Molossus É. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1805. Ann. Mus. Natn. Hist. Nat. Paris 6: 151.
Vespertilio molossus Pallas, 1766
Molossus alvarezi Gonzalez-Ruiz, Ramirez-Pulido & Arroyo-Cabrales, 2011.
Mamm. Biol. 76(4): 464.
Alvarez's Mastiff Bat
Mexico, Yucatan, Municipio de Rio Lagartos, Rio Lagartos
Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, south to Colombia, Venezuela, Surinam, French Guiana, Peru, Trinidad
CITES - Not Listed (2023). IUCN - Data Deficient (2016).
References:
González-Ruiz, N., J. Ramírez-Pulido, and J. Arroyo-Cabrales. 2011. A new species of mastiff bat (Chiroptera: Molossidae: Molossus) from Mexico. Mammalian Biology 76(4): 461-469. Read abstract.
Loureiro, L.O., M. Engstrom, B. Lim, C. López González, and J. Juste. 2019. Not all Molossus are created equal: genetic variation in the mastiff bat reveals diversity masked by conservative morphology. Acta Chiropterologica 21(1): 51-64. Read abstract.
Molossus aztecus Saussure, 1860.
Rev. Mag. Zool. Paris, Ser. 2 12: 285.
Aztec Mastiff Bat
Mexico, Tlaxcala, Amecameca, at the foot of Popocatepetl
Jalisco (Mexico) to Nicaragua; Cozumel Isl (Mexico); S Venezuela, SE Brazil
CITES - Not Listed (2023). IUCN - Least Concern (2019).
Included in molossus by Koopman (1993, 1994), but see Dolan (1989) and Loureiro et al. (2018, 2019, 2020). The Venezuela record is from Lim and Engstrom (2001). Brazilian records from Gregorin et al. (2011). Also see López-González and Presley (2001).
References:
Dolan, P.G. 1989. Systematics of Middle American mastiff bats of the genus Molossus. Special Publications, The Museum, Texas Tech University 23: 1-71. Read article.
Gregorin, R., A.S. Tahara, and D.F Buzzato 2001. Molossus aztecus and other small Molossus (Chiroptera: Molossidae) in Brazil. Acta Chiropterologica 13(2): 311-317. Read abstract.
Koopman, K.F. 1994. Chiroptera: Systematics. Handbuch der Zoologie, vol. VIII, Mammalia, Part 60. de Gruyter, Berlin: 224 pp. Not available online.
Koopman, K.F. 1993. Chiroptera. Pages 137-241 In D.E. Wilson and D.M. Reeder (eds.) Mammal Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. Not available online.
Lim, B.K., and M.D. Engstrom. 2001. Species diversity of bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) in Iwokrama Forest, Guyana, and the Guianan subregion: implications for conservation. Biodiversity and Conservation 10: 613-657. Read abstract.
López-González, C., and S.J. Presley. 2001. Taxonomic status of Molossus bondae J. A. Allen, 1904 (Chiroptera: Molossidae), with description of a new subspecies. Journal of Mammalogy 82(3): 760-774. Read article.
Loureiro, L.O., B.K. Lim, and M.D. Engstrom. 2018. A new species of mastiff bat (Chiroptera, Molossidae, Molossus) from Guyana and Ecuador. Mammalian Biology 90(2018): 10-21. Read abstract.
Loureiro, L.O., M. Engstrom, B. Lim, C. López González, and J. Juste. 2019. Not all Molossus are created equal: genetic variation in the mastiff bat reveals diversity masked by conservative morphology. Acta Chiropterologica 21(1): 51-64. Read abstract.
Loureiro, L.O., M.D. Engstrom, and B.K. Lim. 2020. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) provide unprecedented resolution of species boundaries, phylogenetic relationships, and genetic diversity in the mastiff bats (Molossus). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 143(2020): 1-13. Read abstract.
Saussure, M.H., de 1860. Notes sur quelques mammifères du Mexique. Revue et Magasin de Zoology Pure et Appliquée ser 2, v. 12: 281-293. Read article.
Molossus bondae J.A. Allen, 1904.
Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. 20(20): 228.
Bonda Mastiff Bat
bondae J.A. Allen, 1904
.robustus López-González & Presley, 2001
.Colombia, Magdalena, 11 kn E Santa Marta, Rio Manzanares, Bonda
Honduras to Costa Rica; E Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela
CITES - Not Listed (2023). IUCN - Least Concern (2017).
Synonymized with currentium by López-González and Presley (2001), but distinct; see Simmons and Voss (1998), Eger (2008), and Loureiro et al. (2020). Subspecies nomenclature revised by López-González and Presley (2001). Also see Burnett et al. (2001).
