BATS of PNG - 2009 (15th July, 2009)

BRIEFs on Bats of Papua New Guinea; ..........................................................................

The island nation of Papua New Guinea is, without doubt, one of the most unusual
and interesting countries on Earth. Although it covers only 475,369 km2, an area
roughly the size of the American state of Carlifornia, it is one of the biologically richest
and most diverse nations on Earth, ranking among the world’s top 17 megadiversity
countries. Holding to some of the largest and most important remaining blocks of
tropical forest wilderness, thus, making it a perfect home to the bulk of the mammalian
diversity, bats being the most numerous.

The order Chiroptera, the bats, is well represented and highly diverse in Papua New
Guinea. Of the 986 living species worldwide, 91, or nearly 9%, are found within this
nation’s borders. Representatives of 6 of the 18 living families are included in this
fauna.

Like many other interesting subjects featured over the years, this year, The Philatelic
Bureau of Papua New Guinea decided to feature bats as the subject in it’s 7th stamp
issue.
All species featured in the issue are shown below, next to their denominations.

Retail price K13.55

First Day Cover with Stampset