General Chat

A species of bat, found only in Madagascar, has been puzzling biologists.

The sucker-footed bat, Myzopoda aurita, roosts in rolled up palm leaves, and gets its name from the suction cups it has on its wrists and ankles. These pads secrete a fluid which the bat uses to stick to surfaces. The bats live on a diet of moths and beetles.

What is confusing scientists is that in recent studies undertaken on these bats, no females have been found, although hundreds of males have been sighted or captured. Professor Paul Racey from the University of Aberdeen and his Madagascan colleagues have been studying the bats near the village of Kianjavato for several years, but are still mystified as to where the female bats live. Professor Racey and his team have identified 133 separate roosts, with each containing nine and 51 individual males, but no females.

Female sucker-footed bats do exist however, and the male bats do find them as juvenile male bats arrive in Kianjavato twice a year. This young bats do not have fully developed wing bones, suggesting they have not travelled large distances and must have been born close by. It is currently thought that the female bats live in seclusion, perhaps choosing a habitat of better quality.

(Where they should be - in the kitchen?)

God Len, the mind boggles to much information sure puzzels me, going to bed to contemplate.
Regards Carol