Microchiroptera

E597606

Microchiroptera is a former suborder of bats comprising the predominantly small, echolocating species often referred to as "microbats."

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Statements (43)

Predicate Object
instanceOf former bat suborder
taxonomic group
basisOfReclassification molecular phylogenetic evidence
morphological studies
characteristic echolocation for navigation
echolocation for prey detection
lack of large eyes compared to many megabats
mostly nocturnal
predominantly small body size
primarily insectivorous
well-developed tragus in the ear in many species
class Mammalia
commonName microbats
contains many echolocating bat species
diet blood in vampire bats
insects
nectar in some species
small vertebrates in some species
distinguishedFrom Megachiroptera NERFINISHED
distinguishingFeatureFromMegachiroptera generally smaller body size
reliance on laryngeal echolocation in most species
doesNotInclude many non-echolocating megabats
most fruit bats
geographicDistribution worldwide except polar regions and some remote islands
habitat temperate regions
tropical regions
historicallyDividedOrder Chiroptera NERFINISHED
kingdom Animalia
order Chiroptera
phylum Chordata
reclassifiedInto Yangochiroptera NERFINISHED
Yinpterochiroptera NERFINISHED
roleInEcosystem control of insect populations
pollination by some species
seed dispersal by some species
scientificNameAuthorship George Gaylord Simpson and other early mammalogists (traditional usage)
sensoryAdaptation high-frequency ultrasonic calls
specialized inner ear structures
supersededBy Yinpterochiroptera–Yangochiroptera classification
taxonomicStatus obsolete in many modern classifications
taxonRank suborder
timeOfConceptOrigin 19th century
usedIn traditional bat taxonomy

Referenced by (1)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Chiroptera containsSuborder Microchiroptera