The Fijian mastiff bat (''Mops bregullae''), also known as the Fijian free-tailed bat, is a species of

bat Bats are mammals of the order Chiroptera.''cheir'', "hand" and πτερόν''pteron'', "wing". With their forelimbs adapted as wings, they are the only mammals capable of true and sustained flight. Bats are more agile in flight than most bi ...

in the family Molossidae. It is found in

Fiji Fiji ( , ,; fj, Viti, ; Fiji Hindi: फ़िजी, ''Fijī''), officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consists ...

and

Vanuatu Vanuatu ( or ; ), officially the Republic of Vanuatu (french: link=no, République de Vanuatu; bi, Ripablik blong Vanuatu), is an island country located in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago, which is of volcanic origin, is east of no ...

. In 2013,

Bat Conservation International Bat Conservation International (BCI) is an international nongovernmental organization working to conserve bats and their habitats through conservation, education, and research efforts. BCI was founded in 1982 by bat biologist Merlin Tuttle, who ...

listed this species as one of the 35 species of its worldwide priority list of conservation. This species is currently listed as endangered and considered a species of special concern due to

habitat fragmentation Habitat fragmentation describes the emergence of discontinuities (fragmentation) in an organism's preferred environment (habitat), causing population fragmentation and ecosystem decay. Causes of habitat fragmentation include geological processes ...

and cave disturbance. The Fijian free-tailed bat is endemic to

and

. This species was previously documented on the islands of

Taveuni Taveuni (pronounced ) is the third-largest island in Fiji, after Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, with a total land area of . The cigar-shaped island, a massive shield volcano which rises from the floor of the Pacific Ocean, is situated to the east of ...

and

Vanua Levu Vanua Levu (pronounced ), formerly known as Sandalwood Island, is the second largest island of Fiji. Located to the north of the larger Viti Levu, the island has an area of and a population of 135,961 . Geology Fiji lies in a tectonically ...

, current research indicates possible small fragmented populations inhabiting both islands. Only two insectivorous bats occupy Fiji, the

Pacific sheath-tailed bat The Pacific sheath-tailed bat or Polynesian sheath-tailed bat (''Emballonura semicaudata'') is a species of sac-winged bat in the family Emballonuridae found in American Samoa, Fiji, Guam, Micronesia, Palau, Samoa (where it is called ''pe'a vai, ...

and the Fijian free-tailed bat. Both species consume night flying insects, foraging high above the canopy.

Population

Estimated populations of Fijian free-tailed bats are approximately 7,000 individuals globally. Cave disturbance, over harvesting, and deforestation are contributing to population decline throughout the species range.

Habitat

The habitat range and ecology of this species is unknown. Previously, the Fijian free-tailed bat was observed in caves located on Vanuatu. The foraging behavior of this species has been observed in coconut groves, farmland, forest and coastal regions of Fiji.

Conservation

The Fijian free-tailed bat is evaluated as

endangered An endangered species is a species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching and inva ...

by the

IUCN The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN; officially International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) is an international organization working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natu ...

, a species at risk of becoming extinct. The first Fijian bat sanctuary was established in 2018, The National Trust of Fiji acquired Nakanacagi Cave. The Fijian free-tailed bat is considered extirpated from Tonga due to disturbance and overharvesting.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q958382 Mops (bat) Mammals described in 1964 Taxonomy articles created by Polbot