Eumops ferox (Gundlach, 1861)

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Molossidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 598-672 : 631

publication ID

https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6418279

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6577237

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/194287C9-FFB0-BA1C-B48A-FB76BA17F8C9

treatment provided by

Plazi

scientific name

Eumops ferox
status

 

31. View Plate 47: Molossidae

Fierce Bonneted Bat

Eumops ferox View in CoL

French: Eumope féroce / German: Wilde Bulldogfledermaus / Spanish: Eumops salvaje

Other common names: Chestnut Mastiff Bat, Wild Bonneted Bat

Taxonomy. Molossus ferox Gundlach View in CoL in Peters, 1861,

“Fundador,” Camarioca, Cuba.

Eumops ferox was recently separated from the slightly larger E. glaucinus based on chromosomal and molecular differences. Monotypic.

Distribution. Patchily from C Mexico (S Jalisco, Morelos, and N Veracruz) S into Central America and the Caribbean ( Cuba and Jamaica). View Figure

Descriptive notes. Head—body 75-95 mm, tail 40-54 mm, ear 22-29 mm, hindfoot 10-15 mm, forearm 55-63 mm; weight 34-42 g. See general characteristics of the genus under the Black Bonneted Bat ( E. auripendulus ). Dorsal fur of the Fierce Bonneted Batis white at bases and brownish at tips, with some grayish tinge. Face and wings are black-brown. There are long, bristly hairs on toes of hindfoot. Upper lip covers sides of lower lip and is oblique to nostrils, creating flat spot between mouth and muzzle. Ears are finely haired. Tragus is square-shaped and broad. Eyes are almost covered by ears. It has welldeveloped semi-oval basisphenoid and curved incisors. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 38 and FN = 62 or 64.

Habitat. Lowland evergreen forests, deciduous forests, thorn scrub, and urban areas up to elevations of ¢. 900 m.

Food and Feeding. Fierce Bonneted Bats prey on beetles, moths, and orthopterans.

Breeding. On the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, pregnant Fierce Bonneted Bats were found from late April to June, with lactating females from late June to July. Pregnant females and subadults were documented in July in Jamaica. In Cuba, pregnant females were found in September—October, with lactating females in July and September—November, post-lactating females in April and September—-November, non-reproductively active females in March and September—October, juveniles in June-July and September—October, and subadults in April and September—November, which suggests polyestry.

Activity patterns. Fierce Bonneted Bats are primarily active during first two hours after sunset, with secondary peak before sunrise. There are reports of foraging over water before midnight. It flies in clearings and near water, such as ponds and swimming pools, and roosts in caves, tree hollows, and roofs of houses.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Colonies of up to 32 individuals have been reported in Cuba. The Fierce Bonneted Bat reportedly roosts with Jamaican Fruit-eating Bats (Artibeus jamaicensis), Parnell’s Common Mustached Bats (Pteronotus parnellit), Waterhouse’s Leaf-nosed Bats (Macrotus waterhousii), Leach’s Single-leaf Bats (Monophyllus redmanz), and Big Free-tailed Bats ( Nyctinomops macrotis ) In Jamaica.

Status and Conservation. Not assessed on The IUCN Red Lust.

Bibliography. Baker et al. (2009), Bowles et al. (1990), Eger (1977, 2008), Genoways et al. (2005), McDonough et al. (2008), Ortega (2014), Reid (1997), Silva-Taboada (1979).

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Mammalia

Order

Chiroptera

Family

Molossidae

Genus

Eumops

Loc

Eumops ferox

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier 2019
2019
Loc

Molossus ferox

Gundlach 1861
1861
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