Scotophilus robustus A. Milne-Edwards, 1881

Goodman, Steven M., Jenkins, Richard K. B. & Ratrimomanarivo, Fanja H., 2005, A review of the genus Scotophilus (Mammalia, Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) on Madagascar, with the description of a new species, Zoosystema 27 (4), pp. 867-882 : 873

Scotophilus robustus A. Milne-Edwards, 1881

Scotophilus robustus A. Milne-Edwards, 1881: 1035 . REMARKS

The holotype of this species (MNHN 218) was obtained by M. Humblot “entre Foulpointe et le lac d’Alaoutre” in the central portion of the eastern humid forest and was described by Milne- Edwards (1881). The animal was preserved in fluid and the skull has never been extracted. We have examined the holotype specimen in the MNHN, which, together with a second specimen of this taxon, is in a jar labeled “ holotype 218, paratype 218a” (in accordance with Rode [1941]) and with two modern catalogue numbers – 1997.1883a and 1997.1883b. There is no MNHN numbered tag on either specimen and it is not possible to differentiate which of the two specimens is the holotype.

S. robustus is characterized by its large size, short rostrum, and well developed sagittal crest ( Peterson et al. 1995: fig. 57; Tables 2-5). Peterson et al. (1995) had five specimens of this species, several without locality data, available to them during their studies of Malagasy bats, and came to the tentative conclusion that S. robustus might be limited to the northern portion of the island. Subsequently, it has been captured at a variety of more southerly sites: the Parc national de Zombitse-Vohibasia (22°51’S, 44°43’E, 870 m; FMNH 151939); Parc national de Bemaraha (19°08.287’S, 44°49.618’E, 120 m and 19°07.869’S, 44°48.524’E, 60 m; UADBA uncatalogued); and Andakandava River, St Luce Forest, Tolagnaro (24°59.2’S, 46°57.9’E, 10 m; netted individual that was released). Other new localities this species has been obtained include the Tsinjoarivo Forest (19°42’23”S, 47°50’6”E, 1400 m; FMNH 166186) and Antsahabe Forest, Anjozorobe (18°24.342’S, 47°56.385’E, c. 1400 m; UADBA 46726, 46727, 46734). Thus, S. robustus has a broad distribution across much of the island, including all of the distinct biomes with the exception of spiny bush, and has a considerable elevational range. In all cases these new records are of individuals not captured in a synanthropic context.