Chaerephon jobimena, Goodman & Cardiff, 2004

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Molossidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 598-672 : 649-650

72.

Black-and-red Free-tailed Bat

Chaerephon jobimena

French: Tadaride dimorphe / German: Schwarzrote Bulldogfledermaus / Spanish: Caerepon bicolor

Taxonomy. Chaerephon jobimena Goodman & Cardiff, 2004 ,

“ Madagascar: Province d’Antsiranana, Réserve Spéciale d’Ankarana , 2.6 km E Andrafiabe, in a forest near Andrafiaba Cave , 12°55.9’S, 49°03.4’E, about 50 m a.s.1.”

According to a molecular study by J. M. Lamb and coworkers in 2011, this species is more closely related to Tadarida aegyptiaca than to other members of Chaerephon , and therefore its generic placement is uncertain. Monotypic.

Distribution. Madagascar, currently known only from N, in Ankarana Special Reserve, and from SC area, from Isalo and Zombitse-Vohibasia national parks.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 75-79 mm,tail 32-51 mm, ear 21-27 mm, hindfoot 7-9 mm, forearm 45-48 mm; weight 12-16 g. Back and throat of the Black-andred Free-tailed Bat are medium chocolate-brown, becoming abruptly light brownish gray on belly, giving an indistinct grizzled gray appearance; a rufous pelage morph also occurs. Upper lip has 5-6 well-defined wrinkles on each side. Ears are notably longer than in other Malagasy Chaerephon species, joined by V-shaped band of skin, but lacking interaural pocket or crest. Minute tragus is covered with lobe-shaped and slightly asymmetrical antitragus. Wing and tail membranes are dark brownish black. There are no gular ortail glands. Anterior palatal emargination is closed with paired incisive foramina, and basisphenoid pits are deep. M” has third ridge almost as long as second.

Habitat. Dry deciduous or spiny forests at elevations of 50-870 m, usually associated with limestone and other sedimentary rocky outcrops, although the specimen from Zombitse Forest was collected in a transitional zone between humid evergreen and spiny forest without any rocky outcrops nearby.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. Black-and-red Free-tailed Bats are nocturnal and roost in caves, with no known roosts in buildings or man-made structures. They may also roost in hollows associated with large trees, such as baobabs.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Black-and-red Free-tailed Bats occur in colonies of up to 40 individuals roosting together in caves.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List, although the Black-and-red Free-tailed Bat has rarely been collected.

Bibliography. ACR (2017), Goodman (2011), Goodman & Cardiff (2004), Goodman & Raherilalao (2013), Goodman, Andriafidison et al. (2005), Lamb et al. (2011), Monadjem, Razafimanahaka et al. (2017b).

Figures

On following pages: 61. Spotted Free-tailed Bat (Chaerephon bivittatus); 62. Long-crested Free-tailed Bat (Chaerephon chapini); 63. Gallagher's Free-tailed Bat (Chaerephon gallagheri); 64. Grandidier's Free-tailed Bat (Chaerephon leucogasten); 65. Lappet-eared Free-tailed Bat (Chaerephon majon; 66. Nigerian Free-tailed Bat (Chaerephon nigeriae); 67. Sao Tome Free-tailed Bat (Chaerephon tomensis); 68. Little Free-tailed Bat (Chaerephon pumilus);, 69. Russet Free-tailed Bat (Chaerephon russatus); 70. Seychelles Free-tailed Bat (Chaerephon pusillus); 71. Madagascar Free-tailed Bat (Chaerephon atsinanana); 72. Black-and-red Free-tailed Bat (Chaerephon jobimena); 73. Lesser Northern Free-tailed Bat (Chaerephon johorensis); 74. Wrinkle-lipped Free-Tailed Bat (Chaerephon plicatus); 75. Fijian Free-tailed Bat (Chaerephon bregullae); 76. Solomons Free-tailed Bat (Chaerephon solomonis); 77. Greater Northern Free-tailed Bat (Chaerephon jobensis).

Distribution. Madagascar , currently known only from N, in Ankarana Special Reserve, and from SC area, from Isalo and Zombitse-Vohibasia national parks.