The Mato Grosso dog-faced bat (Neoplatymops mattogrossensis), is a bat species found in South America.[1][2] It is the only species in the genus Neoplatymops.
| Mato Grosso dog-faced bat | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Molossidae |
| Genus: | Neoplatymops Peterson, 1965 |
| Species: | N. mattogrossensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Neoplatymops mattogrossensis Vieira, 1942 | |
 | |
| Synonyms | |
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Taxonomy and etymology
It was described as a new species in 1942 by C. O. C. Vieira. The holotype was collected along the Juruena River north of the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso.[3]
Description
It is a small species of free-tailed bat, with a forearm length of 29–30 mm (1.1–1.2 in) and weighing 7–7.5 g (0.25–0.26 oz). It is sexually dimorphic, with males larger than the females. Its skull has a flattened appearance. Its dorsal fur is brown, while its ventral fur is white or gray.[4] Both males and females have gular glands. Its dental formula is 1.1.2.32.1.2.3 for a total of 30 teeth.[3]
Biology and ecology
The Mato Grosso dog-faced bat possibly has a harem social structure. In Venezuela, colonies consist of a single male and two to four females. It is a seasonal breeder, with females giving birth once per year at the beginning of the wet season. It is insectivorous.[3]
Range and habitat
It is found in several countries in South America, including Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, and Venezuela.[1]
Conservation
As of 2008, it is evaluated as a least-concern species by the IUCN—its lowest conservation priority.[1]