JONAI, Jan 31 � A rare species of colourful bat belonging to Chiroptera group has been discovered in Arunachal Pradesh, drawing attention of the local Zoologists and researchers on the winged species. The scientists and forest zoologists are enthusiastic on survey and documentation over distribution of the rare bat species, which is not yet reported from the Himalayan State.
The small-sized orange coloured bat was discovered in Pasighat-West area near Gutin Reserve Forest in Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday, which has been identified as �Painted Bat (Kerivoula picta)� by the local zoologists. A young school boy encountered the colourful bat species in a bamboo grove near Rombo hillsite, about six km from the Assam-Arunachal boundary at Ruksin.
The adult male bat�s body length is four centimetres and weighs about eight grams. The bat, which has scarlet fur and black and orange wings is said to be a vesper bat in the Vespertilionidae family and Chiroptera order.
According to zoologists, Painted bat is often found roosting in unusual places like under bird nests or under man- made structures. Not much is known about their biology as they are rare and poorly researched. It roosts inside hollow tree trunks, foliages, huts and buildings.
Senior Forest Zoologist of State Forest Research Institute (SFRI), Dr Asham Borang, who is enthusiastic on the discovery of the rare bat species in Arunachal forests, said that presence of Painted Bat was not traced by the researchers. He feels the need for more research on distribution of the rare bat species in the Himalayan region.
According to Prof Daniel Mize (Zoology) of Rajiv Gandhi University, existence of Blame Forte Fruit Bat and Hurley Queen Bats among three colourful bat species have been reported in Arunachal, Sikkim and West Bengal, but presence of the Painted Bat in the State is news for them. Dr Mize, is all set to conduct a special study on different bat species in the State and explore their habitats at various altitudes. Meanwhile, high ranking Forest department officials of the State visited the area and conducted primary survey of the geographical information of the area.
