Species of bat found in Fiji and Vanuatu
| Fijian free-tailed bat |
Conservation status |
 Endangered (IUCN 3.1)[1] |
Scientific classification  |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Molossidae |
| Genus: | Mops |
| Species: | M. bregullae |
| Binomial name |
Mops bregullae
(Felten, 1964) |
 |
The Fijian mastiff bat (Mops bregullae), also known as the Fijian free-tailed bat, is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Fiji and Vanuatu. In 2013, Bat Conservation International listed this species as one of the 35 species of its worldwide priority list of conservation.[2] This species is currently listed as endangered [1] and considered a species of special concern due to habitat fragmentation and cave disturbance. The Fijian free-tailed bat is endemic to Fiji and Vanuatu. This species was previously documented on the islands of Taveuni and Vanua Levu, current research indicates possible small fragmented populations inhabiting both islands. Only two insectivorous bats occupy Fiji, the Pacific sheath-tailed bat and the Fijian free-tailed bat. Both species consume night flying insects, foraging high above the canopy.
Population
Estimated populations of Fijian free-tailed bats are approximately 7,000 individuals globally. Cave disturbance, over harvesting, and deforestation are contributing to population decline throughout the species range.[1]
Habitat
The habitat range and ecology of this species is unknown. Previously, the Fijian free-tailed bat was observed in caves located on Vanuatu. The foraging behavior of this species has been observed in coconut groves, farmland, forest and coastal regions of Fiji.[3]
Conservation
The Fijian free-tailed bat is evaluated as endangered by the IUCN, a species at risk of becoming extinct. The first Fijian bat sanctuary was established in 2018, The National Trust of Fiji acquired Nakanacagi Cave. The Fijian free-tailed bat is considered extirpated from Tonga due to disturbance and overharvesting.[3]
References
- ^ a b c Waldien, D.L.; Scanlon, A.; Thompson, B.L.; Sherwin, R.E.; Naikatini, A.; Tikoca, S. (2021) [errata version of 2019 assessment]. "Chaerephon bregullae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T4309A209550994. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T4309A209550994.en. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
- ^ "Annual Report 2013-2014" (PDF). batcon.org. Bat Conservation International. August 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 7, 2017. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
- ^ a b Palmeirim, Jorge M.; Champion, Alan; Naikatini, Alivereti; Niukula, Jone; Tuiwawa, Marika; Fisher, Martin; Yabaki-Gounder, Mere; Qalovaki, Stanley; Dunn, Thomas (September 2005). Distribution, Status, and Conservation of Bats in the Fiji Islands (PDF) (Report). University of the South Pacific, Fauna & Flora International, and University of Lisbon. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
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Subfamily Molossinae |
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Chaerephon
(Lesser mastiff bats) | - Duke of Abruzzi's free-tailed bat (C. aloysiisabaudiae)
- C. atsinanana
- Ansorge's free-tailed bat (C. ansorgei)
- Gland-tailed free-tailed bat (C. bemmeleni)
- Spotted free-tailed bat (C. bivittata)
- Fijian mastiff bat (C. bregullae)
- Chapin's free-tailed bat (C. chapini)
- Gallagher's free-tailed bat (C. gallagheri)
- Northern freetail bat (C. jobensis)
- Red free-tailed bat (C. jobimena)
- Northern free-tailed bat (C. johorensis)
- Grandidier's free-tailed bat (C. leucogaster)
- Lappet-eared free-tailed bat (C. major)
- Nigerian free-tailed bat (C. nigeriae)
- Wrinkle-lipped free-tailed bat (C. plicata)
- Little free-tailed bat (C. pumila)
- Russet free-tailed bat (C. russata)
- Solomons mastiff bat (C. solomonis)
- São Tomé free-tailed bat (C. tomensis)
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Cheiromeles
(Naked bats) | |
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| Cynomops | - Cinnamon dog-faced bat (C. abrasus)
- Freeman's dog-faced bat (C. freemani)
- Greenhall's dog-faced bat (C. greenhalli)
- Mexican dog-faced bat (C. mexicanus)
- C. milleri
- Para dog-faced bat (C. paranus)
- Southern dog-faced bat (C. planirostris)
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Eumops
(Mastiff bats) | - Black bonneted bat (E. auripendulus)
- Dwarf bonneted bat (E. bonariensis)
- Big bonneted bat (E. dabbenei)
- E. ferox
