Otomops madagascariensis, Dorst, 1953

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Molossidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 598-672 : 658-659

96.

Madagascar Giant Mastiff Bat

Otomops madagascariensis

French: Tadaride de Madagascar / German: MadagaskarRiesenbulldogfledermaus / Spanish: Otomops de Madagascar

Other common names: Madagascar Free-tailed Bat, Madagascar Mastiff Bat

Taxonomy. Otomops madagascariensis Dorst, 1953 ,

“Cave P. Saboureau in reservation No. 8 in Namoroka [Nature Reserve, south of Soalala], Madagascar.”

Otomops madagascariensis was previously treated as a race of O. martiensseni , but in 1995 R. L. Peterson and colleagues suggested that they might be a distinct species; this was confirmed on molecular grounds byJ. M. Lamb and colleagues in 2008, and on the grounds of cranial morphology by L. R. Richards and colleagues in 2012. The two are sister species. Monotypic.

Distribution. Isolated localities mostly in the drier W side of Madagascar, from Ankarana Special Reserve in the N to Isalo National Park and Toliara in the S.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 94-96 mm (males) and 89-93 mm (females), tail 38-50 mm (males) and 35-49 mm (females), ear 33-42 mm (males) and 30-39 mm (females), hindfoot 8-11 mm (males) and 9-12 mm (females), forearm 60-66 mm (males) and 57-63 mm (females); weight 20-5-29-5 g (males) and 17-5-26 g (females). Males are quite substantially larger than females. The Madagascar Giant Mastiff Bat is distinctly smaller than both African continental species, both in body size (mean forearm 63 mm vs. 66-71 mm) and skull length (mean 26 mm vs. 27-29 mm). Fur is similar to other giant mastiff bats, soft, dense, and dark brown with dark rusty brown tinge, or blackish brown, darker on head and body, with pale brown or white band across shoulders, and a thin band of pale brown separating dark dorsal pelage from dark wing membrane on each side; belly is dark brown, throat paler. Face is pink with pig-like snout. Upper lip is expansible with many fine wrinkles and no spoon-hairs. Ears are rounded, fairly stiff, projecting forward well beyond snout; inner margins are joined together and to muzzle. Tragus is minute; antitragus is absent but a semicircular flap extends forward from base of ear and can be folded down to seal ear opening. There is no interaural crest. Gular sac is present in both sexes, well developed in adults. Wings and interfemoral membrane are blackish brown. Anterior of braincase is moderately elevated above plane of rostrum; zygomatic arches have prominent vertical projections; sagittal crest is moderate; lambdoid crest is low or absent; there is no helmet; anterior palatal emargination is very narrow and deep; basisphenoid pits are very deep and wide. Dentition is weak; P* is small but rising well above cingulum of P* M? has third ridge equal to, or slightly shorter than, second; lower incisors are bicuspid; C, has cingula weakly developed and well separated.

Habitat. Typically, limestone and other sedimentary rocky habitats in vicinity of dry deciduous forests or spiny bush; also urban habitat at Antananarivo. Elevational range from sea level up to 1350 m.

Food and Feeding. Madagascar Giant Mastiff Bats feed mostly on beetles and moths.

Breeding. Based on a study of colonies from two caves at Bemaraha and near Sarodrano, western Madagascar, by D. Andriafidison and colleagues in 2007, pregnant females were observed at the beginning of the wet season (austral summer) in October and November but not during the austral winter (June and August).

Activity patterns. In northern Madagascar, Madagascar Giant Mastiff Bats roost in caves with large entrances and high ceilings, relatively cool temperatures and close to water. They use individual recessed domesin the ceiling. One individual was found in a building at Antananarivo, suggesting that the species may be at least partly synanthropic,as is the case of the Large-eared Giant Mastiff Bat ( O. martiensseni ). It is also likely that the species uses caves in cliffs in the vicinity of Antananarivo, and its lowfrequency calls are apparently commonly heard in Antananarivo.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Madagascar Giant Mastiff Bats roost communally in caves, in colonies that can reach 100 or more individuals. In a study by Andriafidison and colleagues in 2007, sex ratio was highly biased toward females (e.g. 57 pregnant females to five males in one colony sampled in November), suggesting that the species may maintain a harem structure, as also appears to be the case in the Large-eared Giant Mastiff Bat.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red Lust.

Bibliography. ACR (2017), Andriafidison et al. (2007), Goodman (2011), Goodman & Raherilalao (2013), Lamb et al. (2008), Monadjem, Razafimanahaka et al. (2017d), Peterson et al. (1995), Richards et al. (2012)..

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. Isolated localities mostly in the drier W side of Madagascar , from Ankarana Special Reserve in the N to Isalo National Park and Toliara in the S.