Chaerephon johorensis (Dobson, 1873)

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

73.

Lesser Northern Free-tailed Bat

Chaerephon johorensis

French: Tadaride de Dobson / German: Johor-Bulldogfledermaus / Spanish: Caerepon de Dobson

Other common names: Northern Free-tailed Bat, Johore Wrinkle-lipped Bat

Taxonomy. Molossus (Nyctinomus) johorensis Dobson, 1873 ,

Johore, Malaysia.

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Malay Peninsula (extreme S Thailand in Hala Bala Forest and Peninsular Malaysia) and an isolated locality in NE Sumatra.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 60-72 mm, tail 36-43 mm, ear 16-22 mm, forearm 44-49 mm; weight 15-25 g. Hair of the Lesser Northern Free-tailed Bat is soft and short and dark brown on dorsal side; it is paler on ventral side, with gray tips. Upper lip is wrinkled. Ears are moderate in size and joined by pocket of inflated skin on top of head. There is long tuft of hairs that can be erected. Ears and membranes are dark brown. P? is very small.

Habitat. Specimens were netted over a forest stream and in lowland evergreen dipterocarp forest below 300 m.

Food and Feeding. The Lesser Northern Free-tailed Bat is thought to forage using the strategy of an open-space insectivore.

Breeding. Females have been found pregnant with a single embryo inJune and October.

Activity patterns. Roosting habitat is not known, but the Lesser Northern Free-tailed Bat probably roosts in caves. It uses narrowband FM calls with variable peak frequencies. Generally, calls are relatively low in frequency and often clearly audible. Highfrequency calls start at 31 kHz and end at 17 kHz, with a peak frequency of 21 kHz and duration of 15-7 milliseconds. Low-frequency calls start at 22 kHz and end at 14 kHz, with a peak frequency of 17 kHz and duration of 17-5 milliseconds.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List, because populations are declining due to deforestation and habitat conversion within its range.

Bibliography. Corbet & Hill (1992), Csorba & Kingston (2014), Francis (2008a), Kingston etal. (2006), Kumaran, Azhar & Daud (2013), Roslan et al. (2016).

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. Malay Peninsula (extreme S Thailand in Hala Bala Forest and Peninsular Malaysia ) and an isolated locality in NE Sumatra.