Madagascar free-tailed bat
The Madagascar free-tailed bat or Malagasy giant mastiff bat (Otomops madagascariensis) is a species of free-tailed bat formerly included as a subspecies of the large-eared free-tailed bat, but that was later considered to be a distinct, Malagasy species.[1] The Madagascar free-tailed bat is endemic to northern, western, and southern Madagascar.[2]
| Madagascar free-tailed bat | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Molossidae |
| Genus: | Otomops |
| Species: | O. madagascariensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Otomops madagascariensis Dorst, 1953 | |
 | |
The Madagascar free-tailed bat is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List due to its widespread distribution in Madagascar.[1] Threats to it are unclear and more research is needed into the possible disturbance of its roost sites.[1] The species roosts in one cave that is considered to be fady, or taboo, and it has been recorded in five protected areas: Parc National du Tsingy de Bemaraha, Parc National de Namoroka, Parc National d’Isalo, Réserve Spéciale d’Ankarana and Réserve Spéciale d’Analamerana.[1] There are nine currently known roosting colonies, and all are in areas that receive some sort of protection by Madagascar.[1] The population of the Madagascar free-tailed bat is unknown.[1]
The Madagascar free-tailed bat is supposed to be an obligate cave dweller and roosts in areas with sandstone and limestone outcrops.[1] The caves where the species lived in Réserve Spéciale d’Ankarana were all associated with cool temperatures, high elevation, and a close proximity to water.[1] The diet of the Madagascar free-tailed bat consists mostly of butterflies and beetles, and the foraging habitats are not believed to be associated with an intact forest.[1]
References
- Monadjem, A.; Razafimanahaka, J.; Ranivo, J.; Kofoky, A.; Hutson, A.M.; Cardiff, S.G.; Andriafidison, D.; Goodman, S.; Jenkins, R.K.B.; Racey, P.A.; Ratrimomanarivo, F.H. (2017). "Otomops madagascariensis". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T136564A21991318. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T136564A21991318.en.
- Simmons, N.B. (2005). "Order Chiroptera". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 447. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.