Free-tailed bat
Encyclopedia
Molossidae, or free-tailed bats, are a family of bats within the order Chiroptera. They are generally quite robust, and consist of many strong flying forms with relatively long and narrow wings. Another common name for some members of this group, and indeed a few species from other families, is Mastiff Bat
. The Western mastiff bat
, Eumops perotis, a large species from the southwestern United States
and Mexico
with wings over 0.5 m (1.6 ft) across, is perhaps one of the best known with this name. They are widespread, being found on every continent except Antarctica.
The family name is derived from a length of "free" tail, projecting beyond the end of the uropatagium
- the membrane that connects the base of the tail to the hind legs. The tail is usually best seen when resting. A special ring of cartilage
slides up or down the tail vertebrae by muscular action to stretch or retract the tail membrane. This gives many species a degree of fine tuning in their flight maneuvers to rival their day flying ecological equivalents, such as swift
s, swallow
s and martins. As a result, these animals include the fastest flying of all bat species among their number. The dental formula
of Free-tailed bats varies between species:
Free-tailed bats are usually grey, brown, or black in color, although there are some exceptions. They range from 4 to 12 cm (1.6 to 4.7 in) in length, excluding the tail, and can weigh anything from 8 to 220 g (0.282191696840896 to 7.8 oz), depending on species. They are insectivorous
, and catch their food on the wing. While some species roost in small groups in hollow trees or rocky crevices, some cave-dwelling species form vast colonies of up to fifty million individuals.
FAMILY MOLOSSIDAE
Mastiff Bat
The name Mastiff Bat is applied to certain species of the bat family Molossidae or so called Free-tailed Bats. It is usually applied specifically to the following genera:* Chaerephon * Eumops...
. The Western mastiff bat
Western mastiff bat
The western mastiff bat , also known as the western bonneted bat, the greater mastiff bat, or the greater bonneted bat, is a member of the free-tailed bat family, Molossidae. It is found in the Western United States, Mexico and South America, and is the largest bat native to North America...
, Eumops perotis, a large species from the southwestern United States
Southwestern United States
The Southwestern United States is a region defined in different ways by different sources. Broad definitions include nearly a quarter of the United States, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah...
and Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
with wings over 0.5 m (1.6 ft) across, is perhaps one of the best known with this name. They are widespread, being found on every continent except Antarctica.
The family name is derived from a length of "free" tail, projecting beyond the end of the uropatagium
Patagium
*In bats, the skin forming the surface of the wing. It is an extension of the skin of the abdomen that runs to the tip of each digit, uniting the forelimb with the body.*The patagium of a bat has four distinct parts:...
- the membrane that connects the base of the tail to the hind legs. The tail is usually best seen when resting. A special ring of cartilage
Cartilage
Cartilage is a flexible connective tissue found in many areas in the bodies of humans and other animals, including the joints between bones, the rib cage, the ear, the nose, the elbow, the knee, the ankle, the bronchial tubes and the intervertebral discs...
slides up or down the tail vertebrae by muscular action to stretch or retract the tail membrane. This gives many species a degree of fine tuning in their flight maneuvers to rival their day flying ecological equivalents, such as swift
Swift
The swifts are a family, Apodidae, of highly aerial birds. They are superficially similar to swallows, but are actually not closely related to passerine species at all; swifts are in the separate order Apodiformes, which they share with hummingbirds...
s, swallow
Swallow
The swallows and martins are a group of passerine birds in the family Hirundinidae which are characterised by their adaptation to aerial feeding...
s and martins. As a result, these animals include the fastest flying of all bat species among their number. The dental formula
Dentition
Dentition pertains to the development of teeth and their arrangement in the mouth. In particular, the characteristic arrangement, kind, and number of teeth in a given species at a given age...
of Free-tailed bats varies between species:
Free-tailed bats are usually grey, brown, or black in color, although there are some exceptions. They range from 4 to 12 cm (1.6 to 4.7 in) in length, excluding the tail, and can weigh anything from 8 to 220 g (0.282191696840896 to 7.8 oz), depending on species. They are insectivorous
Insectivore
An insectivore is a type of carnivore with a diet that consists chiefly of insects and similar small creatures. An alternate term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of eating insects....
, and catch their food on the wing. While some species roost in small groups in hollow trees or rocky crevices, some cave-dwelling species form vast colonies of up to fifty million individuals.
