Eumops bonariensis (Peters, 1874)

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Molossidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 598-672 : 630

26.

Common Dwarf Bonneted Bat

Eumops bonariensis

French: Eumope de Peters / German: Peters-Bulldogfledermaus / Spanish: Eumops de Peters

Other common names: Dwarf Bonneted Bat, Southern Bonneted Bat, Southern Dwarf Bonneted Bat

Taxonomy. Promops bonariensis Peters, 1874 ,

“Buenos-Aires,” Argentina.

FEumops delticus , E. nanus , and E. patagonicus were formerly classified as subspecies of E. bonariensis but here are considered distinct species based on morphological and molecular differences. Monotypic.

Distribution. Paraguay, S Brazil, N Argentina, and Uruguay.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 72-87 mm, tail 33-43 mm, ear 21-24 mm, hindfoot 7-10 mm, forearm 45-49 mm; weight 15-20 g. See general characteristics of the genus under the Black Bonneted Bat ( E. auripendulus ). Dorsal pelage of the Common Dwarf Bonneted Batis cinnamon-brown, with hairs having whitish bases; venteris paler, with frosted tips on some hairs. Wing membranes are brown, with hair covering proximal portions, and attach at ankles. Calcar is long and almost reaches to tail. Ears do not extend beyond nose. Keel of ear extends past posterior margin of antitragus. Tragus is long and thin. Nose is broad and nostrils are separated by furrow. Upperlip is thick and wrinkled, with fine hairs on lateral margins. Basisphenoid pits are small, oval, and shallow, which distinguishes the Common Dwarf Bonneted Bat from the Delta Bonneted Bat ( E. delticus ); longer condylo-basal length and wider zygomatic breadth distinguishesit from the Northern Dwarf Bonneted Bat ( E. nanus ) and the Patagonian Dwarf Bonneted Bat ( E. patagonicus ).

Habitat. Dry Chaco, Monte thorn scrub, and Pampas ecoregions and urban areas.

Food and Feeding. The Common Dwarf Bonneted Bat is an aerial insectivore.

Breeding. Common Dwarf Bonneted Bats were pregnant in October-November. A female with well-developed mammae was reported in November and lactating females in late December. Reproductively inactive females were caught in March-April, July, and October.

Activity patterns. Common Dwarf Bonneted Bats roost under bridges, in roofs of houses, and in tree holes. At sunset, they emit loud shrieking calls from their roosts before flying out into the dark. It has been netted flying near water. It is preyed on by common barn-owls (7yto alba) and striped owls (Asio clamator).

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

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

Bibliography. Barquez et al. (1999), Baud (1981), Bernardi et al. (2009), Eger (2008), Gamboa et al. (2016), Mares et al. (1995), Medina etal. (2014).

Figures

22. Big Crested Mastiff Bat (Promops centralis), 23. Davison’s Mastiff Bat (Promops davisoni), 24. Brown Mastiff Bat (Promops nasutus), 25. Black Bonneted Bat (Eumops auripendulus), 26. Common Dwarf Bonneted Bat (Eumops bonariensis), 27. Chimera’s Bonneted Bat (Fumops chimaera), 28. Chiribaya’s Bonneted Bat (Eumops chiribaya), 29. Big Bonneted Bat (Eumops dabbener), 30. Delta Bonneted Bat (Eumops delticus), 31. Fierce Bonneted Bat (Fumops ferox), 32. Florida Bonneted Bat (FEumops floridanus), 33. Wagner's Bonneted Bat (Fumops glaucinus), 34. Sanborn’s Bonneted Bat (Eumops hansae), 35. Guianan Bonneted Bat (Eumops maurus), 36. Northern Dwarf Bonneted Bat (Fumops nanus), 37. Patagonian Dwarf Bonneted Bat (Eumops patagonicus), 38. Western Bonneted Bat (Eumops perotis), 39. Trumbull’s Bonneted Bat (Eumops trumbulli), 40. Underwood’s Bonneted Bat (Eumops underwoodi), 41. Wilson’s Bonneted Bat (Eumops wilsoni)

Distribution. Paraguay , S Brazil , N Argentina , and Uruguay .