Range extension of the Little Forest Bat Vespadelus vulturnus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) into a semi-arid area of central Queensland, Australia

A northward range extension of approximately 500 km of the Little Forest Bat Vespadelus vulturnus was recorded during a fauna survey at Idalia National Park, central western Queensland. ldalia NP lies in the semi-arid zone and is bounded by latitudes 24 ° 90 ° to 25 ° 20 ° South. Forty seven V. vulturnus (24 females and 23 males) were captured in harp traps set in five different vegetation formations. Bats were captured in riverine woodland near water and in woodland to open forest habitats well away horn water. The mean forearm length of 19 males (24.7 mm) was significantly (p < 0.001) shorter than the mean forearm length of 22 females (25.8 mm). The mean head-vent length of males and females (n=25) was 36.9 mm. Vespadelus vulturnus from ldalia NP is Australia's smallest mammal and on the basis of forearm length is within the size range of Kitti's Hog-nosed Bat Craseonycteris thonglongyai which is reported to be the world's smallest mammal.