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Some of the world’s biggest bats are getting smaller
· Confirmed
In Short: A study in the Journal of Mammalogy reveals that Madagascar's flying foxes have been getting smaller since the 1980s.
Researchers at the Field Museum found that the skulls of Madagascar flying foxes (Pteropus rufus) are 6 percent smaller than they were before the 1980s.
Emily Cornelius Ruhs, a researcher at the Field Museum, measured the skulls of these bats, noting a clear trend of decreasing size over time.
The specimens used in the study were collected over more than 150 years, providing a comprehensive look at the changes in bat size.
The study, published in the Journal of Mammalogy, highlights the impact of hunting on these bats, as they are easy targets for hunters.
Cornelius Ruhs explained, 'The smaller specimen on the left is from 1995; the larger specimen on the right is from 1948,' illustrating the gradual shrinkage.
While the exact reasons for the shrinking bats are not fully understood, hunting pressure is believed to play a significant role.
The bats' smaller size could affect their ability to fly and forage, potentially impacting their survival and the ecosystems they inhabit.
What this adds
The exact reasons for the shrinking bats are not fully understood, and the researchers have not yet established a direct link between specific environmental factors and the observed changes in bat size.
What's confirmed
- The smaller specimen on the left is from 1995; the larger specimen on the right is from 1948. (Field Museum via SWNS) Emily Cornelius Ruhs measuring the skull of a Madagascar flying fox in the Field Museum's collections. (Field Museum via SWNS) Emily Cornelius Ruhs with Madagascar flying fox specimens in the Field Museum's collections. (Field Museum via SWNS) A flying fox fruit bat in Madagascar. (Angelo Andrianiaina via SWNS) A study published in the Journal of Mammalogy found the giant fruit bats have been getting smaller over several decades.
- (Field Museum via SWNS) The world’s biggest bats are shrinking, reveals new research.
What's still developing
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