Description

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Context:

Wroughton’s free-tailed bat, a highly rare species of molossus bat, has been spotted at the Delhi Development Authority (DDA)’s Yamuna Biodiversity Park.

About Wroughton’s free-tailed bat

Wroughton’s free-tailed bat is a highly rare species of molossus bat. It is characterized by its large size, prominent ears that extend beyond the mouth, and two-tone velvety fur.
The bat usually roosts in caves or dark, moist and slightly warm environments, often forming medium-sized colonies.

Distribution

Primary range: Found mainly in the Western Ghats where there is only one known breeding colony.
Other sightings: Small colonies have been observed in the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya and a solitary individual has been reported in Cambodia.

Conservation status

IUCN: Listed as data deficient. Previously classified as Critically Endangered (until 2000) due to the only known population in the Western Ghats.
Nature Conservation Act, 1972: Schedule I.
Ecological importance: This species plays a vital role in the regulation of insect populations and contributes to plant pollination.

Importance

Delhi is home to about 14 bat species, including 4 considered locally extinct: the Indian false vampire bat, the black-bearded bat, the Egyptian free-tailed bat, and the Indian pipistrelle.

Aravalli Biodiversity Park (Gurugram) is the only known roost (resting place) of Blyth's sparrowhawks in Delhi NCR.

About Yamuna Biodiversity Park

The Park is located on the front of the Yamuna River, it is a biodiversity area in Delhi, India. It was developed by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) with technical assistance from the Center for Environmental Management of Degraded Ecosystems (CEMDE), University of Delhi.

It serves as an ideal alternative habitat for migratory and resident bird species. It is also designed to protect wild genetic resources of crops improve groundwater recharge and increase the availability of fresh water.

Source:

INDIAN EXPRESS

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements regarding the Wroughton’s free-tailed bat:

It is a free-tailed bat formerly considered to be confined to the Western Ghats area of India.
It is classified as a Data Deficient species as little is known about their habitat, ecology, or foraging range.
The species is found in two locations in the southern Indian state of Karnataka and in Meghalaya in northeast India.

How many of the above-given statements is/are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(d) None

Answer: c

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Wroughton's free-tailed bat (Otomops wroughtoni) is a free-tailed bat formerly considered to be confined to the Western Ghats area of India, though it has also recently been discovered in northeast India and in a remote part of Cambodia.

Statement 2 is correct: It is classified as a Data Deficient species as little is known about their habitat, ecology, or foraging range.

Statement 3 is correct: In India, the species is found in two locations in the southern Indian state of Karnataka and in Meghalaya in northeast India.