22.

Big Crested Mastiff Bat

Promops centralis

French: Grand Promope / German: Schadelkamsmm-Bulldogfledermaus / Spanish: Promops grande

Other common names: Big-crested Free-tailed Bat

Taxonomy. Promops centralis Thomas, 1915,

“N. Yucatan [Mexico], Central America.”

Promops centralis might include P. davisoni based on molecular data, but additional research is needed to clarify this. Monotypic.

Distribution. Patchily distributed from Mexico (Sonora along W coast to Yucatan Peninsula) through Central America to South America in Colombia, N Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, E Ecuador, exioreme W & NE Brazil, E Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, and N Argentina; also Trinidad I.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 56-95 mm, tail 44-62 mm, ear 12-18 mm, hindfoot 9-13 mm, forearm 49-57 mm; weight 18-32 g. The Big Crested Mastiff Bat is the largest species of Promops. Dorsal pelage is reddish brown to dark brown or blackish, with whitish bases to hairs. Ventral pelage is paler. Ears are short, rounded, and meet on forehead, which has medial ridge to nose. Males have large gular throat gland. Palate of Promops is highly domed compared with relatively flat palate ofits sister-genus Molossus. Skull has well-developed sagittal crest and prominent basisphenoid pits. I? is relatively slender, slightly curved forward, and less than one-half the height of C'. Lower incisors are small and weakly bifid. P* is peg-like and sometimes missing. Dental formula of all species of Promopsis11/2,C1/1,P2/2,M 3/3 (x2) = 30. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 48 and FN = 58.

Habitat. Wet forest, dry forest, pine-oak forest, desert, thorn-scrub savanna, pastures, and urban areas from sea level to elevations of ¢. 1800 m. The Big Crested Mastiff Bat has been caught over rivers and near artificial water reservoirs.

Food and Feeding. The Big Crested Mastiff Bat is insectivorous.

Breeding. Lactating Big Crested Mastiff Bats have been documented in April (Trinidad Island), late June to early August (Mexico), August (Suriname), and November— December (Brazil). Pregnant females were found from late March to late June and September in Mexico.

Activity patterns. The Big Crested Mastiff Bat is a fast flier, has long narrow wings, and forages in open areas. It has been caught at 20:00 h in mist nets. It roosts under tree bark, in tree hollows, and under palm leaves and rooftiles.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Big Crested Mastiff Bat roosts in groups of up to six individuals.

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

Bibliography. Bowles et al. (1990), Eger (2008), Gonzalez-Terrazas, Viquez et al. (2016), Reid (1997), Sandoval & Barquez (2013), Tellez (2014c), Warneret al. (1974).