Megaderma spasma
(Linnaeus, 1758). Syst. Nat., 10th ed., 1:32.

©2002

ORDER—CHIROPTERA
FAMILY—Megadermatidae

COMMON NAME—Common Asian ghost bat, lesser false vampire.

DISTRIBUTION—India to the Molucca Islands; throughout the Philippines except Batanes/Babuyan region. Recorded on Biliran (USNM), Bohol (USNM), Busuanga (USNM), Catanduanes (USNM), Cebu (AMNH), Dinagat (DMNH), Leyte (USNM), Luzon (Aurora (UPD), Camarines Sur [USNM], Isabela [FMNH], Rizal [USNM] provs.), Mindanao (Davao del Norte [FMNH], Lanao del Norte [USNM], Misamis Occidental [USNM], South Cotabato [FMNH], Zamboanga del Sur [UPLB] provs.), Mindoro (FMNH), Negros (FMNH), Palawan (UMMZ), Panay (SU), Polillo (FMNH), Siquijor (SU). Also reported from Davao Oriental Province (Mindanao) and Negros by Sanborn (1952), from Abra Province (Luzon) and Cebu by Lawrence (1939), and from Laguna Province (Luzon) by Taylor (1934) and Ingle (1992).

HABITAT—Lowland primary and disturbed forest from sea-level to 950 m (Heaney et al., 1991). Known to roost in caves, tree-hollows, and hollow logs (Heaney etal., in press; Ingle, 1992; Lawrence, 1939; Lepiten, 1995; Rabor, 1986; Rickart et al., 1993; Taylor, 1934).

STATUS—Widespread, locally common to uncommon in primary forest and secondary forest.

NOTE ADDED IN 2005--Esselstyn et al (2004) found this species to be common from sea level to 500 m elevation in bamboo thickets, secondary forest, and primary forest.


©2002 (photo by P. Heideman)

Return to Megadermatidae
Return to CHIROPTERA

©2002 Heaney et al., Mammals of the Philippines
The Field Museum, All Rights Reserved
1400 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60605-2496
312.922.9410

Technical Support
webmaster@fieldmuseum.org

Copyright Information | Linking Policy