It is not known to what extent members of this species communicate with one another; however, it is likely that there is some scent communication, like pheromones, because they are mammals. In fact there is extensive use of scent marking within another Chiropteran order, Emballonuridae.
The most intriguing thing about bats must be their use of echolocation. Within the sub-order Microchiroptera all species use this as one of their primary sources of perception.
Because this species is nocturnal and insectivorous, individuals rely mainly on echolocation to locate and hunt down prey. In fact, this species' ability to negotiate through complex environments has been extensively researched, Asellia tridens can detect and avoid wires with a diameter of only .65 mm.
Communication Channels: acoustic ; chemical
Other Communication Modes: pheromones
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; ultrasound ; echolocation ; chemical
Trident leaf-nosed bats are not currently protected by any legislation, populations seem stable and the species is widespread. Like all bats, populations may be threatened by roost disturbance, pesticides, and human persecution.
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
There are no recorded negative economic impacts due to Asellia tridens, although it could be considered a nuisance since it at times roosts within man-made structures.
Negative Impacts: household pest
Colonies of A. tridens can consume vast numbers of insects, which may be crop pests or disease vectors.
Positive Impacts: controls pest population
Asellia tridens plays a large role in controlling insect populations in its habitat. Nothing is known about its parasites, except that it is host to a tick (Argas fischeri).
Commensal/Parasitic Species:
An in-depth study of Asellia tridens gives us a good estimate of its diet. The following is a list of the main prey found in guano in Israel:
Beetles (Coleoptera): this is the main prey item in the diet of A. tridens. The diet of the other bats in the area also consisted mainly of this prey item, in fact compared to the competition; Asellia was the least successful with this particular prey item.
Butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera): Asellia tridens was much better at catching this prey compared to the competition. This isn't too surprising, as many people have described their flight to be very quick and agile.
Crickets and grasshoppers (Orthoptera): Asellia tridens was also much more successful at catching these prey items than were their competitors.
Flies (Diptera): Asellia tridens was also quite successful at catching these prey items.
True bugs (Heteroptera): Asellia tridens was the worst amongst other bats in the area at catching these prey items, however, this group did not make up a significant portion of any of their diets.
Caddisflies (Trichoptera) and wasps and bees (Hymenoptera) were also found within the guano of A. tridens in the study.
Comparatively, A. tridens had the most diverse diet of all sympatric bat species, and excelled above all in their ability to catch moths and butterflies.
Animal Foods: insects
Primary Diet: carnivore (Insectivore )
Trident nose-leaf bats are found in Northern Africa and the Middle east. Asellia tridens lives in some of the hottest areas in the world, spanning the region from Morocco to northern India.
There are two sub-species, A.t. tridens and A.t. murriana. Asellia t. murriana is commonly found only from Egypt to Saudi Arabia and into Israel and Jordan, , while A.t. tridens is found on either side of the range of A. t. muriana.
Biogeographic Regions: palearctic (Native )
Although successful in all habitats within its range, from from the desert to the Mediterranean coast, the sub-species A. t. murriana is found in some of the hottest areas of the desert where no other bats can seem to survive.
Although mainly a desert species, Asellia tridens has made some headway into coastal and mountainous regions. It roosts in a variety of sheltered areas, from caves to sheds and temples.
Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: desert or dune ; savanna or grassland ; scrub forest
Other Habitat Features: agricultural ; caves
No information regarding the lifespan of these bats could be found.
Asellia tridens is a member of the family Rhinolophidae, which is known for its nose-leaves. The nose-leaf is distinct, with three cusps (trident) on the leaf; the outer two are blunted, whereas the central one is pointed.
There are two distinct color phases in this species, with one other variant sometimes appearing. The first phase is pale grayish-brown, and the second is pale orange-brown or silty-yellow with a whitish underside. The additional variant is described as having a reddish hue.
Some other important characteristics for identifying these bats in the field are its lack of a tragus, and its projecting tail, which can extend up to 5 mm beyond the flight membrane. Specimens are generally 66-90 mm in total length.
Range length: 66 to 90 mm.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; heterothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike
There are no known natural predators of this species. Young in roosts may be taken by predators such as snakes or other small, agile carnivores.
The mating system of Asellia tridens has yet to be studied in much detail.
Not much is known about the details of mating behavior and reproduction within the species, however, the gestation period is estimated to be 9 to 10 weeks. These bats normally bear a single offspring, which is born in early June. They probably mate just before moving back to their summer roosts.
Breeding interval: Once yearly
Breeding season: Early spring
Average number of offspring: 1.
Range gestation period: 9 to 10 weeks.
Average weaning age: 4 months.
Range time to independence: 5 to 6 weeks.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 2 years.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 2 years.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; viviparous
No specific information is available for this species. However, as in all mammals, females care for and nourish their young until they reach independence.
Parental Investment: altricial ; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female)
Widespread (Nile Valley, Western Desert, central and southern Eastern Desert, Sinai).
Native, resident.
The trident bat or trident leaf-nosed bat (Asellia tridens) is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae. It is widely distributed in the Middle East, South and Central Asia, and North, East, and Central Africa. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, dry savanna, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, caves and hot deserts.
Individuals weigh 12–13 g (0.42–0.46 oz) and have forearm lengths of approximately 50 mm (2.0 in).[2]
The trident bat was described as a new species in 1813 by French naturalist Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire. Geoffroy placed it in the genus Rhinolophus, with a scientific name of Rhinolophus tridens.[3]
After a gestation length of 10 weeks, females give birth in a three-week period in the end of June and beginning of July. The litter size for each female is one offspring, called a pup. Pups are relatively large at birth, weighing up to 30% of their mothers' weights (2.5–3 g (0.088–0.106 oz)). Though hairless at birth with closed eyes, a sign of altricial offspring, their eyes open by three or four days old, and fur has started growing. For the first two or three days of life, the pup is latched to its mother's pubic nipple at all times. At three or four days old, mothers leave their pups at the roost at night so they can forage. Pups become volant (able to fly) at around three weeks old, and are totally weaned and independent by six or seven weeks old.[2]
Its predators include birds of prey such as the sooty falcon, lanner falcon, barn owl, Pharaoh eagle-owl, spotted eagle-owl, and Long-eared owl.[3]
As of 2017, the trident bat is evaluated as a least-concern species by the IUCN. It meets the criteria for this classification due to its wide geographic range; presumably large population size; and the fact that it is not likely to be experiencing rapid population decline. Its range presumably encompasses several protected areas.[1]
The trident bat or trident leaf-nosed bat (Asellia tridens) is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae. It is widely distributed in the Middle East, South and Central Asia, and North, East, and Central Africa. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, dry savanna, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, caves and hot deserts.
