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{{Short description|Species of bat}}
{{speciesbox
| name = Aztec mastiff bat
| image = Molossus aztecus.jpg
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Solari, S. |date=2019 |title=''Molossus aztecus'' |volume=2019 |page=e.T13645A22107522 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T13645A22107522.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref>
| genus = Molossus
| species = aztecus
| authority = [[Henri Saussure|Saussure]], 1860
| synonyms = {{species list
| Dysopes aztecus| Saussure, 1860
| Molossus molossus aztecus| Saussure, 1860}}
| range_map = Molossus aztecus map.png
| range_map_caption = Aztec mastiff bat range
}}

The '''Aztec mastiff bat''' ('''''Molossus aztecus''''') is a species of [[bat]] in the [[Family (biology)|family]] [[Molossidae]].<ref name = MSW3>{{MSW3 Chiroptera | id = 13801649 | page = 440}}</ref> It is [[insectivorous]].<ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021" />

==Taxonomy and etymology==
It was [[species description|described]] as a new species in 1860 by Swiss scientist [[Henri Saussure]].<ref name="Saussure 1860">{{cite journal| last=Saussure| first=H. M.| year= 1860| title=Note sur quelques mammifères du Mexique| journal=Revue et magasin de zoologie pure et appliquée| series=2| volume=12| pages=285–286| url=https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/2264577}}</ref> Its [[specific epithet (zoology)|species name]] "''aztecus''" refers to the indigenous [[Aztecs]] of Mexico, where this species was first documented.

==Description==
It is one of the smallest bats of the genus ''Molossus''.
Its fur is chocolate brown and its [[patagium|patagia]], nose, and ears are very dark brown. Individuals weigh {{convert|12-16|g|oz|abbr=on}}. Its forearm length is {{convert|34-35|mm|in|abbr=on}}. Its [[dentition#Dental formula|dental formula]] is {{DentalFormula|upper=1.1.1.3| lower=1.1.2.3}} for a total of 26 teeth.<ref name="Ceballos 2014">{{cite book| editor-last=Ceballos| editor-first1= G.| last1=Ceballos| first1=G.| last2=Cabrales| first2=J. A.| last3=Vazquez| first3=D.| year=2014| title=Mammals of Mexico| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=MTMqBgAAQBAJ| publisher=JHU Press| isbn=978-1421408439| pages=767–768| oclc=900027107 }}</ref>

==Biology and ecology==
It is nocturnal, foraging for its [[insect]] prey at night and roosting in hollow trees during the day. Unusually for its genus, females may become pregnant while still [[Lactation|nursing]] a pup.<ref name="Ceballos 2014"/>

==Range and habitat==
{{self-contradictory|section|date=November 2022}}
It is found from [[Jalisco]] and [[Cozumel Island]] in southern [[Mexico]] to [[Nicaragua]] and has been reported from [[Guatemala]] but not from [[El Salvador]] or [[Honduras]]. It has also been reported from southern [[Venezuela]].<ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021" /> It is [[endemism|endemic]] to [[Mexico]]. It inhabits a variety of forest habitats at elevations from near sea level to {{convert|1300|m}}.<ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021" /> It is generally documented at elevations greater than {{convert|1500|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level.<ref name="Ceballos 2014"/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Molossidae}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1832679}}
{{Wikispecies|Aztec mastiff bat}}

[[Category:Molossus (bat)]]
[[Category:Mammals described in 1860]]
[[Category:Bats of Central America]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Henri Louis Frédéric de Saussure]]

Aztec mastiff bat - Revision history

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