
Murininae is one of the four subfamilies of Vespertilionidae, itself one of twenty families of bats in the mammalian order Chiroptera and part of the microbat suborder. A member of this subfamily is called a murinine, or a tube-nosed bat. They are found in Asia and Australia, primarily in forests and caves, though some species can also be found in savannas. They range in size from the Da Lat tube-nosed bat, at 3 cm (1 in) plus a 2 cm (1 in) tail, to the lesser hairy-winged bat, at 8 cm (3 in) plus a 5 cm (2 in) tail. Like all bats, murinines are capable of true and sustained flight. They have forearm lengths ranging from 2 cm (1 in) to 6 cm (2 in). They are all insectivorous and eat a variety of insects and spiders. Almost no murinines have population estimates, though two—the Da Lat tube-nosed bat and Ryukyu tube-nosed bat—are categorized as endangered species, and two species—the Bala tube-nosed bat and gloomy tube-nosed bat—are categorized as critically endangered.
The 56 extant species of Murininae are divided between three genera: Harpiocephalus with one species, Harpiola with two species, and Murina with the other 53. A few extinct prehistoric murinine species have been discovered, though due to ongoing research and discoveries the exact number and categorization is not fixed.
| Conservation status | |
|---|---|
| EX | Extinct (0 species) |
| EW | Extinct in the wild (0 species) |
| CR | Critically endangered (2 species) |
| EN | Endangered (2 species) |
| VU | Vulnerable (2 species) |
| NT | Near threatened (0 species) |
| LC | Least concern (18 species) |
| Other categories | |
| DD | Data deficient (11 species) |
| NE | Not evaluated (21 species) |
The author citation for the species or genus is given after the scientific name; parentheses around the author citation indicate that this was not the original taxonomic placement. Conservation status codes listed follow the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Range maps are provided wherever possible; if a range map is not available, a description of the murinine's range is provided. Ranges are based on the IUCN Red List for that species unless otherwise noted. Population figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.
Murininae, one of the four subfamilies of the family Vespertilionidae, contains 56 extant species divided into 3 genera.
Subfamily Murininae
The following classification is based on the taxonomy described by the reference work Mammal Species of the World (2005), with augmentation by generally accepted proposals made since using molecular phylogenetic analysis, as supported by both the IUCN SSC Bat Specialist Group and the American Society of Mammalogists.
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lesser hairy-winged bat | H. harpia Temminck, 1840 Four subspecies
|
Southeastern Asia |
Size: 5–8 cm (2–3 in), plus 4–5 cm (2 in) tail 4–6 cm (2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest |
LC Unknown |
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formosan golden tube-nosed bat | H. isodon Kuo, Fang, Csorba, & Lee, 2006 |
Taiwan | Size: 4–6 cm (2 in), plus 2–4 cm (1–2 in) tail 3–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest, inland wetlands, and caves |
LC Unknown |
| Peters's tube-nosed bat | H. grisea Peters, 1872 |
Northern and eastern India |
Size: About 5 cm (2 in), plus about 3 cm (1 in) tail 3–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest |
DD Unknown |
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annam tube-nosed bat | M. annamitica Francis & Eger, 2012 |
Southeastern Asia |
Size: 3–6 cm (1–2 in), plus 3–4 cm (1–2 in) tail 2–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest and savanna |
LC Unknown |
