Natal free-tailed bat
Template:Short description Template:Speciesbox The Natal free-tailed bat (Mormopterus acetabulosus) is a species of bat in the family Molossidae, the free-tailed bats. It is endemic to the island of Mauritius. It is known from fewer than five locations in its range, but it is common at a few sites. It roosts in caves, and it is considered to be an endangered species due to disturbance of its cave habitat.[1]
Taxonomy and etymology
It was described as a new species in 1804 by French naturalist Johann Hermann. Hermann placed it in the genus Vespertilio.[2] In 2008, the Natal free-tailed bat was split into two taxa with the description of a new species, Mormopterus francoismoutoui. The species is called the "Natal" free-tailed bat because of another species Hermann described, Dysopes natalensis, named after the Natal Province of South Africa.
Dysopes natalensis was later synonymized with the Natal free-tailed bat.[3] Its species name "acetabulosus" is Latin for saucer-shaped.[4]
Description
The Natal free-tailed bat is a very small species of bat. Its upper lip is very wrinkled. Its ears are small and connected in the back by a thin interaural membrane. Males have a sebaceous gland, as with some other free-tailed bats, but they do not have an interaural crest. Its dental formula is Template:DentalFormula for a total of 30 teeth.[2]
Range and habitat
It is endemic to Mauritius. There is one "doubtful" record from Madagascar and two records from South Africa which may be vagrants.[1]
Conservation
As of 2017, it is listed as endangered by the IUCN. From 1999–2017, its population likely declined by more than 80%. Its caves are being disturbed for tourism.[1]
References
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".