Eumops auripendulus (Shaw, 1800)

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Molossidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 598-672 : 629-630

25.

Black Bonneted Bat

Eumops auripendulus

French: Eumope des palmiers / German: Dunkle Bulldogfledermaus / Spanish: Eumops de Shaw

Other common names: Shaw's Bonneted Bat, Shaw's Mastiff Bat

Taxonomy. Vespertilio auripendulus G. Shaw, 1800 ,

“ Guiana.” Restricted by A. M. Husson in 1962 to French Guiana.

Two subspecies are recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

E.a.auripendulusG.Shaw,1800—fromSMexico(Oaxaca,Tabasco,QuintanaRoo,andChiapas)SthroughoutCentralAmericatoPeru,Bolivia,andCBrazil;alsoinJamaicaandTrinidadI.

E. a. major Eger, 1974 — E Brazil, S Paraguay, and NE Argentina.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 74-100 mm, tail 42-64 mm, ear 16-25 mm, hindfoot 10-15 mm, forearm 55-69 mm; weight 24-38 g. All species of Eumops have large, rounded ears that are mediallyjoined on forehead, reach near nose tip or beyond when laid forward, and have wider than high antitragus; smooth upper lips without grooves or wrinkles; cylindrical skull with developed basisphenoid pits and palate without emargination on anterior border; and long, curved upper incisors that are in contact, molars with Wshaped cusps, and M” with variably developed third commissure. The Black Bonneted Bat has blackish or reddish-brown dorsal pelage, paler venter, and grayish sides. Dorsal hairs have dark bases. Ears and wing membranes are darkish brown. Tragus is small and pointed. Males have well-developed gular gland on throat, which is rudimentary on females and absent on immature individuals. Skull is relatively narrow, with mastoid breadth less than one-half the cranium length. Dental formula ofall species of Eumopsis11/2,C 1/1, P2/2,M 3/3 (x2) = 30. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 42 and FN = 60 or 62.

Habitat. Rainforests, dry forests, and coastal plains from sea level to elevations of c. 2000 m.

Food and Feeding. The Black Bonneted Bat is an aerial insectivore.

Breeding. The Black Bonneted Bat is polyestrous, with females pregnant in February-March and August. Lactating females were found in March and July-August, non-reproductive females in February and May, and juveniles in April.

Activity patterns. The Black Bonneted Bat starts flying at dusk and has been observed foraging over ponds, streams, pastures, and savanna. It roosts in tree hollows, under bark, and in roofs of buildings. All species of Eumops have typical echolocation calls of open-space foragers that are usually of low frequency, long call duration, low bandwidth, and long pulse interval. There is plasticity in these FM downward calls, with most species able to alternate peak frequencies. The Black Bonneted Bat has an average peak frequency of 20 kHz, start frequency of 34 kHz, and ending frequency of 14 kHz.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Colonies of at least 15 Black Bonneted Bats have been found roosting in the attic of a house in French Guiana.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red Lust.

Bibliography. Best et al. (2002), Brosset & Dubost (1967), Eger (1974, 1977, 2008), Husson (1962), Jung et al. (2014), Reid (1997), Varella-Garcia et al. (1989), Warner et al. (1974).

Figures

22. Big Crested Mastiff Bat (Promops centralis), 23. Davison’s Mastiff Bat (Promops davisoni), 24. Brown Mastiff Bat (Promops nasutus), 25. Black Bonneted Bat (Eumops auripendulus), 26. Common Dwarf Bonneted Bat (Eumops bonariensis), 27. Chimera’s Bonneted Bat (Fumops chimaera), 28. Chiribaya’s Bonneted Bat (Eumops chiribaya), 29. Big Bonneted Bat (Eumops dabbener), 30. Delta Bonneted Bat (Eumops delticus), 31. Fierce Bonneted Bat (Fumops ferox), 32. Florida Bonneted Bat (FEumops floridanus), 33. Wagner's Bonneted Bat (Fumops glaucinus), 34. Sanborn’s Bonneted Bat (Eumops hansae), 35. Guianan Bonneted Bat (Eumops maurus), 36. Northern Dwarf Bonneted Bat (Fumops nanus), 37. Patagonian Dwarf Bonneted Bat (Eumops patagonicus), 38. Western Bonneted Bat (Eumops perotis), 39. Trumbull’s Bonneted Bat (Eumops trumbulli), 40. Underwood’s Bonneted Bat (Eumops underwoodi), 41. Wilson’s Bonneted Bat (Eumops wilsoni)

Subspecies and Distribution. E.a.auripendulusG.Shaw,1800—fromSMexico(Oaxaca,Tabasco,QuintanaRoo,andChiapas)SthroughoutCentralAmericatoPeru,Bolivia,andCBrazil;alsoinJamaicaandTrinidadI. E. a. major Eger, 1974 — E Brazil , S Paraguay , and NE Argentina .