Wing Morphology and Flight Behaviour of the Golden-Tipped Bat, Phoniscus Papuensis (Dobson) (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

The wing morphology and flight performance of Phoniscus papuensis was examined to determine whether the wing morphology reflected published observations of flight behaviour and habitat preference. Wingspan and wing area were above the vespertilionid average for its mass. The wing loading and aspect ratio were below average. The wing loading is the lowest of any Australian vespertilionid. P. papuensis was able to successfully negotiate arrays of obstacles 22 cm apart 60% of the time. This ability, and the extremely broad, lightly loaded wings, afford the species unique flight characteristics which have been observed in the field and allow flight in complex, 'closed' habitats.