Order: Chiroptera
Family: Vespertilionidae
This species possesses an unusual combination of external morphological features; certain traits are similar to those of many vespertilionid bats, while others are more characteristic of molossid or free-tailed bats. As a result there has been some confusion over the placement of the species. Some researchers have suggested that it might be a very ancient taxon, evolutionarily intermediate between these two families. Others have argued that it is so distinct that it should be placed in a separate family. Recent molecular evidence suggests that T. ravus represents an extremely primitive and evolutionarily distinct member of the Molossidae, and it is now generally placed in its own molossid subfamily, the Tomopeatinae; all other molossid bats belong to the subfamily Molossinae. The fossil record of both the Vespertilionidae and the Molossidae extends to the late Eocene (40 million years ago).
Size: Total length: 73-85 mm
Tail length: 34-45 mm
Forearm length: 31.2-34.5 mm
Tail length: 34-45 mm
Forearm length: 31.2-34.5 mm
Weight: 2-3.5 g
A small bat with pale brown fur on its upper parts, and dull buff to whitish-cream buff-coloured fur below. The basal part of the fur is dull slaty grey. The face, ears and membranes are black. The tail is long and fully enclosed in the uropatagial membrane that stretches between the hindlegs.
Very little is known of the ecology of this species. Other molossids are fast-flying aerial insectivores. It is thought that the young are born during the coastal dry season (May-September).
The species is known from an altitudinal range from sea level to 1,000 m. Specimens have been taken from mist nets set among large mesquite trees, and have been found roosting under granite boulders and outcroppings.
Restricted to the arid and semi-arid coastal region of Peru.
Unknown.
Declining.
Classified as Vulnerable (VU A2c, D2) on the 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The IUCN note that the species could decline precipitously in response to human disturbance of its restricted habitat.
There are no conservation measures underway.
No conservation measures have been proposed.
Chiroptera Specialist Group. 1996. Tomopeas ravus. In: IUCN 2006. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 15 November 2006.
Davies, W. B. 1970. Tomopeas ravus Miller (Chiroptera). Journal of Mammalogy 51(2): 244-247.
Nowak, R.M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. Sixth edition. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore and London.
Sudman, P. D., Barkley, L. J. and Hafner, M. S. 1994. Familial Affinity of Tomopeas ravus (Chiroptera) Based on Protein Electrophoretic and Cytochrome B Sequence Data. Journal of Mammalogy 75(2): 365-377.
Distribution map based on data provided by the IUCN Global Mammal Assessment.
Davies, W. B. 1970. Tomopeas ravus Miller (Chiroptera). Journal of Mammalogy 51(2): 244-247.
Nowak, R.M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. Sixth edition. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore and London.
Sudman, P. D., Barkley, L. J. and Hafner, M. S. 1994. Familial Affinity of Tomopeas ravus (Chiroptera) Based on Protein Electrophoretic and Cytochrome B Sequence Data. Journal of Mammalogy 75(2): 365-377.
Distribution map based on data provided by the IUCN Global Mammal Assessment.
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