| Alvarez's tube-nosed bat | M. alvarezi Eger, Sedlock, Lim, & Heaney, 2025 |
Philippines | Size: 3–5 cm (1–2 in), plus 2–5 cm (1–2 in) tail 2–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest and caves |
NE Unknown |
| Bala tube-nosed bat | M. balaensis Soisook, Karapan, Satasook, & Bates, 2013 |
Thailand |
Size: About 3 cm (1 in), plus 3–4 cm (1–2 in) tail 2–3 cm (1 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest |
CR Unknown |
| Balete's tube-nosed bat | M. baletei Eger, Sedlock, Lim, & Heaney, 2025 |
Philippines | Size: 3–5 cm (1–2 in), plus 2–5 cm (1–2 in) tail 2–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest and caves |
NE Unknown |
| Beelzebub's tube-nosed bat | M. beelzebub Son, Furey, & Csorba, 2011 |
Vietnam and Laos | Size: 4–5 cm (2 in), plus 3–5 cm (1–2 in) tail 3–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest |
DD Unknown |
| Beibeng tube-nosed bat | M. beibengensis Luo, Mao, & Zhou, 2025 |
China | Size: 3–5 cm (1–2 in), plus 2–5 cm (1–2 in) tail 2–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest and caves |
NE Unknown |
| Bicolored tube-nosed bat | M. bicolor Kuo, Fang, Csorba, & Lee, 2009 |
Taiwan | Size: 4–5 cm (2 in), plus 4–5 cm (2 in) tail 3–5 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest |
LC Unknown |
| Bronze tube-nosed bat | M. aenea Hill, 1964 |
Malaysia |
Size: 4–6 cm (2 in), plus 3–5 cm (1–2 in) tail 3–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest |
VU Unknown |
| Brown tube-nosed bat | M. suilla Temminck, 1840 Two subspecies
|
Southeastern Asia |
Size: 3–7 cm (1–3 in), plus 2–4 cm (1–2 in) tail 2–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest |
LC Unknown |
| Chayu tube-nosed bat | M. chayuensis Luo & Zhou, 2025 |
China | Size: 3–5 cm (1–2 in), plus 2–5 cm (1–2 in) tail 2–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest and caves |
NE Unknown |
| Da Lat tube-nosed bat | M. harpioloides Kruskop & Eger, 2008 |
Vietnam | Size: 3–4 cm (1–2 in), plus 2–3 cm (1 in) tail about 3 cm (1 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest |
EN Unknown |
| Dusky tube-nosed bat | M. fusca Sowerby, 1922 |
Northeastern China | Size: About 6 cm (2 in), plus about 3 cm (1 in) tail about 4 cm (2 in) forearm length Habitat: Unknown |
DD Unknown |
| Elery's tube-nosed bat | M. eleryi Furey, Thong, Bates, & Csorba, 2009 |
Southeastern Asia |
Size: 3–4 cm (1–2 in), plus 2–4 cm (1–2 in) tail 2–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest |
LC Unknown |
| Fea's tube-nosed bat | M. feae Thomas, 1891 |
Southeastern Asia | Size: 3–5 cm (1–2 in), plus 2–5 cm (1–2 in) tail 2–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest and caves |
LC Unknown |
| Fiona's tube-nosed bat | M. fionae Francis & Eger, 2012 |
Southeastern Asia |
Size: 4–6 cm (2 in), plus 3–5 cm (1–2 in) tail 3–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest |
LC Unknown |
| Flute-nosed bat | M. florium Thomas, 1908 Three subspecies
|
Southeastern Asia and Northern Australia (M. f. florium in red, M. f. lanosa in blue, and M. f. toxopei in green) |
Size: 3–6 cm (1–2 in), plus 3–4 cm (1–2 in) tail 3–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest and savanna |
LC Unknown |
| Fujian tube-nosed bat | M. rubella Thomas, 1914 |
Southeastern Asia | Size: 4–6 cm (2 in), plus 3–5 cm (1–2 in) tail 3–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest |
NE Unknown |
| Gilded tube-nosed bat | M. rozendaali Hill & Francis, 1984 |
Southeastern Asia |
Size: 4–5 cm (2 in), plus 2–5 cm (1–2 in) tail 2–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest |
VU Unknown |
| Gloomy tube-nosed bat | M. tenebrosa Yoshiyuki, 1970 |
