Species’ name officially recognised

An unusual breed of fruit bat — previously nicknamed ‘Yoda’ due to its resemblance to the Jedi Master in the popular Star Wars movies — has now officially been registered as a new species.

Discovered in a remote rainforest of Papua New Guinea, the bat has been renamed the happy (Hamamas) tube-nosed fruit bat. Its unusual features saw it affectionately referred to as the ‘Yoda bat’.

However, after examining studies and some 3,000 specimens in 18 museums around the world, a researcher from the University of York in the U.K. has formally distinguished and registered the new species.

“The species is very difficult to tell apart from other tube-nosed bat species,” said Nancy Irwin, research fellow in the university’s Department of Biology.

“Most of the morphological characteristics that separate this bat from other species are associated with a broader, rounder jaw, which gives the appearance of a constant smile,” she said.

“Since most remote Papuans have never seen Star Wars, I thought it fitting to use a local name: the Hamamas — meaning happy — tube-nosed fruit bat,” Ms. Irwin said.