Madagascar free-tailed bat

The Madagascar free-tailed bat or Malagasy giant mastiff bat (Otomops madagascariensis) is a species of free-tailed bat formerly included as a subspecies of the large-eared free-tailed bat, but that was later considered to be a distinct, Malagasy species.^[1] The Madagascar free-tailed bat is endemic to northern, western, and southern Madagascar.^[2]

Madagascar free-tailed bat
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Chiroptera
Family:	Molossidae
Genus:	Otomops
Species:	O. madagascariensis
Binomial name
Otomops madagascariensis Dorst, 1953

The Madagascar free-tailed bat is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List due to its widespread distribution in Madagascar.^[1] Threats to it are unclear and more research is needed into the possible disturbance of its roost sites.^[1] The species roosts in one cave that is considered to be fady, or taboo, and it has been recorded in five protected areas: Parc National du Tsingy de Bemaraha, Parc National de Namoroka, Parc National d’Isalo, Réserve Spéciale d’Ankarana and Réserve Spéciale d’Analamerana.^[1] There are nine currently known roosting colonies, and all are in areas that receive some sort of protection by Madagascar.^[1] The population of the Madagascar free-tailed bat is unknown.^[1]

The Madagascar free-tailed bat is supposed to be an obligate cave dweller and roosts in areas with sandstone and limestone outcrops.^[1] The caves where the species lived in Réserve Spéciale d’Ankarana were all associated with cool temperatures, high elevation, and a close proximity to water.^[1] The diet of the Madagascar free-tailed bat consists mostly of butterflies and beetles, and the foraging habitats are not believed to be associated with an intact forest.^[1]