MEGACHIROPTERA Meaning and
Definition
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Megachiroptera, also known as the megabats or Old World fruit bats, are a suborder within the order Chiroptera, which encompasses all bat species. They are characterized by their large size compared to other bat species. The name "Megachiroptera" is derived from the Greek words "mega," meaning large, and "chiroptera," meaning hand-winged creatures.
These bats have a wingspan that typically ranges from one to six feet, with some species reaching over six feet. They are primarily found in the tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World, including Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands. Megachiroptera are known for their ability to fly long distances and for their strong navigational skills.
Unlike their counterparts, the microbats, megabats have a well-developed sense of vision and primarily rely on their keen eyesight to navigate and locate food sources. They are mainly fruit-eating bats, and their diet consists of nectar, pollen, and ripe fruits. Due to their vital role in seed dispersal, they play a crucial role in the ecology of many ecosystems.
These bats typically live in large colonies, sometimes numbering in the thousands or even millions. They frequently utilize caves, trees, and even man-made structures as roosting sites. Megachiroptera are generally considered gentle and non-aggressive towards humans, but like all bats, they should be admired from a distance and not disturbed in their natural habitat.
Common Misspellings for MEGACHIROPTERA
- negachiroptera
- kegachiroptera
- jegachiroptera
- mwgachiroptera
- msgachiroptera
- mdgachiroptera
- mrgachiroptera
- m4gachiroptera
- m3gachiroptera
- mefachiroptera
- mevachiroptera
- mebachiroptera
- mehachiroptera
- meyachiroptera
- metachiroptera
- megzchiroptera
- megschiroptera
- megwchiroptera
- megqchiroptera
Etymology of MEGACHIROPTERA
The word "megachiroptera" has its roots in the Greek language. "Megalo" means "large" and "cheir" translates to "hand", while "ptera" stands for "wing". Therefore, "megachiroptera" literally means "large hand-wing". It is a term used to refer to a suborder of bats that generally include the larger bats with a wingspan of more than 1.5 meters.
