On the roosting and mating of Saccolaimus saccolaimus (Chiroptera) in Bangladesh

Abstract

Saccolaimus saccolaimus is an emballonurid bat and the only species from the genus Saccolaimus that occurs in South and Southeast Asia. It is medium-sized (FA 63.0–68.0 mm) and has a body covered with chocolate brown to black fur with whitish speckles on the dorsum. The muzzle of the bat is nearly hairless, ears are of moderate size and fluted, the tragus faces outwards, the tail projects a little from the uropatagium and is stout, and a distinctive feature is the gular sac which is prominent in males and less so in females. A foul odour is often associated with these bats. Khan (2001) recorded 31 species of bats from Bangladesh including S. saccolaimus but did not specify distribution. Srinivasulu & Srinivasulu (2012), however, report 37 species from Bangladesh. No account of roosting or mating behaviour of this species has come from Bangladesh although it has been listed as occurring in the country. Here we report our observations of roosting and mating behaviour in S. saccolaimus, a first for the country.