Classification
There are eighteen genera in total and about 100 species:FAMILY MOLOSSIDAE
- Subfamily Molossinae
- Genus ChaerephonChaerephon (genus)Chaerephon is a genus of Old World free-tail bats in the family Molossidae. Species within this genus are:*Madagascan Free-tailed Bat Chaerephon atsinanana *Duke of Abruzzi's Free-tailed Bat Chaerephon aloysiisabaudiae...
- Lesser Mastiff Bats- Duke of Abruzzi's Free-tailed BatDuke Of Abruzzi's Free-tailed BatThe Duke of Abruzzi's Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Ghana, Sudan, and Uganda. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or...
, Chaerephon aloysiisabaudiae - Ansorge's Free-tailed BatAnsorge's Free-tailed BatThe Ansorge's Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Angola, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, and Zimbabwe...
, Chaerephon ansorgei - Gland-tailed Free-tailed BatGland-tailed Free-tailed BatThe Gland-tailed Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan,...
, Chaerephon bemmeleni - Spotted Free-tailed BatSpotted Free-tailed BatThe Spotted Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Its natural habitats are dry savanna, moist savanna, and rocky areas.-References:* Mickleburgh,...
, Chaerephon bivittata - Fijian Mastiff Bat, Chaerephon bregullae
- Chapin's Free-tailed BatChapin's Free-tailed BatThe Chapin's Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda. Its natural habitat is moist savanna.-Source:...
, Chaerephon chapini - Gallagher's Free-tailed BatGallagher's Free-tailed BatGallagher's free-tailed bat is a free-tailed bat endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo....
, Chaerephon gallagheri - Northern Freetail BatNorthern Freetail BatThe Northern Freetail Bat is a species of bat found in Japen, Seram, New Guinea and Northern Australia....
, Chaerephon jobensis - Red Free-tailed Bat, Chaerephon jobimena
- Northern Free-tailed BatNorthern Free-tailed BatThe Northern Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Indonesia and Malaysia.-Source:* Chiroptera Specialist Group 1996. . Downloaded on 30 July 2007....
, Chaerephon johorensis - Grandidier's Free-tailed BatGrandidier's Free-tailed BatGrandidier's Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and dry savanna. It is threatened by habitat loss....
, Chaerephon leucogaster - Lappet-eared Free-tailed BatLappet-eared Free-tailed BatThe Lappet-eared Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, and Uganda. Its natural habitats are dry savanna and moist...
, Chaerephon major - Nigerian Free-tailed BatNigerian Free-tailed BatThe Nigerian Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia,...
, Chaerephon nigeriae - Wrinkle-lipped Free-tailed BatWrinkle-lipped Free-tailed BatThe Wrinkle-lipped Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Cocos Islands, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.-References:* Chiroptera Specialist Group 1996. ...
, Chaerephon plicata - Little Free-tailed BatLittle Free-tailed BatThe Little Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau,...
, Chaerephon pumila - Russet Free-tailed BatRusset Free-tailed BatThe Russet Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, and Kenya. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:* Mickleburgh, S., Hutson, A.,...
, Chaerephon russata - Shortridge's Free-tailed Bat, Chaerephon shortridgei
- Solomons Mastiff Bat, Chaerephon solomonis
- São Tomé Free-tailed BatSão Tomé Free-tailed BatThe São Tomé Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is endemic to São Tomé and Príncipe. Its natural habitats are dry savanna, moist savanna, and plantations . It is threatened by habitat loss....
, Chaerephon tomensis
- Duke of Abruzzi's Free-tailed Bat
- Genus CheiromelesCheiromelesThere are only two species in the genus Cheiromeles. They are commonly referred to as Naked Bats, Hairless Bats, or Naked Bulldog Bats, as they are almost completely devoid of hair, except for very fine coat on the tail, head, and in a collar about the neck.The skin is remarkably thickened, black...
- Naked Bats, or Hairless Bats- Hairless BatHairless BatThe Hairless Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.-Source:* Chiroptera Specialist Group 1996. . Downloaded on 30 July 2007....
, Cheiromeles torquatus - Cheiromeles parvidensCheiromeles parvidensCheiromeles parvidens is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Indonesia and the Philippines.-Source:* Chiroptera Specialist Group 1996. . Downloaded on 30 July 2007....
