| Molossus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Molossus nigricans skeleton at theSmithsonian. | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Molossidae |
| Genus: | Molossus É. Geoffroy, 1805 |
| Type species | |
| Vespertilio molossus Pallas, 1766 | |
| Species | |
Molossus is agenus ofbats. The genus contains ten species with aNew World distribution from Mexico in the north to northernArgentina at its most southerly limit. Four of these species have distributions that include various islands in theWest Indies such asPuerto Rico orTrinidad.[1][2]
The genus belongs to a group commonly referred to as free-tailed bats. Its name is from the ancientMolossus breed of shepherd dog.[3]
The following species are recognised:
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