This toothy bat species, Hypsugo dolichodon, was discovered in 1997, yet because a similar species, Hypsugo pulveratus existed, it wasn't until recently that scientists realized it was a distinct species of bat. Both are native to the rainforests of Vietnam and Lao PDR. Hypsugo dolichodon's fangs are longer and wider. Translation of the name means "the long-toothed pipistrelle."
In an article in Mongabay, lead researcher Tamás Görföl explains how Hypsugo dolichodon's fangs differentiate the eating habits of the animal from that of its close relative:
"The large canines may be important in grabbing prey. It may allow the bat to catch larger insects or beetles with harder exoskeleton; this may be the result of niche segregation.
This means that evolution may have allowed the new species to go after different prey or utilize different habitat than its close relatives, essentially carving out its own ecological niche."
Read the report from Mongabay here, and read a scientific study of the species here.
Via i09 | Images: Judith L. Eger