Definition of vespertilionid in English:
vespertilionid
nounˌvɛspətɪlɪˈɒnɪdˌvespərˈtilēənid
Zoology A bat of a large family (Vespertilionidae ) that includes most of the typical insectivorous bats of northern temperate regions.
Example sentencesExamples
- The vespertilionid genus Myotis has the widest distribution of all bat genera.
- Like many vespertilionid bats, females of some rhinolophid species mate during the fall and store the sperm over the winter, conceiving and gestating young beginning in the spring.
- Vespertilionids have the longest span, largest wing area and lowest wing loading in relation to body mass of the bat groups for which regression lines were calculated.
- Many vespertilionids live in caves, but these bats can also be found in mine shafts, tunnels, tree roosts, rock crevices, buildings, etc.
- For comparison, respirometric data were also obtained from Nyctalus noctula, a hibernating vespertilionid bat of similar body size and convergent foraging habits.
Origin
Late 19th century: from modern Latin Vespertilionidae (plural), from Latin vespertilio 'bat'.