Ozimops lumsdenae
Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Ozimops lumsdenae

Ozimops lumsdenae is a species of molossid bat found in Australia, the largest of the genus Ozimops.

Appearance

Ozimops lumsdenae is a larger microbat, insectivorous flying mammals, which is robust in appearance and the largest of its genus. The length of the forearm is 35.2 to 40.4 millimetres and weight was measured to give a range from 11 to 19.5 grams. The pelage is a rich brown colour at the back and lighter on the ventral side. The genital morphology distinguishes O. lumsdenae from sister species, the clitoris is visible as a long projection. The phallus is comparatively short, around 4 mm, the preputial gland is elongate and large. The glans penis of the species is approximately 2.6 mm and cylindrical, with structural forms that distinguish the males from other species.

Distribution

Geography

An endemic species of the Australian mainland, its distribution extends across the north of the continent; these areas are up to 700 kilometres from the coastline in a range of habitats receiving 200 to 1500 mm of rainfall each year. The range across the Top End and into the Pilbara region is reported to be sparsely colonised by the species, and regarded as uncommon. The records of specimens in Queensland are extensive but uncertain, and the penetration into the southeast of the country has not been established. The southern occurrence in the east are records in echolocation surveys undertaken in New South Wales that indicate a widespread range in the region, although no specimens are certain to have been collected there.

Show More

The recorded habitat of O. lumsdenae is associated with permanent water, agricultural dams, and watercourses in semi-arid regions, where it resides and forages in eucalypt woodland. The species is also found in tropical (high rainfall) regions, where habitat includes a range of rainforest, riparian zones at rivers and floodplain, and wetter woodland or savannah vegetation.

Show Less

Habits and Lifestyle

The species may occur with others of the genus Ozimops, it is recorded in sympatry with Ozimops ridei O. cobourgianus, O. halli and perhaps with O. petersi.

Show More

The conservation status of Ozimops lumsdenae is least concern at the entry in the IUCN redlist, which notes the population may decline as a result of land use changes, primarily the pastoralist techniques that are recognised as degrading habitat in the regions inhabited by the species.

Show Less

References

1. Ozimops lumsdenae Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozimops_lumsdenae

More Fascinating Animals to Learn About