Defunct species of bat spotted in Zanzibar

www.chinaview.cn 2009-03-18 17:37:50

STONE TOWN, Zanzibar, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Authorities on the Indian Ocean archipelago of Zanzibar has claimed that a defunct species of bat has been spotted again on the isles.

The species was spotted in the tropical Ngezi Forest on the Pemba Island of the archipelago. Pemba is one of the two major islands of the archipelago.

Bakari Aseed and William Stanley have spotted the flying mammalin the Pemba forest last week.

Bakari told local media that the bat, now known as Mops Bakari, was last seen during the Prophet Adam period some 5,000 years ago.

Both Bakari Aseed and William Stanley are working with the Zanzibar government in the department of forestry, fruit and trade.

Experts estimate that there are some 1,100 species of bats worldwide, accounting for about 20 percent of all mammal species. Most bats are insectivores or living on insects while some are frugivores or living on fruits with only a few species being carnivorous or living on meats.

Bats perform a vital role in ecology by pollinating flowers and also serve an important role in seed dispersal. Many tropical plants are entirely dependent on bats. 　

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-03/18/content_11032232.htm