Tsushima Island in Japan | Size: About 5 cm (2 in), plus about 3 cm (1 in) tail about 3 cm (1 in) forearm length Habitat: Caves |
CR 1 |
| Golden-haired tube-nosed bat | M. chrysochaetes Eger & Lim, 2011 |
Southern China and northern Vietnam | Size: 4–5 cm (2 in), plus 2–3 cm (1 in) tail 2–3 cm (1 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest |
DD Unknown |
| Greater tube-nosed bat | M. leucogaster (A. Milne-Edwards, 1872) Two subspecies
|
Eastern Asia | Size: 4–7 cm (2–3 in), plus 3–5 cm (1–2 in) tail 3–5 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest |
LC Unknown |
| Guillén's tube-nosed bat | M. guilleni Soisook, Karapan, Satasook, Thong, Khan, Maryanto, Csorba, Furey, Aul, & Bates, 2013 |
Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Thailand | Size: 4–6 cm (2 in), plus 2–5 cm (1–2 in) tail 3–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest and caves |
NE Unknown |
| Harrison's tube-nosed bat | M. harrisoni Csorba & Bates, 2005 |
Southeastern Asia |
Size: 3–6 cm (1–2 in), plus 3–5 cm (1–2 in) tail 3–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest |
LC Unknown |
| Hidden tube-nosed bat | M. recondita Kuo, Fang, Csorba, & Lee, 2009 |
Taiwan | Size: Unknown length 2–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest |
LC Unknown |
| Hilgendorf's tube-nosed bat | M. hilgendorfi Peters, 1880 |
Eastern Asia |
Size: 4–7 cm (2–3 in), plus 3–5 cm (1–2 in) tail 3–5 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Caves and forest |
LC Unknown |
| Hilong-hilong tube-nosed bat | M. hilonghilong Eger, Sedlock, Lim, & Heaney, 2025 |
Philippines | Size: 3–5 cm (1–2 in), plus 2–5 cm (1–2 in) tail 2–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest and caves |
NE Unknown |
| Hkakabo Razi tube-nosed bat | M. hkakaboraziensis Soisook, Thaw, Kyaw, Oo, Pimsai, Suarez-Rubio, & Renner, 2017 |
Philippines | Size: About 4 cm (2 in), plus about 3 cm (1 in) tail about 3 cm (1 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest |
NE Unknown |
| Huanglianshan tube-nosed bat | M. huanglianensis Li & Mou, 2026 |
China | Size: About 3 cm (1 in), plus 3–4 cm (1–2 in) tail 2–3 cm (1 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest |
NE Unknown |
| Hutton's tube-nosed bat | M. huttoni (Peters, 1872) |
Southern and southeastern Asia |
Size: 4–6 cm (2 in), plus 3–5 cm (1–2 in) tail 3–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest |
LC Unknown |
| Jaintia tube-nosed bat | M. jaintiana Ruedi, Biswas, & Csorba, 2012 |
India and Myanmar | Size: About 4 cm (2 in), plus about 3 cm (1 in) tail 2–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest |
DD Unknown |
| Jinchu's tube-nosed bat | M. jinchui Yu, Csorba, & Wu, 2020 |
China | Size: 4–5 cm (1 in), plus 3–4 cm (1–2 in) tail 3–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest |
NE Unknown |
| Kon Tum tube-nosed bat | M. kontumensis Son, Csorba, Tu, & Motokawa, 2015 |
Philippines | Size: About 4 cm (2 in), plus about 4 cm (2 in) tail about 3 cm (1 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest |
NE Unknown |
| Libo tube-nosed bat | M. liboensis Zeng, Chen, Deng, Xiao, & Zhou, 2018 |
China | Size: 3–5 cm (1–2 in), plus 3–4 cm (1–2 in) tail 2–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest and caves |
NE Unknown |
| Little tube-nosed bat | M. aurata A. Milne-Edwards, 1872 |
Southern and eastern Asia | Size: 3–5 cm (1–2 in), plus 2–4 cm (1–2 in) tail 2–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest |
DD Unknown |
| Lorelie's tube-nosed bat | M. lorelieae Eger & Lim, 2011 |
Southern China | Size: 3–5 cm (1–2 in), plus 3–5 cm (1–2 in) tail 3–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest |
DD Unknown |
| Luzon tube-nosed bat | M. luzonensis Eger, Sedlock, Lim, & Heaney, 2025 |
