Scientists discovered a new bat species in Meghalaya

Context

A group of scientists from Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Shillong have recently found a new species of bat in Meghalaya.

About the new species finding

• Name: The species is named as Eudiscopus denticulus (disk-footed bat).
  • It has disk like pads on its thumb and has a bright orange colouration.
  • This bat resides in the roost inside bamboo internodes aided by its adhesive disks.
• Habitat: The new species is a bamboo-dwelling bat species.
• Location: It was found in Lailad area near the Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary, Meghalaya.
  • It is found only in few localities in Southern China, Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar.
• Common origin: It has been hypothesized that Eudiscopus bats from Vietnam and Meghalaya were originated from a common point and later on dispersed in varied habitat.
• Tally: The new addition has made the number of bat species in the north-eastern state to 66 and in India it has a total of 130 bat species.