Myzopoda schliemanni has large, flat adhesive organs – or suckers – on its thumbs and hind legs (Image: Steven M Goodman, The Field Museum)

A new species of bat with suckers attached to its hind feet and thumbs has been found in Madagascar.

The bat, Myzopoda schliemanni, uses the large, flat adhesive organs to cling to the underside of local broad-leaf plants, such as the Travelers’ Palm (Ravenala madagascariensis). It roosts on these plants during the day.


The suckers are similar to that of its closest relative on the island, Myzopoda aurita which was discovered in the 19th century and was, until now, was the only known sucker-footed bat.

The new species is distinguished by its fur, which is longer and a mix of brown and mouse-grey, rather than uniform dark brown.

Handy hangouts

Sucker-footed bats had been considered endangered on the island, according to Steven Goodman of the Field Museum in Chicago, US, but the new finding demonstrates that Myzopoda is more common on the island than thought.

The new species was discovered in three locations in dry deciduous forest on the western side of the island – the opposite side to the known habitats of sucker-footed bats.

The two bats’ fortunes have been helped by their relationship with the broad-leaf plant on which they hang, say the researchers. While many of Madagascar’s forests have been cleared or burned by humans, the plants on which the bats roost are among the first to recolonise degraded areas.

Journal reference: Mammalian Biology (DOI:10.1016/j.mambio.2006.08.001)