Otomops secundus, Hayman, 1952

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Molossidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 598-672 : 660

100.

Mantled Giant Masuft Bat

Otomops secundus

French: Tadaride a cape / German: Mantel-Riesenbulldogfledermaus / Spanish: Otomops con capa

Other common names: Mantled Free-tailed Bat, Mantled Mastiff Bat

Taxonomy. Otomops secundus Hayman in Laurie, 1952,

“Tapu, Upper Ramu River Plateau [Madang Province], NE. New Guinea [= Papua New Guinea].”

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Endemic to Papua New Guinea, known only from three localities, including Tapu in Madang Province, Kimi Creek Camp in Eastern Highlands Province, and Hohola, Port Moresby.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 70-71 mm, tail 36-37 mm, ear c. 24 mm, hindfoot c¢. 10 mm, forearm ¢. 58 mm. The Mantled Giant Mastiff Bat is one of the largest molossid bats in Papua New Guinea. It is much larger than the Papuan Giant Mastiff Bat ( Otomops papuensis ), comparable in size only to the New Guinea Free-tailed Bat ( Austronomus kuboriensis ), from which it can easily be distinguished by its mantle and massive wrinkled ears. It has dark chocolate-brown fur with a distinct buff-gray mantle across shoulders and back; there is a narrow line of white fur along upper side of wing junction, and a white patch of hair at base of each ear. Ears are huge, extending well beyond nose and are connected by a membrane. Inner and outer toes have stiff brush-like hairs for grooming.

Habitat. The Mantled Giant Mastiff Bat was presumed to live in mediumto high-elevation tropical forests at ¢.1800-2000 m above sea level until a road kill specimen from Hohola, a suburb of Port Moresby, was discovered; this specimen greatly widened the known altitudinal range, down to sea level, and the habitat range, from the urban monsoonal savanna of Port Moresby to mid-montane forest of the upper Ramu Plateau.

Food and Feeding. The Mantled Giant Mastiff Bat is thought to forage in open areas or above the forest canopy, and to feed on aerial invertebrates.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. The Mantled Giant Mastiff Bat is presumed to be nocturnal. One specimen was shot “from a height” as it flew rapidly and directly out of a forest at night.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List, because it is known only from four specimens from three locations. The number of mature individuals and threats are unknown.

Bibliography. Bonaccorso (1998), Bonaccorso & Reardon (2008a), Flannery (1995b), Kitchener, How & Maryanto (1992), Ralph et al. (2015), Wiles & Brooke (2010).

Figures

14. Bonda Mastiff Bat (Molossus currentium), 15. Fenton’s Masuft Bat (Molossus fentoni), 17. Pallas’s Mastiff Bat (Molossus molossus), 18. Miller’s Mastiff Bat (Molossus pretiosus), 19. Black Mastiff Bat (Molossus rufus)

Distribution. Endemic to Papua New Guinea , known only from three localities, including Tapu in Madang Province, Kimi Creek Camp in Eastern Highlands Province, and Hohola, Port Moresby.