Bat Pharotis imogene from Central Province, Papua New Guinea. Records of the Australian Museum. 66(4): 225–232.

http://dx.doi.org/10.3853/j.2201-4349.66.2014.1632

http://australianmuseum.net.au/journal/Hughes-2014-Rec-Aust-Mus-664-225232

http://news.mongabay.com/2014/0611-hance-new-guinea-big-eared-bat.html

researchers find bat thought extinct for 120 years: New Guinea big-eared bat | Pharotis imogenehttp://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/uq-researchers-find-bat-thought-extinct-for-120-years-20140604-zrxnj.html via @brisbanetimeshttp://theconversation.com/lost-bat-species-rediscovered-after-120-years-in-the-wilderness-26062