- Hairless Bat
- Genus CynomopsCynomopsCynomops is a genus of Central and South American bats in the family Molossidae. It has sometimes been considered a subgenus of Molossops...
- Cinnamon Dog-faced BatCinnamon Dog-faced BatThe Cinnamon Dog-faced Bat , is a bat species from South America. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Paraguay, Suriname and Venezuela....
, Cynomops abrasus - Greenhall's Dog-faced batGreenhall's Dog-faced batGreenhall's Dog-faced Bat is a species of bat distributed from Colombia to Ecuador, Venezuela, the Guianas, northeastern Brazil and Trinidad....
, Cynomops greenhalli - Mexican Dog-faced BatMexican dog-faced batThe Mexican dog-faced bat is a bat species from Central America. It is found from Nayarit in Mexico to Costa Rica at elevations up to 1500 m. It was formerly considered a subspecies of C. greenhalli. It roosts in deciduous and evergreen forest, and is usually found near small bodies of water....
, Cynomops mexicanus - Para Dog-faced BatPara Dog-faced BatThe Para Dog-faced Bat , is a bat species from South America....
, Cynomops paranus - Southern Dog-faced BatSouthern Dog-faced BatThe Southern Dog-faced Bat , is a bat species from South and Central America....
, Cynomops planirostris
- Cinnamon Dog-faced Bat
- Genus EumopsEumopsEumops is a genus of bats in the family Molossidae.-Reference:* Baker, R.J.; McDonough, M.M.; Swier, V.J.; Larsen, P.A.; Carrera, J.P.; Ammerman, L.K. 2009. New species of bonneted bat, genus Eumops from the lowlands of western Ecuador and Peru. Acta Chiropterologica 11 : 1-13....
- Mastiff Bats, or Bonneted Bats- Black Bonneted BatBlack Bonneted BatThe Black Bonneted Bat , is a bat species from South and Central America.-References:* Barquez, R., Rodriguez, B., Miller, B. & Diaz, M. 2008. . Downloaded on 3 March 2009.*...
, Eumops auripendulus - Dwarf Bonneted BatDwarf Bonneted BatThe Dwarf Bonneted Bat , is a bat species from South and Central America.-References:* Chiroptera Specialist Group 1996. . Downloaded on 26 October 2008.*...
, Eumops bonariensis - Big Bonneted BatBig Bonneted BatThe Big Bonneted Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Argentina, Colombia, Paraguay, and Venezuela.-References:* Chiroptera Specialist Group 1996. . Downloaded on 30 July 2007....
, Eumops dabbenei - Eumops ferox
- Eumops floridanus
- Wagner's Bonneted BatWagner's Bonneted BatWagner's Bonneted Bat , is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. it is found in the Americas from Argentina and Peru north to Mexico, Cuba and Florida in the United States....
, Eumops glaucinus - Sanborn's Bonneted BatSanborn's Bonneted BatSanborn's Bonneted Bat , is a bat species from South and Central America.-References:* Chiroptera Specialist Group 1996. . Downloaded on 26 October 2008*...
, Eumops hansae - Guianan Bonneted BatGuianan Bonneted BatThe Guianan Bonneted Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Guyana and Suriname; a surprising report has been made from Ecuador. It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:...
, Eumops maurus - Patagonian Bonneted BatPatagonian Bonneted BatThe Patagonian Bonneted Bat is a species of bat found in Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay....
, Eumops patagonicus - Western Mastiff BatWestern mastiff batThe western mastiff bat , also known as the western bonneted bat, the greater mastiff bat, or the greater bonneted bat, is a member of the free-tailed bat family, Molossidae. It is found in the Western United States, Mexico and South America, and is the largest bat native to North America...
, Eumops perotis - Colombian Bonneted BatColombian Bonneted BatThe Colombian Bonneted Bat , is a bat species from South America. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela....
, Eumops trumbulli - Underwood's Bonneted BatUnderwood's Bonneted BatUnderwood's Bonneted Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and the United States....
, Eumops underwoodi - Eumops wilsoni
- Black Bonneted Bat
- Genus MormopterusMormopterusThe bat genus Mormopterus belongs to a group commonly referred to as "free-tailed bats"...
- Subgenus MormopterusMormopterus (subgenus)Mormopterus is a subgenus of the identically-named Mormopterus genus of bats.It is wide-ranging with six species, and includes the western side of South America as far south as northern Chile, Cuba, Sumatra, South Africa and East Africa including Madagascar within its far-flung range. Species in...