Philippines | Size: 3–5 cm (1–2 in), plus 2–5 cm (1–2 in) tail 2–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest and caves |
NE Unknown |
| Medog tube-nosed bat | M. medogensis Mao, Lan, & Zhou, 2025 |
China | Size: 3–5 cm (1–2 in), plus 3–4 cm (1–2 in) tail 2–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest and caves |
NE Unknown |
| Milin tube-nosed bat | M. milinensis Luo, Mao, & Zhou, 2025 |
China | Size: 3–5 cm (1–2 in), plus 3–4 cm (1–2 in) tail 2–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest and caves |
NE Unknown |
| Mindoro tube-nosed bat | M. mindorensis Eger, Sedlock, Lim, & Heaney, 2025 |
Philippines | Size: 3–5 cm (1–2 in), plus 2–5 cm (1–2 in) tail 2–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest and caves |
NE Unknown |
| Peninsular tube-nosed bat | M. peninsularis Hill, 1964 |
Philippines | Size: 3–5 cm (1–2 in), plus 2–5 cm (1–2 in) tail 2–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest and caves |
NE Unknown |
| Philippine tube-nosed bat | M. philippinensis Eger, Sedlock, Lim, & Heaney, 2025 |
Philippines | Size: 3–5 cm (1–2 in), plus 2–5 cm (1–2 in) tail 2–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest and caves |
NE Unknown |
| Rainforest tube-nosed bat | M. pluvialis Ruedi, Biswas, & Csorba, 2012 |
India | Size: About 4 cm (2 in), plus about 3 cm (1 in) tail about 3 cm (1 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest |
DD Unknown |
| Round-eared tube-nosed bat | M. cyclotis Dobson, 1872 Three subspecies
|
Southern and southeastern Asia |
Size: 3–5 cm (1–2 in), plus 2–5 cm (1–2 in) tail 2–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest and caves |
LC Unknown |
| Ryukyu tube-nosed bat | M. ryukyuana Maeda & Matsumura, 1998 |
Japan | Size: 4–5 cm (2 in), plus 3–5 cm (1–2 in) tail 3–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest |
EN Unknown |
| Scully's tube-nosed bat | M. tubinaris Scully, 1881 |
Central Asia | Size: About 5 cm (2 in), plus about 4 cm (2 in) tail 3–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest |
DD Unknown |
| Shuipu tube-nosed bat | M. shuipuensis Eger & Lim, 2011 |
Southern China | Size: 3–5 cm (1–2 in), plus 3–5 cm (1–2 in) tail 3–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Unknown |
DD Unknown |
| Slender tube-nosed bat | M. gracilis Kuo, Fang, Csorba, & Lee, 2009 |
Taiwan | Size: Unknown length 2–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest |
LC Unknown |
| Taiwan tube-nosed bat | M. puta Kishida, 1924 |
Taiwan | Size: 5–7 cm (2–3 in), plus 3–4 cm (1–2 in) tail 3–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest |
LC Unknown |
| Ussuri tube-nosed bat | M. ussuriensis Ogniov, 1913 |
Eastern Asia |
Size: 4–5 cm (2 in), plus 2–4 cm (1–2 in) tail 2–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest and caves |
LC Unknown |
| Walston's tube-nosed bat | M. walstoni Furey, Csorba, & Son, 2011 |
Southeastern Asia |
Size: 3–5 cm (1–2 in), plus 2–4 cm (1–2 in) tail 2–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest |
DD Unknown |
| Yadong tube-nosed bat | M. yadongensis Mao, Zhao, & Zhou, 2025 |
China | Size: 3–5 cm (1–2 in), plus 3–4 cm (1–2 in) tail 2–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest and caves |
NE Unknown |
| Yuanyang tube-nosed bat | M. yuanyang Mou, Qian, Li] (zoologist), Li, Luo, & Li, 2025 |
China | Size: 3–5 cm (1–2 in), plus 3–4 cm (1–2 in) tail 2–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest and caves |
NE Unknown |
| Yushu tube-nosed bat | M. yushuensis Han, Csorba, & Wu, 2024 |
China | Size: 3–5 cm (1–2 in), plus 3–4 cm (1–2 in) tail 2–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length Habitat: Forest and caves |
NE Unknown |