Superregnum: Eukaryota
Cladus: Unikonta
Cladus: Opisthokonta
Cladus: Holozoa
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Megaclassis: Osteichthyes
Cladus: Sarcopterygii
Cladus: Rhipidistia
Cladus: Tetrapodomorpha
Cladus: Eotetrapodiformes
Cladus: Elpistostegalia
Superclassis: Tetrapoda
Cladus: Reptiliomorpha
Cladus: Amniota
Cladus: Synapsida
Cladus: Eupelycosauria
Cladus: Sphenacodontia
Cladus: Sphenacodontoidea
Cladus: Therapsida
Cladus: Theriodontia
Cladus: Cynodontia
Cladus: Eucynodontia
Cladus: Probainognathia
Cladus: Prozostrodontia
Cladus: Mammaliaformes
Classis: Mammalia
Subclassis: Trechnotheria
Infraclassis: Zatheria
Supercohors: Theria
Cohors: Eutheria
Infraclassis: Placentalia
Cladus: Boreoeutheria
Superordo: Laurasiatheria
Ordo: Chiroptera
Subordo: Yangochiroptera
Superfamilia: Vespertilionoidea
Familia: Molossidae
Subfamilia: Molossinae
Genus: Chaerephon
Species: Chaerephon atsinanana
Name
Chaerephon atsinanana Goodman et al., 2010
References
Goodman, S.M. et al. 2010: Patterns of morphological and genetic variation in western Indian Ocean members of the Chaerephon ‘pumilus’ complex (Chiroptera: Molossidae), with the description of a new species from Madagascar. Zootaxa, 2551: 1–36. Preview
Vernacular names
English: Madagascar free-tailed bat
Chaerephon atsinanana is a free-tailed bat found on Madagascar. It was considered a subspecies of the little free-tailed bat until 2010.[2] During the day, they are known to roost in man-made structures such as the roofs or attics of buildings.
Taxonomy and etymology
It was described as a new species in 2010 as the result of a taxonomic split of the little free-tailed bat, Chaerephon pumilus. With the taxonomic revision, all "C. pumilus" on Madagascar were reclassified as C. atsinanana, meaning that C. pumilus range no longer includes Madagascar. The species name "atsinanana" is derived from the Malagasy word meaning "from the east."[3]
Description
The interaural membrane in the northern free-tailed bat (dorsal view)
It is considered a relatively small member of the free-tailed bat family. Its forearm length ranges from 37–42 mm (1.5–1.7 in) long. Its ears are united by a connecting process referred to as the interaural membrane. It can be distinguished from the similar little free-tailed bat by its broader antitragus and tragus (ear). Its dorsal fur is blackish-brown, with a brown throat and dark-brown ventral fur. Some individuals have a small patch of white fur mid-venter, though this is uncommon. Its flight membranes are dark in color.[3]
Biology
It is nocturnal, roosting in sheltered places during the day. As of 2010, all known roosts were in manmade structures such as schools, churches, and houses. It is possible that its population has increased with urbanization due to the abundance of artificial roosting sites.[3] Natural roost sites for this species possibly include caves and rock crevices, though this is not yet confirmed.[1]
Range and habitat
It is found in several sites throughout eastern Madagascar, from 0–1,100 m (0–3,609 ft) above sea level.[3]
Conservation
It is currently evaluated as least concern by the IUCN—its lowest conservation priority.[1] This species is possibly harvested for bushmeat.[3]
References
Goodman, S. (2017). "Chaerephon atsinanana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T67360705A67360707. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T67360705A67360707.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
Napier, M. C. (2013). Genetic Variability of Chaerephon Atsinanana (Chiroptera) Within the Context of the Afro-Malagasy Molossidae: A Mitochondrial and Nuclear Perspective (Doctoral dissertation, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville).
Goodman, S. M; Buccas, W; Naidoo, T; Ratrimomanarivo, F; Taylor, P. J; Lamb, J (2010). "Patterns of morphological and genetic variation in western Indian Ocean members of the Chaerephon 'pumilus' complex (Chiroptera: Molossidae), with the description of a new species from Madagascar". Zootaxa. 2551: 1. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.2551.1.1.
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