- Natal Free-Tailed BatNatal Free-Tailed BatThe Natal Free-Tailed Bat is a species of bat found in Ethiopia, Mauritius, Réunion, South Africa, and possibly Madagascar. Its habitat is restricted, and threats include habitat loss due to landfills and tourism.-References:...
, Mormopterus acetabulosus - Mormopterus francoismoutoui
- Sumatran Mastiff BatSumatran Mastiff BatThe Sumatran Mastiff Bat is a species of bat found in Indonesia. Synonyms include Tadarida and Micronomus. It is threatened by habitat loss.-References:...
, Mormopterus doriae - Peter's Wrinkle-Lipped BatPeter's Wrinkle-Lipped BatPeter's Wrinkle-Lipped Bat is a species of bat found in Madagascar. It is threatened by ongoing habitat loss.-References:...
, Mormopterus jugularis - Kalinowski's Mastiff BatKalinowski's Mastiff BatKalinowski's Mastiff Bat is a species of bat found in Chile and Peru. It is threatened by ongoing habitat loss.-References:...
, Mormopterus kalinowskii - Little Goblin BatLittle Goblin BatThe Little Goblin Bat is a species of bat found in Cuba. It is threatened by ongoing habitat loss. It belongs to the subgenus Mormopterus.-References:...
, Mormopterus minutus - Incan Little Mastiff BatIncan Little Mastiff BatThe Incan Little Mastiff Bat is a species of bat found in Peru. It belongs to the subgenus Micronomus.The species is red listed as an endangered as of 2008, mainly because of it is known only from a single location, near the Urubamba River in Peru. It has not been found in nearby suitable...
, Mormopterus phrudus
- Natal Free-Tailed Bat
- Subgenus MicronomusMicronomusMicronomus is a subgenus of the Mormopterus genus of bats. It is Australasian and contains three species:* Beccari's Mastiff Bat * Eastern Little Mastiff Bat * Southern Free-Tailed Bat ...
- Beccari's Mastiff BatBeccari's Mastiff BatBeccari's Free-tailed Bat or Beccari's Mastiff Bat, , is a species of bat that lives in Australia, Indonesia , and Papua New Guinea.-References:...
, Mormopterus beccarii - Mormopterus eleryi
- Mormopterus loriae
- Eastern Little Mastiff BatEastern Little Mastiff BatThe East-coast Free-tailed Bat or Eastern Little Mastiff Bat, , is a species of bat native to Australia. It is listed as Vulnerable on the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 and is found along the east coast of Australia within New South Wales. It belongs to the subgenus Micronomus.Little...
, Mormopterus norfolkensis - Southern Free-Tailed BatSouthern Free-Tailed BatThe Southern Free-Tailed Bat is a species of bat found in Australia, Indonesia , and Papua New Guinea.-References:...
, Mormopterus planiceps
- Beccari's Mastiff Bat
- Subgenus Mormopterus
- Genus MolossopsMolossopsMolossops is a genus of bat in the family Molossidae.The four member species are found in nearly every country of South America, with the Dwarf Dog-faced Bat being found in the most countries.It contains the following species:...
- Broad-faced Bats- Equatorial Dog-faced BatEquatorial Dog-faced BatThe Equatorial Dog-faced Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is endemic to Ecuador.-Source:* Chiroptera Specialist Group 1996. . Downloaded on 30 July 2007....
, Molossops (Cabreramops) aequatorianus - Mato Grosso Dog-faced BatMato Grosso Dog-faced BatThe Mato Grosso Dog-faced Bat , is a bat species from South America. It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Guyana and Venezuela. Its subgenus Neoplatymops has sometimes been considered a separate genus. If so it would belong to a monotypic genus....
, Molossops mattogrossensis - Rufous Dog-faced BatRufous Dog-faced BatThe Rufous Dog-faced Bat , is a bat species from South America. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, Peru and Suriname....
, Molossops neglectus - Dwarf Dog-faced BatDwarf Dog-faced BatThe Dwarf Dog-faced Bat , is a bat species from South America. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Paraguay and Uruguay....
, Molossops temminckii
- Equatorial Dog-faced Bat
- Genus MolossusMolossus (genus)Molossus is a genus of bats. The genus contains ten species with a New World distribution from Mexico in the north to northern Argentina at its most southerly limit...
