Perissodactyla, from Greek περισσός (perissós, “uneven”) and Greek δάκτυλος (dáktulos, “a finger, toe”), means “uneven-toed”, in reference to the fact that these animals typically have reduced the weight-bearing toes to three or one of the five original toes (though tapirs retain four toes on their front feet). The nonweight-bearing toes are either present, absent, vestigial, or positioned posteriorly.

Common names of members

Bent-winged or long winged bats.

Distribution 

Found in southern Europe, across Africa and Madagascar, throughout Asia, and in Australia, Vanuatu and New Caledonia.

Size

They are typically small (total length c. 10 cm, wingspans 30–35 cm, mass less than 20 g).

Morphology

They have broad, short muzzles. The cranium is bulbous and taller than the snout. They have an exceptionally long third finger when the wings are folded. This finger gives the bats long and narrow wings.

Ecology & Habitat

Open forests, shrublands, grasslands and other open environments. Large caves, abandoned mines and tunnels serve as roosting places for their colonies.

Diet

They may be insectivorous.

Reproduction 

Most bat species are polygynous, where males mate with multiple females, but there are polygynandry systems too, where multiple males mate with multiple females. Females are responsible for most of the parenting care. Males responsible for feeding and protecting young. Newborn bats cannot fly so they stay in the dwell or climb on their mothers. Usually they can fly after 2-4 weeks.

Total species known

35

Species in the collection

3

Species in Hong Kong

2

References

Fenton, M. B., Simmons, N. B. (2015). Bats - A World of Science and Mystery. The University of Chicago Press.

Vaughan, T.A., Ryan, J. M., Czaplewski, N. J. (2000). Mammalogy. Saunders College Publishing.

Macdonald, D. W. (2006). The Encyclopedia of mammals. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acref/9780199206087.001.0001.

Appleton, B. R., McKenzie, J. A., Christidis, L. (2004). Molecular systematics and biogeography of the bent-wing bat complex Miniopterus schreibersii (Kuhl, 1817) (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 31(2), 431-439. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2003.08.017.