Tomopeas ravus, G. S. Miller, 1900

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Molossidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 598-672 : 621

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Blunt-eared Bat

Tomopeas ravus

French: Murin-molosse / German: Stumpfohrfledermaus / Spanish: Tomopeo de Perl

Other common names: Blunt-eared Free-tailed Bat, Peruvian Crevice-dwelling Bat

Taxonomy. Tomopeas ravus G. S. Miller, 1900 ,

“Yayan, Cajamarca, Peru (alt. 1000 metres).”

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. W Peru from Piura to Ica departments.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 36-42 mm, tail 29-45 mm, ear 11-16 mm, hindfoot 4-5-6 mm, forearm 31-36 mm; weight 2-4 g. Dorsum of the Blunt-eared Batis pale yellowish brown, with hairs having blackish bases; venter is grayish buffy, with hairs having black bases and cream tips. It has broad flaring upperlips, fringed with pale hairs. Nostrils are well defined and tubular. Ears are triangular, with slightly rounded tips. Skin membranes are brownish. Uropatagium extends to nearly end of tail exceptfor at least last two vertebrae, which are free. Calcar is about as long as tibia and keeled for one-half its length. Auditory bullae are distinctively disk-shaped and flattened. Dental formulais11/2, C1/1,P 1/2, M 3/3 (2) =

Habitat. Dry, desert-like habitats on western slopes of Andes from sea level up to elevations of ¢. 2300 m.

Food and Feeding. The Blunt-eared Bat primarily eats beetles ( Coleoptera ).

Breeding. Pregnant Blunt-eared Bats have been found in February and July-August and lactating females in July-August.

Activity patterns. Blunt-eared Bats roost in crevices of granite boulders and caves.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Blunt-eared Bat roosts alone.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List. The Blunteared Bat is experiencing ongoing population decline and has a small fragmented distribution. Area of occupancy is estimated at less than 100 km?®. It occurs in only twelve known localities, but 4-5 of these in northern Peru are less than 3 km apart. Availability of day roosts is decreasing due to extreme habitat change caused by agriculture, urban expansion, and other anthropogenic factors. Local extirpation due to destruction of habitat from changes in land use is a possibility.

Bibliography. Barkley (2008), Davis (1970c), Miller (1900a), Velazco, Cadenillas et al. (2013), Zamora etal. (2014).

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. W Peru from Piura to Ica departments.