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Researchers confirm new species of bat-By Kasun Warakapitiya Source:Sundaytimes A species of bat has been discovered in Sri Lanka by a team of Sri Lankan and overseas researchers. Biologist and researcher, Mr Tharaka Kusuminda, who led the team, cautioned that most species of bat face habitat loss. Bats that eat fruit and insects are losing their roosting places as forests are being cleared. Mr Kusuminda said Sri Lanka, which had 31 species of bat along with the newly identified species, are also threatened by the use of chemical fertilisers in agriculture. Bats play an important role in the environment as the fruit eating species helps to disperse seed in the forests, while the insect eating bats prey on crop-destroying pests. The newly-discovered bat is scientifically known as Miniopterus phillipsi, and Phillip’s long-fingered bat in English. ...