Talk:Megabat

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Someone just added some images...I feel someone else should place them. :p

¦ Reisio 01:30, 23 January 2006 (UTC)

[edit] info from Pteropus page

I've moved the following text from Pteropus to Talk:Pteropus because it seems to apply to megabats in general rather than to that species. I'm copying it here as well, in case this page's editors want to incorporate it.

Easily discernible from their smaller relatives, the Microchiroptera, they are clearly recognizable by their long muzzle and are often described as having a dog-like face. Most megachiroptera species are harmless, feeding on fruit and pollen. Despite their dog or mouse like facial appearance they are more closely related to humans than rodents or canines. Their wings in particular have many similarities to the human hand. In fact the word bat comes from the Greek term for 'hand wing'. By contrast the smaller Chiroptera sub-order typically has a flatter face.

--Allen 03:48, 28 January 2006 (UTC)

Just a note that the bit about relationships is based on an older notion of mammal relationships. Genetic results have failed to support the idea that primates and bats are related. Instead, bats are part of the Laurasiatheria. Out of this list of humans, rodents, and dogs, their closest relative would be dogs. --Aranae 12:40, 30 January 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Ebola

With the recent connections between fruit bats and the Ebola virus, is this statement still accurate?
"the bats of this group are herbivorous and not at all dangerous to human beings." Alvis 07:48, 18 February 2006 (UTC)

In response to above:

Please refer to new information regarding bats and the Ebola virus: http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/04/26/news/snbats.php. I think the statement remains accurate.