Red velvet bat
| Red velvet bat | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Molossus rufus | ||||||||||||
| É. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire , 1805 |
The red velvet bat ( Molossus rufus , syn .: Molossus ater ), also black velvet bat, is a bat species from the family of bulldog bats (Molossidae). It occurs in Central and South America.
Taxonomy
For a long time the species was used by many authors with the scientific name Molossus ater , Molossus rufus was only considered a synonym . Type specimens originally existed for both taxa , but the specimen for Molossus ater was lost. More detailed investigations in the late 20th century showed that the stuffed animals in the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle in Paris , which can clearly be counted as belonging to the genus velvet bats , are labeled as Molossus rufus . Descriptions of the taxon ater , however, correspond to the characteristics of the genus bulldog bats ( Eumops ). In general, a revision of the species is called for.
features
Most publications describe the red velvet bat with a head-trunk length of 71 to 98 mm, a tail length of 38 to 54 mm and a weight of 28 to 37 g. Individual sources give significantly higher values, such as a total length of up to 190 mm and a maximum weight of 70 g. The German name and the epithet rufus in the scientific name refer to the red coat color of some specimens. Most individuals, however, have black or brown fur. There are still dark orange colored animals. The ventral side is generally paler, which is not due to the white hairlines found in Molossus sinaloae . There is a triangular beard under the nose.
distribution and habitat
The red velvet bat occurs from the coastal areas of Mexico to northern Argentina . She also lives in Trinidad . Evergreen forests, deciduous forests, scrublands and cultivated regions serve as habitats .
Way of life
Colonies of the species rest in crevices, in buildings and in tree hollows. They usually consist of 30 to 50 animals. In Brazil, collections of around 500 have been registered. Red velvet bats sleep during the day and become active at dawn. They hunt insects such as beetles and flying ants .
Populations in colder regions stay there in winter, they do not hibernate . The populations that were studied had fixed mating times. A litter usually consists of one young and sometimes twins. Other females in the colony help raise the offspring.
threat
A major threat to the population is not known. For this reason, the IUCN classifies the species as “not endangered” ( least concern ). It is represented in several nature reserves.
Individual evidence
- ^ Theodor CH Cole: Dictionary of Mammal Names - Dictionary of Mammal Names . 1st edition. Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg 2015, ISBN 978-3-662-46269-0 .
- ↑ Don E. Wilson , DeeAnn M. Reeder (Ed.): Mammal Species of the World . A taxonomic and geographic Reference . 3. Edition. 2 volumes. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 (English, Molossus rufus ).
- ↑ a b c d Molossus rufus in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2014 Posted by: Barquez, R. Rodriguez, B., Miller, B. & Diaz, M., 2008. Accessed February 18, 2015.
- ↑ a b c d e Fiona Reid (Ed.): A Field Guide to the Mammals of Central America and Southeast Mexico . Oxford University Press, 2002, ISBN 978-0-19-534322-9 , pp. 173 (English, Black Mastiff Bat ).
- ↑ a b c Atiba Borde: Molossus rufus ( Engl. ) In: Online Guide to the Animals of Trinidad and Tobago . 2012. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
- ↑ a b Black Mastiff Bat , North American Mammals , Smithsonian, visited February 18, 2015.
- ^ G. Johnston, Magazine of Zoology and Botany , 1838, A Revision of Genera of Bats , accessed February 18, 2015.
