Molossus aztecus, Saussure, 1860

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Molossidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 598-672 : 624

12.

Aztec Mastff Bat

Molossus aztecus

French: Molosse azteque / German: Azteken-Samtfledermaus / Spanish: Moloso azteca

Other common names: Aztec Free-tailed Bat

Taxonomy. Molossus aztecus Saussure, 1860 ,

“Amecameca, au pied du Popocatepetl [= at the foot of Popocatépetl volcano],” Tlaxcala, Central Mexico.

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Known from scattered localities in Mexico (including Cozumel I), Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Brazil.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 54-89 mm, tail 31-41 mm, ear 14-15 mm, hindfoot 8-11 mm, forearm 35-41-9 mm; weight 12-23-2 g. The Aztec Mastiff Bat overlaps in size with Pallas’s Mastiff Bat ( M. molossus ) but is larger than Fenton’s Mastiff Bat (M. fentoni) and the Coiban Mastiff Bat ( M. coibensis ). The Aztec Mastiff Bat has silky black or dark brown dorsal pelage, with or without narrow light band at base that does not cover more than one-quarter the hair length. Ventral pelage is slightly paler than dorsum. Ears are rounded and arise from same point on forehead. Tragus is small, and antitragus is constricted at its base. Face is dark brown to black. Upper lip and snout are smooth and lack any medial ridge. Wings and uropatagium are dark brown or black. Skull has globose braincase, quadrangular occipital region, and infraorbital foramen opening laterally in frontal view. Basioccipital pits are moderately deep. I” is spatulated, with convergenttips.

Habitat. Cerrado, semideciduousforests, tropical forests, swamps, yards, pastures, rainforests, pine, pine-oak, and oak forests from lowlands to elevations of ¢. 1800 m. The Aztec Mastiff Bat adapts well to anthropogenic modifications, and it has been found in small patches of vegetation and roosting in buildings of urban areas.

Food and Feeding. The Aztec Mastiff Bat is an aerial insectivore that eats moths, beetles, and other insects.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. Aztec Mastiff Bats have been seen leaving roosts during sunset. They roost in houses and tree holes. Predators include bat falcons (Falco rufigularis).

Movements, Home range and Social organization. [Large colonies of Aztec Mastiff Bats were observed with more than 300 individuals.

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

Bibliography. Dolan (1989), Gardner (1966), Gonzélez-Ruiz et al. (2011), Gregorin, Tahara & Buzzato et al. (2011), Handley (1976), Jones, Smith & Turner (1971), Loureiro, Gregorin & Perini (2018), Mora (2016), Nowak (1999), Ochoa et al. (1993), Reid (2009), Santos & Castro-Arellano (2006a, 2014), Simmons (2005), Warner et al. (1974).

Figures

1. Blunt-eared Bat (Tomopeas ravus), 2. Lesser Naked Bat (Chewromeles parvidens), 3. Greater Naked Bat (Chewromeles torquatus), 4. Peters’s Little Mastff Bat (Mormopterus jugularis), 5. Reunion Little Masuft Bat (Mormopterus francoismoutoui), 6. Mauritian Little Mastiff Bat (Mormopterus acetabulosus), 7. Sumatran Little Mastift Bat (Mormopterus doriae), 8. Least Little Mastiff Bat (Mormopterus minutus), 9. Kalinowski’s Little Mastiff Bat (Mormopterus kalinowskii), 10. Incan Little Masuft Bat (Mormopterus phrudus), 11. Alvarez’s Mastff Bat (Molossus alvarez), 12. Aztec Mastff Bat (Molossus aztecus), 13. Coiban Mastuff Bat (Molossus cotbensis)

Distribution. Known from scattered localities in Mexico (including Cozumel I), Guatemala , Honduras , Nicaragua , Venezuela , and Brazil .