SPECIES ACCOUNTS 207 Bats Order Chiroptera Chiroptera is among the most diverse orders of mammals, with 18 families , 202 genera, and 1,116 species. This order is second in diversity only to Rodentia. Bats are the only true flying mammals and usually have a wing membrane extending from the sides of the body and legs and supported by elongated fingers on the forelimbs. There is usually an interfemoral membrane between the legs and tail. Most bats have a thumb that is not incorporated into the wing membrane. Echolocation is well developed in the suborder Microchiroptera (common bats) and rare in the suborder Megachiroptera (flying foxes and relatives). Bats occur worldwide, except in polar regions and on some oceanic islands. There are 2 families of microchiropteran bats present in Alabama (Molossidae, Vespertilionidae). Free-tailed Bats Family Molossidae This family contains 16 genera and 100 species that occur in temperate and equatorial regions around the world. Although this is not the only family of bats that have members with a tail that protrudes beyond the free edge of the uropatagium (tail membrane), molossids are typically characterized by a tail that projects far beyond the free edge. Generally, these insectivorous bats are rapid, long-distance fliers; wings are often narrow and some species fly long distances during annual migrations. One species (Brazilian free-tailed bat) is present in Alabama. 208 SPECIES ACCOUNTS Anatomy of a bat (Townsend’s big-eared bat, Corynorhinus townsendii). [18.206.160.129] Project MUSE (2024-03-28 15:54 GMT) BATS 209 Brazilian Free-tailed Bat Tadarida brasiliensis Identification This is the only bat in Alabama that has a tail extending well beyond the edge of the interfemoral membrane. Pelage on the back is uniformly brownish to blackish and slightly paler on the underside. Long, bristly hairs extend beyond the toes. Dental Formula i 1/2–3, c 1/1, p 2/2, m 3/3, total = 30–32. Size and Weight Average and range in size of 78 males and 60 females, respectively, from Alabama: total length, 102 (92–115), 100 (91–108) mm / 4.1 (3.7–4.6), 4.0 (3.6–4.3) inches tail length, 35 (28–40), 35 (28–40) mm / 1.4 (1.1–1.6), 1.4 (1.1– 1.6) inches foot length, 10 (7–13), 10 (7–12) mm / 0.4 (0.3–0.5), 0.4 (0.3–0.5) inch 210 SPECIES ACCOUNTS ear length, 19 (17–21), 19 (16–21) mm / 0.8 (0.7–0.8), 0.8 (0.6– 0.8) inch weight of 77 males, 12.5 (10.5–16.5) g / 0.4 (0.4–0.6) ounce weight of 60 females, 12.7 (8.0–16.5) g / 0.5 (0.3–0.6) ounce forearm length of 23 males from Louisiana, 42 (40–45) mm / 1.7 (1.6–1.8) inches forearm length of 46 females from Louisiana, 43 (38–46) mm / 1.7 (1.5–1.8) inches Males are slightly larger than females in some characters. Distribution Southern Alabama. Geographic range of the species is from southwestern Oregon to eastern North Carolina and from southern Nebraska to southern South America, except for the Amazon Basin and some regions east of the Andes, but including most islands in the Caribbean . Ecology In the southeastern United States, roosts are in human-made structures such as homes, churches, warehouses, sports stadiums, and government buildings. Before humans removed large hollow trees such as red mangroves (Rhizophora), black mangroves (Avicennia), white mangroves (Laguncularia), and cypresses (Taxodium), these were probably the natural roosts of Brazilian free-tailed bats. Elsewhere in the United States, Brazilian free-tailed bats usually roost in caves, but they may also occupy human-made structures. Roosts have a characteristic odor, which is similar to that of taco shells, tortillas, or corn chips and is produced by the chemical 2-aminoacetophenone. Diet includes moths, beetles, bugs, Distribution of the Brazilian free-tailed bat in Alabama and North America. BATS 211 flies, ants, lacewings, termites, and spiders. Predators include black rat snakes (Elaphe obsoleta), coachwhips (Masticophis flagellum), copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix), American kestrels (Falco sparverius), redtailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis), great horned owls (Bubo virginianus), barn owls (Tyto alba), Virginia opossums, striped skunks, and raccoons. Other causes of death are pesticides, collisions with transmission towers and associated guy wires, and entanglement in cacti, grass burs, and other vegetation. Behavior Brazilian free-tailed bats are swift flyers and may cover more than 100...