Pocketed free-tailed bat

Pocketed free-tailed bat
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Molossidae
Genus: Nyctinomops
Species: N. femorosaccus
Binomial name
Nyctinomops femorosaccus
(Merriam, 1899)

The pocketed free-tailed bat (Nyctinomops femorosaccus) is a species of bat in the family Molossidae found in Mexico and in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas in the United States. They resemble the Brazilian free-tailed bat ("Tadarida brasiliensis") but differ morphologically. They are classified within the order Chiroptera. They are recognized as "un-threatened" by the IUCN and as "apparently secure" by Natureserve categories.[2]

Characteristics

The pocketed free-tailed bat shares similar features with the Brazilian free-tailed bat ("Tadarida brasiliensis") but is larger in size. The name is derived from a skin fold stretching from the medial side of the femur to the middle of the tibia. This fold produces a shallow pocket on the underside of the interfemoral membrane in the vicinity of the knee. Some defining characteristics include: Ears joined at the midline; second phalanx of the 4th digit is less than 5mm; anterior part of hard palate narrowly excised; upper incisors placed close together with longitudinal axes nearly parallel.[3]

The pocketed free-tailed bat also has a large broad head with grooved lips. The face has many stiff hairs with spoonlike tips. The ears are thick and leathery with the presence of a dominant tragus. Body dimensions: body length~112mm; feet~10mm; tail~46mm; ears~23mm; forearms~46mm. Body mass range is 10-14 g (.35-.49 oz).[4]

Habitat and Ecology

Like other bats, this species is insectivorous; they eat a variety of insects including Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Homoptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Orthoptera, Diptera, and Neuroptera. One research article showed that because of the limited flight maneuverability of the pocketed free-tailed bat vs the Brazilian free-tailed bat allowed the ladder a better predator advantage for certain species of insects (specifically beetles). It also showed that the insect species diet for the pocketed free-tailed bats varies with season. In June and July, Lepidoptera accounted for greatest volume of prey while diets in September and March consisting mostly of Hemiptera[5] Table 1. In the dry season, they seek drinking water from various open access water sources. The roosts are located in caves, crevices, mines, tunnels, and man-made structures [6] with colony sizes less than 100 individuals.[7]

Reproduction

Like other bats pocketed free-tailed bats exhibit delayed fertilization. They mate just prior to ovulation in the spring.[8] Their young are born in early July. The gestation period is about 70 to 90 days and when the young are finally born, they weigh 3-4 grams, or about 22% of the adult weight.[9] This new generation is able to fly within 1-1.5 months[10]

References

  1. ↑ Arroyo-Cabrales, J. & Ticul Alvarez Castaneda, S. (2008). "Nyctinomops femorosaccus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
  2. ↑ Goodenough, Anne E. (2012). "Differences in two species-at-risk classification schemes for North American mammals". Journal for Nature Conservation: 117–124. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  3. ↑ Pocketed Free-tailed Bat. Pocketed Free-tailed Bat. Texas Parks and Wildlife, 01 Jan. 2012. Web. 21 Mar. 2015.
  4. ↑ Lancaster, Eric. "Nyctinomops Femorosaccus Pocketed Free-tailed Bat." Nyctinomops Femorosaccus Pocketed Free-tailed Bat. University of Michigan, 17 Feb. 2000. Web. 21 Mar. 2015.
  5. ↑ Matthews, A. K.; Neiswenter, S. A.; Ammerman, L. K. (2010). "Trophic Ecology of the Free-tailed Bats Nyctinomops femorosaccus and Tadarida brasiliensis (Chiroptera: Molossidae) in Big Bend National Park, Texas". Southwestern Association of Naturalists: 340–346. doi:10.1894/JKF-08.1.
  6. ↑ Melanie Bucci; Yar Petryszyn; Paul R. Krausman (2011). "Bat Occurrence and Use of Archaeological Sites at Three National Monuments in Central Arizona". Journal of the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science 43 (1) (Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science). pp. 1–5.
  7. ↑ Arroyo-Cabrales, J.; Álvarez-Castañeda, S.T. (2008), "Nyctinomops femorosaccus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species", www.iucnredlist.org (Version 2014.3)
  8. ↑ "Insectivorous Bats." National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, 2 Apr. 2015. Web. 6 Apr. 2015.
  9. ↑ (Grzimek, 1990)
  10. ↑ (Wilson and Ruff, 1999)
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