References:
Allen, J.A. 1904. New bats from tropical America, with note on species of Otopterus. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 20(20): 227-237. Read article.
Burnett, S.E., J.B. Jennings, J.C. Rainey, and T.L. Best. 2001. Molossus bondae. Mammalian Species 668: 1-3. Read abstract.
Eger, J.L. 2008 [dated 2007]. Family Molossidae. Pages 399-440 In A.L. Gardner (eds.) Mammals of South America. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Read description.
López-González, C., and S.J. Presley. 2001. Taxonomic status of Molossus bondae J. A. Allen, 1904 (Chiroptera: Molossidae), with description of a new subspecies. Journal of Mammalogy 82(3): 760-774. Read article.
Loureiro, L.O., M.D. Engstrom, and B.K. Lim. 2020. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) provide unprecedented resolution of species boundaries, phylogenetic relationships, and genetic diversity in the mastiff bats (Molossus). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 143(2020): 1-13. Read abstract.
Simmons, N.B., and R.S. Voss 1998. The mammals of Paracou, French Guiana, a Neotropical lowland rainforest fauna. Part 1, Bats. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 237: 1-219. Read article.
Molossus coibensis J. A. Allen, 1904.
Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 20 (20): 227.
Coiban Mastiff Bat
coibensis J. A. Allen, 1904:
barnesi Thomas, 1905;
cherriei J. A. Allen, 1916;
lambi Gardner, 1966.
Panama, Coiba Isl
Chiapas (Mexico) south to Venezuela, SW Guyana, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Mato Grosso, Para, Espirito Santo (Brazil)
CITES - Not Listed (2023). IUCN - Least Concern (2017).
Included in molossus by Koopman (1993, 1994), but see Dolan (1989) and Reid et al. (2000). Includes barnesi; see Catzeflis et al. (2016) and Gregorin et al (2011). Includes cherriei and lambi; see Dolan (1989) and Simmons and Voss (1998). Also see Lim and Engstrom (2001) and Loureiro et al (2019, 2020).
References:
Allen, J.A. 1904. New bats from tropical America, with note on species of Otopterus. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 20(20): 227-237. Read article.
Catzeflis, F., Y. Gager, M. Ruedi, and B. de Thoisy. 2016. The French Guianan endemic Molossus barnesi (Chiroptera: Molossidae) is a junior synonym for M. coibensis. Mammalian Biology 81(5): 431-438. Read abstract.
Dolan, P.G. 1989. Systematics of Middle American mastiff bats of the genus Molossus. Special Publications, The Museum, Texas Tech University 23: 1-71. Read article.
Gregorin, R., A.S. Tahara, and D.F Buzzato 2001. Molossus aztecus and other small Molossus (Chiroptera: Molossidae) in Brazil. Acta Chiropterologica 13(2): 311-317. Read abstract.
Koopman, K.F. 1994. Chiroptera: Systematics. Handbuch der Zoologie, vol. VIII, Mammalia, Part 60. de Gruyter, Berlin: 224 pp. Not available online.
Koopman, K.F. 1993. Chiroptera. Pages 137-241 In D.E. Wilson and D.M. Reeder (eds.) Mammal Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. Not available online.
Lim, B.K., and M.D. Engstrom. 2001. Species diversity of bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) in Iwokrama Forest, Guyana, and the Guianan subregion: implications for conservation. Biodiversity and Conservation 10: 613-657. Read abstract.
Loureiro, L.O., M. Engstrom, B. Lim, C. López González, and J. Juste. 2019. Not all Molossus are created equal: genetic variation in the mastiff bat reveals diversity masked by conservative morphology. Acta Chiropterologica 21(1): 51-64. Read abstract.
Loureiro, L.O., M.D. Engstrom, and B.K. Lim. 2020. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) provide unprecedented resolution of species boundaries, phylogenetic relationships, and genetic diversity in the mastiff bats (Molossus). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 143(2020): 1-13. Read abstract.
Reid, F.A., M.D. Engstrom, and B.K. Lim 2000. Noteworthy records of bats from Ecuador. Acta Chiropterologica 2: 37-51. Read abstract.
Simmons, N.B., and R.S. Voss 1998. The mammals of Paracou, French Guiana, a Neotropical lowland rainforest fauna. Part 1, Bats. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 237: 1-219. Read article.
Molossus currentium Thomas, 1901.
Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 7, 8: 438.
Thomas's Mastiff Bat
Argentina, Corrientes, Goya
Amazonian Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and N Argentina
CITES - Not Listed (2023). IUCN - Least Concern (2016).
