Nyctinomops aurispinosus, Peale, 1848

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Molossidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 598-672 : 637

43.

Peale’s Free-tailed Bat

Nyctinomops aurispinosus

French: Nyctinomope de Peale / German: Peale-Bulldogfledermaus / Spanish: Nycténimo de Peale

Taxonomy. Dysopes aurispinosus Peale, 1848 ,

“flew on board the U. S. Ship Peacock, off the coast of Brazil... about one hundred miles [= 161 km] from land, south of Cape St. Roque,” state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Patchily from N Mexico (S Sonora and S Tamaulipas) to SW Honduras, W Colombia, N Venezuela, W & SE Peru, WC & SE Boliva, and E & SE Brazil; it may occur in Ecuador.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 63-73 mm, tail 41-565 mm, ear 18-25 mm, hindfoot 8-12 mm, forearm 47-53 mm; weight 13-23 g. Short (c. 4 mm) dense fur can be reddish to grayish brown on back, with whitish bases; paler on underside. Ears are large, wrinkled, and connected above base in front with spiny projections on medial edge. Lips are wrinkled and large. Wings and tail membrane are dark brown. Basisphenoid pits are shallow. Teeth are robust, with M* even with posterior edge of hard palate. Posterointernal cingula of M| and M, are rounded. Dental formula for all members of Nyctinomopsis 11/2, C1/1,P2/2,M 3/3 (x2) = 30. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 48 and FN = 58.

Habitat. Dry tropical regions, including thorn forest, scrubland, deciduousforest, and urban areas. Elevational range is from sea level to 3150 m, but most records are from below 1000 m.

Food and Feeding. Peale’s Free-tailed Bat is an insect-feeder, probably taking moths ( Lepidoptera ) and other soft-bodied insects, based on diet of congenerics and morphological study of the jaw.

Breeding. Lactating females were documented in February from Peru, and July from Mexico. In Bolivia, pregnant females have been found in September.

Activity patterns. Small groups of Peale’s Free-tailed Bats have been found roosting in caves and in the attic of a house. In north-eastern Mexico, cranial remains of this species have been found in owl pellets.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Peale’s Free-tailed Bat has been found roosting with other species of Nyctinomops , including the Broad-eared Freetailed Bat ( N. laticaudatus ) and the Big Free-tailed Bat ( N. macrotis ).

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

Bibliography. Arita (2014b), Bianconi et al. (2009), Carter & Davis (1961), Eger (2008), Espinal et al. (2016), Freeman (1979), Ibanez & Ochoa (1989), Jones & Arroyo-Cabrales (1990), Taddei & Garutti (1981), Warner et al. (1974).

Figures

42. Mato Grosso Dog-faced Bat (Neoplatymops mattogrossensis), 43. Peale’s Free-tailed Bat (Nyctinomops aurispinosus), 44. Pocketed Free-tailed Bat (Nyctinomops femorosaccus), 45. Broad-eared Free-tailed Bat (Nyctinomops laticaudatus), 46. Big Free-tailed Bat (Nyctinomops macrotis), 47. Equatorial Dog-faced Bat (Cabreramops aequatorianus), 48. Rufous Dog-faced Bat (Molossops neglectus), 49. Dwarf Dog-faced Bat (Molossops temmancku), 50. Freeman's Dog-faced Bat (Cynomops freemani), 51. Mexican Dog-faced Bat (Cynomops mexicanus), 52. Southern Dog-faced Bat (Cynomops planirostris), 53. Cinnamon Dog-faced Bat (Cynomops abrasus), 54. Greenhall’s Dog-faced Bat (Cynomops greenhalli), 55. Thomas's Dog-faced Bat (Cynomops mastivus), 56. Miller's Dog-faced Bat (Cynomops milleri), 57. Waorani Dog-faced Bat (Cynomops tonkigui)

Distribution. Patchily from N Mexico (S Sonora and S Tamaulipas) to SW Honduras , W Colombia , N Venezuela , W & SE Peru , WC & SE Boliva, and E & SE Brazil ; it may occur in Ecuador .