Chaerephon tomensis (Juste & Ibanez, 1993)

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Molossidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 598-672 : 647-648

67.

Sao Tome Free-tailed Bat

Chaerephon tomensis

French: Tadaride de Sao Tomé / German: Sao-Tomé-Bulldogfledermaus / Spanish: Caerepon de Sao Tomé

Taxonomy. Tadarida (Chaerephon) tomensis Juste & Ibanez, 1993 ,

“ Praia das Conchas , 3 km NW Guadalupe, Sao Tomé Island, Republic of Sao Tomé and Principe (0°24’N, 6°37'E).”

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Known only from two localities on Sao Tomé I.

Descriptive notes. Head-body ¢.50-60 mm, tail 29-34 mm, ear 20-21 mm, hindfoot 8-5-9 mm, forearm 35-5-38-5 mm; weight 7-7-2 g (based on three female syntypes). The Sao Tome Free-tailed Bat is a small free-tailed bat is distinguished from other African free-tailed bats by having a lobe projecting anterior to interaural membrane to just beyond muzzle, very similar in appearance to Gallagher's Free-tailed Bat (C. gallagheri) but less pronounced. Pelage is relatively long and dense and dark brown above to brown on flanks and chest, and whitish to pale brown on belly. Upper lip has five well-defined wrinkles on each side and few spoon-hairs except in front of snout. Ears are joined by flap of skin which bears on its anterior margin a central globerular mass that extends just beyond snout, and which has a longitudinal groove concealing a deep pouch; base of pouch is lined with dense brown hairs. Tragus is minute, concealed by antitragus, containing three lobes terminally and one basally. Antitragus is subrectangular. Wings are whitish and translucent becoming brownish black toward body and on tail membrane. Anterior palate encloses paired palatal foramina, and basisphenoid pits are deep but not as deep as in Gallagher's Free-tailed Bat. There are dorsal nasal swellings but not as developed as in Gallagher’s Free-tailed Bat. Shape of nasal aperture is more elongated than in Gallagher’s Free-tailed Bat. M? has third ridge as long as second ridge.

Habitat. One locality was represented by dry savanna with baobabs; the other was more humid, formerly forest and now cocoa plantations.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. Sao Tome Free-tailed Bats are nocturnal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List, owing to its very small range (less than 1000 km?), the fact that all individuals are at a single location ( Sao Tome), and the continuing decline in the extent and quality of its lowland habitat. The Sao Tome Free-tailed Bat is currently known only from the type series of three specimens, and is believed to be threatened by general habitat loss resulting from coastal development (e.g. tourism activities and conversion of land to agricultural use).

Bibliography. ACR (2017), Juste & Ibanez (1993a, 1994a), Mickleburgh, Hutson, Bergmans & Juste (2008).

Figures

On following pages: 61. Spotted Free-tailed Bat (Chaerephon bivittatus); 62. Long-crested Free-tailed Bat (Chaerephon chapini); 63. Gallagher's Free-tailed Bat (Chaerephon gallagheri); 64. Grandidier's Free-tailed Bat (Chaerephon leucogasten); 65. Lappet-eared Free-tailed Bat (Chaerephon majon; 66. Nigerian Free-tailed Bat (Chaerephon nigeriae); 67. Sao Tome Free-tailed Bat (Chaerephon tomensis); 68. Little Free-tailed Bat (Chaerephon pumilus);, 69. Russet Free-tailed Bat (Chaerephon russatus); 70. Seychelles Free-tailed Bat (Chaerephon pusillus); 71. Madagascar Free-tailed Bat (Chaerephon atsinanana); 72. Black-and-red Free-tailed Bat (Chaerephon jobimena); 73. Lesser Northern Free-tailed Bat (Chaerephon johorensis); 74. Wrinkle-lipped Free-Tailed Bat (Chaerephon plicatus); 75. Fijian Free-tailed Bat (Chaerephon bregullae); 76. Solomons Free-tailed Bat (Chaerephon solomonis); 77. Greater Northern Free-tailed Bat (Chaerephon jobensis).

Distribution. Known only from two localities on Sao Tomé I.