Big-eared mastiff bat

The big-eared mastiff bat (Otomops papuensis) is a species of bat in the family Molossidae endemic to Papua New Guinea, known from Gulf Province and Oro Province. It is only known from 11 specimens and it is not easy to survey. It forages in rainforest canopy and roosts in tree hollows. It is likely more widespread than currently known but additional research is needed.

Big-eared mastiff bat

Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Molossidae
Genus: Otomops
Species:
O. papuensis
Binomial name
Otomops papuensis
Lawrence, 1948

Taxonomy

The big-eared mastiff bat was described as a new species in 1948 by American mammalogist Barbara Lawrence. The holotype had been collected at Vailala River of Papua New Guinea, approximately 24 km (15 mi) to the west of the city of Kerema.[2] The holotype was collected in 1862.[3]

Description
The interaural membrane in the northern free-tailed bat, another free-tailed bat species (dorsal view)

Overall, its fur is a rich, reddish brown. Individuals hair are darker at the tips and paler at the bases. The underside of its body is lighter in color than its backside, with its throat particularly pale. It has large, rounded ears that lack antitragi; the tragus is very small and scarcely visible. Like some other species of free-tailed bat, there is a connecting band of tissue (interaural membrane) between its ears.[2]

Unlike some closely related genera of free-tailed bat, its upper lip is not wrinkled. The measurements of the holotype were as follows: total length, 97 mm (3.8 in); tail, 30 mm (1.2 in); forearm, 49.2 mm (1.94 in); ear, 22.2 mm (0.87 in); hind foot, 10.6 mm (0.42 in). Overall, it is similar in appearance to the Wroughton's free-tailed bat.[2]

Biology and ecology

It is believed that this species forages for food in the rainforest canopy. It possibly roosts within tree hollows.[1]

Range and habitat

As of 2020, is known from two sites in Papua New Guinea, where it has been found in Gulf Province and Oro Province. These two sites are at elevations between 0–300 m (0–984 ft) above sea level.[1]

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References
  1. Armstrong, K.D. (2020). "Otomops papuensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T15649A22120849. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T15649A22120849.en. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  2. Lawrence, Barbara (1948). "A New Bat, Otomops, from Papua". Journal of Mammalogy. 29 (4): 413–414. doi:10.2307/1375131. JSTOR 1375131.
  3. Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University. "MCZ:Mamm:45769". VertNet. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
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