- Velvety Free-tailed Bats- Aztec Mastiff BatAztec mastiff batThe Aztec mastiff bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua in a variety of forest habitats at elevations from near sea level to 1300 m....
, Molossus aztecus - Molossus barnesi
- Coiban Mastiff BatCoiban mastiff batThe Coiban mastiff bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Mexico in a variety of forest habitats at elevations from near sea level to 1300 m....
, Molossus coibensis - Bonda Mastiff BatBonda Mastiff BatThe Bonda Mastiff Bat or Thomas's mastiff bat , is a bat species from South and Central America.-References:* Chiroptera Specialist Group 1996. . Downloaded on 26 October 2008.*...
, Molossus currentium - Velvety Free-tailed BatVelvety Free-tailed BatThe Velvety Free-tailed Bat or Pallas's Mastiff Bat , is a bat species in the family Molossidae. It occurs in the Americas from Argentina north to Cuba and Mexico and also the Florida Keys in the United States....
, Molossus molossus - Miller's Mastiff BatMiller's Mastiff BatMiller's Mastiff Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Mexico, Nicaragua, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela.-References:...
, Molossus pretiosus - Black Mastiff BatBlack Mastiff BatThe Black Mastiff Bat , is a bat species from South and Central America.-References:* Barquez, R., Rodriguez, B., Miller, B. & Diaz, M. 2008. . Downloaded on 03 March 2009.*-External links:*...
, Molossus rufus (another articleMolossus aterThe Black Mastiff Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago....
) - Sinaloan Mastiff BatSinaloan Mastiff BatThe Sinaloan Mastiff Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela....
, Molossus sinaloae - Molossus trinitatus
- Aztec Mastiff Bat
- Genus Mops - Greater Mastiff Bats
- Subgenus Xiphonycteris
- Spurrell's Free-tailed BatSpurrell's Free-tailed BatThe Spurrell's Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae named after Herbert George Flaxman Spurrell. It is found in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Togo. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry...
, Mops spurrelli - Dwarf Free-tailed BatDwarf Free-tailed BatThe Dwarf Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, and Uganda. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or...
, Mops nanulus - Peterson's Free-tailed BatPeterson's Free-tailed BatThe Peterson's Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Cameroon and Ghana. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:* Mickleburgh, S., Hutson, A.,...
, Mops petersoni - Mops leonis
- Sierra Leone Free-tailed BatSierra Leone Free-tailed BatThe Sierra Leone Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo, possibly Central African Republic, possibly Republic of the Congo, and...
, Mops brachyptera - Mops bakarii
- Railer BatRailer BatThe Railer Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Uganda...
, Mops thersites
- Spurrell's Free-tailed Bat
- Subgenus Mops
- Angolan Free-tailed BatAngolan Free-tailed BatThe Angolan Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra...
, Mops condylurus - White-bellied Free-tailed BatWhite-bellied Free-tailed BatThe White-bellied Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Zambia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and moist savanna. It is threatened by habitat loss.-References:* Cotterill,...
, Mops niveiventer - Mongalla Free-tailed BatMongalla Free-tailed BatThe Mongalla Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Sudan, and Uganda. Its natural habitats are dry savanna, moist savanna, and subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or...
, Mops demonstrator - Malayan Free-tailed BatMalayan Free-tailed BatThe Malayan Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Indonesia and Malaysia.-References:* Chiroptera Specialist Group 1996. . Downloaded on 30 July 2007....
, Mops mops - Sulawesi Free-tailed BatSulawesi Free-tailed BatThe Sulawesi Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Indonesia and the Philippines.-Source:* Chiroptera Specialist Group 1996. . Downloaded on 30 July 2007....
, Mops sarasinorum - Trevor's Free-tailed BatTrevor's Free-tailed BatThe Trevor's Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Guinea, Nigeria, Sudan, and Uganda. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and moist savanna...
, Mops trevori - Mops congica
- Midas Free-tailed BatMidas Free-tailed BatThe Midas Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria,...
, Mops midas - Niangara Free-tailed BatNiangara Free-tailed BatThe Niangara Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is endemic to Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its natural habitat is moist savanna.-Source:...
, Mops niangarae - Medje Free-tailed BatMedje Free-tailed BatThe Medje Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uganda. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:*...
