Solomons mastiff bat
The Solomons mastiff bat (Chaerephon solomonis) is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is endemic to the Solomon Islands.
| Solomons mastiff bat | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Molossidae |
| Genus: | Chaerephon |
| Species: | C. solomonis |
| Binomial name | |
| Chaerephon solomonis Troughton, 1931 | |
Taxonomy and etymology
It was described as a new species by Australian mammalogist Ellis Le Geyt Troughton in 1931.[2] Troughton likely chose the species name "solomonis" because this species was first discovered on the Solomon Islands. It is sometimes classified as a subspecies of the northern freetail bat, Chaerephon jobensis.[3] The genus Chaerephon was formerly considered a subgenus of or synonymous with the genus Tadarida, meaning that this species has been known as Tadarida jobensis solomonis or Tadarida solomonis.[4][5]
Description
Its forearm is 40.5–45 mm (1.59–1.77 in). In total, its head and body are 63–68 mm (2.5–2.7 in) long, while its tail is 35–36 mm (1.4–1.4 in) long. Its fur is a rich, auburn brown, with white hairs interspersed infrequently. Its tragus is lobed and broad at the tip.[2]
Range and habitat
Its range is currently known to include Choiseul Island and Santa Isabel Island, both of which are part of the Solomon Islands.[5]
Conservation
It is evaluated as endangered by the IUCN.[1]
References
- Pennay, M. & Leary, T. (2020). "Chaerephon solomonis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T4320A22017829. Retrieved 10 July 2020.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
- Troughton, Ellis. "Three new bats of the genera Pteropus, Nyctimene, and Chaerephon from Melanesia". Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. 56: 207–209.
- Koopman, K.F. (1993). "Order Chiroptera". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M. (eds.). Mammal species of the world: a taxonomic and geographic reference. Washington, D. C., USA: Smithsonian Institution Press. pp. 137–241.
- Jackson, S.; Jackson, S. M.; Groves, C. (2015). Taxonomy of Australian mammals. Csiro Publishing. p. 259. ISBN 9781486300136.
- Hamilton, S. (2014). "Chaerephon solomonis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T4320A67362737. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T4320A67362737.en.