Little goblin bat

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Little goblin bat
Mormopterus minutus Miller 1899 2.png
Skull of holotype (♂).
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Molossidae
Genus: Mormopterus
Subgenus: Mormopterus
Species:
M. minutus
Binomial name
Mormopterus minutus
(Miller, 1899) [2]
Synonyms
  • Nyctinomus minutusMiller, 1899 [3]

The little goblin bat (Mormopterus minutus) is a species of bat in the family Molossidae, the free-tailed bats. It is endemic to Cuba. [1]

Contents

This bat is vulnerable due to habitat loss and degradation. [1] During the day it can be found roosting in the palm tree Copernicia gigas and in human-made structures. [4] The diet of this bat is entirely composed of insects. It hunts insects using echolocation, emitting a variable pattern of calls. [5]

Description

Its total body length is 71 mm (2.8 in). The fur is short and dense, with individual hairs about 3 mm (0.12 in) long. The face lacks fur except for a sparse layer of fine hairs. The wing membranes on both sides of the body are furred close to the abdomen. The uropatagium has hair on both sides. Its forearm is approximately 30 mm (1.2 in) long. Its ears are small and pointed at the tips. The tragus is short, at 4 mm (0.16 in). Its dental formula is 1.1.1.32.1.2.3, for a total of 28 teeth. [3]

Distribution

M. minutus is the only species of bat endemic to Cuba. [6] Specimens have been collected from Trinidad, Cuba (type locality), [3] as well as the Cuban municipalities of Omaja and Guaro (near Preston). [7] In 1911, Glover Morrill Allen hypothesized that the ancestor of the little goblin bat originated in Central America, and dispersed to Cuba by way of the Yucatan land bridge, which no longer exists. [8] This hypothesis of Cuban Mormopterus originating in Central America was echoed by Karl Koopman in 1989, as per Mancina 2007. [4] [9]

Taxonomic history

The species was described by Gerrit Smith Miller Jr. in 1899 and initially placed in the genus Nyctinomus. This species's holotype is a male specimen collected by Frank M. Chapman of the American Museum of Natural History. [3] Miller notes Chapman had identified this specimen as Nyctinomus brasiliensis in an earlier paper. [10] [3] The specific epithet minutus is Latin for "small, paltry"; [11] Miller wrote in his species description that it was the "smallest known species of Nyctinomus". [3] In 1907, Miller classified this species in the genus Mormopterus. [12]

The Mormopterus genus is further divided into species group, which classify members of the genus based on how closely related they are. The little goblin bat is placed in the kalinowskii group, which also contains the following species: [2]

Biology

It is insectivorous, locating insects while in flight using echolocation. [1] This species has the ability to change its echolocation style based on the environment that it is in. [5] The parasite Ochoterenatrema breckenridgei, a trematode in the order Plagiorchiida, has been found in its digestive tract. O. breckenridgeii uses mosquitoes as intermediate hosts; when bats eat the mosquitoes, the parasites are able to mature into adults within their intestines. [13]

Conservation

As of 2017, it is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. It meets the criteria for this assessment because its area of occupancy is less than 2,000 km2 (770 sq mi), and there is a projected decline in the extent and quality of its habitat. Its population is decreasing. A main threat to this species is habitat destruction. [1] Some disagree with the IUCN's assessment of the species, asserting that it should instead be listed as near threatened. [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Free-tailed bat</span> Family of bats

The Molossidae, or free-tailed bats, are a family of bats within the order Chiroptera. The Molossidae is the fourth-largest family of bats, containing about 110 species as of 2012. They are generally quite robust, and consist of many strong-flying forms with relatively long and narrow wings with wrinkled lips shared through their genus. Their strong flying form allows them to fly 60 miles per hour using tail winds and at altitudes over 10,000 feet. This makes them unique among bats, as they are the only bat family that withstands the elevation. They are widespread, being found on every continent except Antarctica. They are typically found in caves, abandoned mines, or tunnels.

<i>Mormopterus</i> Genus of bats

Mormopterus is a genus of molossid microchiropterans, small flying mammals referred to as free-tailed bats. The genus has been the subject of several revisions, and the diversity of taxa centred on Australia were separated to a new genus Ozimops, and two monotypic genera, Setirostris and Micronomus. The species of Mormopterus, in this stricter sense, are only found in areas outside of Australia and West Papua.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wagner's bonneted bat</span> Species of bat

Wagner's bonneted bat or Wagner's mastiff bat, is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in the Americas from Argentina and Peru north to Mexico, and Cuba. Populations in Florida in the United States are now recognized as the Florida bonneted bat

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dwarf dog-faced bat</span> Species of bat

The dwarf dog-faced bat is a species of free-tailed bat from South America. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Paraguay and Uruguay, typically at lower elevations. It is one of two species in the genus Molossops, the other being the rufous dog-faced bat. Three subspecies are often recognized, though mammalogist Judith Eger considers it monotypic with no subspecies. It is a small free-tailed bat, with a forearm length of 28.9–32.5 mm (1.14–1.28 in) and a weight of 5–8 g (0.18–0.28 oz); males are larger than females. It is brown, with paler belly fur and darker back fur. Its wings are unusual for a free-tailed bat, with exceptionally broad wingtips. Additionally, it has low wing loading, meaning that it has a large wing surface area relative to its body weight. Therefore, it flies more similarly to a vesper bat than to other species in its own family. As it forages at night for its insect prey, including moths, beetles, and others, it uses two kinds of frequency-modulated echolocation calls: one type is to navigate in open areas and to search for prey, while the other type is used for navigating in cluttered areas or while approaching a prey item.

The northern freetail bat is a species of bat found in Yapen, Seram Island, Western New Guinea and Northern Australia.

