It was described as a new species in 1980 by Bergmans and Hill. The holotype was collected in 1977 in northern Sumatra. The species name "spinulatus" is from Latinspina meaning "spine" and ala meaning "wing;" the scientific name refers to the fact that the wings insert along the spine rather than the sides of the body, which is unique in the genus Rousettus.[3]
The bare-backed rousette is a small megabat with a cone-shaped snout. Its face has a number of small warts on its chin, around its mouth, and between its upper lip and eyes. Its wings are short and broad.[3] Its forearm length is approximately 83–89 mm (3.3–3.5 in). Individuals weigh 88–94 g (3.1–3.3 oz).[4]
It is nocturnal, roosting in sheltered places during the day such as caves. They navigate and potentially locate food resources using a primitive form of echolocation. They create high-pitched buzzing calls by moving the tongue against the palate.[4] Food sources may include nectar and fruit,[1] though it is alleged that they eat edible-nest swiftlet eggs and hatchlings, causing damage to the economically valuable nests.[4]
^ abcPhillipps, Q.; Phillipps, K. (2016). Phillipps' Field Guide to the Mammals of Borneo and Their Ecology: Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei, and Kalimantan. Princeton University Press. p. 106. ISBN0691169411.
