The Natal free-tailed bat, Mormopterus acetabulosus, is a very small bat of the family Molossidae that is endemic to the island of Mauritius. It is known from fewer than five locations but is common at a few sites, and it roosts in caves. Johann Hermann described it in 1804 under the genus Vespertilio, and its species name acetabulosus is Latin for saucer-shaped. It is called Natal after another species Hermann described, Dysopes natalensis, named for the Natal Province of South Africa and later treated as the same animal. Its upper lip is very wrinkled and its ears are small. The IUCN lists it as endangered because its population likely fell by more than 80 percent between 1999 and 2017 and its caves are disturbed for tourism.
Facts
Classification
Population Trend ThreatsHuman Intrusions and Disturbance 1 Living or Extinct Conservation Status Connections
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Source Natal free-tailed bat (Wikipedia)
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Source Natal free-tailed bat (Wikipedia)LeadQuote, Lead
It is endemic to the island of Mauritius.
Sources
1. Natal free-tailed bat (Wikipedia)
Conservation
it is listed as endangered by the IUCN
Conservation, population trend
its population likely declined by more than 80%
Conservation, threats
Its caves are being disturbed for tourism.
Range and habitat
It is endemic to Mauritius.
Lead
It is endemic to the island of Mauritius.
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