Gallagher's free-tailed bat
| Gallagher's free-tailed bat | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Molossidae |
| Genus: | Mops |
| Species: | M. gallagheri
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| Binomial name | |
| Mops gallagheri (Harrison, 1975)
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| Synonyms | |
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Gallagher's free-tailed bat (Mops gallagheri) is a free-tailed bat endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Only one individual has ever been documented.
Taxonomy and etymology
It was
Its distinct morphology has called into question whether it represents its own genus of bat.[3]
Description
Its fur is umber in color, with the belly paler than its back. The fur is short, with individual hairs only 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) long. Its
Biology and ecology
As only one individual—a male—has been documented, little is known about its biology and ecology. Based on other members of its genus, it is hypothesized that Gallagher's free-tailed bat forages for insects at relatively high altitudes with a fast but not maneuverable flight.[1][3]
Range and habitat
The holotype was collected in the Scierie Forest, approximately 30 km (19 mi) southwest of Kindu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.[2] It was captured in a mist net that was placed in the evergreen undergrowth of a partly-deciduous forest. The forest where the holotype was collected has been heavily logged.[3] It is nocturnal, possibly roosting in hollow trees, rock crevices, or caves during the day.[1]
Conservation
It is currently evaluated as
References
- ^ .
- ^ S2CID 85291446.
- ^ ISBN 9781408189962.