| Sinaloan mastiff bat | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Molossidae |
| Genus: | Molossus |
| Species: | M. sinaloae |
| Binomial name | |
| Molossus sinaloae J.A. Allen, 1906 | |
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| Sinaloan mastiff bat range | |
The Sinaloan mastiff bat (Molossus sinaloae) is a species of bat in the family Molossidae, native to Mexico, Central America and northern South America.
The Sinaloan mastiff bat is a moderately sized bat, measuring 11 to 14 cm (4.3 to 5.5 in) in length, and 33 cm (13 in) in wingspan, and weighing an average of about 24 g (0.85 oz). The long, soft fur is blackish or dark brown over the back and upper parts, fading to a medium brown on the underparts. [2] The head is relatively narrow, with a long snout and "pincer-like" incisors. Males are larger than females, but cannot be differentiated on the basis of their braincases. [2] Males also possess scent glands on the throat that secrete a viscous greasy fluid with a strong odour. These glands are largest and most active between May and August, around the time when females are giving birth. [2]
The Sinaloan mastiff bat is found in western Mexico from Sinaloa southwards, in the Yucatán Peninsula, across Central America and Trinidad, and from northern Colombia across to The Guianas. Within this region, they inhabit both dry deciduous forests and tropical evergreen forests. They are commonly found below 1,000 m (3,300 ft) elevation, and occasionally as high as 2,400 m (7,900 ft). [1]
Two subspecies are recognised:
As much as 78% of the Sinaloan mastiff bat's diet consists of moths, although they also eat significant quantities of beetles and bugs, along with some other flying insects. [2] Although they sometimes roost in caves, [3] they are more commonly found resting in palm trees or in cracks or cavities in artificial structures. Colonies may contain up to a hundred individuals. However, individual roosts are either occupied by solitary males or by single-sex groups, with the all-female roosts being frequently visited by males. [2]
Breeding occurs roughly between March and April, with births about three months later. Most births are singletons, with only about 5% being twins. Weaning occurs at six to eight weeks of age, and females reach sexual maturity in their first year. [2]
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.
The white-winged vampire bat, a species of vampire bat, is the only member of the genus Diaemus. They are found from Mexico to northern Argentina and are present on the islands of Trinidad and Margarita.
The Jamaican, common or Mexican fruit bat is a fruit-eating bat native to Mexico, through Central America to northwestern South America, as well as the Greater and many of the Lesser Antilles. It is also an uncommon resident of the Southern Bahamas. Populations east of the Andes in South America are now usually regarded a separate species, the flat-faced fruit-eating bat. The distinctive features of the Jamaican fruit bat include the absence of an external tail and a minimal, U-shaped interfemoral membrane.
The lesser dog-like bat, also known as Peters' sac-winged bat, is a species of bat from South and Central America. First described in 1826, it was renamed in 1843 because the original scientific name was already in use for another species.
The black-winged little yellow bat is a species of vesper bat native to Central America.
The dwarf bonneted bat, or Peters' mastiff bat,, is a bat species from South and Central America.
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
The Bonda mastiff bat or Thomas's mastiff bat, is a species of mastiff bat from South and Central America. It is named for the town of Bonda, near Santa Marta in Colombia.
The velvety free-tailed bat or Pallas's mastiff bat, is a bat species in the family Molossidae.
The black mastiff bat is a bat species. It ranges from the northern region of South America, most of Central America and parts of southern Mexico.
The big crested mastiff bat, is a bat species from South and Central America.
The western mastiff bat, also known as the western bonneted bat, the greater mastiff bat, or the greater bonneted bat, is a member of the free-tailed bat family, Molossidae. It is found in the Western United States, Mexico and South America. This species is the largest bat native to North America, and some of its distinguishing characteristics are its large ears, wings, and forearms. The subspecies Eumops perotis californicus is a species of concern as identified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The range of this subspecies is principally southwest desert regions of the United States, along the border with Mexico; however, the range extends as far north on the Pacific coast as Alameda County, California.
The Nigerian free-tailed bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is native to two widely separated parts of Africa, and is sometimes considered to represent two separate species.
Wahlberg's epauletted fruit bat is a species of megabat in the family Pteropodidae. It is commonly found across southern Africa.
The big bonneted bat, or Dabbene's mastiff bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae, native to South America. It is named for a former conservator at the Buenos Aires National Museum.
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.
The Egyptian free-tailed bat, also known as Egyptian guano bat or Egyptian nyctinome, is a species of bat in the family Molossidae.
The Aztec mastiff bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found from Jalisco and Cozumel Island in southern Mexico to Nicaragua in a variety of forest habitats at elevations from near sea level to 1300 m. It has also been reported from southern Venezuela. The species' diet is insectivorous.
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.
Eumops ferox, the fierce bonneted bat or the chestnut mastiff bat, is a species of free-tailed bat found in the Caribbean and Mexico. Until recently, it was synonymous with Wagner's bonneted bat.
