Peters's wrinkle-lipped bat explained

Peters's wrinkle-lipped bat (Mormopterus jugularis), also called Peters's goblin bat, is a species of bat in the family Molossidae, the free-tailed bats. It is endemic to Madagascar, where it is widespread and in some areas abundant. It commonly roosts in human-made structures, sometimes in colonies with other free-tailed bat species.[1] [2] It forages in the open, often in agricultural areas.[1] The bat is sexually dimorphic, with males larger than females.[2]

Taxonomy and etymology

It was described as a new species in 1865 by German naturalist Wilhelm Peters. Peters placed it in the now-defunct genus Nyctinomus and the subgenus Mormopterus, with the scientific name of Nyctinomus (Mormopterus) jugularis.[3] In his description of the species (in Latin), Peters wrote that it had "fovea jugulari magna", or a large suprasternal notch.[3] This anatomical feature was likely the inspiration for the species name "jugularis."

Description

From head to tail, it is approximately NaNmm long. Its forearm is NaNmm long; its wingspan is NaNmm long; and it weighs NaNg. Its fur is soft and dense, with its back grayish-brown to charcoal in color, and its belly paler. Its snout has a blunt tip, and is slightly upturned. Its ears are large and rounded; the bases of the ears do not touch. It has a well-defined tragus.

Range and habitat

It is endemic to Madagascar, where it has been documented from NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet) above sea level. It is widespread in the western half of Madagascar, as well as along the southern coast.[4]

References

Notes and References

  1. Andriafidison, D., et al. 2008. Mormopterus jugularis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. Downloaded on 23 March 2015.
  2. Ratrimomanarivo . F. H. . etal . 2009 . Morphological and genetic variation in Mormopterus jugularis (Chiroptera: Molossidae) in different bioclimatic regions of Madagascar with natural history notes . Mammalia . 73 . 2. 110–29 . 10.1515/mamm.2009.032 . 84913000 .
  3. CALDWELL. M. J.. SCLATER. P.. 1. Report on a Collection of Animals from Madagascar, Transmitted to the Society. 1865. Journal of Zoology. 33. 1. 467–470 . 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1865.tb02373.x .
  4. Book: Garbutt, N.. 2007. Mammals of Madagascar: a complete guide. Yale University Press. 80. 9780300125504.