Harrison's large-eared giant mastiff bat

Harrison's large-eared giant mastiff bat (Otomops harrisoni) is a species of bat found in Northeast Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.[1] It was described as a new species in 2015.[2] The IUCN evaluates it as a vulnerable species.

Harrison's large-eared giant mastiff bat
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Molossidae
Genus: Otomops
Species:
O. harrisoni
Binomial name
Otomops harrisoni
Ralph, Richards, Taylor, Napier & Lamb, 2015

Taxonomy and etymology

It was described as a result of a taxonomic split in the large-eared free-tailed bat, Otomops martiensseni. It was split from O martiensseni based on morphological and genetic data. It has a genetic distance from O. martiensseni of 2.10%. The authors chose the species name "harrisoni" after the late mammalogist David L. Harrison. Of Harrison, they wrote: "[his] numerous publications on Afro-Arabian Chiroptera, in particular the Molossidae, have significantly improved our knowledge of this poorly known family."[2]

Description

It is the largest member of its genus, and possesses the most robust skull. Males weigh between 31.5–45 g (1.11–1.59 oz), while females weigh between 26.8–45 g (0.95–1.59 oz). Its forearm length is 63.8–74 mm (2.51–2.91 in). Its total body length is 138–163 mm (5.4–6.4 in). Its tail is 30–48 mm (1.2–1.9 in) long; its hind foot is 11–16 mm (0.43–0.63 in) long; its ear is 34–46 mm (1.3–1.8 in). Its dental formula is 1.1.2.32.1.2.3, for a total of 30 teeth. Its ears project over its face, meeting in the middle over its nose. It has a minute tragus. Around its lips are loose folds of skin. Males have a gular gland located at the base of their throats. Its hind feet are broad, with long white hairs. It can be differentiated from other members of its genus based on its long cranium and exceptionally high braincase. Its fur is short and velvety. On its back, the fur is dark chocolate brown; it has a "distinct cream-coloured collar" around its neck. Fur on its ventral side is lighter than its back. The edges of its body and of its wing membranes have a thin, but distinct, band of white fur.[2]

Biology

It is insectivorous, feeding primarily on moths. Moth species in the Saturniidae, Noctuidae, and Geometridae families seem to be preferred. Males and females both reach sexual maturity at around one year of age and a body mass of 25 g (0.88 oz). Females are monoestrous, with one breeding season per year. Pregnant females have been documented from October to January, though parturition occurs in December for the majority of females. Its litter size is one pup, born hairless and altricial. It is a colonial species, forming colonies consisting of hundreds or thousands of individuals; a colony of 15,000 once roosted in a cave in Mount Suswa, though they are now almost entirely gone from the cave.[2]

Range and habitat

Its range includes Yemen, Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Kenya. It is most likely to occur in the eastern portion of Sub-Saharan Africa, also including Eritrea. Distribution modeling predicts that it prefers areas that receive at least 20 mm (0.79 in) of rain in the driest month, altitudes greater than 1,500 m (4,900 ft) above sea level, and locations with a total annual rainfall of less than 500 mm (20 in). They have been documented in woodlands, shrublands, montane grasslands, xeric grasslands, and thickets. During the day, they roost in mountain caves or lava caves.[2]

Conservation

It is currently evaluated as vulnerable by the IUCN. It meets the criteria for this designation because there have been extreme population declines located at two of its roosts from 1997–2017 (Mount Suswa cave and Ithundu cave). Disturbance of the caves that it uses as roosts is a major threat to the continued existence of this species. Caves are disturbed via mining for guano, tourism, caving, and blocking cave entrances.[1]

References
  1. Richards, L.R. (2017). "Otomops harrisoni". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T95558305A95558309. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T95558305A95558309.en.
  2. Ralph, T. M.; Richards, L. R.; Taylor, P. J.; Napier, M. C.; Lamb, J. M. (2015). "Revision of Afro-Malagasy Otomops (Chiroptera: Molossidae) with the description of a new Afro-Arabian species". Zootaxa. 4057 (1): 1–49. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4057.1.1. PMID 26701463.
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