Microchiroptera
Sign in to saveMicrobats constitute the suborder Microchiroptera within the order Chiroptera (bats). Bats have long been differentiated into Megachiroptera (megabats) and Microchiroptera, based on their size, the use of echolocation by the Microchiroptera and other features; molecular evidence suggests a somewhat different subdivision, as the microbats have been shown to be a paraphyletic group.
AI overview
Microchiroptera is a suborder of bats traditionally distinguished from larger megabats by their smaller size, their use of echolocation to navigate and hunt, and various other physical features. However, recent genetic studies suggest this traditional grouping may not reflect how bats actually evolved, since microbats appear to be a paraphyletic group—meaning they don't all share a common ancestor that isn't also an ancestor to megabats.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Wikidata facts
- Instance of
- taxon
- Parent taxon
- Chiroptera
- Image
- Big-eared-townsend-fledermaus.jpg
Show 3 more facts
via Wikidata · CC0
Article
9 sectionsContents
- Characteristics
- Differences from megabats
- Dentition
- Echolocation
- Production of ultrasonic waves
- Laryngeally echolocating microbats
- Classification
- References
- External links
Microbats constitute the suborder Microchiroptera within the order Chiroptera (bats). Bats have long been differentiated into Megachiroptera (megabats) and Microchiroptera, based on their size, the use of echolocation by the Microchiroptera and other features; molecular evidence suggests a somewhat different subdivision, as the microbats have been shown to be a paraphyletic group.
==Characteristics== Microbats are long. Most microbats feed on insects, but some of the larger species hunt birds, lizards, frogs, smaller bats or even fish. Only three species of microbat feed on the blood of large mammals or birds ("vampire bats"); these bats live in South and Central America.