South-western free-tailed bat
| South-western free-tailed bat | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Molossidae |
| Genus: | Mormopterus |
| Subgenus: | Mormopterus |
| Species: | M. kitcheneri |
| Binomial name | |
| Mormopterus kitcheneri McKenzie, Reardon, & Adams, 2014 | |
The south-western free-tailed bat (Mormopterus kitcheneri) is a species of free-tailed bat found in Australia.
Taxonomy and etymology
It was described as a new species in 2014 by McKenzie, Reardon, & Adams. Its description was the result of a taxonomic revision of the southern free-tailed bat species complex. The eponym for the species name "kitcheneri" is Darrell Kitchener "for his prolific contribution to elucidating the systematics of Indo-Australian mammals, especially bats."[2]
Description
It has an "unusually flattened skull" similar to the southern and inland free-tailed bats. It is a small species, with a forearm length of 32.6–35.4 mm (1.28–1.39 in) and a body mass of 7.5–10.5 g (0.26–0.37 oz).[2]
Biology and ecology
It is nocturnal, roosting in sheltered places during the day such as hollow trees and human structures.[1] It forages for its insect prey in uncluttered air spaces.[2]
Range and habitat
It is endemic to Western Australia in the Southwest Australia Ecoregion.[1]
Conservation
As of 2017, it is assessed as a least-concern species by the IUCN. It meets the criteria for this classification because it has a wide geographic range, it tolerates a variety of habitats, its range includes protected areas, and it is frequently documented. Its population size is estimated at 35,000 individuals, which is likely an underestimation.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 Reardon, T.; Armstrong, K. (2017). "Mormopterus kitcheneri". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T71532724A71532749. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T71532724A71532749.en.
- 1 2 3 Reardon, T. B; McKenzie, N. L; Cooper, S. J. B; Appleton, B; Carthew, S; Adams, M (2014). "A molecular and morphological investigation of species boundaries and phylogenetic relationships in Australian free-tailed bats Mormopterus (Chiroptera : Molossidae)". Australian Journal of Zoology. 62 (2): 109. doi:10.1071/ZO13082.