Does not include bondae, which is distinct; see Eger (2008) and Loureiro et al. (2020); but see López-González and Presley (2001). See also Loureiro et al. (2018).
References:
Eger, J.L. 2008 [dated 2007]. Family Molossidae. Pages 399-440 In A.L. Gardner (eds.) Mammals of South America. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Read description.
López-González, C., and S.J. Presley. 2001. Taxonomic status of Molossus bondae J. A. Allen, 1904 (Chiroptera: Molossidae), with description of a new subspecies. Journal of Mammalogy 82(3): 760-774. Read article.
Loureiro, L.O., B.K. Lim, and M.D. Engstrom. 2018. A new species of mastiff bat (Chiroptera, Molossidae, Molossus) from Guyana and Ecuador. Mammalian Biology 90(2018): 10-21. Read abstract.
Loureiro, L.O., M.D. Engstrom, and B.K. Lim. 2020. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) provide unprecedented resolution of species boundaries, phylogenetic relationships, and genetic diversity in the mastiff bats (Molossus). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 143(2020): 1-13. Read abstract.
Thomas, O. 1901. On a collection of bats from Paraguay. Annals and Magazine of Natural History ser. 7, 8(48): 435-443. Read article.
Molossus fentoni Loureiro, Lim & Engstrom, 2018.
Mammalian Biology 90(2018): 14.
Fenton's Mastiff Bat
Guyana, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo, near the village of Parabara, Bototo Wau
SW Guyana, E Ecuador
CITES - Not Listed (2023). IUCN - Not Evaluated (new species).
Expected to occur more widely across lowland Amazonia.
References:
Loureiro, L.O., B.K. Lim, and M.D. Engstrom. 2018. A new species of mastiff bat (Chiroptera, Molossidae, Molossus) from Guyana and Ecuador. Mammalian Biology 90(2018): 10-21. Read abstract.
Molossus fluminensis Lataste, 1891.
Ann. Mus. Civico Storia Nat. Genova ser. 2: 658.
River Mastiff Bat
Brazil, Rio de Janeiro
SE Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina
CITES - Not Listed (2023). IUCN - Not Evaluated (raised from synonymy).
Previously considered a synonym of rufus, but apparently distinct; see Loureiro et al. (2019, 2020). The synonymy of alecto with fluminensis as reported in Loureiro et al. (2019, 2020) is doubtful (L. Loureiro, pers.comm. 2/18/2020). See the rufus account for additional details.
References:
Lataste, F. 1891. Description d'une espèce nouvelle ou mal connue de chauve-souris. Annali del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Genova ser. 2(30): 658-664. Read article.
Loureiro, L.O., M. Engstrom, B. Lim, C. López González, and J. Juste. 2019. Not all Molossus are created equal: genetic variation in the mastiff bat reveals diversity masked by conservative morphology. Acta Chiropterologica 21(1): 51-64. Read abstract.
Loureiro, L.O., M.D. Engstrom, and B.K. Lim. 2020. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) provide unprecedented resolution of species boundaries, phylogenetic relationships, and genetic diversity in the mastiff bats (Molossus). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 143(2020): 1-13. Read abstract.
Molossus melini Montani, Tomasco, Barberis, Romano, Barquez & Díaz, 2021.
J. Mammal. 102(5): 1431.
Melin's Mastiff Bat
Argentina, Santa Fe province, General López department, app. 10 km South of Melincué, Estancia Laguna San Carlos
Argentina
CITES - Not Listed (new species). IUCN - Not Evaluated (new species).
References:
Montani, M.E., I.H. Tomasco, I.M. Barberis, M.C. Romano, R.M. Barquez, and M.M. Díaz. 2021. A new species of Molossus (Chiroptera: Molossidae) from Argentina. Journal of Mammalogy 102(5): 1426-1442. Read abstract.
Molossus milleri Johnson, 1952.
Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington 65: 197.
Miller's Mastiff Bat
milleri Johnson, 1952:
fuliginosus Gray, 1838 [not Cooper, 1837];
tropidorhynchus Gray, 1838.
Jamaica (see Dobson, 1878)
Jamaica, Cuba, Cayman Isls
CITES - Not Listed (2023). IUCN - Not Evaluated (raised from synonymy).
Previously included in molossus, but distinct; see Loureiro et al. (2018, 2019). May include tropidorhynchus; see Loureiro et al. (2019).
References:
Dobson, G.E. 1878. Catalogue of the Chiroptera in the Collection of the British Museum. British Museum (Natural History), Department of Zoology, London: 567 pp. Read volume.
