| Black mastiff bat | |
|---|---|
_Figures_32%25E2%2580%259341.jpg) | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Molossidae |
| Genus: | Molossus |
| Species: | M. rufus |
| Binomial name | |
| Molossus rufus É. Geoffroy, 1805 | |
 | |
| Black mastiff bat range | |
| Synonyms | |
Molossus ater | |
Theblack mastiff bat (Molossus rufus) is abat species. It ranges from the northern region ofSouth America (excluding Chile), most ofCentral America (excluding Belize) and parts of southernMexico.
The black mastiff bat wasdescribed as a new species in 1805 by French naturalistÉtienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire.[2] Theholotype had been collected inCayenne, French Guiana.[3]
Males have a forearm length ranging from 48.5–54.0 mm (1.91–2.13 in) and females' forearm lengths are 47–53 mm (1.9–2.1 in). The fur of its back is usually shorter than 3.5 mm (0.14 in).[4] Individuals weight 27–31 g (0.95–1.09 oz). It has adental formula of1.1.1.31.1.2.3 for a total of 26 teeth.[5]
The black mastiff bat is a widespread species, occurring throughout much of Central and South America. Its range includes the following countries: Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay. Its habitat includes forests and shrublands, with human structures used as roosts.[1]
As of 2015, it is evaluated as aleast-concern species by theIUCN. It meets the criteria for this classification because it has a wide geographic range; its population is presumably large; and it is unlikely to be experiencing rapid population decline.[1] The species is known to be impacted by thepolyctenid parasitic bugHesperoctenes fumarius.[6]
