Historically, bats have been scientifically categorized into two primary suborders: Microchiroptera and Megachiroptera. These two suborders have been more commonly known as “microbats” and “megabats”, both retaining their own set of special characteristics, attributes, behaviors, and more.

However, colloquial modifications to the scientific subordinal nomenclature of bats have been made in the recent years to more accurately describe the microbat species. So the taxon, Microchiroptera, is now seen as Yangochiroptera, with the exclusion of some microbat species. Continue reading to learn more.

Yangochiroptera Suborder

Yangochiroptera is a suborder of Chiroptera order, and is also known as the Vespertilioniformes suborder. This suborder contains all microbat families, with the exception of Megadermatidae, Rhinolophidae, Rhinopomatidae, and the Hipposideridae bat families.

Megabats, as well as the 4 above-mentioned bat families, are part of the suborder Yinpterochiroptera. In contrast, some researchers believe the classifications Pteropodiformes and Vespertilioniformes are more accurate, and use them instead of Yinpterochiroptera and Yangochiroptera.

Why the Change?

Although the suggestion to implement the term Yangochiroptera dates back to 1984, it has recently been recognized more heavily in the world of science. The change has been proposed to contest the traditional view that megabats and microbats form monophyletic groups.

The categorization of bat families in the Yangochiroptera suborder is based mostly on molecular genetics data, as well as, current studies that use molecular and morphological cladistic methodology to research bat evolution.

Common Families of Yangochiroptera Bats:

🦇 Cistugidae (Wing-gland bats)
🦇 Emballonuridae (Sac-winged bats)
🦇 Vespertilionidae (Vesper bats)
🦇 Phyllostomidae (Leaf-nosed bats)
🦇 Myzopodidae (Sucker-footed bats)
🦇 Furipteridae (Smoky bats)
🦇 Miniopteridae (Bent-winged or long winged bats)
🦇 Noctilionidae (Bulldog bats)|
🦇 Molossidae (Free-tailed bats)
🦇 Mormoopidae (Ghost-faced bats)
🦇 Mystacinidae (New Zealand short-tailed bats)
🦇 Natalidae (Funnel-eared bats)
🦇 Nycteridae (Hollow-faced bats)
🦇 Thyropteridae (Disk-winged bats)

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