Tadarida teniotis (Rafinesque, 1814)

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Molossidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 598-672 : 664-665

107.

European Free-tailed Bat

Tadarida teniotis

French: Tadaride de Cestoni / German: Européaische Bulldogfledermaus / Spanish: Murciélago rabudo

Taxonomy. Cephalotes teniotis Rafinesque, 1814 ,

Sicily, Italy.

Based largely on color differences, many authors have divided populations into two subspecies.: nominate: teniotis nu of Europe and the Maghreb; and race rueppellii of Asia andeastern North Africa. However, as summarized by P. Benda and coworkers in 2008, series from throughout the range of the species show co-occurrence of distinct color morphs and also intermediates, suggesting that the species should be considered monotypic pending further evidence. Populations from Japan, Taiwan, and Korea formerly included in T. teniotis are now separated as a distinct species, 1. insignis . Monotypic.

Distribution. Widespread in Mediterranean Basin from Iberian Peninsula and associated Is E through S Europe to Balkans, Caucasus, and Middle East; in North Africa in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt as far S as S Sinai; from Middle East, range continues patchily E into regions surrounding Black and Caspian seas, including Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, SE Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan, and then finally in two isolated populations in E Nepal and N Myanmar; also Canary Is.

Descriptive notes. Head-body ¢.82-87 mm,tail 37-57 mm, ear 25-33 mm, hindfoot 10-14 mm, forearm 56-64 mm; weight 20-40 g. Pelage varies considerably from ashy gray to brownish gray to reddish brown above, with no spots,flecking or frosting; paler below from very pale brown to creamy, with no mid-ventral markings and no ventral flank-stripe of contrasting color. Upperlip has four well-defined wrinkles on each side and comparatively few spoon-hairs. Ears are blackish, relatively large (extending well beyond snout when laid forward); inner margins only just meet on forehead to form V-shaped valley. Tragusis short, concealed by antitragus, which is large and subrectangular. Interaural crest and gular gland are absent. Wing and interfemoral membranes are blackish. Ventral sides of forearms and legs are naked and blackish. Foot has plantar pad on sole. Head is not extremely flattened. Palatal emargination is wide, and basisphenoid pits are moderate. There are three lower incisors on each side (cf. only two in other African Tadarida , Mops , and Chaerephon ). Dental formula is 11/3, C 1/1, P 2/2, M 3/3(x2) = 32. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 48 and FNa = 76.

Habitat. Temperate to semi-desert habitats, preferring rocky habitats in North Africa. The European Free-tailed Bat occurs from sea level up to 3100 m.

Food and Feeding. European Free-tailed Bats are aerial foragers, feeding at heights of 10 m to well over 100 m. In France, Israel, and Kyrgyzstan diet comprised mostly moths (up to 88% by volume), beetles (up to 27%), neuropterans (up to 24%), and hemipterans (up to 12%). On Sinai, based on six alimentary tracts, moths were also dominant in the diet (60% by volume), along with heteropterans (15%) and orthopterans (12%) but beetles were not represented. The species can exploit tympanate insects by having a lowfrequency (audible) echolocation call that avoids the hearing sensitivity of tympanate insects.

Breeding. In Europe and Lebanon, the European Free-tailed Bat shows restricted seasonal monoestry, giving birth to a single young around June.

Activity patterns. European Free-tailed Bats are nocturnal and roost in crevices in rocky outcrops, cliffs, and quarries, as well as in artificial roosts such as buildings and bridges. In Europe, activity starts later than in other species (39-65 minutes after sunset) and lasts for 10 hours without periods of rest. Echolocation calls typically have peak frequency of 11-6 kHz, narrow bandwidth (12-18 kHz), and long duration (15 milliseconds). Predators include falcons and owls.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. European Free-tailed Bats typically forage 5-15 km from their roost sites. They roost in groups typically of a few dozens, although varying from solitary individuals (normally males) to maternity colonies of up to 160 bats. In communal roosts, each individual usually defends a small territory against intruders by making loud vocalizations.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List.

Bibliography. Arlettaz (1990), Arlettaz, Ruchet et al. (2000), Benda & Piraccini (2016), Benda, Dietz et al. (2008), Ibanez & Arlettaz (2013), Rydell & Arlettaz (1994), Whitaker et al. (1994).

Figures

On following pages: 105. Roberts's Flat-headed Bat (Sauromys petrophilus); 106. Brazilian Free-tailed Bat (Tadarida brasiliensis); 107. European Free-tailed Bat (7adarida teniotis); 108. Egyptian Free-tailed Bat (7adarida aegyptiaca); 109. Kenyan Big-eared Free-tailed Bat (Tadarida lobata); 110. African Giant Free-tailed Bat (Tadarida ventralis); 111. Malagasy Free-tailed Bat (7adarida fulminans); 112. East Asian Free-tailed Bat (7adarida insignis); 113. La Touche's Free-tailed Bat (Tadarida latouchei); 114. New Guinea Free-tailed Bat (Austronomus kuboriensis); 115. White-striped Free-tailed Bat (Austronomus australis); 116. East Coast Free-tailed Bat (Micronomus norfolkensis); 117. Beccari's Free-tailed Bat (Ozimops beccaril); 118. Northern Coastal Free-tailed Bat (Ozimops cobourgianus); 119. Cape York Free-tailed Bat (Ozimops hall); 120. South-western Free-tailed Bat (Ozimops kitchener); 121. Loria’s Free-tailed Bat (Ozimops loriae); 122. Lumsden'’s Free-tailed Bat (Ozimops lumsdenae); 123. Inland Free-tailed Bat (Ozimops petersi); 124. Southern Free-tailed Bat (Ozimops planiceps); 125. Ride's Free-tailed Bat (Ozimops ride); 126. Hairy-nosed Free-tailed Bat (Setirostris eleryi).

Distribution. Widespread in Mediterranean Basin from Iberian Peninsula and associated Is E through S Europe to Balkans, Caucasus, and Middle East; in North Africa in Morocco , Algeria , Tunisia , Libya , and Egypt as far S as S Sinai; from Middle East, range continues patchily E into regions surrounding Black and Caspian seas, including Iran , Turkmenistan , Uzbekistan , SE Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan , Tajikistan , and Afghanistan , and then finally in two isolated populations in E Nepal and N Myanmar ; also Canary Is.