Scientist Find First New Guinea Big-eared Bat in Over 120 Years
Posted on June 7, 2014
Researchers from the University of Queensland captured the first New Guinea Big-eared Bat (Pharotis imogene) spotted in 120 years. The first and only specimens were collected in 1890 by an Italian scientist and the species was presumed extinct.
The Syndey Morning Herald reports that scientists are puzzled as to how the bat remained hidden for so long. The bat is named for its ears, which are very large relative to its size. The bats also have a nose-leaf located behind their nostrils.
A research paper about the discovery was published here in the Australian Museum Journal. The scientists say in the paper that nothing is known about the ecology of this rare species. The Scientific America reports that the newly discovered specimen was ethically euthanized for later study.