Mormopterus jugularis (Peters, 1865)

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Molossidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 598-672 : 622

4.

Peters’s Little Mastff Bat

Mormopterus jugularis

French: Molosse de Madagascar / German: Peters-Mastino-Fledermaus / Spanish: Morméptero de Madagascar

Other common names: Peters’s Goblin Bat, Peters’s Little Free-tailed Bat, Peters’s Wrinkle-lipped Bat

Taxonomy. Nyctinomus (Mormopterus) jugularis Peters in Sclater, 1865,

“ Antananarivo,” Madagascar .

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Madagascar except most W region.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 60-70 mm, tail 20-38 mm, ear 14-17 mm, hindfoot 5-6 mm, forearm 30-39 mm; weight 8: 5—17 g. Males are notably larger than females in some external and cranial measurements. Peters’s Little Mastiff Bat has flattened head, no facial ornamentation, and tail protruding beyond hind margin of uropatagium. Fur is short, soft, and uniformly brown to reddish brown above, becoming pale brown to dirty white on abdomen and throat. Wings and uropatagium are dark brown. Ears are small, subtriangular, and separated at bases, without complex folds or sickle-shaped emargination below tip. Latter feature allows distinction of Peters’s Little Mastiff Bat from the Reunion Little Mastiff Bat (M. francoismoutour) and the Mauritian Little Mastiff Bat ( M. acetabulosus ). Tragus is small but not concealed by antitragus. Adult males have distinct throat gland that is absent in females. Upper lips have several wrinkles, a few spoon-hairs, and many fine hairs. Hindclaws have fine hairs and many stout bristles. It has greater skull lengths (15-4=17-2 mm) than the Reunion Little Mastiff Bat (14-1-15-3 mm). Braincase is low but not particularly flattened, and anterior palatal emargination is wide. M* has third ridge equal or longer than second ridge. Dental formulais11/3,C1/1,P1/2,M 3/3 (x2) = 30. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 48 and FN = 54.

Habitat. Wide variety of bioclimatic zones from humid to arid forests, open woodlands, and degraded habitats from sea levelto elevations of ¢. 1750 m.

Food and Feeding. In eastern Madagascar, Peters’s Little Mastiff Bats ate Coleoptera (c.61% by volume), Hemiptera (c.20%), Lepidoptera (c.11%), and Diptera (c.3%).

Breeding. In late January 2001, a nursery colony with more than 1000 young Peters’s Little Mastiff Bats was observed in Ankarana Special Reserve, northern Madagascar.

Activity patterns. Peters’s Little Mastiff Bats are nocturnal. They roost in association with human habitations but also in natural settings such as crevices, roofs of caves, and cliff faces. They have narrowband,relatively long duration echolocation calls with average peak frequency of 32 kHz. Predators include common barn-owls (7yto alba).

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Peters’s Little Mastiff Bats are colonial, living in groups of usually less than 100 individuals, but up to 22,000 individuals were reported in Cathedral Cave in Ankarana Special Reserve, Madagascar.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCNRed List. Cave colonies of Peters’s Little Mastiff Bat might be threatened by unsustainable hunting practices (e.g. an estimated 70,000 -140,000 insectivorous bats, including Peters’s Little Mastiff Bats, were removed from caves annually in one region of south-western Madagascar), but its ability to readily colonize human habitations means thatit is not at risk of extinction.

Bibliography. Andrianaivoarivelo et al. (2006), Goodman (2011), Goodman, Andriafidison et al. (2005), Monadjem, Razafimanahaka et al. (2017a), Peterson et al. (1995), Rasoma & Goodman (2007), Ratrimomanarivo, Goodman, Taylor et al. (2009), Richards et al. (2010), Russ, Bennett et al. (2003), Volleth et al. (2002).

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. Madagascar except most W region.