Free-tailed bat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Free-tailed Bats Fossil range: Late Eocene to Recent |
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 Unidentified molossid. Note that the tail extends beyond the uropatagium
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The family (biology) Molossidae, or Free-tailed bats, are generally quite robust bats, and consist of many strong flying forms with relatively long and narrow wings. Another common name for some members of this group, and indeed a few species from other families, is Mastiff Bat. The Western mastiff bat, Eumops perotis, a large species from the southwestern United States and Mexico with wings almost two feet across, is perhaps one of the best known with this name. They are widespread, being found on every continent except Antarctica.
The family name is derived from a length of "free" tail, projecting beyond the end of the uropatagium - the membrane that connects the base of the tail to the hind legs. The tail is usually best seen when resting. A special ring of cartilage slides up or down the tail vertebrae by muscular action to stretch or retract the tail membrane. This gives many species a degree of fine tuning in their flight maneuvers to rival their day flying ecological equivalents, such as Swifts, Swallows and Martins. As a result, these animals include the fastest flying of all bat species among their number[1]. The dental formula of Free-tailed bats varies between species:
| 1.1.1-2.2-3 |
| 1-3.1.2.3 |
Free-tailed bats are usually grey, brown, or black in color, although there are some exceptions. They range from 4 to 12 cm in length, excluding the tail, and can weigh anything from 8 to 220 grams, depending on species. They are insectivorous, and catch their food on the wing. While some species roost in small groups in hollow trees or rocky crevices, some cave-dwelling species form vast colonies of up to fifty million individuals[1].
[edit] Classification
There are sixteen genera and eighty five species in total:
- Mormopterus
- subgenus Mormopterus
- Natal Free-Tailed Bat (M. acetabulosus)
- Sumatran Mastiff Bat (M. doriae)
- Peter's Wrinkle-Lipped Bat (M. jugularis)
- Kalinowski's Mastiff Bat (M. kalinowskii)
- Little Goblin Bat (M. minutus)
- Incan Little Mastiff Bat (M. phrudus)
- subgenus Micronomus
- Beccari's Mastiff Bat (M. beccarii)
- Eastern Little Mastiff Bat (M. norfolkensis)
- Southern Free-Tailed Bat (M. planiceps)
- subgenus Mormopterus
- Sauromys (South African Flat-headed Bat)
- S. petrophilus
- Platymops (Flat-headed Free-tailed Bat)
- P. setiger
- Molossops (Broad-faced Bats)
- M. neglectus (subgenus Molossops)
- M. temminckii (Mo.)
- M. abrasus (subgenus Cynomops)
- M. greenhalli (Cy.)
- M. planirostris (Cy.)
- Neoplatymops (South American Flat-headed Bat)
- N. mattogrossensis
- Cabreramops
- (genus created for species first classified as Molossops aequatorianus)
- Myopterus
- M. albatus
- M. daubentonii
- M. whitleyi
- Tadarida (Free-tailed Bats)
- Mexican Free-tailed Bat (T. brasiliensis), (subgenus Rhizomops)
- T. aegyptiaca
- T. australis
- T. fulminans
- T. kuboriensis
- T. lobata
- T. teniotis
- T. ventralis
- Chaerephon (Lesser Mastiff Bats)
- C. aloysiisabaudiae
- C. ansorgei
- C. bemmelini
- C. bivittata
- C. chapini
- C. gallagheri
- C. jobensis
- C. jobimena
- C. johorensis
- C. major
- C. nigeriae
- C. plicata
- C. pumila
- C. russata
- Mops (Greater Mastiff Bats)
- M. condylurus (subgenus Mops)
- M. congica (Mo.)
- M. demonstrator (Mo.)
- M. midas (Mo.)
- M. mops (Mo.)
- M. niveiventer (Mo.)
- M. sarasinorum (Mo.)
- M. trevori (Mo.)
- M. brachyptera (subgenus Xiphonycteris)
- M. leonis (Xi.)
- M. nanulus (Xi.)
- M. petersoni (Xi.)
- M. spurrelli (Xi.)
- M. thersites (Xi.)
- Otomops (Big-eared Free-tailed Bats)
- O. formosus
- O. martiensseni
- O. papuensis
- O. secundus
- O. wroughtoni
- Nyctinomops (New World Free-tailed Bats)
- N. aurispinosus
- N. femorosaccus
- N. laticaudatus
- N. macrotis
- Eumops (Mastiff Bats, or Bonneted Bats)
- E. auripendulus
- E. bonariensis
- E. dabbenei
- E. glaucinus
- E. hansae
- E. maurus
- E. perotis
- E. trumbulli
- E. underwoodi
- Promops (Domed-palate Mastiff Bats)
- P. centralis
- P. nasutus
- Molossus (Velvety Free-tailed Bats)
- M. ater
- M. barnesi
- M. bondae
- M. molossus
- M. pretiosus
- M. sinaloae
- M. trinitatus
- Cheiromeles (Naked Bats, or Hairless Bats)
- C. parvidens
- C. torquatus
[edit] References
- ^ a b (1984) in Macdonald, D.: The Encyclopedia of Mammals. New York: Facts on File, 807. ISBN 0-87196-871-1.
[edit] References in Borneo
Abdullah MT. 2003. Biogeography and variation of Cynopterus brachyotis in Southeast Asia. PhD thesis. The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia.
Corbet, GB, Hill JE. 1992. The mammals of the Indomalayan region: a systematic review. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Hall LS, Gordon G. Grigg, Craig Moritz, Besar Ketol, Isa Sait, Wahab Marni and M.T. Abdullah. 2004. Biogeography of fruit bats in Southeast Asia. Sarawak Museum Journal LX(81):191-284.
Karim, C., A.A. Tuen and M.T. Abdullah. 2004. Mammals. Sarawak Museum Journal Special Issue No. 6. 80: 221—234.
Mohd. Azlan J., Ibnu Maryanto , Agus P. Kartono and M.T. Abdullah. 2003 Diversity, Relative Abundance and Conservation of Chiropterans in Kayan Mentarang National Park, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Sarawak Museum Journal 79: 251-265.
Hall LS, Richards GC, Abdullah MT. 2002. The bats of Niah National Park, Sarawak. Sarawak Museum Journal. 78: 255-282.
Wilson DE, Reeder DM. 2005. Mammal species of the world. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington DC.
