Mops bakarii, Stanley, 2008

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Molossidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 598-672 : 653

78.

Bakari’s Free-tailed Bat

Mops bakarii

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

Taxonomy. Mops bakarii Stanley, 2008 ,

Tanzania, Pemba Island, Kaskazini Region, Ngezi Forest , Kipangani village , 4.96487°S, 39.71456°E, 12 m a.s.l,, in attic of hospital.

Mops bakarii is similar in most respects to M. brachypterus , but is distinguished by its complete lack of basisphenoid pits, which are well to moderately developed in M. brachypterus . Monotypic.

Distribution. Known only from Pemba I, Tanzania.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 63-72 mm, tail 24-33 mm, ear 15-17 mm, hindfoot 8-11 mm, forearm 34-38 mm; weight 13-185 g. Pelage is chocolate-brown above, with scattered white hairs giving a speckled appearance, and dirty white to dirty yellow below, with hairs on throat being longer than on chest and belly. Wings and uropatagium are black. There are 6-7 wrinkles on each side of upperlip, and anterior wrinkles and skin under midline of nose are covered with short thick jet-black hairs that are spoonshaped. Interaural band connects inner margins of ears, but without interaural pouch or crest. Anterior palate has a well-developed emargination, in contrast to most Mops species, where it is closed. Basisphenoid pits are absent. P* is much smaller than in the Short-winged Free-tailed Bat ( M. brachypterus ), not reaching cingulum of adjacent C'. As is typical for Mops , cusps on M? are V-shaped rather than N-shaped (i.e. with third “leg” being much reduced). Dental formula for all members of Mopsis 11/2, C 1/1, P2/2,M 3/3 (x2) = 30.

Habitat. The Ngezi Forest on northern Pemba Island, where the type specimen was collected, is within a mostly agricultural area.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. Bakari’s Free-tailed Bats are nocturnal and have been observed emerging from their roost in a hospital building at 18:45 h. The species roosts in the attics of buildings and may also use hollow trees, rocky outcrops, and sea caves.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The colony from which the type series of 20 individuals was collected was roosting communally (mixed sexes) in the attic of a hospital building.

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

Bibliography. ACR (2017), Shapiro (2017), Stanley (2008).

Figures

78. Bakari’s Free-tailed Bat (Mops bakarii), 79. Short-winged Free-tailed Bat (Mops brachypterus), 80. Angolan Free-tailed Bat (Mops condylurus)

Distribution. Known only from Pemba I, Tanzania .