Molossus alvarezi

Molossus alvarezi, or Alvarez's mastiff bat, is a species of bat in the family Molossidae, native to the Yucatán Peninsula.^[2] It lives within a relative homogenous environment within perennial forests, low forests, and a band of xeric vegetation.^[2]

Alvarez's mastiff bat
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Chiroptera
Family:	Molossidae
Genus:	Molossus
Species:	M. alvarezi
Binomial name
Molossus alvarezi González-Ruiz, Ramírez-Pulido and Arroyo-Cabrales, 2011
Alvarez's mastiff bat range

Taxonomy

Molossus alvarezi was described as a new species in 2011. The authors examined specimens of the Sinaloan mastiff bat (M. sinaloae) and found that individuals in the Yucatán Peninsula were morphologically distinct from other regions.^[2] The genus name Molossus refers to the ancient Molossus breed of shepherd dog,^[3] while the specific name alvarezi honors the late José Ticul Álvarez Solórzano for his significant contributions to the development of Mexican mammalogy.^[2]

In a 2019 study that examined the genetics of some Molossus species, the authors found that M. alvarezi was the sister taxon of Molossus fentoni.^[4]

Description

Molossus alvarezi is physically similar to Molossus sinaloae, though smaller in most dimensions. It is considered medium-sized for a bat of its genus, with a forearm length of 42.7–47.4 mm (1.68–1.87 in). The fur of its back is dark brown, while its underside is paler and grayish brown.^[2]

Range and habitat

Molossus alvarezi is found in Mexico in the states of Quintana Roo and Yucatán.^[1] Its range also includes Honduras and French Guiana.^[4]