Johnson, D.H. 1952. A new name for the Jamaican bat Molossus fuliginosus Gray. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 65: 197-198. Read article.
Loureiro, L.O., B.K. Lim, and M.D. Engstrom. 2018. A new species of mastiff bat (Chiroptera, Molossidae, Molossus) from Guyana and Ecuador. Mammalian Biology 90(2018): 10-21. Read abstract.
Loureiro, L.O., M. Engstrom, B. Lim, C. López González, and J. Juste. 2019. Not all Molossus are created equal: genetic variation in the mastiff bat reveals diversity masked by conservative morphology. Acta Chiropterologica 21(1): 51-64. Read abstract.
Molossus molossus (Pallas, 1766).
Misc. Zool. p. 49-50.
Pallas's Mastiff Bat
Molossus nigricans Miller, 1902.
Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phil 54: 395.
Ebon Mastiff Bat
nigricans Miller, 1902:
macdougalli Goodwin, 1956;
malagai Villa-R, 1955.
Mexico, Nayarit, Tepic, Acaponeta
Mexico and Guatemala to Panama
CITES - Not Listed (2023). IUCN - Not Evaluated (raised from synonymy).
Previously included in rufus, but distinct; see Loureiro et al. (2019, 2020).
References:
Loureiro, L.O., M. Engstrom, B. Lim, C. López González, and J. Juste. 2019. Not all Molossus are created equal: genetic variation in the mastiff bat reveals diversity masked by conservative morphology. Acta Chiropterologica 21(1): 51-64. Read abstract.
Loureiro, L.O., M.D. Engstrom, and B.K. Lim. 2020. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) provide unprecedented resolution of species boundaries, phylogenetic relationships, and genetic diversity in the mastiff bats (Molossus). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 143(2020): 1-13. Read abstract.
Miller, G.S., Jr. 1902. Twenty new American bats. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 54(1902): 389-412. Read article.
Molossus pretiosus Miller, 1902.
Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phil. 54: 396.
Miller's Mastiff Bat
Venezuela, Caracas, LaGuaira
Nicaragua to Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, and Brazil
CITES - Not Listed (2023). IUCN - Least Concern (2019).
Listed as a synonym of rufus by Cabrera (1958), but see Jones et al. (1977) and Dolan (1989). Does not include macdougalli; see Dolan (1989). See Jennings et al. (2000), and Loureiro et al. (2019, 2020). Although sometimes listed as occurring in Mexico, we were unable to confirm this and follow Ramirez-Pulido et al. (2014) who do not list pretiosus as occurring in Mexico.
References:
Cabrera, A. 1958. Catálago de Los Mamíferos de América del Sur, Vol. 1. Revista del Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia,” Ciencias Zoológicas 4: 1-308. Not available online.
Dolan, P.G. 1989. Systematics of Middle American mastiff bats of the genus Molossus. Special Publications, The Museum, Texas Tech University 23: 1-71. Read article.
Jennings, J.B., T.L. Best, J.C. Rainey, and S.E. Burnett. 2000. Molossus pretiosus. Mammalian Species 635: 1-3. Read abstract.
Jones, J.K., Jr., P. Swanepoel, and D.C. Carter. 1977. Annotated checklist of the bats of Mexico and Central America. Occasional Papers, The Museum, Texas Tech University 47: 1-35. .
Loureiro, L.O., M. Engstrom, B. Lim, C. López González, and J. Juste. 2019. Not all Molossus are created equal: genetic variation in the mastiff bat reveals diversity masked by conservative morphology. Acta Chiropterologica 21(1): 51-64. Read abstract.
Loureiro, L.O., M.D. Engstrom, and B.K. Lim. 2020. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) provide unprecedented resolution of species boundaries, phylogenetic relationships, and genetic diversity in the mastiff bats (Molossus). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 143(2020): 1-13. Read abstract.
Miller, G.S., Jr. 1902. Twenty new American bats. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 54(1902): 389-412. Read article.
Ramírez-Pulido, J., N. González-Ruiz, A.L. Gardner, and J. Arroyo-Cabrales. 2014. List of recent land mammals of Mexico, 2014. Special Publications of the Museum of Texas Tech University 63: 1-69. Read article.
Molossus rufus É. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1805.
Ann. Mus. Nat. Hist. Paris 6: 155.
Black Mastiff Bat
rufus É. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1805:
albus Wagner, 1843;
alecto Temminck, 1826;
ater Goodwin, 1960 [not É. Geoffroy St.-Hilaire, 1805];
castaneus É. Geoffroy, 1805;
holosericeus Wagner, 1843;
myosurus Tschudi, 1844;
ursinus Spix, 1823.
