Mops niangarae, J. A. Allen, 1917

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Molossidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 598-672 : 655

85.

Niangara Free-tailed Bat

Mops niangarae

French: Tadaride de Niangara / German: Niangara-Bulldogfledermaus / Spanish: Mops de Niangara

Other common names: Niangara Mops Bat, Niangaran Mops Bat

Taxonomy. Mops niangarae J. A. Allen, 1917 ,

“Niangara, northeastern Belgian Congo [= DR Congo].”

Although some consider Mops niangarae to be a subspecies or synonym of either M. congicus or M. trevori , its skull apparently differs from both these species, so it is provisionally retained as a distinct species pending formal revision of the M. congicus / trevori group. Monotypic.

Distribution. Known only from type locality in extreme NE DR Congo.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 91 mm,tail 34 mm, ear 22 mm, forearm 52 mm (type specimen). Fur is short, uniform rusty brown above, with no grizzling or spots; underside yellowish brown, paler and more yellowish on chest, apparently lacking contrasting mid-ventral markings or flank-stripe, as these are not mentioned in type description. Upper lip has more than seven well-defined wrinkles on each side and many spoon-hairs. Wings and uropatagium are dark brown. Ears are dark brown; type description mentioned ears being separate without interaural band of skin connecting inner margins, but subsequent inspection of holotype suggests that this apparent absence is an artefact of specimen preparation, and in fact an interaural band lacking cartilaginous support but bearing a broad, low erectile crest is present. Tragus is minute; antitragus is small and low. Anterior palate is closed and basisphenoid pits are deep and large. As is typical for Mops , cusps on M” have third ridge reduced.

Habitat. The type locality of the Niangara Free-tailed Bat is represented by a mosaic of lowland rainforest and grassland savanna.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. Niangara Free-tailed Bats are nocturnal and apparently roost in the hollows of trees.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Niangara Free-tailed Bats roost communally during the day in small colonies.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red Lust.

Bibliography. ACR (2017), Allen (1917), Freeman (1981), Happold, M. (2013am), Mickleburgh, Hutson, Bergmans & Fahr (2014), Peterson (1972).

Figures

14. Bonda Mastiff Bat (Molossus currentium), 15. Fenton’s Masuft Bat (Molossus fentoni), 17. Pallas’s Mastiff Bat (Molossus molossus), 18. Miller’s Mastiff Bat (Molossus pretiosus), 19. Black Mastiff Bat (Molossus rufus)

Distribution. Known only from type locality in extreme NE DR Congo .