1. Members of the order Chiroptera; mammals with wings formed by a membrane stretched between elongated finger bones, including bats.
Usage: plural form; scientific/technical term; often used in zoology and biology contexts

Examples

• Chiropterans are the only mammals capable of true flight.
• Scientists study chiropterans to understand echolocation and wing evolution.
• Many chiropterans are nocturnal and feed on insects or fruit.
• The diversity of chiropterans includes over 1,400 species worldwide.
• Chiropterans play an important role in pollination and pest control ecosystems.