French Guiana, Cayenne by restriction (Miller, 1913)
S America from Venezuela, the Guianas, Ecuador, and Peru to C and N Brazil and Bolivia; Trinidad and Tobago
CITES - Not Listed (2023). IUCN - Least Concern (2015).
Does not include fluminensis or nigricans; see Loureiro et al. (2020). Called ater by many authors, but see Carter and Dolan (1978) and Dolan (1989), who argued, based on descriptions of head and ear shape of both taxa, and examination of the specimens labeled as types of rufus in the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle in Paris, that Molossus ater Geoffroy, 1805, is really a Eumops, and that rufus is really the correct name for the large Molossus often incorrectly called ater. Lectotype designated by Carter and Dolan (1978). Unfortunately, the type of ater has been lost and its relationships are unclear. Although Loureiro et al. (2020) syonymized alecto with fluminensis, rufus most likely includes alecto whose holotype is damaged, and whose affinities are at present somewhat uncertain (L. Loureiro, pers. comm. 2/19/2020).
References:
Carter, D.C., and P.G. Dolan 1978. Catalogue of type specimens of Neotropical bats in selected European museums. Special Publications, The Museum, Texas Tech University 15: 1-136. Read volume.
Dolan, P.G. 1989. Systematics of Middle American mastiff bats of the genus Molossus. Special Publications, The Museum, Texas Tech University 23: 1-71. Read article.
Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, É. 1805. Sur quelques chauve-souris d'Amérique formant une petite famille sous le nom de molossus. Annales du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle 1805(6): 150-156. Read article.
Loureiro, L.O., M.D. Engstrom, and B.K. Lim. 2020. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) provide unprecedented resolution of species boundaries, phylogenetic relationships, and genetic diversity in the mastiff bats (Molossus). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 143(2020): 1-13. Read abstract.
Miller, G.S., Jr. 1913. Notes on bats of the genus Molossus. Proceedings of the United States National Museum 46: 85-92. .
Molossus sinaloae J. A. Allen, 1906.
Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. 22: 236.
Sinaloan Mastiff Bat
sinaloae J. A. Allen, 1906
.trinitatus Goodwin, 1959
.Mexico, Sinaloa, Esquinapa
Sinaloa and Michoacan (Mexico) to Panama
CITES - Not Listed (2023). IUCN - Least Concern (2016).
Some specimens of sinaloae from Honduras and French Guiana were transferred to alvarezi by Loureiro et al. (2019). Includes trinitatus, see Dolan (1989) and Simmons and Voss (1998). Reviewed by Jennings et al. (2002).
References:
Allen, J.A. 1906. Mammals from the states of Sinaloa and Jalisco, Mexico, collected by J.H. Batty during 1904 and 1905. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 22(12): 191-262. Read article.
Dolan, P.G. 1989. Systematics of Middle American mastiff bats of the genus Molossus. Special Publications, The Museum, Texas Tech University 23: 1-71. Read article.
Jennings, J.B., T.L. Best, J.C. Rainey, and S.E. Burnett. 2002. Molossus sinaloae. Mammalian Species 691(691): 1-5. Read abstract.
Loureiro, L.O., M. Engstrom, B. Lim, C. López González, and J. Juste. 2019. Not all Molossus are created equal: genetic variation in the mastiff bat reveals diversity masked by conservative morphology. Acta Chiropterologica 21(1): 51-64. Read abstract.
Simmons, N.B., and R.S. Voss 1998. The mammals of Paracou, French Guiana, a Neotropical lowland rainforest fauna. Part 1, Bats. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 237: 1-219. Read article.
Molossus verrilli J.A. Allen, 1908.
Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. 24(29): 581.
Verrill's Mastiff Bat
Dominican Republic, Samana
Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti)
CITES - Not Listed (2023). IUCN - Not Evaluated (raised from synonymy).
Previously included in molossus, but distinct; see Loureiro et al. (2018, 2019).
References:
Allen, J.A. 1908. Mammalogical notes. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 24(29): 579-589. Read article.
Loureiro, L.O., B.K. Lim, and M.D. Engstrom. 2018. A new species of mastiff bat (Chiroptera, Molossidae, Molossus) from Guyana and Ecuador. Mammalian Biology 90(2018): 10-21. Read abstract.
Loureiro, L.O., M. Engstrom, B. Lim, C. López González, and J. Juste. 2019. Not all Molossus are created equal: genetic variation in the mastiff bat reveals diversity masked by conservative morphology. Acta Chiropterologica 21(1): 51-64. Read abstract.
Loureiro et al. (2019) transferred some specimens of sinaloae from Honduras and French Guiana to this taxon.