It was described as a new species in 1975 by David Harrison. The eponym for the species name "gallagheri" was Major Michael D. Gallagher, who collected the holotype.[2]
Its distinct morphology has called into question whether it represents its own genus of bat.[3]
Its fur is umber in color, with the belly paler than its back. The fur is short, with individual hairs only 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) long. Its flight membranes are grayish-black.[3] It is a small free-tailed bat, with a forearm length of 37.5 mm (1.48 in).[2] Its total length is 77 mm (3.0 in); its ear length is 19 mm (0.75 in); its tail is 28 mm (1.1 in) long; its hind foot is 8.4 mm (0.33 in) long.[3] Its greatest length of skull is 16.0 mm (0.63 in). Its ears are large and conjoined via the interaural membrane.[2] The interaural membrane has a deep, backwards-facing pocket containing an interaural crest with hairs approximately 9 mm (0.35 in) in length. The bat is likely able to evert this pocket to display the crest.[3] It is unique in its family due to the presence of large, paired "nasal inflations" similar to those found in the mouse-tailed bats.[2] Like other free-tailed bats, its tail extends beyond the margin of the uropatagium. It has a blunt snout. Its wings are long and narrow.[3]
Biology and ecologyedit
As only one individual—a male—has been documented, little is known about its biology and ecology. Based on other members of its genus, it is hypothesized that Gallagher's free-tailed bat forages for insects at relatively high altitudes with a fast but not maneuverable flight.[1][3]
Range and habitatedit
The holotype was collected in the Scierie Forest, approximately 30 km (19 mi) southwest of Kindu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.[2] It was captured in a mist net that was placed in the evergreen undergrowth of a partly-deciduous forest. The forest where the holotype was collected has been heavily logged.[3] It is nocturnal, possibly roosting in hollow trees, rock crevices, or caves during the day.[1]
Conservationedit
It is currently evaluated as data deficient by the IUCN, meaning that not enough information is available to assess its conservation needs. From 1996–2008, it was considered critically endangered, the most dire assessment category. This species is known from only one individual ever documented—the holotype. Threats to this species are unclear, but possibly include habitat destruction.[1]
Referencesedit
^ abcdMickleburgh, S.; Hutson, A.M.; Bergmans, W.; Cotterill, F.P.D. (2019). "Chaerephon gallagheri". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T4311A22019365. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T4311A22019365.en.
^ abcdeHarrison, David L (1975). "A New Species of African Free-Tailed Bat (Chiroptera : Molossidae) Obtained by the Zaire River Expedition". Mammalia. 39 (2). doi:10.1515/mamm.1975.39.2.313. S2CID 85291446.
^ abcdefgKingdon, J.; Happold, D.; Butynski, T.; Hoffmann, M.; Happold, M.; Kalina, J. (2013). Mammals of Africa. Vol. 4. A&C Black. p. 513. ISBN9781408189962.
April 14, 2024
gallagher, free, tailed, mops, gallagheri, free, tailed, endemic, democratic, republic, congo, only, individual, ever, been, documented, conservation, statusdata, deficient, iucn, scientific, classificationdomain, eukaryotakingdom, animaliaphylum, chordataclas. Gallagher s free tailed bat Mops gallagheri is a free tailed bat endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo Only one individual has ever been documented Gallagher s free tailed batConservation statusData Deficient IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classificationDomain EukaryotaKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass MammaliaOrder ChiropteraFamily MolossidaeGenus MopsSpecies M gallagheriBinomial nameMops gallagheri Harrison 1975 SynonymsTadarida gallagheri Harrison 1975 Contents 1 Taxonomy and etymology 2 Description 3 Biology and ecology 4 Range and habitat 5 Conservation 6 ReferencesTaxonomy and etymology editIt was described as a new species in 1975 by David Harrison The eponym for the species name gallagheri was Major Michael D Gallagher who collected the holotype 2 Its distinct morphology has called into question whether it represents its own genus of bat 3 Description edit nbsp The interaural membrane in the northern free tailed bat dorsal view nbsp Male Chapin s free tailed bat displaying its interaural crestIts fur is umber in color with the belly paler than its back The fur is short with individual hairs only 5 6 mm 0 20 0 24 in long Its flight membranes are grayish black 3 It is a small free tailed bat with a forearm length of 37 5 mm 1 48 in 2 Its total length is 77 mm 3 0 in its ear length is 19 mm 0 75 in its tail is 28 mm 1 1 in long its hind foot is 8 4 mm 0 33 in long 3 Its greatest length of skull is 16 0 mm 0 63 in Its ears are large and conjoined via the interaural membrane 2 The interaural membrane has a deep backwards facing pocket containing an interaural crest with hairs approximately 9 mm 0 35 in in length The bat is likely able to evert this pocket to display the crest 3 It is unique in its family due to the presence of large paired nasal inflations similar to those found in the mouse tailed bats 2 Like other free tailed bats its tail extends beyond the margin of the uropatagium It has a blunt snout Its wings are long and narrow 3 Biology and ecology editAs only one individual a male has been documented little is known about its biology and ecology Based on other members of its genus it is hypothesized that Gallagher s free tailed bat forages for insects at relatively high altitudes with a fast but not maneuverable flight 1 3 Range and habitat editThe holotype was collected in the Scierie Forest approximately 30 km 19 mi southwest of Kindu Democratic Republic of the Congo 2 It was captured in a mist net that was placed in the evergreen undergrowth of a partly deciduous forest The forest where the holotype was collected has been heavily logged 3 It is nocturnal possibly roosting in hollow trees rock crevices or caves during the day 1 Conservation editIt is currently evaluated as data deficient by the IUCN meaning that not enough information is available to assess its conservation needs From 1996 2008 it was considered critically endangered the most dire assessment category This species is known from only one individual ever documented the holotype Threats to this species are unclear but possibly include habitat destruction 1 References edit a b c d Mickleburgh S Hutson A M Bergmans W Cotterill F P D 2019 Chaerephon gallagheri The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019 e T4311A22019365 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2019 2 RLTS T4311A22019365 en a b c d e Harrison David L 1975 A New Species of African Free Tailed Bat Chiroptera Molossidae Obtained by the Zaire River Expedition Mammalia 39 2 doi 10 1515 mamm 1975 39 2 313 S2CID 85291446 a b c d e f g Kingdon J Happold D Butynski T Hoffmann M Happold M Kalina J 2013 Mammals of Africa Vol 4 A amp C Black p 513 ISBN 9781408189962 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Gallagher 27s free tailed bat amp oldid 1189793062, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