, Mops congicus - Mops leucostigmaMops leucostigmaMops leucostigma is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is endemic to Madagascar.-Source:* Chiroptera Specialist Group 2000. . Downloaded on 30 July 2007....
- Angolan Free-tailed Bat
- Subgenus Xiphonycteris
- Genus MyopterusMyopterusAfrican Free-tailed Bats are a genus of bat in the family Molossidae.It contains the following species:* Daubenton's Free-tailed Bat * Bini Free-tailed Bat...
- Daubenton's Free-tailed BatDaubenton's Free-tailed BatThe Daubenton's Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, and Senegal. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and dry savanna. It is threatened by habitat...
, Myopterus daubentonii - Bini Free-tailed BatBini Free-tailed BatThe Bini Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Nigeria, and Uganda. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is threatened by habitat...
, Myopterus whitleyi
- Daubenton's Free-tailed Bat
- Genus Neoplatymops
- Mato Grosso Dog-faced BatMato Grosso Dog-faced BatThe Mato Grosso Dog-faced Bat , is a bat species from South America. It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Guyana and Venezuela. Its subgenus Neoplatymops has sometimes been considered a separate genus. If so it would belong to a monotypic genus....
, Molossops mattogrossensis
- Mato Grosso Dog-faced Bat
- Genus NyctinomopsNyctinomopsNyctinomops is a genus of bats in the family Molossidae....
- New World Free-tailed Bats- Peale's Free-tailed BatPeale's Free-tailed BatPeale's Free-tailed Bat is a bat species from South and Central America.-References:* Chiroptera Specialist Group 1996. . Downloaded on 26 October 2008.*...
, Nyctinomops aurispinosus - Pocketed Free-tailed BatPocketed Free-tailed BatThe Pocketed Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Mexico and in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas in the United States....
, Nyctinomops femorosaccus - Broad-eared BatBroad-eared BatThe Broad-eared Bat , is a bat species from South and Central America.-References:* Chiroptera Specialist Group 1996. . Downloaded on 26 October 2008.*-External links:...
, Nyctinomops laticaudatus - Big Free-tailed BatBig Free-tailed BatThe Big Free-tailed Bat is a bat species found in South, North and Central America. They have a wingspan of 435 mm and an average length of 140 mm. This bat frequents rocky or canyon country where it roosts in crevices. This migratory species is a swift, powerful flier, and occasional individuals...
, Nyctinomops macrotis
- Peale's Free-tailed Bat
- Genus OtomopsOtomopsOtomops is a genus of bat in the family Molossidae.It contains the following species:* Javan Mastiff Bat * Otomops johnstonei* Madagascar Free-tailed Bat...
- Big-eared Free-tailed Bats- Javan Mastiff BatJavan Mastiff BatThe Javan Mastiff Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is endemic to Indonesia.-Source:* Chiroptera Specialist Group 1996. . Downloaded on 30 July 2007....
, Otomops formosus - Otomops johnstoneiOtomops johnstoneiJohnstone's Mastiff Bat Otomops johnstonei is a species of bat in the Molossidae family. It is endemic to Indonesia.-Source:* Chiroptera Specialist Group 1996. . Downloaded on 30 July 2007....
- Madagascar Free-tailed Bat, Otomops madagascariensis
- Large-eared Free-tailed BatLarge-eared Free-tailed BatThe Large-eared Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Angola, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and possibly...
, Otomops martiensseni - Big-eared Mastiff BatBig-eared Mastiff BatThe Big-eared Mastiff Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is endemic to Papua New Guinea.-References:* Chiroptera Specialist Group 1996. . Downloaded on 30 July 2007....
, Otomops papuensis - Mantled Mastiff BatMantled Mastiff BatThe Mantled Mastiff Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is endemic to Papua New Guinea.-Source:* Chiroptera Specialist Group 1996. . Downloaded on 30 July 2007....
, Otomops secundus - Wroughton's free-tailed batWroughton's Free-tailed BatThe Wroughton's free-tailed bat is a free-tailed bat formerly considered to be confined to the Western Ghats area of India, though it has also recently been discovered in Northeast India and in a remote part of Cambodia...
, Otomops wroughtoni
- Javan Mastiff Bat
- Genus Platymops
- Peters's Flat-headed BatPeters's Flat-headed BatPeters's Flat-headed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae, and belongs to the monotypic genus Platymops. It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Sudan. Its natural habitats are dry savanna and rocky areas....
