Molossus milleri, Johnson, 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 : 625-626

16.

Pug-nosed Mastiff Bat

Molossus milleri

French M ossedeJama que German Stumpfnasen-Samtflederrrtaus Spanish Moloso de Jarnarca

Other common lumen Pug-nosed Bat Pug-nosed Free-ta ed Bat

Taxonomy. Molœsus miller-i D. H. Johnson, l 952, Jamaica.

Molossus ntilleri was first described as M. fuliginmus, which was previously used to describe another taxon. Therefore, the name M. millm" was proposed as a substitute, wholly synonymous with M. fidlgino. sus based on same type specimen and locality. Molecular studies demonstrated that mastifl' bats from eastern Cuba, Cayman lslands, andjaınaica are genetically the same species; however, M. hopidorhyrtchus from the type locality of Havana in western Cuba has been reported as smaller in body size. Therefore, there is still a question ifthere are two allopatric species of Molossus in Cuba that needs to be resolved. Monotypic.

Distribution. Cuba, lsla de lajuventud, Cayman Is (Grand Cayman and Cayman Brae), „ ma r- "mam

Desdriptive notes. Head-body 55-71 mm, tail 32-42 mm, ear 1-14 mm, hindfoot 7-12 mm, forearm 37-40 mm; weight 13-19 g. The Pug-nosed Mastiff Bat is larger than Fenton's Mastiff Bat (M. fmtom) and smaller than the Bonda Mastiff Bat (M. mrnmtium). Dorsal hairs are medium to dark brown and noticeably bicolored, with pale basal band reaching one-half to one-quarter the hair length. Ventral pelage is lighter than dorsal pelage. Ears are rounded and arise from same point on forehead. Tragus is small, and antitragus is constricted at its base. Face, muzzle, ears, and membranes are medium to dark brown. Upper lip and snout are smooth and lack any medial ridge. Skull has elongated braincase, triangular occipital region, and infraorbital foramen opening laterally in frontal view. Basioccipital pits are moderately deep. l’ is elongated, with parallel tips, but it can be more tapered and thicker in some individuals. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 48 and FN - 56.

Habitat. Lowland wet forests, dry forests, shrublands, mangroves, agricultural fields, and urban areas. The Pug-nosed Mastiff Bat has been found flying over rivers and ponds. 1t does not occur at higher elevations or on the dry, hot southern coast ofjamaica.

Food and Feeding. The Pug-nosed Mastiff Bat is an aerial insectivore that eats Diptera , r nnirlnnlnra rnlmmafl una uamtmafl

Breeding. In Jamaica, pregnant Pug-nosed Mastiff Bats have been reported in june-july and lactating females in july. Females at various stages of reproduction and reproductively inactive were caught during the same time of the year, indicating lack of reproduction synchrony and aseasonal polyestry.

Activity patterns. Activity of the Pug-nosed Mastiff Bat starts minutes before sunset and continues until one hour after dusk. It is most active in open areas. It roosts in hollow trees, buildings, bat houses, and palm trees. In Cuba,it echolocates using a pair ofcalls with different frequencies. First signal has lower frequency (mean peak frequency of 34-1 kHz), and second call has higher frequency (mean peak frequency of 39 kHz).

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Colonies of 50-300 Pug-nosed Masuff Bats have been observed roosting together. Social organization can vary among groups. In one tree, an upper hole contained only males, and only females occupied a lower hole. Colonies composed of both sexes with three times as many as females as males were found in building attics, with no apparent segregation of sexes. Pug-nosed Mastiff Bats have been found roosting in a cave with the Caribbean Lesser Funneleared Bat ( Chilonatalus micropus) in Jamaica.

Status and Conservation. Not assessed on The [UCN Red List.

Bibliography. Emrich et al. (2014), Genoways et al. (2005), Koss! et al. (1999), Loureiro, Engstrom & Lim (2019), Loureiro, Gregorin & Perini (2018).

Figures

1. Blunt-eared Bat (Tomopeas ravus), 2. Lesser Naked Bat (Chewromeles parvidens), 3. Greater Naked Bat (Chewromeles torquatus), 4. Peters’s Little Mastff Bat (Mormopterus jugularis), 5. Reunion Little Masuft Bat (Mormopterus francoismoutoui), 6. Mauritian Little Mastiff Bat (Mormopterus acetabulosus), 7. Sumatran Little Mastift Bat (Mormopterus doriae), 8. Least Little Mastiff Bat (Mormopterus minutus), 9. Kalinowski’s Little Mastiff Bat (Mormopterus kalinowskii), 10. Incan Little Masuft Bat (Mormopterus phrudus), 11. Alvarez’s Mastff Bat (Molossus alvarez), 12. Aztec Mastff Bat (Molossus aztecus), 13. Coiban Mastuff Bat (Molossus cotbensis)

Distribution. Cuba , lsla de lajuventud, Cayman Is (Grand Cayman and Cayman Brae), „ ma r- "mam