The equatorial dog-faced bat (''Cabreramops aequatorianus'') 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 ...

in the family Molossidae. It is

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found else ...

Ecuador Ecuador ( ; ; Quechua: ''Ikwayur''; Shuar: ''Ecuador'' or ''Ekuatur''), officially the Republic of Ecuador ( es, República del Ecuador, which literally translates as "Republic of the Equator"; Quechua: ''Ikwadur Ripuwlika''; Shuar: ' ...

. They are found in dry, tropical forests. The species is now endangered. The equatorial dog-faced bat feeds on insects.

Taxonomy

This species was discovered by Spanish zoologist

Marcos Jiménez de la Espada Marcos Jiménez de la Espada (1831–1898) was a Spanish zoologist, Herpetology, herpetologist, explorer and writer, born in Cartagena, Spain, although he spent most of his life in Madrid, where he died. He is known for participating in the Paci ...

in November 1864. Espada encountered four females in Babahoyo, Ecuador near the

Guayas River The Guayas River also called Rio Guayas is a major river in western Ecuador. It gives name to Guayas Province and is the most important river in South America that does not flow into the Atlantic Ocean or any of its marginal seas. Its total lengt ...

in the crack of an old tree, roosting with harmless serotine bats. It was described by

Ángel Cabrera Ángel Cabrera (; born 12 September 1969) is an Argentine professional golfer who has played on both the European Tour and PGA Tour. He is known affectionately as ''"El Pato"'' in Spanish ''("The Duck")'' for his waddling gait. He is a two-tim ...

in 1917. Its species name ''aequatorianus'' is derived from the Latin word '' aequatoriensis'', meaning "Ecuadorian." Though previously included in the genus '' Molossops'' and the subgenus ''Cabreramops'', the equatorial dog-faced bat is now often regarded as the sole species in the genus ''Cabreramops''.

Range and habitat

This species is found in dry, tropical forests in west central Ecuador. It has only been found in two locations.

Conservation

The IUCN assessed this species as vulnerable in 1996 and 2008. In 2016, its status was revised to

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 in ...

. They are listed as endangered because they occur at fewer than five locations, and a decline is projected in their area and quality of habitat. Its extent of occurrence is estimated at . Threats facing this species include

habitat destruction Habitat destruction (also termed habitat loss and habitat reduction) is the process by which a natural habitat becomes incapable of supporting its native species. The organisms that previously inhabited the site are displaced or dead, thereby ...

, as their habitat is being converted for agricultural usage. Populations that occur in swampy areas are under threat from aquaculture.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q1833512 Bats of South America Endemic fauna of Ecuador Mammals of Ecuador Mammals described in 1917 Taxa named by Ángel Cabrera Taxonomy articles created by Polbot Taxobox binomials not recognized by IUCN