<i>Micronomus</i> Species of bat

Micronomus norfolkensis is a species of molossid bat, a family of flying mammals. The bat is endemic to Australia, where it occurs from southeastern Queensland to eastern New South Wales. They are the sole species of genus Micronomus and referred to by variations on east-coast free-tailed bat.

<i>Ozimops planiceps</i> Species of bat

Ozimops planiceps is a small bat in the family Molossidae, native to Australia and Indonesia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Natal free-tailed bat</span> Species of bat

The Natal free-tailed bat 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peters's wrinkle-lipped bat</span> Species of bat

Peters's wrinkle-lipped bat, 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. It forages in the open, often in agricultural areas. The bat is sexually dimorphic, with males larger than females.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kalinowski's mastiff bat</span> Species of bat

Kalinowski's mastiff bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae, the free-tailed bats. It is native to Peru and northern Chile. Relatively little is known about the species, but it is thought to be common in its range. It is sometimes seen in urban areas. Molecular sequencing data indicates that the closest relatives of M. kalinowski are members of another genus, Nyctinomops.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miller's mastiff bat</span> Species of bat

Miller's mastiff bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antrozoini</span> Tribe of bats

Antrozoini is a tribe of bats in the subfamily Vespertilioninae of the family Vespertilionidae. It contains the pallid bat, Van Gelder's bat, the genus Rhogeessa, and the fossil Anzanycteris. All species in this tribe are found in the Americas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florida bonneted bat</span> Species of bat

The Florida bonneted bat or Florida mastiff bat is a species of bat in the genus Eumops, the bonneted bats or mastiff bats. Until recently, it was classified as a subspecies of Wagner's bonneted bat. It is endemic to southern Florida in the United States. This species has one of the smallest geographical distributions of any New World bat. It has been called "one of the most critically endangered mammal species in North America". It is protected under the Endangered Species Act.

<i>Setirostris</i> Genus of bats

Setirostris eleryi is a species of small insectivorous bat found in inland eastern Australia. It is the sole species of the molossid genus Setirostris, a name that refers to the coarse bristles on their faces. Earlier common names have referred to this unique feature, and the 'free-tail' that is a common feature of its microchiropteran family, the Molossidae; no single common name emerged during the taxonomic revisions that identified what was referred to as the bristle-faced freetail.

Ozimops loriae is a species of bat found in Australia and Papua New Guinea.

<i>Cynomops milleri</i> Species of bat

Cynomops milleri is a species of bat that is native to South America. It was previously considered a subspecies of the Para dog-faced bat. It is considered a small- to medium-sized member of its genus. It is classified as least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature because it appears to be common and widespread. It is found in Venezuela, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Brazil, and Peru.

Ozimops ridei is a species of molossid bat found in eastern Australia.

Ozimops petersi, the inland free-tailed bat is a species of bat found in Australia.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Mancina, C. (2015). "Mormopterus minutus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015: e.T13884A22083165. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T13884A22083165.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 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. 445. ISBN   978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC   62265494.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Miller, Jr., Gerrit S. (1899). "Descriptions of three new free-tailed bats". Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. 12 (12): 173–176. hdl: 2246/776 .
  4. 1 2 3 Mancina, Carlos; Echenique-Diaz, Làzrao; Tejedor, Adrian; Garcìa, Lainet; Daniel-Alvarez, Angel; Ortega-Huerta, Miguel (2007). "Endemics under threat: an assessment of the conservation status of Cuban bats". Hystrix: The Italian Journal of Mammalogy. 18 (1): 3–15. doi: 10.4404/hystrix-18.1-4388 .
  5. 1 2 Mora, Emanuel C.; Ibáñez, Carlos; Macías, Silvio; Juste, Javier; López, Ixchel; Torres, Lester (2011). "Plasticity in the Echolocation Inventory of Mormopterus minutus (Chiroptera, Molossidae)". Acta Chiropterologica. 13 (1): 179–187. doi:10.3161/150811011X578723. S2CID   15481371.
  6. Rojas Martín, Danny (2006). "Notes on biogeography of Cuban bats". Chiroptera Neotropical. 12 (2): 268–273. ISSN   1413-4403.
  7. Sanborn, Colin Campbell (1953). "The Cuban Free-Tailed Bat, Mormopterus minutus Miller". Journal of Mammalogy. 34 (3): 383. doi:10.1093/jmammal/34.3.383. JSTOR   1375847.
  8. Allen, Glover Morrill (July 1911). "Mammals of the West Indies". Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College. 54 (6). Cambridge: 188. BHL page 2815272.
  9. Koopman, K.F. (1989). "A review and analysis of the bats of the West Indies". In Woods, C.A. (ed.). Biogeography of the West Indies: Past, Present, and Future. Sandhill Crane Press. pp. 635–644. ISBN   1877743038.
  10. Chapman, Frank M. (1892). "Notes on birds and mammals observed near Trinidad, Cuba, with remarks on the origin of West Indian bird-life". Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. 4 (16): 316. hdl: 2246/846 .
  11. "minūtus". Latin Dictionary Plus Grammar. Collins. 1997. p. 134.
  12. Miller, Jr., Gerrit S. (1907). "The Families and Genera of Bats". United States National Museum Bulletin. 57: 254.
  13. McAllister, C. T.; Connior, M. B.; Bursey, C. R.; Durden, L. A.; Seville, R. S.; Robison, H. W.; Trauth, S. E. (2017). "Parasites (Coccidia, Trematoda, Acari) of Tri-Colored Bats, Perimyotis subflavus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae): New Geographical Records for Oklahoma". Proceedings of the Oklahoma Academy of Science. 96.

Further reading