- Florida bonneted bat (E. floridanus)
- Wagner's bonneted bat (E. glaucinus)
- Sanborn's bonneted bat (E. hansae)
- Guianan bonneted bat (E. maurus)
- E. nanus
- Patagonian bonneted bat (E. patagonicus)
- Western mastiff bat (E. perotis)
- Colombian bonneted bat (E. trumbulli)
- Underwood's bonneted bat (E. underwoodi)
- E. wilsoni
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| Mormopterus | - Subgenus Mormopterus
- Natal free-tailed bat (M. acetabulosus)
- M. francoismoutoui
- Sumatran mastiff bat (M. doriae)
- Peters's wrinkle-lipped bat (M. jugularis)
- Kalinowski's mastiff bat (M. kalinowskii)
- Little goblin bat (M. minutus)
- Incan little mastiff bat (M. phrudus)
- Subgenus Micronomus
- East-coast free-tailed bat (M. norfolkensis)
- Subgenus Ozimops
- Beccari's free-tailed bat (M. beccarii)
- M. halli
- M. kitcheneri
- M. loriae
- M. lumsdenae
- M. petersi
- Southern free-tailed bat (M. planiceps)
- Eastern free-tailed bat (M. ridei)
- Subgenus Setirostris
- M. eleryi
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Molossops
(Broad-faced bats) | - Equatorial dog-faced bat (M. (Cabreramops) aequatorianus)
- Mato Grosso dog-faced bat (M. mattogrossensis)
- Rufous dog-faced bat (M. neglectus)
- Dwarf dog-faced bat (M. temminckii)
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Molossus
(Velvety free-tailed bats) | - Aztec mastiff bat (M. aztecus)
- M. barnesi
- Coiban mastiff bat (M. coibensis)
- Bonda mastiff bat (M. currentium)
- Velvety free-tailed bat (M. molossus)
- Miller's mastiff bat (M. pretiosus)
- Black mastiff bat (M. rufus)
- Sinaloan mastiff bat (M. sinaloae)
- M. trinitatus
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Mops
(Greater mastiff bats) | - Subgenus Xiphonycteris
- Spurrell's free-tailed bat (M. spurrelli)
- Dwarf free-tailed bat (M. nanulus)
- Peterson's free-tailed bat (M. petersoni)
- M. leonis
- Sierra Leone free-tailed bat (M. brachyptera)
- M. bakarii
- Railer bat (M. thersites)
- Subgenus Mops
- Angolan free-tailed bat (M. condylurus)
- White-bellied free-tailed bat (M. niveiventer)
- Mongalla free-tailed bat (M. demonstrator)
- Malayan free-tailed bat (M. mops)
- Sulawesi free-tailed bat (M. sarasinorum)
- Trevor's free-tailed bat (M. trevori)
- M. congica
- Midas free-tailed bat (M. midas)
- Niangara free-tailed bat (M. niangarae)
- Medje free-tailed bat (M. congicus)
- M. leucostigma
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| Myopterus | - Daubenton's free-tailed bat (M. daubentonii)
- Bini free-tailed bat (M. whitleyi)
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| Neoplatymops | - Mato Grosso dog-faced bat (N. mattogrossensis)
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Nyctinomops
(New World
free-tailed bats) | - Peale's free-tailed bat (N. aurispinosus)
- Pocketed free-tailed bat (N. femorosaccus)
- Broad-eared bat (N. laticaudatus)
- Big free-tailed bat (N. macrotis)
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Otomops
(Big-eared
free-tailed bats) | - Javan mastiff bat (O. formosus)
- Harrison's large-eared giant mastiff bat (O. harrisoni)
- Johnstone's mastiff bat (O. johnstonei)
- Madagascar free-tailed bat (O. madagascariensis)
- Large-eared free-tailed bat (O. martiensseni)
- Big-eared mastiff bat (O. papuensis)
- Mantled mastiff bat (O. secundus)
- Wroughton's free-tailed bat (O. wroughtoni)
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| Platymops | - Peters's flat-headed bat (P. setiger)
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Promops
(Domed-palate
mastiff bats) | - Big crested mastiff bat (P. centralis)
- P. davisoni
- Brown mastiff bat (P. nasutus)
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| Sauromys | - Roberts's flat-headed bat (S. petrophilus)
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Tadarida
(Free-tailed bats) | - Egyptian free-tailed bat (T. aegyptiaca)
- White-striped free-tailed bat (T. australis)
- Mexican free-tailed bat (T. brasiliensis)
- Madagascan large free-tailed bat (T. fulminans)
- European free-tailed bat (T. insignis)
- New Guinea free-tailed bat (T. kuboriensis)
- La Touche's free-tailed bat (T. latouchei)
- Kenyan big-eared free-tailed bat (T. lobata)
- European free-tailed bat (T. teniotis)
- African giant free-tailed bat (T. ventralis)
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Taxon identifiers |
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| Chaerephon bregullae | |
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