The Natal free-tailed bat (Mormopterus acetabulosus) is a species of bat in the family Molossidae, the free-tailed bats. It is endemic to the island of Mauritius. It is known from fewer than five locations in its range, but it is common at a few sites. It roosts in caves, and it is considered to be an endangered species due to disturbance of its cave habitat.[1]
It was described as a new species in 1804 by French naturalist Johann Hermann. Hermann placed it in the genus Vespertilio.[2] In 2008, the Natal free-tailed bat was split into two taxa with the description of a new species, Mormopterus francoismoutoui. The species is called the "Natal" free-tailed bat because of another species Hermann described, Dysopes natalensis, named after the Natal Province of South Africa.
Dysopes natalensis was later synonymized with the Natal free-tailed bat.[3] Its species name "acetabulosus" is Latin for saucer-shaped.[4]
Descriptionedit
The Natal free-tailed bat is a very small species of bat. Its upper lip is very wrinkled. Its ears are small and connected in the back by a thin interaural membrane. Males have a sebaceous gland, as with some other free-tailed bats, but they do not have an interaural crest. Its dental formula is 1.1.1.33.1.2.3 for a total of 30 teeth.[2]
As of 2017, it is listed as endangered by the IUCN. From 1999–2017, its population likely declined by more than 80%. Its caves are being disturbed for tourism.[1]
Referencesedit
^ abcdBergmans, W.; Hutson, A.M.; Oleksy, R.; Taylor, F. (2017). "Mormopterus acetabulosus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T71733227A22085232. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T71733227A22085232.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
^ abKingdon, J.; Happold, D.; Butynski, T.; Hoffmann, M.; Happold, M.; Kalina, J. (2013). Mammals of Africa. Vol. 4. A&C Black. p. 473–474. ISBN9781408189962.
^Goodman, S. M; Van Vuuren, B. Jansen; Ratrimomanarivo, F; Probst, J-M; Bowie, R. C K (2008). "Specific status of populations in the Mascarene Islands referred to Mormopterus acetabulosus (Chiroptera: Molossidae), with description of a new species". Journal of Mammalogy. 89 (5): 1316–1327. doi:10.1644/07-MAMM-A-232.1.
^Gledhill, D. (2008). The names of plants. Cambridge University Press. p. 34. ISBN0521866456.
April 09, 2024
natal, free, tailed, mormopterus, acetabulosus, species, family, molossidae, free, tailed, bats, endemic, island, mauritius, known, from, fewer, than, five, locations, range, common, sites, roosts, caves, considered, endangered, species, disturbance, cave, hab. The Natal free tailed bat Mormopterus acetabulosus is a species of bat in the family Molossidae the free tailed bats It is endemic to the island of Mauritius It is known from fewer than five locations in its range but it is common at a few sites It roosts in caves and it is considered to be an endangered species due to disturbance of its cave habitat 1 Natal free tailed batType illustration by Paul Jossigny from 1770Conservation statusEndangered IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classificationDomain EukaryotaKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass MammaliaOrder ChiropteraFamily MolossidaeGenus MormopterusSubgenus MormopterusSpecies M acetabulosusBinomial nameMormopterus acetabulosusHermann 1804SynonymsVespertilio acetabulosus Hermann 1804 Contents 1 Taxonomy and etymology 2 Description 3 Range and habitat 4 Conservation 5 ReferencesTaxonomy and etymology editIt was described as a new species in 1804 by French naturalist Johann Hermann Hermann placed it in the genus Vespertilio 2 In 2008 the Natal free tailed bat was split into two taxa with the description of a new species Mormopterus francoismoutoui The species is called the Natal free tailed bat because of another species Hermann described Dysopes natalensis named after the Natal Province of South Africa Dysopes natalensis was later synonymized with the Natal free tailed bat 3 Its species name acetabulosus is Latin for saucer shaped 4 Description editThe Natal free tailed bat is a very small species of bat Its upper lip is very wrinkled Its ears are small and connected in the back by a thin interaural membrane Males have a sebaceous gland as with some other free tailed bats but they do not have an interaural crest Its dental formula is 1 1 1 3 3 1 2 3 for a total of 30 teeth 2 Range and habitat editIt is endemic to Mauritius There is one doubtful record from Madagascar and two records from South Africa which may be vagrants 1 Conservation editAs of 2017 it is listed as endangered by the IUCN From 1999 2017 its population likely declined by more than 80 Its caves are being disturbed for tourism 1 References edit a b c d Bergmans W Hutson A M Oleksy R Taylor F 2017 Mormopterus acetabulosus IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017 e T71733227A22085232 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2017 2 RLTS T71733227A22085232 en Retrieved 19 November 2021 a b Kingdon J Happold D Butynski T Hoffmann M Happold M Kalina J 2013 Mammals of Africa Vol 4 A amp C Black p 473 474 ISBN 9781408189962 Goodman S M Van Vuuren B Jansen Ratrimomanarivo F Probst J M Bowie R C K 2008 Specific status of populations in the Mascarene Islands referred to Mormopterus acetabulosus Chiroptera Molossidae with description of a new species Journal of Mammalogy 89 5 1316 1327 doi 10 1644 07 MAMM A 232 1 Gledhill D 2008 The names of plants Cambridge University Press p 34 ISBN 0521866456 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Natal free tailed bat amp oldid 1122720719, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