, Platymops setiger
- Peters's Flat-headed Bat
- Genus PromopsPromopsPromops is a genus of molossid bats.-Species:Promops is a genus of molossid bats.-Species:Promops is a genus of molossid bats.-Species::Promops centralis - big crested mastiff bat:Promops nasutus - brown mastiff bat...
- Domed-palate Mastiff Bats- Big Crested Mastiff BatBig Crested Mastiff BatThe Big Crested Mastiff Bat , is a bat species from South and Central America.-References:* Chiroptera Specialist Group 1996. . Downloaded on 26 October 2008.*...
, Promops centralis - Brown Mastiff BatBrown Mastiff BatThe Brown Mastiff Bat , is a South American bat species, found in Venezuela, Trinidad, Guyana, Surinam, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, and northern Argentina.-References:*...
, Promops nasutus
- Big Crested Mastiff Bat
- Genus Sauromys
- Roberts's Flat-headed BatRoberts's Flat-headed BatThe Roberts's Flat-headed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and a small part of western Mozambique. Its natural habitats are dry savanna, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, and rocky areas. It is threatened by habitat loss...
, Sauromys petrophilus
- Roberts's Flat-headed Bat
- Genus TadaridaTadaridaThe genus Tadarida has ten or more species of bats divided into two subgenera, with the first of these containing seven species spread across the Old World...
- Free-tailed Bats- Egyptian Free-tailed BatEgyptian Free-tailed BatThe Egyptian Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is distributed through most of Africa, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman to Pakistan and India and Sri Lanka...
, Tadarida aegyptiaca - White-striped Free-tailed BatWhite-striped Free-tailed BatThe White-striped Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.-Source:* Chiroptera Specialist Group 1996. . Downloaded on 30 July 2007....
, Tadarida australis - Mexican Free-tailed BatMexican Free-tailed BatThe Mexican free-tailed bat , also known as the Brazilian free-tailed bat, is a medium-sized bat that is native to the Americas and is widely regarded as one of the most abundant mammals in North America...
, Tadarida brasiliensis - Madagascan Large Free-tailed BatMadagascan Large Free-tailed BatThe Madagascan Large Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Its natural habitats are dry savanna and moist savanna.-References:* Cotterill, F.W....
, Tadarida fulminans - European Free-tailed BatEuropean Free-tailed BatThe European Free-tailed Bat. is a species of free-tailed bat found across the Old World. An adult European Free-tailed Bat has a body length of 8.4-9.4 cm, a tail of 4.8-5.6 cm, and a wing length of 5.7-6.5 cm...
, Tadarida insignis - Tadarida kuboriensis
- La Touche's Free-tailed BatLa Touche's Free-tailed BatThe La Touche's Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in China, Japan, and Thailand.-Source:* Chiroptera Specialist Group 2000. . Downloaded on 30 July 2007....
, Tadarida latouchei - Kenyan Big-eared Free-tailed BatKenyan Big-eared Free-tailed BatThe Kenyan Big-eared Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Kenya and Zimbabwe. Its natural habitat is dry savanna.-Source:* Cotterill, F.W. 2004. . Downloaded on 30 July 2007....
, Tadarida lobata - European Free-tailed BatEuropean Free-tailed BatThe European Free-tailed Bat. is a species of free-tailed bat found across the Old World. An adult European Free-tailed Bat has a body length of 8.4-9.4 cm, a tail of 4.8-5.6 cm, and a wing length of 5.7-6.5 cm...
, Tadarida teniotis - African Giant Free-tailed BatAfrican Giant Free-tailed BatThe African Giant Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Sudan, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and possibly South Africa...
, Tadarida ventralis
- Egyptian Free-tailed Bat
- Genus Chaerephon
- Subfamily TomopeatinaeBlunt-eared BatThe Blunt-eared Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is monotypic within the genus Tomopeas and subfamily Tomopeatinae. It is endemic to Peru...
- Genus TomopeasBlunt-eared BatThe Blunt-eared Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is monotypic within the genus Tomopeas and subfamily Tomopeatinae. It is endemic to Peru...
- Blunt-eared BatBlunt-eared BatThe Blunt-eared Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is monotypic within the genus Tomopeas and subfamily Tomopeatinae. It is endemic to Peru...
, Tomopeas ravus
- Blunt-eared Bat
- Genus Tomopeas