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{{Short description|Species of bat}}
{{speciesbox
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 17 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Monadjem, A. |author2=Ranivo, J. |author3=Hutson, A.M. |author4=Schlitter, D. |author5=Racey, P.A. |date=2017 |title=''Miniopterus fraterculus'' |volume=2017 |page=e.T13563A22104581 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T13563A22104581.en |access-date=17 November 2021}}</ref>
| genus = Miniopterus
| species = fraterculus
| authority = [[Oldfield Thomas|Thomas]] & Schwann, 1906
| synonyms =
}}

The '''lesser long-fingered bat''' ('''''Miniopterus fraterculus'''''), also known as the '''black clinging ba'''t or '''lesser bent-winged bat''', is a species of [[vesper bat]] in the family [[Miniopteridae]]. It is found in western [[Southern Africa]], south [[East Africa]], and parts of [[Central Africa]]. Its natural habitats are temperate forests, temperate [[shrubland]], and caves and other subterranean habitats.

It has been assessed as [[Least-concern species|least-concern]] by the [[International Union for Conservation of Nature|IUCN]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/en|title=IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Miniopterus fraterculus|last1=Group)|first1=Anthony Hutson (IUCN SSC Chiroptera Specialist|last2=Paul Racey (University of Aberdeen|first2=Scotland)|date=2016-08-31|website=IUCN Red List of Threatened Species|access-date=2020-04-13|last3=Ranivo|first3=J.|last4=Swaziland)|first4=Ara Monadjem (University of|last5=Schlitter|first5=D.}}</ref><ref name="Goodman 2007">{{cite journal|doi=10.1644/06-MAMM-A-285R1.1|title=Specific Status of Populations on Madagascar Referred to Miniopterus fraterculus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae), with Description of a New Species|journal=Journal of Mammalogy|volume=88|issue=5|pages=1216|year=2007|last1=Goodman|first1=S. M|last2=Ryan|first2=K. E|last3=Maminirina|first3=C. P|last4=Fahr|first4=J|last5=Christidis|first5=L|last6=Appleton|first6=B|doi-access=free|hdl=10536/DRO/DU:30047827|hdl-access=free}}</ref>

== Taxonomy ==
The currently recognized species is thought to be a complex of morphologically similar species. The reported population of this species from Madagascar is now allocated to the recently described ''[[Miniopterus sororculus|M. sororculus]]''.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Goodman|first1=S. M.|last2=Ryan|first2=K. E.|last3=Maminirina|first3=C. P.|last4=Fahr|first4=J.|last5=Christidis|first5=L.|last6=Appleton|first6=B.|date=2007-10-18|title=Specific Status of Populations on Madagascar Referred to Miniopterus fraterculus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae), with Description of a New Species|journal=Journal of Mammalogy|language=en|volume=88|issue=5|pages=1216–1229|doi=10.1644/06-MAMM-A-285R1.1|hdl=10536/DRO/DU:30047827 |issn=0022-2372|doi-access=free|hdl-access=free}}</ref>

== Biology ==
The species is insectivorous.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ewt.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/19.-Lesser-Long-fingered-Bat-Miniopterus-fraterculus_LC.pdf|title=Miniopterus fraterculus – Lesser Long-fingered Bat|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref>

== Habitat and distribution ==
It is common and widespread throughout a number of small ranges across Africa. The bat is found in [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], [[Eswatini]], [[Kenya]], [[Malawi]], [[Mozambique]], [[Rwanda]], [[South Africa]], [[Tanzania]], [[Uganda]], [[Zambia]], and [[Zimbabwe]]. The upper elevation limit for the bat is around 2,200 meters above sea level.

It is found in dry [[bushveld]], [[lowveld]], [[Mistbelt Forest|mistbelt]], and [[Forest|forest habitats]], where caves, tunnels, unused mines and railways, and rocky overhangs are present. In the [[KwaZulu-Natal]] it has been observed in damp sandstone caves, a solution cave of [[glacio-fluvial]] boulder clay, a rocky overhang over a forest stream, a rock fissure, a railway tunnel as well as from unused [[Adit|mine adits]].<ref name=":0" />

== Conservation ==
The species has been assessed as "least concern" by the [[IUCN Red List]] due to the lack of threats to the species and its large range. It is also presumed to have a large population. It is found in Tanzania's [[Manga Forest Reserve]] and is presumably also found in other protected areas across its range.<ref name=":0" />

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
<br />{{Miniopterus nav}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q2118486}}

[[Category:Miniopteridae]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Oldfield Thomas]]
[[Category:Bats of Africa]]
[[Category:Mammals described in 1906]]
[[Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot]]

Lesser long-fingered bat - Revision history

imported>Enwebb: rm stub tags