Peters's dwarf epauletted fruit bat
A species of Dwarf epauletted fruit bats Scientific name : Micropteropus pusillus Genus : Dwarf epauletted fruit bats
Peters's dwarf epauletted fruit bat, A species of Dwarf epauletted fruit bats
Botanical name: Micropteropus pusillus
Genus: Dwarf epauletted fruit bats
Content
Description General Info
Description
The Micropteropus pusillus or commonly known as Peters's dwarf epauletted fruit bat is one of the two species contained within its genus Micropteropus. M. pusillus belongs to the order Chiroptera and the family Pteropodidae. In contrast to the other species in this genus, Micropteropus intermedius, both genders contain white tuffs at the proximal end of their ears. However, when adults are compared side by side, M. pusillus can be identified as the smaller of the two. M. pusillus display variance between their dorsal and ventral pelage. Fur is often described as thicker and a darker shade of brown on the dorsal surface, but the variance in color can be attributed to a lower concentration of fur along the ventral surface Secondary sexual dimorphic traits allow for determining the M. pusillus gender without analysis of the sex organs. In males, the ornamentation at the base of the ear has the capability to erect itself with the assistance from the arrector pili muscle. On average females are slightly larger than males by approximately of ten percent when comparing body mass. This variation is also present in the many body proportions including wingspan, head length, ear length, and many other anatomical variations. Despite the larger size observed in the females, M. pusillus is still one of the smaller mammals in the Megachiroptera suborder. 
Life Expectancy
10-13 years
Feeding Habits
M. pusillus feeds on nectar as well as fruits and insects. The consumption of nectar requires the bat to come into direct contact with the pollen produced by the plants, allowing for pollination of the plants in its tropical environment and a mutual relationship between the plants and the bats. The pollination aspect of the M. pusillus is viewed as a positive ecological advantage, but the frugivorous lifestyle has had negative agricultural impact on farms in the surrounding areas of their inhabitance. Like all the other bats within the suborder Megachiroptera, M. pusillus does not rely on echolocation to hunt down insects. it was originally hypothesized that M. pusillus primarily fed on nectar and fruits, but there is now images of M. pusillus feeding on moths.
Habitat
Peters's dwarf epauletted fruit bat resides primarily in tropical rainforests with frequent rainfall. These bats favor humid, dense forests throughout sub-Saharan Africa, utilizing the forest canopy as roosting areas while feeding on native fruit.
General Info
Behavior
Peters's dwarf epauletted fruit bat demonstrates social behaviors, engaging in cooperative foraging at dusk and dawn. Notably, they exhibit maternal care while roosting, with the mother carrying her offspring until it is capable of independent flight. Thermoregulation is also vital for survival, and peters's dwarf epauletted fruit bat enters daily torpor to conserve energy.
